Page 14 of Tutor Daddy
7
AIDAN
Addison is the last person I expect to see in the grip of Marcus Henry. He’s one of the biggest assholes on this campus, and one of the main reasons why I hate mentoring students. The sense of entitlement seeps out of his pores, but what he's not entitled to is Addison.
She belongs to me.
"Mr. Henry, I suggest you learn to keep your hands to yourself. Or is that a lesson I have to teach you all over again? Perhaps, I should call Grady to set up another sparring session?"
Marcus grinds his teeth and avoids eye contact. "No, that's not necessary, Aidan. Addison and I were having a difference of opinion."
"Apologize," I command him.
He snaps his face toward me, then looks at Addison before shifting his gaze back to me. I round the back of his chair to put my hands on his shoulders. My grip tightens to the point he winces in pain.
"Yes, that's what this feels like. When someone touches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable." I grip him harder, and he bites down to avoid looking weaker than he truly is. "When someone stops you from moving how you want to move, and they ask you to let go of them, you're supposed to comply. I believe we've had this discussion already, Mr. Henry. You owe Miss Shaw an apology. Apologize now, and mean it."
Marcus sighs deeply as he turns to Addison and says, "I apologize deeply for the way I've behaved, Addison. It will never happen again."
"Apology accepted?" she says with a slight glance at me.
I shrug and release my grip on Marcus’s shoulders. He gathers his books and electronics within seconds to get away from me. That brings a smile to my face.
"What was that all about?" Addison asks.
"I'm a friend of the family, but that little shit is a nuisance at best and a threat to women at his worst. The last time we had a disagreement regarding his behavior, I socked him in the face. He got upset and told his father what I did. When I met his father, Marcus was shocked to see that we're old college buddies and teammates."
Addison giggles and nods. "What happened?"
"Marcus got handsy with a young woman as I happened to be walking by. I pulled him away from her. He threw a punch and missed. I threw a punch that landed. He bitched to his father, and I agreed to a boxing match for him to get a fair shot. I kicked his ass again and then told his father why we were fighting in the first place."
"What did his father do?"
"Marcus Henrythe Thirddoes not respect men who violate women, and he beat his son to the point the police needed to be called. No worries, the youngest Henry only suffered a few bruised ribs and a black eye. Now, what were you doing with that asshole?"
The way her face falls makes my heart sink. "I ran into Professor Tamson, and she assigned me a project that will help me pass. I have to do a year-end forensic audit on this company, and there are close to two hundred pages of documents. She said Marcus has the same assignment, and we can work together on it because the scope of work is insane."
"Ah, the Tamson Tasks of Torture. If you complete it, you'll be fine for graduation and far better off in real-world scenarios. Come by my place later and I'll help you."
"What about the other stuff?" She glances down at my crotch.
"Ahem, Miss Shaw. My eyes are up here," I whisper with a chuckle. "If Tamson's given you the Tasks of Torture, this is far more serious than I realize. I'm going to help you, and then we can revisitmyassignment."
Fortunately, my last study group is leaving the library, and I'm able to make my way home while Addison leaves to grab something to eat. I know it's going to be a long night. The excitement trickles over me in a way I haven't felt in years. I want to teach Addison, help her, guide her to understand everything Professor Tamson is trying to instill within her students.
Every passing year leaves me desperate to feel the passion of my craft. Yet, the shallow glaze of disinterest began to add up acrossthe eyes of my students. I can't say it's completely them. My love of numbers and the rules that bind them is waning.
Day in and day out for over a decade, I pour myself into finance law and best practices, only to find that there are very few who share my passion. Addison is passionate, but curiosity has me wondering if she's enthusiastic about her academic career.
Curiosity drives me to make a call as I head inside to make space for us to work.
Dr. Emily Tamson picks up on the first ring. "I was wondering when this call would come."
"You're doling out the tasks of torture this early in the semester?" I ask her.
She scoffs. "They're lucky I still have the compassion to care whether they pass or fail."
"Is it compassion or is Brian on you about the dropping matriculation rates?"
