Page 21 of Kiss and Make Love

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“I know you talked to Mr. Hewitt and Ms. Channing about me. Now, they’re saying they might not pass me in my practicum. If I fail, I have to repeat the entire semester. I can’t have that! You need to talk to them again and tell them I’m a good embalmer.” He took a breath in and continued. “That I’m a great embalmer! And I should be hired to work there! I can’t come out of this program and have no job. If you don’t help me, I’ll tell the Dean all about you and Mr. Monroe and the little tryst in his classroom,” he huffed, crossing his arms.

Someone was proud of their little tirade.

“Llewellyn…” she started, feeling atouchbad for him. “There’s only a week and a half left of the semester and our program is finished. If, at this point, the directors don’t think you’re ready, perhaps you’re not ready.”

“You’re the one who convinced them I wasn’t ready! And if you don’t change their minds, I’ll get Mr. Monroe fired!” he cried.

“Keep your voice down, for fuck’s sake.” She dragged her hand over her face, willing herself to keep calm. “I didn’t convince them of anything. When I talked to them last week, I asked if more direct time could be spent with you going over the basics. I never once said you should fail your practicum.”

“I don’t believe you,” he said, glaring at her.

Spencer sighed. “Can we look at this objectively? Are you doing the best possible job at the funeral home?”

Llewellyn was quiet.

“And how are you doing in your classes? I watched you flounder inSafety, Sanitation, and Hygiene,and that was pretty basic stuff. How did you do inAnatomy and Physiology?”

“I got a C.”

“Okay. So you’re struggling in your practicum, and you’re struggling in your courses. Llewellyn, do you even want to be in this program?” This conversation hadn’t started out the nicest, but now she felt for the kid.

Brett’s bleeding heart must be getting to her.

“I…” Llewellyn started. “I don’t know.” He looked down at his hands, fiddling with the long strings on his yellow and orange pullover hoodie.

“Consider it. If you’re sure this is what you want to do, I’ll help you the best I can with the remaining time we have in the semester. Deal?”

He nodded his head, still looking down and playing with his clothing. “Deal.”

“Brett,” she called out, entering his office and closing the door behind her. “I have things under control.”

He rushed to her and took her hands in his. “What happened?” Concern coloured his brow.

“He was upset at first and tried to blackmail me, but I’m pretty sure I talked him down.”

Brett’s hands tightened on hers. His demeanor shifted, and an intensity took over his features that she’d only seen once before: when she was at the pub that first night and Chad was going to take her home.

“Llewellyn threatened you?” His tone was humourless. The grin that always graced his face was nowhere to be found.

“It’s fine, Professor, it’s fine,” she crooned, wanting to calm him down. “Do you think I can’t handle Llewellyn? It’sLlewellyn.” Spencer placed a hand on his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. “I’ve got it sorted.”

“I know you do. But if he pressures you again…”

She chuckled. “I’ll let you know.”

“Nobody gets to threaten you.”

“Down, boy. What are you? My big, bad protector?” she quipped, pushing at his shoulder.

“Something like that,” he smirked. Those grey eyes glinted with a sign of mischief, and Spencer wanted to take full advantage.

“How about you be my big, badprofessorinstead and teach me a lesson?”

“I’d rather have you teach me, darling.”

She melted at his confession. In her experience, few men were willing to admit they wanted the woman to lead, and she was always more dominant in her relationships. Women were much more open, but men always wanted to be the strong, in-control alpha male in the bedroom. This was a welcome surprise, though she’d had her suspicions. In all of their morestimulatingemails and texts, Brett always focused on her pleasure.

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