Page 54 of Tenure

“Why do you need the money?”

“What the fuck do you meanwhy do I need the money?What do you pay for things with, James? Insults?”

He waits quietly, staring at me, like he genuinely wants to know.

“I used all my savings on your class. I don’t qualify for student loans because I’m still in high school and only in one course.”

“How much is the class?”

“Close to a grand.”

He frowns. “But you qualify for student loans for the summer semester?”

I blink, confused. “I’m not starting full-time in the summer, I’m starting in the fall.”

His brow furrows. “Why would you wait? If you take a full course load this summer and just stack your semesters. you can start your master’s by 2025.”

I groan, loudly, and flop onto my back, staring up at his ceiling. “That’s assuming I even take the challenge exams.Andthat I pass them.Andthat I pass all my senior-level courses with good enough grades to get in to a master’s program.”

“You will,” he says. No doubt. Not a question.

“I can’t afford to start school this summer. I need to work full-time. I need some money. And honestly, I feel like you’re a little biased since you’ve been balls deep in my mouthandmy pussy already today.”

He levels me with a look. “Watch it, Kiernan.”

I raise my hands. “I’ve had my fill.”

“You have another hole, you know.”

My heart jumps into my throat as he stares me down, eyes hard, but then he relaxes a little and picks up a bookmark off his night table, closing his book and putting it down so he can roll over onto his side and face me.

“Take the challenges. Why waste money on classes you could pass with a test?”

I open my mouth, but he has a point, and he smirks at me like he knows it.

“I honestly don’t think I could pass them. I’m not just being modest here. I know I can learn it. But I don’tknowthis material, yet. How can I be expected to take a test on it?”

“I’ll teach you.”

I eye him warily. “Why do I feel like we won’t get much done?”

He grins and pokes me in the ribs under the covers.

“Ow!”

“I take math as seriously as I take sex. I’d be happy to spend all of my time doing both of those things with you.”

“Why?”

He levels me with a look. “You know why.”

He’s staring at me, that strange razor-sharp intensity on his face again, and I feel myself start to squirm.

“Fine. But I still have to go to work tomorrow.”

“Call in sick.”

“You’re aterriblefucking influence for the grown-up here!”

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