Page 17 of Teach Me
‘As if I’d believe you’re innocent when you look like someone beat you up.’ The alcohol made me louder and braver than intended. ‘But is it true you’re all pierced?’
What could I say? I was curious.
Lewis smirked. ‘There’s only one way to find out.’
I sighed. The truth was, I didn’t want him or any other man in this room. I wanted Dr Braithwaite. God, what was I doing here? Picking up a guy at the bar wasn’t my style. I almost laughed at myself. Unethical sexual experiments with my dissertation supervisor weren’t my style, either, yet here I was.
I pushed away from the bar. ‘Let’s go.’
Lewis followed me into the street. ‘Where are we going?’ he asked when I took a sharp left, heading in the opposite direction from the student halls.
‘Library.’
He chuckled. ‘Whatever you want, sweetheart.’
A cold blast of wind masked my grunt. Dr Braithwaite had better make this up to me. Only wild sex in his office could justify this sacrificial act of letting a Carter touch me. I smiled as I rushed around the corner of the building, so caught up in my fantasy that I didn’t notice Dr Braithwaite standing there until I crashed into him.
He grabbed me before I tumbled to the ground. ‘Ophelia, what a pleasant surprise.’ He didn’t sound or look surprised to see me. It was freezing outside, yet he wore no coat, as if he hadleft his office in a hurry to intercept us. By his narrowed stare at Lewis, I was willing to bet that was exactly what had happened.
Lewis moved around us to open the door. ‘Coming?’ he asked me.
I looked at Dr Braithwaite. Was I?
He raised a hand. ‘If you don’t mind, Lewis, I wanted a word with Ophelia. Why don’t you wait for her upstairs?’
Lewis looked at us, appearing as confused as I was. Then he smirked. ‘Sure, whatever,’ he said and slipped inside the library.
Dr Braithwaite grabbed my arm. ‘Come with me.’
‘What are you doing?’ I asked, struggling to keep up with him.
‘I don’t want you anywhere near the Carter brothers.’
‘Fine, I’ll pick someone else.’
‘That’s not what I meant. You know this wasn’t your assignment.’
‘But you didn’t invite me over, so I?—’
‘Quiet.’ He increased speed, practically dragging me to the building that housed his office. After quickly checking that no one was nearby, he escorted me inside and up the stairs.
His office was lit by moonlight; the curtains were still pulled aside. Across the street was the library building. My cheeks heated as I realised he must have seen everything – every inch of me.
‘You put on quite a show, Ophelia. I’m proud of your bravery, but disappointed you would involve another person without my permission.’
My eyes widened. ‘I was just trying to… I’m sorry.’
‘He’s not safe for someone like you. Do you understand?’
Not really, but I nodded. ‘So, I failed?’
‘Not quite.’
I stumbled when he guided me towards the windows. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Testing your limits.’ He directed my attention to Lewis wandering the study rooms across the road. Lewis’s gaze drifted between empty desks and overflowing bookcases, but he would see us if he turned his head and looked outside.
‘How—’ I cleared my throat. ‘How do you mean?’
