Page 17 of Devilry

Stop trying to flirt with the kid, Cole.

“It could be worse,” he says, surprising me.

Elijah lowers his face in embarrassment as he realizes he’s spoken his thoughts out loud, and I bite my tongue to make sure we remain in neutral territory.

“I’ll see you next week, Elijah.”

“Eli,” he reiterates.

I ignore his request and offer a smirk instead.

He shakes his head while tucking his bottom lip between his teeth, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have to stop myself from running my fingers across the seam of his mouth.

“Prof—”

I put a hand up to stop him, not wanting the reminder of who I am to him.

Running a hand through his hair, he gives me an understanding nod and turns to leave. Each step seems harder to watch than the one before, and it pains me to watch him hobble his way up the stairs.

My concern morphs into an unrestrained ogle as I shamelessly watch him from behind. I’ve hit on plenty of straight guys, and last week, because he was so awkward, I would’ve bet my left nut that he was.

But today… Today he was interested. Still nervous. Still scared. Still embarrassed. But there’s no denying he was interested.

He’s everything I know I shouldn’t look twice at, but I can’t turn away. There’s no in-between for me here; nobody cares if it’sjusta physical attraction, there aren’t levels of punishment based on how far you go. I’m a professor. He’s a student. It’s wrong oneverylevel.

As he reaches the top landing, I tell myself to take advantage of this moment and to take him all in, because the next time I see him Ineedhim to not be a problem.

He turns my way one last time and gives me a two fingered salute. I raise my hand in a half-hearted wave and mentally lock that door the second it’s shut.

Elijah Williams will not be my distraction

Elijah Williams will not be my temptation.

Elijah Williams will not be my mistake.

4

Elijah

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

Walking out of the lecture hall, I’m an overflowing bundle of nerves.

Was I actually flirting with him?

From the minute I rose to the challenge with his word association game, I couldn’t help but show off. He was impressed by the knowledge that I had worked so damn hard to attain, and hell if it didn’t feel good to have someone notice me for all the right reasons.

It doesn’t hurt that there’s an air of authority and sophistication that enhances just how handsome and intelligent he is. It makes paying attention to him a very dangerous and addictive pastime.

He was good looking in running clothes, but in gray tailored pants that match his silvery eyes, and a crisp, white button-down shirt, he’s an image that I am unlikely to forget. And with a scheduled meeting once a week, also known as my Religion: Texts, Life, and Traditions class, where he’s required to wear variations of that exact outfit, it will undoubtedly be seared into my memory by the end of the semester.

“Earth to Eli.”

Aiden’s voice reaches my ears and I’m surprised to see him and Callie leaning on the brick wall in front of me. Ever since he apologized, and Callie joined us for pizza night, it’s been the two of them dragging me along, while we all find our way through freshman year, together. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Well, we came to walk with you to grab some lunch, but, dude,” he looks down at his imaginary watch. “We’ve been waiting for ages.”

“Yeah. Um—”

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