Page 23 of The Professor
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were busy,” Professor Erickson says, looking between the two of us.
I know for a fact my face is flushed, I can feel it increasing the longer I stand here.
“I’m not busy. I was explaining to Miss Bower about the article for Psychology Magazine,” he says. Turning to look at me he gives me a slight nod letting me know I need to leave. “If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Grabbing my books from my desk, I force a smile. “Thank you, Professor,” I say, rushing out of there.
Once I get outside, I stop and lean against the building. Holy fuck.
It takes me a while to get myself together, but once I do, I head to the dorm. It’s only Monday and I need a drink. I have no idea how I’m going to face him again without throwing myself at him. I’m beyond sexually frustrated. I need to do something because I’m almost certain I’m going to explode.
Walking through the door of my dorm, I’m thankful no one is home. I go straight to my room and lock the door behind me. Dumping my books on my desk, I sit on my bed to take off my boots. Once they’re off, I pull my shirt off and let my jeans slide to the floor. I don’t even bother closing the curtains, I just climb onto my bed.
Closing my eyes, I run my hand down my body and let my imagination take over.
* * *
The restof the week goes by in a blur. My mind has been so focused on what almost happened with Professor Grayson that I’m having trouble concentrating on anything else. I almost told Aubrey last night, but I chickened out. However, while I sit here drinking my morning coffee, knowing Aubrey will be out here any second, has me thinking I’m going to tell her. She’s been asking all week what’s up and I’ve been ignoring it. I have a feeling that won’t be possible now.
“Morning,” she says, going to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee.
“Morning.”
Joining me on the couch she grins. “You have study group today, huh?”
“Yeah, why?” I know she’s getting to something.
“Just asking. Oh, you want to go to a party tonight. It’s at the Alpha Sig house,” she asks.
The Alpha Sigma Phi frat always throws the best parties. Actually, I’m honestly a little taken aback. Here I thought for sure she’d push me on what I’ve been hiding all week and she’s just making plans for tonight. A part of me is disappointed because I want someone to tell me it’s all right, but another part is relieved to not talk about it.
“Yeah, we can check it out if you want,” I say, taking a sip of my coffee.
“Oh my God. Will you just tell me what the hell is going on?” she asks.
“What? You asked me about going to a party and I answered you.”
Shaking her head, causing her short blonde hair to swing back and forth, she grabs my knee. “I was trying to be a good friend because I knew you didn’t want to talk about it. But it’s starting to drive me crazy. Put me out of my misery already,” she whines.
“Alright.”
“Thank you.” Getting comfortable on the couch, she waves her hand at me. “Okay go, I’m ready.”
Closing my eyes briefly, I try to find my courage. “I think Professor Grayson and I almost kissed or I don’t know maybe it could have gone further.”
My voice is shaky as I tell her and I keep my eyes cast down as to not see her judging face.
“First of all, you need to explain to me why you think it almost happened,” she says.
Blowing out a breath, I decide to just tell her everything. My hands are sweating and my pulse is racing with every word out of my mouth, but she just listens as I spill my guts. I have no idea what she’s going to say when I finished, although I have to admit when I’m finished I feel a little lighter not having this secret.
She doesn’t say anything right away and it’s making me nervous. I lift my eyebrows and kick her ankle to get her attention. “Well?”
“I wasn’t expecting that. Give me a second to process it.”
Awesome. In all the years I’ve known her, she’s never needed to process anything. She usually says whatever pops into her head.
“Okay, you do realize he’s a professor, right? Like he could be fired,” she drawls the word out.
