Page 10 of The Professor: Ep. 1

Three rules I could agree to. It was just sex. An evening to fulfill this burning lust. And then we’d move on.Easy,I told myself.Right?

It wasn’t like I wanted to marry him. I just wanted to see what he looked like naked. Then lose myself in his touch. His mouth. His tong—

“Kayla,” my mother said as she descended the stairs in a full-length ruby gown. Her brown curls were pinned up in an elegant bun, allowing her to show off the pearls around her neck. “I didn’t realize you were here.”

“Hi, mom,” I greeted. “I just arrived.”

“Excellent. Guests should be here any minute.”

“There were a few in the driveway already,” I told her with a smile. “I think they’re waiting for a formal invitation inside.” My mom usually propped open the two massive front doors as a sign that she was ready to receive guests. “I’m just going to drop this off in my room,” I added, gesturing to my purse.

“Of course, darling.” She opened her arms to hug me along the way. “Are you staying the night?”

Umm…“No, I think I’ll head back to the sorority house after.”

She frowned. “It might be quite late.”

“We’ll see then,” I replied, not wanting to discuss my plans for tonight. I gave her a smile and headed up the stairs to my room at the end of the hall. There were six other bedrooms, which was overkill for a family of three, but my mom liked her space. She also enjoyed entertaining, a fact that was evident as the sounds of the party starting echoed through the corridor. I ignored it, placing my purse on my nightstand, and disappeared into my bathroom to freshen up a bit.

I preferred a more natural look, but I wore a bit of mascara tonight to make my eyes pop. And I paired it with a pale pink lipstick. Nothing else.

Studying my reflection, I nodded, pleased with the mature woman staring back at me. I’d chosen a sleeveless black dress with a sweetheart neckline that revealed my assets without appearing risqué. And I’d added a cropped cardigan sweater to the top with a single button. Easy access, and it drew attention to my cleavage.

Perfect.

Unlike my mom, I left my brown hair free and flowing past my shoulders, the natural waves on display for all to see. Hopefully, Professor Kane took that for the invitation it was—to thread his fingers through the dark strands and guide me wherever he desired.

He struck me as the type to take charge in the bedroom, and I approved.

So long as we were still equals in a way. If he wanted to issue demands, I’d obey them, but I would always expect him to return the favor by acknowledging and accepting my own needs and desires. Which he had.

I smiled. Tonight would be fun.

A single affair of hot sex.

What a great way to end the semester?

Brushing my palms over my dress, I left my room and headed toward the growing party. My father caught me right away, his smile welcoming and kind. He looped his arm through mine and did his rounds with me by his side, parading me around like some sort of show pony. I knew he didn’t mean it that way. He was just very proud and wanted to ensure everyone knew it.

I smiled. I nodded. I listened while they engaged in academic banter. And all the while, I searched for Professor Kane.

Where is he?The party had been rolling for almost ninety minutes and he hadn’t arrived.

Had he changed his mind? Realized how bad of an idea it was to fraternize with a student? Especially one who happened to be his boss’s daughter.

That thought made my thighs tingle.

I liked that he shouldn’t touch me. It made it so much more lurid and exciting.

“Have you chosen a specialty yet, Kayla?” Professor Thompson asked me, her soft tones matching her gentle appearance. She was around the same age as my father, but her hair was a shock of blonde strands while his had gone white.

Both of them studied me now while I contemplated my response. “I’m interested in global health,” I finally said.

“But not health economics?” a deep voice said behind me. “That’s a shame, Miss Mickelson, as you wrote one hell of an essay on the topic.”

Goose bumps danced along my skin as he joined our circle, his arm subtly brushing mine.

“Ah, Maddox Kane has arrived,” my father said, holding out his hand in greeting.

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