Page 54 of Forbidden Professor

I glance at him, my heart pounding. His gaze is steady, unwavering. “I don’t want to make this harder for you,” he says. “But I can’t pretend this doesn’t mean something.”

“It does mean something,” I admit. My voice is barely above a whisper. “But I’m scared, Carter. Scared of what this could cost us.”

He looks away briefly, his jaw tightening. “Me too.”

The ferry horn blares, breaking the moment as we dock. Carter drives me back to campus in silence. The tension between us hangs heavy in the air.

When we pull up in front of my building, he turns to face me. “Eve?—”

“Goodnight, Carter,” I say softly, cutting him off.

His expression tightens, then softens. “Goodnight, Eve.”

I step out of the car, feeling the cold air sharp as a knife against my skin. As I walk toward my house, I glance back. Carter is still there, watching me. For a second, I consider going back. Saying something. Anything.

But I don’t. I keep walking, my thoughts spinning. When I reach my room, I collapse onto my bed. My chest feels tight, my heart heavy. I don’t know what’s happening between us. All I know is that it’s bigger than anything I’ve felt before.

I think I’m in love with Carter Morgan. And I don’t know how much longer I can keep it locked away.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Eve

Carter is standingat my front door again, but this time, the look in his eyes is stormy and dark and intense.

“Hey,” I say, cautiously. “Are you okay?”

I’m so ready to pick up where we left off, but I’m not entirely sure that’s why he’s here.

“Can I come in?” He points inside the house.

“Of course,” I say, stepping to the side and gesturing for him to come in.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call.”

“That’s fine. I’m just studying,” I admit. I don’t have much of a life outside of school, despite Vi trying to get me to go out every night of the week.

Carter strolls over to the couch and sits down.

“Can I get you a drink? Beer?”

“Beer please, thank you,” he says, as he starts petting the kitten.

I walk over and hand it to him, before sitting down next to him. He drinks half the bottle in one big go and I can’t help but wonder what’s bothering him.

“What did you do today?”

“I went to see my mother.”

“Ah,” I say, nodding with understanding. “How did that go?”

“Not well at all. But I don’t want to talk about that right now.”

“Okay…” I sip my own beer, letting him take all the time he needs.

Eventually, he turns to me and takes my hands in his. His eyes peer deep into mine and he takes a deep breath before speaking.

“Eve, hear me out. I don’t know where this might lead. Our connection. All I know is that I can’t stop thinking about you. All I know is that I want you so bad it makes my body ache. All I know is that you’re the first thing I think about when I open my eyes in the morning and the last thing I think about before I drift off to sleep every single fucking night, no matter how hard I try to banish you from my mind.”

---