Page 9 of Private Tutoring
“I’ve always thought he was intimidating.” My voice came out softer than I intended. It always did when I felt cornered. I should be strong. Powerful. Assertive. Who was I kidding? The only time my voice had any power was when I sang.
It was like a different person took over my body then. Why couldn’t I harness that power and use it in my day-to-day life?
“Intimidating? Yeah.” Jessica crossed her legs and draped her arms over her knees. “I can see that. But you have to admit, he’d be worth the risk. That body…” She faked a swoon and flung herself backward into the chair.
She made a good point. Forty wasn’t that old, but Professor Harding’s silver hair was the only indication he was a day over twenty-five.
“He must work out likeall the time.” Samantha smacked her lips together and tossed her black curls over her shoulder.
“Did you see him last week when he took off his blazer?” Delilah whistled. “That man has some serious pecs.”
“Then there’s Professor Bellington.” Leighona shot a look my way. “You had a meeting with him yesterday. Anything you’d like to share?”
I swallowed past the dryness in my throat. “Mrs. Collins told him about my grades.”
Leighona’s eyes narrowed. “And?”
“And nothing. He probably just needed to know if he was going to have to find a new understudy for you.” I made it clear I had no intention of taking her place.
The sudden silence made my skin twitch and prickle. I’d reminded them of the competition Leighona put between us when Professor Bellington cast her as Cosette and me as her understudy. We didn’t talk about it much, but the tension never really went away.
I glanced around the room, taking in the girls in various states of uncomfortable poses. This was supposed to be a fun, giggling, girl-fest, and I’d ruined it.
I had one chance to lead the conversation back so they’d all leave happy. “I’ve always thought Professor Rossi was the most handsome of the Dream Team.”
“Ohh.” Jessica fanned her face just like Delilah and squealed.
“Good choice. He’s definitely delicious with those dark curls.” Delilah gave an approving nod, and my tense shoulders relaxed.
The conversation continued as they talked details about each of the professors. I understood their appeal. Each man had a distinctness and a composed aura that never failed to make my toes curl when I attended one of their classes.
Professor Rossi always tried to make class fun. He was energetic and exciting, and very expressive. And when he spoke Italian, his gorgeous accent made every girl in the room swoon.
“I bet he speaks Italian in bed.” Leighona arched a perfectly sculpted brow.
“Talk about melting my panties.” Jessica continued to swoon.
I’d grown tired of the conversation, but I couldn’t leave yet. The clock behind Leighona ticked down the hour. We had a sorority meeting tonight, and she’d probably go straight from the giggle-fest to the meeting.
“If you had to pick, which one would you sleep with?” Delilah asked Samantha.
She pursed her lips, tapping them with one long, pink nail. “Tough call. Can’t I sleep with all of them, then decide who gets a second round? Just because they’re gorgeous doesn’t mean they’re great in bed.”
“Good point. But I’d have to go with Rossi. That Italian badness has to know how to have a good time. He’s too passionate to be lazy in bed.” Leighona watched me the entire time she spoke, the look in her eyes almost daring me to argue that I’d called dibs.
Not. Happening.
I had enough to worry about with my grades. There was no way in hell I’d throw the complications of a relationship with anyone of my professors into the mix. I’d get expelled for sure, and that would be the end of my career.
Leighona checked her phone. “We might as well get started since everyone is here.”
The doorbell rang, and Jessica jumped to answer it. “That’ll be dinner. I ordered Thai.”
I tried to hide my grimace by standing and going into the kitchen. Thai food always made my stomach ache. I’d told them once, and they all made soothing noises, but that didn’t stop them from ordering it every other month for our meetings. I grabbed a water and a few protein bars from my stash in the pantry.
Leighona hadn’t mentioned my supposed PMS, but I’d noticed all the chocolate mysteriously disappearing overnight. Was it me, or was she holding a serious grudge against everything I did?
The rest of the night became a blur of sorority talk, laughter, and no shortage of concern on my part. I hadn’t even wanted to be part of a sorority. While I enjoyed having a place to stay and most days were chill in the house, there were times when the whole busyness and chatter annoyed me.
