Page 4 of Classroom Confessions

“You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced mind-altering sex.” The deep rumble in his voice almost undid me.

I leaned into the sound. “Then I guess I haven’t lived.” I shrugged, though I felt anything but nonchalant, and shifted closer. The move brought me close enough to see the bright flecks of gold in his irises and the soft stubble where he’d missed a spot shaving. Without thinking, I traced the tiny patch of hair with the pad of my finger.

His body stilled beneath my touch, and I snatched my hand back, my cheeks hotter than an active volcano.

“It really is too bad.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “It would be my pleasure to show you, but I’m afraid that’s strictly forbidden.”

“Too bad.” I nodded in time to my heartbeat. “I’m sure you’re an excellent professor on the subject.”

“I am.” He brushed a strand of hair off my shoulder, his thumb skimming the edge of my shirt where it met my neck. “And having you in my class is going to be torture. Knowing I’ve said all this and it can never leave this classroom, that it'll be nothing more than words, it’s going to keep me awake tonight, thinking of you.”

Confident bastard. What did it say about me that I found it hot? “I have to go.” Turning away seemed impossible, but I forced my feet into action and walked out of the classroom. Holy freaking hell. Professor Halstead just admitted he’d like to have sex with me. Me! It would never happen. People like me didn’t have sex with hot men like him. The knowledge curled my hands and quickened my steps. Relationships between professors and students were strictly off limits. I understood why. Didn’t make me feel any better.

I fanned the heat from my face and rushed to my class with Professor Taylor. Concentration took considerable effort, especially as I faced another of the hottest professors I’d ever seen. By the time I finished my classes and made it to the coffee shop for my shift, I couldn’t keep hold of a single thought.

Lily took one look at me and passed me a cold brew full of ice and mocha swirl. “What happened to you? You’re all flushed and…” She waved a hand around her face. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had sex.”

I spluttered, spitting out the coffee across the counter and choking on my next breath. “Lily!”

“What?” She splayed her hands, then her eyes widened and she gasped. “Did you?”

“No.” Snatching up a towel, I cleaned up the mess and left to get my apron. By the time I joined her behind the counter, she’d filled two customer orders and changed out the tip jar.

The empty shop gave us plenty of opportunity to talk. I considered telling her about Ethan, but saying it out loud risked making it all sound ridiculous. Maybe I’d misinterpreted the whole thing.

“Hey, Becca, watch this.” She handed me a paper coffee cup. The whipped cream canister hissed and spit as Lily shook it and pointed it upside down at a coffee cup. “I’m going to start making pup cups for you to take home to Fitz.”

“Fitz can’t have whipped cream. It upsets his stomach.” The words barely left my mouth before the canister gave an unholy groan and whipped cream splattered out in every direction. White bits flew through the air. Several landed on Lily’s head, while even more hit the floor with steady plops that sounded like rainfall.

I laughed so hard my sides ached. Bent at the waist, hands on my knees, laughter poured out in rich bubbles until tears streamed. God love her. Lily always knew how to make a day better.

The door chime rang out as I bent to wipe up whipped cream from the floor. Upside down and sideways, I spotted a pair of muscular calves, athletic shorts, a sweaty T-shirt. My gaze traveled up and up, pulling my body straight as the broad shoulders came into view.

Lily whistled. The woman had no shame.

Once I saw his face, I realized why she’d been so quick in her appreciation. He had the face of a god, all sharp-lined and chiseled jaw that the scruffy beard did nothing to hide. Gray in his temples and a long sweep of hair over the crown of his head made him distinguished instead of frumpy.

“I’m looking for Rebecca.” His deep voice filled the empty shop.

Lily nudged me with her elbow. “Lucky bitch.”

“I’m Rebecca.” I tried to smile, but the sight of my tiny Pomeranian in this guy’s thick arms sent my pulse skittering out of control. “Fitz?” I looked from my dog to the man and back.

He held Fitz out in one hand, my dog perfectly content to let his feet dangle while the man supported his belly. “I found him wandering the neighborhood. When I called the number, it went to voicemail.” He brought Fitz back to his chest and cradled him there when I didn’t jump forward to take him. “I took him to the vet and had him scanned for a microchip. This address was listed on the computer.”

It had been a crazy move, putting my work address on Fitz’s microchip, but I didn’t like the idea of a creep getting hold of him and finding out where I lived.

Lily’s hands landed on my shoulders and pushed me forward. “She’s grateful you brought him back.”

“Um. Yeah.” Unlike when I argued with Ethan, this man tied my tongue until I could barely speak.

Who was he?

3

ETHAN

I was supposed to be better than this. Damn it. The sight of Rebecca in the middle of my lecture hall set my blood boiling. She’d challenged me in front of everyone, and I couldn’t even be mad because she had a valid point.

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