Page 5 of Irresistible Professor

“We’re…getting to know each other,” I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. "Nothing has gone past the level of friendship. Heck, I have no idea if she feels the same chemistry between us that I do. But the more time I spend around her, the more I want to spend.”

“And what’s the problem?” Case prodded. “Besides the obvious fact that she’s your employee, of course. If it came right down to it, either one of you could always put in a request that her work-study be transferred without necessarily revealing the specific reason why.”

“Frankly, I don’t even want to go there,” I replied. “Imagine the rumors.”

“True,” admitted Case. “But you’ve lived through worse.”

I smirked. “Don’t remind me. I’m still trying to put my life back together after the shambles Greer left it in last year. It’s not something I intend to repeat.”

“What else?” Case continued. Damn, the man knew me too well.

“She’s engaged,” I said morosely. “I have to stare at a big fat diamond on her ring finger three mornings a week. At least seeing it there is holding me back from doing something really stupid like making a move on her.”

"Engaged?" He whistled low, the sound cutting through the silence of the room. "Dude, you really know how to pick ’em, don’t you?”

"No kidding.” I raked my fingers through my hair in frustration. “The problem is, I can't seem to get her out of my head, and believe me, I've tried.”

Case's lips twitched with wry amusement. "The untouchable Dr. Kingston, brought down by Cupid's arrow. Who would’ve thought?"

"Laugh it up," I said dryly. "But this is serious, Case. I don't know what to do. I really don’t need this distraction right now, either. You know how hard I’m working trying to get funding for my research center."

"All right then," he said, leaning forward, the levity fading from his voice. "In all seriousness, don’t do anything foolish. Remind yourself of the stakes here, Ford. Your reputation, your career. And let's not forget the woman involved."

"Exactly why I came to you." I sighed, feeling the weight of his words. "I needed perspective."

"Consider me your North Star," he replied, a smile spreading across his face as the jokester in him surfaced again. "Just keep in mind, some orbits are meant to remain separate, no matter the pull."

I rolled my eyes. “That’s awful, funny man," I said, rising. “But thanks.”

“Anytime,” he called before I let myself out and exited his office into the hallways of the university which were largely empty now due to the lateness of the hour. The silence was a stark contrast to the cacophony of thoughts that clamored for attention in my head after the conversation with my friend. Bonnie's image danced before my eyes—her laugh, her intense focus as her fingers flew over the keyboard while I dictated memos, the way her hair moved with every turn of her head.

"Get it together, Kingston," I muttered under my breath, shoving my hands into the pockets of my coat and feeling the bite of the cold as I stepped outside, a reminder of the season's indifference to human turmoil. This too shall pass. I repeated the old adage silently as I walked back to my office, my resolve against the memory of Bonnie’s smile. She was sunshine in human form, burning through the frost of my self-imposed exile from anything resembling a personal life. But I couldn’t forget what Case had said, nor could I afford to ignore the wisdom behind his words.

"New year, new you," I scoffed at the triteness of another cliché, even as I let it anchor me to the present moment. Greer's specter loomed like an eclipse, darkening the edges of my heart, reminding me of the risk inherent in vulnerability.

I pushed open the door to my office again, the familiar scent of old books and stale coffee wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. My gaze flitted over the organized chaos of papers and journals, landing on the photo of a distant galaxy that adorned my wall—an entire world existing in quiet splendor, unaffected by human folly.

"Research," I reminded myself, taking a seat at the desk that had become my sanctuary from emotional entanglements. "This is your love. This is your passion."

Bonnie would be just fine without me clouding her future with complications. And I—well, I had stars to chase, universes to unlock, and a reputation to rebuild. No more distractions, no more detours; it was time to focus solely on the cosmos that had never once let me down.

"Women aren't worth it," I declared to the silent room, the conviction in my voice faltering only slightly. I powered up my computer again, letting the glow of the screen cast away the shadows that lingered in the corners of my office and mind alike. It was going to be a long night, but I welcomed the solitude, the clarity, and the return to a life safely contained within the parameters of logic and reason.

"This is how it has to be," I whispered, forcing myself to delve back into my work, the equations and theories spreading out before me. Here, at least, I knew where I stood. Here, I could make sense of the chaos. Here, my heart was safe from the pull of a bright, forbidden star named Bonnie Kelly.

Chapter Three

Bonnie

The February chill clung to me as I hurried across campus, the wind biting through my coat and nipping at my cheeks. Illinois winters were harsh and unforgiving, turning the world into a monochrome landscape of snow and ice. However, the university was my sanctuary, a haven where I could escape the pressures of wedding planning and immerse myself in the world of academia, something I’d never fully experienced before despite having earned my undergraduate degree. Then, I’d simply joined the same sorority as my mother and lived in the sorority house while I continued to date Jonathan, keeping myself busy completing my degree in communication, a major my parents approved of.

But now, this felt different somehow, and I wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe it was because I was a little older and this was a smaller, more intimate institution than the big state school I’d previously attended. Plus, I hadn’t asked anyone’s permission before applying for admission, making me feel a little wild. All I knew was that here was a place where dreams, regardless of how big or small, were being mined and cultivated, and this amazing freedom was exhilarating. For the first time, I felt encouraged to stretch, to think outside the box, where I wasn’t being told I was wrong or being outlandish. This place was changing me in exciting ways, ways I was only just beginning to grasp.

Reaching my destination, a warmth spread across my chest as I opened the door and walked inside the building housing the physics department. A familiar wave of excitement and nervousness washed over me as it always did on the mornings I worked for Ford. The distinguished astrophysics professor had quickly become both my mentor and a puzzle I couldn’t quite solve in the weeks I’d been assisting him.

My work/study arrangement as his administrative assistant had been a godsend. Not only did it provide some financial support as I pursued my MBA, leaving more room in Jonathan’s and my wedding budget, but it also gave me the chance to work alongside someone I deeply admired. Ford was brilliant, dedicated, and achingly private. There was something about his reserved nature that intrigued me, drawing me in even as he kept his distance. It made me wonder what had happened in the past that had caused him to construct such high walls around himself.

“Good morning, Bonnie,” he greeted as I entered his office, his voice smooth and warm like velvet. He was standing by the window, a tall figure silhouetted against the backdrop of swirling snowflakes outside. His silver hair caught the light, and his blue eyes were as striking as ever. He offered me a small but genuine smile that promptly sent a flutter through my heart.

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