Page 143 of A Dusk Of Stars

So the least I can do is not be late. I open the door and step inside.

I stop as soon as I see my man trying to herd a bunch of first-years out of the room, while they just seem to be too eager to share their experiences after their first practical class. The contrast with that first class I witnessed him teach makes me almost let out a laugh. The kids are just as reverent around him, but instead of looking intimidated, they’re… relaxed.

When he spots me, he doesn’t stop walking, but as always, his eyes suck me in and keep me there for what seems like an eternity.

He tears them away and slows to a stop, making the students’ chatter die down even before he addresses them. “Yeah, I don’t think I hear asinglequestion that can’t wait till next time.”

There are a few grumbles, but then they all just keep chatting as they rush to make themselves scarce, leaving their professor standing there, looking at me like prey.

As soon as the last of them walks out, he motions for me to lock the door, sending my heart racing when he starts stalking over to me. I let the pull take me to him, my lips tugging into a blissful smile.

“Novak, is it?” he demands, throwing me this super serious little squint just as he wraps his arms around my waist and tugs me close. I throw my arms around his shoulders, fighting to put on a straight face as I say, “Correct.”

He leans to whisper against my lips, his voice turning husky, “Well, if ever I saw a lost cause…”

Laughter bubbles up my throat. “Damn it,” I curse teasingly, “does that mean Iwon’tbe getting lessons with the hot professor?” I take my hands off his shoulders. “I’ll just go fling myself off Graf Hill then,” I say as I move to get out of his arms.

Before I know it, he’s gripping the backs of my thighs, hoisting me up and getting my legs around him. “Oh you’re not goinganywhere, smartass,” he growls into my ear, making my breath catch and my heart pound.

He inhales me, spins me around and then lowers himself on the edge of his desk with me straddling him. Forgetting all about training, we start losing ourselves in a kiss, when I hear his phone start ringing in his shirt pocket.

Colin. It has to be Colin.

The focus of my excitement shifting, I break the kiss and take the phone out.

“Notnow, Anna—”

“Oh come on, Jericho,” I say as I get the screen in front of his face to show him who it is. “Take it. It’ll only take a second, and maybe he’s finally calling with news about the project.” I grin.

He expels a frustrated breath, but he does take the phone. Just not before he squints at me and says, “My wife sure does like spending my money.”

I shrug. “It’s like, the sole reason she agreed to marry you, so...”

He throws me a playful scowl and answers the call. “This better be important, Colin.”

I let my eyes roam his face as I listen to Colin’s faint voice from the other side of the line. I only make out an occasional couple of words, but when he says “ready to break ground,” Jericho locks eyes with me to give me a wink.

Finally. It makes me grin, when I visualize the day the shelters will open their doors, plans for the next thing already being set in motion. There’s not a lot we won’t be able to do with all thatmoney. Then my man’s scent and his proximity start to distract me again. I start running my hands up his chest, leaning in to inhale him. He grumbles, grabbing my wrist in warning.

“Alright, thank you, Colin,” I hear him cut the conversation short.

“Thank you, Colin,” I echo on a low chuckle as he lets go of my hand and wraps his arm around my waist again. I press my lips to the delicious tip of his jaw.

It makes me frown, when I realize he’s ended the conversation, but is still looking at the phone.

I pull away a little, finding him skimming something with that super serious look on his face.

The very next moment, he’s turning the phone for me to see the email. Lorcan, in response to the shared room request. “He actually approved it?” I ask a little breathlessly.

When I look at him, I find him grinning from ear to ear. Not even trying to contain my excitement, I ball my hands into fists, grit out a squeal and then crash into his chest with my arms tightly wrapping around his shoulders.

Laughing, he squeezes me tight and starts rocking me left and right. “There’s still a problem, though,” he says, weirdly nonchalantly.

“What?” I ask as I pull away, a frown scrunching up my forehead.

He shrugs, his right hand finding its way under my shirt and starting to trace little circles on the skin of my waist. “Let’s just say I’m not too sure about the woman they’re forcing me to share the room with.”

I quirk an eyebrow at him. “Forcing, really?” I ask as I fold my arms, my lips tugging into a smile as my eyes beg to be rolled. I should’ve known. After all, it’s proving to be the man’s favorite pastime — trying to get on my nerves.

---