Page 54 of Hello Kitten

“I do, don’t I?” I tease and grip the necklace. “What’s this?” I ask.

He grins. “My kitty needed a collar, so I gave you one.”

“To wear all the time?” I ask.

“Yes. I have the key that releases it,” he says brightly.

I shake my head. “It’s like youwantus to get caught,” I grumble.

He pulls me onto his lap and kisses my throat. “No one but us will know it’s from me.”

I keep playing with the necklace. I don’t want to think about what would happen if someone put the pieces together. But how would they even know?

Monday morning class came quicker than I thought, but I’m not complaining. Not as I tug on the chain around my neck whenever Adrian meets my eyes and see his eyes sharpen, but we both manage to focus on class. At least for most of the time.While we have quiet reading, my gaze keeps flicking to him, where he sits at his desk.

He looks at his lap, then at me. I tighten the chain until it bites into my throat and let my lips part as my eyes roll back. He grits his teeth and puts his phone on the desk. I ignore mine when it buzzes and focus on the lesson until we pack up.

Behave, Kitten. I have plenty of ways to punish you.

That one text is plenty to tell me that he’s thinking about me too.

I nearly dip into his office the next day after I finish with Dr. Spence, but I manage to control myself enough to only text him that I considered it. He doesn’t answer until I’m in my next class.

God, I just want to make out with him. I want to feel him moan against me, want him to tug the necklace around my neck and say I’m his.

The frustration keeps boiling in me until Thursday. After I have my own office hours, tutoring a few of Dr. Spence’s students, I head out only to run into a frat guy I flirted with once. Sean.

He looks me over, drinking in my thin sweater that hugs my body tightly and my skinny jeans and rubs his hands together.

“You know we’re having a party tomorrow,” he says.

“Yeah, that’s the usual for Fridays,” I agree simply.

“Well, I’m hoping you’ll be there,” he says.

“Me? Not multiple girls?” I ask.

Over his shoulder, I spot Adrian talking with Dr. Spence.

“Come on, Emily. Parties are always better with you around. I still remember the one time we made out during that drinking game. We could play that again,” Sean offers.

Adrian’s eyes narrow on Sean’s back. I toss my dark hair over my shoulder. “I don’t know. I might need more than half decent kissing to convince me to come. Last time was so boring.”

“Clearly that’s because you didn’t drink enough. Tell me what you want to drink, and it’ll be there,” Sean says before leaning forward and whispering in my ear. “Especially if you’re drinking it off me.”

Adrian answers Dr. Spence but continues glaring at this interaction. He has to know it’s bound to happen. Teachers will flirt with him. Students will flirt with me. That’s how it goes.

“Come on, Em. I’ll make it worth it. I promise. You won’t leave unsatisfied,” he says, trying to sound sexy, but sounding menacing as hell.

I sigh. “I’ll think about it. I can’t promise anything.”

“I promise I’ll make you feel better either way,” he says with a wink. “I could make you feel really good tonight if you—”

“I have an essay to finish tonight,” I say clearly. “The answer is maybe.”

I walk around him and feel Adrian’s gaze on me as I exit the building and text him quickly.

Worried about some frat boy impressing me?

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