Page 15 of Hello Kitten

“What is it about the ...assignmentthat’s unclear?” he asks.

“You’re not coming to the wedding,” I say, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

His eyes shift to the closed door before he answers. “You found someone else?”

“I don’t want you there,” I state evenly.

He tilts his head, the corner of his lips curving slightly. “Really?”

“I don’t have to have a man on my arm. I’m plenty independent,” I argue, shifting on my feet.

Adrian just watches me. The seconds tick by on his clock until that ticking is all I hear. He pushes off the desk and approaches as I back away until I hit the door.

He rests his forearm just above my head, staring down at me. “You’re going to make next weekend difficult?”

“What? No, I just—” I clear my throat. “You shouldn’t be there.”

He doesn’t answer, but his gaze burns me.

“I’m not worth being fired even if our ... night together has stayed in your head plenty. So, it’s best if we just—”

“And when you get drunk at the reception?” he asks.

It’s so out of left field, all I can do is stare at him. “What? Why would I?”

“I’ve heard it happens at weddings. In the time I’ve known you, you’ve gotten insanely drunk twice. No one asks for I.D.s at weddings, so what will stop you?”

“I can take care of myself.”

“And when you do get drunk, you’ll text me.”

“You texted me first!” I snap, leaning closer.

He strokes my jaw, lifting my face until our noses brush. I tremble under the intensity there. “Tell the truth, kitten.”

I lick over my bottom lip and he leans down further, his hot breath teases over my lips. And my mind races, tossing strangethoughts at me. Has he had sex in his office before? Is it sound proofed? Would he have to shove something into my mouth to keep me quiet? Turn on some music to hide the sounds of us having sex?

Fuck, my panties are already soaking wet.

“So, what if I did?”

“Then I’d have a very long drive to come satisfy you, wouldn’t I?”

“You wouldn’t have to,” I disagree. “Because you’re my professor.”

His jaw tightens. He looks me over slowly as he backs away, his shoes still against mine. “Oh, we both know I would.”

“Dr. Hayes,” I whimper.

“Ms. Turner,” he retorts. “We both know you’d be greedy. You’d start sending me photos of you drinking. You’d tease me with fucking someone else. If that didn’t work, you’d send me more photos, wouldn’t you?”

He’s not exactly ... wrong. I swallow and glance at the rest of his office. “You’re really close to me, Dr. Hayes.”

“And you want me closer. I’ll give you a chance though,” he decides, taking two large steps back. “Do you want me to come to the wedding with you?”

No!It’s right there on my tongue, begging to come out.

But I think of my sister’s condescending voice telling me that once I get my life together, I’ll find someone. I think of my mom, always having someone to throw at me. I think of my family,expecting the worst from me and can’t force the simple word out.

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