Page 33 of Teacher's Pet

The voice is sharp, cutting through the haze of lust like a blade.

I freeze.

Walker instantly steps back, putting space between us. My breath is uneven as I tug down my skirt, my hands slightly trembling as I turn to face the doorway.

Noah stands there, his figure tense, his brooding gaze locked onto us with something unmistakably dark.

"Mr. Ackerman-"

"Sit your ass down," he hisses, his voice low, controlled, but laced with something dangerous. He points toward the back of the classroom, his gaze narrowing in on Walker.

"Away from Ms. Burns."

Grabbing his bag, Walker looks embarrassed, his jaw tight as he avoids both mine and Noah’s eyes.

"Next time you two want to jump each other’s bones, make sure I can’t see it," Noah snaps, his voice razor-sharp, cutting through the remaining air between us.

Then, his gaze shifts, locking onto me.

His jaw tenses, his expression unreadable, but his words carry a weight that settles deep in my chest.

"I would hate for you to feel the consequences of pissing me off."

He’s not talking to Walker anymore.

This is for me.

It’s clear now, Noah’s possessiveness last night wasn’t just an in-the-moment reaction. This isn’t fleeting anger. This is something deeper, something controlled. He’s pissed. And he isn’t letting it go.

I swallow, forcing myself to move, to sit, as the other students begin to funnel into the classroom. Conversations hum around me, the mundane noise of morning chatter and shuffled papers filling the air, but I don’t hear any of it.

My focus is locked on the chalkboard, but my mind refuses to stay still. It runs rampant, spiraling with a fear I can control.

Fear of Noah seeing me with Walker.

Fear of what he might do.

Fear of how much I want to find out.

Or maybe…

Maybe him seeing Walker and me was exactly what I wanted.

Chapter 10

Anastasia

"Ana, can you hang back? I’d love to discuss your theme for the upcoming analytic essay."

The words are casual, professional even, but the undercurrent in Noah’s voice is anything but.

Stuck in place, I bite back the urge to snap at him. I know exactly what this is.

Across from me, Walker hesitates, lingering by my desk, his confusion evident as he glances between Noah and me.

"I’ll meet up with you at lunch," I whisper, keeping my voice low. "Can you grab me something from the Baja bar?"

Walker’s eyes flicker between us again before he gives a slow nod. He’s reluctant, but he listens, finally stepping back.

---