Page 29 of Bleeding Hearts

I feel like it was a successful class. This is the first semester for the incoming freshmen. They need to learn this isn’t high school and that their professors won’t remind them of assignments but will hold them accountable for the work.

“Don’t forget to check the class page for assignments. We won’t discuss those in class.” The sound of them packing up grows louder, so I raise my voice. “Everything you need to know is posted there. There are three projects. Two major tests. And a handful of pop quizzes.” A few grunts follow, and I can only laugh. “For those of you who are new to college, remember homework is how you learn, but it’s not graded. It’s up to you how you handle those assignments. And as always, if you have questions or need help with anything, my office hours are posted there as well. Appointments are best, but as long as I’m free when you stop by, you’re welcome.”

The room empties rather quickly. I grab a few chocolates, unwrap one, and pop it in my mouth before dropping them back in my bag. Only one student still sits in his same spot as the last person leaves. He’s not moved from his glowering posture since he sat up to join us.

I unplug my laptop and tuck it away into my bag. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Stewart?”

“It is you.” He stalks down the aisle, his shoes thudding heavily against the floor, a silent fury radiating from him. “He gave me an ultimatum. Did you know that?”

“Your father?” I keep a close eye on him, his erratic behavior making me uneasy now that we’re alone.

“Yes, my father, you stupid bitch.” With a sharp thud, Theo’s fist hits the desk as he leans forward, the wood vibrating beneath his knuckles. “All because you refused to open thedamn envelope. Now I’m here at this shitty college where he expects me to earn a degree so I can support myself. Why would I do that? His bank account is big enough. I shouldn’t have to do anything, even my mother agrees. But here I am, and it’s all your fault.”

The hum of the air conditioner kicking on breaks through the sound of blood thumping through my ears. His eyes warn me he’s on edge, much like he was that day on the highway. One wrong move or word and he’s liable to snap.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d take a step back, Mr. Stewart.” With trembling hands, I snatch my phone from the table; the screen lights up as I prepare to call for backup. “Maybe you should drop my class. I’m not so sure?—”

A sharp crack echoes as his fist slams into the table, the impact coinciding with the backdoor of the lecture hall creaking open, revealing a sliver of the bustling hallway. Except since his back is to the door, and he’s yelling, he doesn’t notice. “Fuck that. I plan to disrupt your class and make you as uncomfortable as possible. And if you fail me, you’ll regret it.”

I refuse to let this young man intimidate me, and now that I’m no longer alone, my bravery has returned. “As I was saying, I’m not so sure that’s in either of our best interest. Let me transfer you to another course that fulfills this requirement. You can pick criminal justice or sociology. Which would you prefer?”

“You deaf? I said—” Theo stops speaking when Nolan grabs the back of his neck with a firm grip.

“I believe she asked you a question. Which one?” His voice leaves the young man no room for argument.

Theo wiggles against his grip until Nolan releases him, then backs away. He eyes the brooding man up and down, doing his best to make it look like he’s not shitting his pants. But his body language, the way his shoulders stiffen, and his eyes widen, say otherwise.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Then don’t be a pompous ass. I think you should leave before I decide grabbing the back of your neck isn’t the only thing I’d like to do to you after speaking to Bethany like that.” With a nod, he gestures toward the door. “Unless you think you’re tough enough to speak to me like you just spoke to her.”

Realizing his mistake, Theo abruptly turns and leaves the room without looking back. Once he’s gone, the tension melts from my body, and that’s when my hands start to tremble.

“You okay?” Nolan’s deep voice has my girly bits all aflutter. “I can go after him. Teach him a lesson he’ll never forget.”

Frustrated, I shake my head, letting out a sigh that hitches in my throat. “No need for that. I don’t think he’ll be a problem. He looked like he might have messed himself already. Thank you.”

Nolan smoothly rounds the table, his hands gently lifting me from my chair. He pulls me close, holding me comfortably against his chest. “No need to thank me. I’m just glad I showed up when I did.”

And when I look up to tell him how grateful I am for that, he leans down and kisses the words right out of my mouth.

Chapter 14

Nolan

Bethany’s secretary told me she’d be in the lecture hall just down the hall. When I round the corner the sight that greets me is far beyond my expectations. My body reacts before I can even think as soon as I hear some punk ass kid’s loud, angry voice echoing through the closed door.

A handful of male students stand by, passively observing the situation. When they see me, they take off. I don’t have time to worry about them.

Pushing the heavy door to the lecture hall open I stomp down the aisle to where the idiot yelling is doing his best to intimidate Bethany. When I grab him by the scruff of his neck, causing him discomfort, I recognize him as the same idiot who ran her off the road. The shock in his eyes he sees me implies that his friends, who were supposed to be guarding the entrance, failed in their duties. Smart kid doesn’t stick around. He takes off like the chickenshit he is. Had he stuck around, I might have given him a lesson in what happens to punk-ass kids who disrespect a woman, especially my woman.

As soon as I make sure she’s okay, the need to kiss her takes over. The last time I kissed her was when I stopped by to lendher son my mower. It had been quick. We weren’t alone. Her sons were lurking around, so I’d not done it like I am now.

Kissing her here is probably inappropriate, but hell if I care. I need to feel her melt in my arms while I get a proper sampling of her sweet, intoxicating taste. It’s dangerous, because it stirs an intense desire to strip her down and bury my cock inside her tight cunt. I need to do that sooner than later. Which is the reason I stopped by. Well, not to do that, but to talk about when I can take her out and hopefully end the evening with us tangled in the sheets.

Bethany’s hand presses against my chest, breaking our kiss. “While that’s nice, and I’d love to keep going, I have to get ready for my next class and eat lunch.”

“Have lunch with me.” It was my plan to invite her to lunch, not end up kissing us into a frenzy.

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