Page 10 of Classroom Confessions

I couldn’t help stepping forward and hugging her tight to my chest. God, she felt good there, like she belonged. “I will never be able to forget tonight. I’ll be thinking of it every minute.”

Her breath hitched in a soft mutter, and her hands locked in the small of my back. “Why’d you say that?”

“Because it’s true. And I’ve always had a habit of telling the truth.” It made things uncomfortable, but I’d found that genuine truth beat out lies every time. “Like it’s also true that we will have to maintain a professional distance once I walk out your door.” The implication landed between us. “I could stay here a while longer.”

Rebecca took her time mulling over the proposal. Her hands clenched and unclenched my shirt. “I can’t let you stay. The more time I spend with you, the harder it will be to let go. I need to let you go.” She took a step back, her hands trailing over my hips before she moved completely out of reach. Still naked, she stood as glorious as any goddess. “Goodbye, David.”

I kept my gaze on her while shoving my feet into my shoes and making sure I had my wallet, phone, and keys. She stood her ground when I approached. Her chin trembled when I used my knuckle to tip her head up. “Goodbye, Rebecca.” I kissed her slowly, with every ounce of passion left in me. We were breathless by the time I ended it, and the flush had returned to her cheeks. Good. At least she would have pleasant memories of us.

Opening the bedroom door, I knelt to ruffle Fitz’s ears. “Behave yourself. No more running away.”

Rebecca made a noise behind me. I almost turned to comfort her, but she’d made her decision. It was the right one. If I stayed much longer, much less the rest of the night, she’d have to pry me from her bed each and every night afterward. I could find another job. Anything that meant I could have sex with her whenever I wanted. And that was the biggest reason I pushed to my feet and forced them to carry me to the front door and out into the night. Obsession. I could not afford to fall into my typical bliss. Not this time, nor ever again.

Fitz yapped at my heels, his little body bouncing with every step. I made sure he was firmly inside the house before I closed the door. Seconds passed before the turn of the bolt comforted me. I blew out a low, slow breath and turned toward home.

Funny that Rebecca and I lived so close together that I could walk from her home to mine. Night wrapped around me, a silent cloak that warmed my stomach. I cursed under my breath and shook my head. “Of all the fool’s luck.”

“What’s that? Are you talking to yourself again?” Cole’s voice rang through the air.

I jerked my head up and stared hard into the distance. He stood beside Ethan, the two of them planted at my doorstep, blocking the path like a couple of bodyguards. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Ethan scowled so hard a thick dent formed between his eyes. “You should check your phone.”

“Or you could tell me.” I crossed my arms and waited. I’d known these two too long to be intimidated. We could stand here all night for all I fucking cared. I’d already had my heart stomped on. There wasn’t anything else they could do to me.

Cole eyed Ethan, who lowered his hands, the knuckles white with pressure. “Did you sleep with her?”

What the hell? I kept my stance quiet, my expression casual. “Since when are you monitoring my social calendar?”

“Since she’s a student, and you’re her fucking professor.” Ethan’s low voice held the dangerous edge I’d heard one other time during our friendship. “Did you sleep with her?”

I shouldered past them both. “We’re not talking about this out here.” My neighbors were a fair distance away, with a privacy fence separating my yard from theirs, but this was not the kind of conversation anyone should have standing outside. I unlocked the door and pushed it open. “Come in, or leave. I don’t really give a fuck either way.”

Ethan fumed. Cole followed me inside, and Ethan stomped over, slamming the door with a kick of his heel.

“What is wrong with you?” I didn’t have to keep my voice down anymore, but the situation seemed on the edge of tipping into a strange territory. Whispering felt appropriate. The haze of what had happened between me and Rebecca finally lifted and I saw the truth in Ethan. “You’re jealous.”

It all made sense now. The puffed up chest and swagger, plus the attitude, were classic Ethan fuck off vibes.

Ethan snorted, but the action felt disingenuous. “I’m not jealous.”

Laughter roared up and spilled out so loudly that it echoed down the long hallway and bounced back. I clicked on the lamp to get a better look at his expression. The soft glow highlighted his dark scowl.

“No? So you and Cole are stalking my house, asking if I slept with Rebecca because you’re worried about my tenure?” I mocked them with a dry laugh. “Please.”

Cole grabbed Ethan’s arm, dragging him back when he stalked forward. “He’s right. You both are.”

Poor Cole. Always the mediator. Not that Ethan and I would come to blows over this. We’d never resorted to violence before and wouldn’t dream of it now. But we’d never wanted the same woman before, either, especially not one so completely off limits.

My two-bedroom house suddenly felt too small for this exchange. Then again, we could be in the middle of a football stadium and I’d feel confined by the emotions in the room.

I had no choice. Ethan and Cole were my best friends. They deserved the truth. “I didn’t know she was a student. And she didn’t know I was a professor. Not until after.” Not until after a round of sex so pleasurable, I’d dream of her every night for the foreseeable future. “She asked me to leave as soon as she found out.”

An arched eyebrow from Ethan prompted me to spill the entire story, sex details excluded. Rebecca deserved her privacy. Still, talking about my wallet falling from my pants reminded me of how she’d looked beneath me. I’d give just about anything to change the situation.

“How long will she be a student?” I asked Cole when Ethan continued to scowl at me.

“None of your fucking business.” This time, when Ethan spoke, he jabbed a finger in my chest.

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