Page 7 of Irresistible Professor

As the day went on, I tried to refocus on my wedding plans. I thought about going shopping for my wedding dress, hoping it would reignite the excitement I should be feeling. I told myself that marrying Jonathan was the right choice, that our history and families meant more than this fleeting attraction to my boss.

But as I prepared to leave Ford’s office, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.

“Thank you for your help today, Bonnie,” he said, his voice low.

“It was my pleasure,” I replied, feeling the weight of unspoken words between us.

Our eyes met once more as I turned to leave, and my heart panged in my chest as I close the door behind me. Walking away, conflicting emotions somersaulted through me like a tangle of cats. I had to push aside my feelings for Ford and commit to my future with Jonathan. Because God only knew how the world would implode if I didn’t.

Chapter Four

Ford

The astrophysics convention had gone off without a hitch, and after the final day of speakers and breakout sessions, it was time to celebrate at the formal dinner. As I entered the grand ballroom of the hotel, the sound of clinking glasses, soft jazz music, and lively conversations mingled together to create an ambiance that was both sophisticated and electric. I adjusted my tie and took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. This was what Bonnie and I had been organizing all season, and tonight was the culmination of our hard work.

The ballroom was beautifully decorated, with shimmering chandeliers casting a warm glow over the crowd. Faculty and students from universities across the country mingled together, dressed in their fanciest attire. Their laughter and animated discussions echoed throughout the room like the rumbling of a soft rain. A long buffet table stretched along one side, laden with a mouthwatering array of gourmet dishes, while straight-backed servers weaved through the crowd carrying silver trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

I scanned the room, searching for Bonnie. I knew she’d be arriving soon, and the thought of seeing her in this elegant setting sent a thrill of excitement through me. It was rare for me to feel nervous, but Bonnie had a way of making me question my composure. She was magnetic, and the anticipation of spending the evening with her was both exhilarating and daunting. I was glad she’d accepted my invitation.

“Ford! There you are!” Alfred Winters called, breaking through my thoughts as he approached me with a glass of wine in hand. He was one of the esteemed physicists I respected, always full of wit and charm.

“Alfred,” I replied, shaking his hand enthusiastically. “It’s good to see you.”

We exchanged pleasantries about the conference sessions earlier in the day, but my mind kept wandering back to Bonnie. She had promised to attend tonight, agreeing to be my unofficial date for the evening. It was a small favor, but it meant a lot to me. She was more than just my assistant; she had become someone I trusted and admired deeply.

The conversation with Professor Winters drifted on, but I found it hard to focus. My gaze kept darting around the room, scanning for any sign of her. Just when I was about to excuse myself, I spotted her across the ballroom.

She was standing near the entrance, looking breathtakingly beautiful in a royal blue dress that accentuated her curves. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, and a string of pearls adorned her neck, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble. She wore a pair of heels that gave her petite frame a graceful lift, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by the sight of her.

A small group of people were gathered around her, and I heard her animated laughter ringing out as she engaged them in conversation. Bonnie was the kind of person who lit up any room she entered, and tonight was no exception. She was completely unaware of how effortlessly she drew people in, her genuine warmth and charm creating a gravitational pull that others found impossible to resist.

I felt a surge of energy as I weaved my way through the crowd toward her, pausing briefly to grab two flutes of champagne from a passing server, determined to make a toast with her.

“Bonnie,” I called as I reached her side, offering her one of the glasses. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, a smile spreading across her face that made my heart skip a beat.

“Ford!” she exclaimed, accepting the champagne flute with a grateful nod. “This is quite the party you’ve organized.”

“Thank you, but I couldn’t have done it without you,” I replied, raising my glass to her. “To you, Bonnie, for all your hard work, and for being my date tonight. Well, not really, but you know what I mean.”

She blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that made her even more enchanting. “Thank you, Ford. And I suppose I should thank Jonathan for sparing me for the evening. He’s off with his programmer friends, having a virtual reality gaming night. I’m not really into that sort of thing.”

I chuckled, relieved that Jonathan didn’t mind her absence tonight. “To making all our dreams come true,” Bonnie said, lifting her glass to meet mine. The soft clink of crystal echoed between us as we toasted, a sense of camaraderie and understanding passing between us.

As we took our seats at the head table, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. There was a lightness in her demeanor, an infectious joy that made everything seem brighter. The meal was an elaborate affair, starting with an appetizer of smoked salmon and avocado mousse, followed by a main course of filet mignon with truffle sauce and roasted vegetables. Each dish was a masterpiece, and the flavors danced on my palate, but it was Bonnie’s presence that truly made the evening special.

We shared stories and laughter as we ate, the conversation flowing easily between us. Bonnie had a way of making me feel at ease, her quick wit and playful banter drawing me in. I found myself sharing more than I usually would, caught up in the moment and the comfort of her company.

“So, Ford, what’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at a conference?” Bonnie asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she cut into her filet mignon.

I laughed, thinking back to my early days in academia. “There was this one time when I was giving a presentation, and I realized halfway through that I had left my laser pointer at the hotel. I had to use a chopstick I found in my bag to point at the slides. Not my finest hour.”

Bonnie giggled, her laughter like music to my ears. “I bet you pulled it off with style, though.”

“I tried my best,” I admitted, enjoying the light-hearted exchange. “What about you? Any embarrassing moments in your MBA program?”

She thought for a moment, a smile playing on her lips. “Well, I was giving a presentation on market analysis a couple of weeks ago, and I accidentally mixed up the slides with a personal slideshow from a family vacation I’m putting together for my dad’s birthday. Let’s just say my classmates learned more about our trip to Florida when I was thirteen than they ever wanted to know. That awful perm I had that made me look like a poodle will probably follow me now for the rest of my life.”

We both laughed at our mutual faux pas.

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