Page 67 of Tenure

Kiernan snorts, and I can practically hear Gerald’s shock on the other end of phone, that she’s in the car, that I’m discussing this in front of her. I know I’ll be grilled within an inch of my life when I see him, but he seems to be restraining himself.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I grumble.

“Always a treat, James.”

The call disconnects, and I stare straight ahead. I can feel Kiernan’s eyes on me, but she says nothing.

I say nothing.

The air gets thick but not uncomfortable as we both marinate in the aftermath of what just happened.

I should care. IknowI should care. But all I can think about is turning the car around and wrapping my hands around his throat until he’s fucking purple.

I don’t want you to choke anyone but me.

Fuck.

I keep driving.

46

Kiernan

I have no fucking idea what just happened.

I came in class, told him I love him, and watched him pummel someone in public. I could feel the rage in him. The fury.Who did this to you?

It was all for me.

Heis all for me.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but I know it wasn’t this. Maybe I’ve read too many romance novels, but I thought he’d want this to be a secret. That I’d be shameful. That he’d give me a long speech about his career, and regularly complain about how we shouldn’t be together, how I’m too young, howpeople won’t understand.

Instead he’s declaring his love for me, taking me out in public without blinking twice, and is apparently willing to do hard time for murder over my honour.

Could have done worse for my first boyfriend.

He pulls onto the QEW, and I frown.

“Are we going back to your place?” I ask.

“No.”

“Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you home.”

I try not to pout and can feel his lips twitching.

“Don’t you want a night off?” he asks wryly.

“From you?”

He frowns too. “From sex.”

“We can spend time together and not have sex, James.”

“No. We can’t.”

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