Page 8 of The Professor
Blowing out a breath, I close my computer. Aubrey’s right, I know he’s not that type of professor, I’m just jealous.
Chapter 4
Drake
“I’msure you got the email, but for those who don’t check it, I will be starting a study group for anyone who needs extra help. It will be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at two. If you feel you need extra help come sign up before you leave and pick which day works best for you.”
I’ve said that so many times today I think I’ll be saying it in my sleep. This is the last time I need to say it though. It’s surprising to me how many students have signed up that I would have suggested to do so. It’s mainly girls, and most don’t even need the extra help.
“Professor Grayson, do you have another sheet of paper?”
Looking up my eyes collide with the captivating brown eyes of Emma Bower. Her delicate features blush slightly as she casts her eyes down. There’s something about her that pulls me in. I’m not sure if it’s her shyness, her intelligence, or her sexy body, but it’s fucking hard not to let my head go to places it definitely shouldn’t. But damn the places it goes make me need to adjust myself.
Grinning, I grab a piece of paper out of my drawer. “I’m surprised you’re signing up,” I comment, handing her the paper.
Shrugging her slender shoulders, she presses her pen to the paper. “It’s my major, every little bit helps.”
“That’s true. Have you decided what you’re going to do?” I ask, generally curious.
“I’m going to be a psychologist, hopefully in one of the bigger psychology practices,” she replies, avoiding eye contact.
I nod my head impressed with her decision. “That’s a good fit for you.”
She snaps her eyes to mine and searches them briefly. “Really?”
Tilting my head slightly I take her in. She’s truly surprised I would agree with her. Her eyes are wide, her mouth somewhat agape, and her fingers are squeezing the edge of my desk. It’s a side of her I’ve never seen, a more personal side.
“Why do you seem surprised I’d agree with you?” I ask, leaning back in my chair.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly lets it out. “Well, you’re kind of my mentor, so having you agree is a confidence boost.”
A grin slowly takes over my face at her admission. As if she didn’t have my attention before, now I’m truly captivated and flattered.
“I’m honored to be your mentor, Miss Bower. I think being in the study group may not benefit you in the long run, but I think I could come up with some different work for you to do during that time. Have you thought about internships anywhere?”
“I’ve given it some thought, I’m just not sure I’m ready for the rejection yet,” she says, with a forced grin.
“You’re gonna need to work on that confidence. When you’re interviewed they’ll pick up on it immediately and no practice is going to want a psychologist who isn’t sure of herself.” My chair scrapes on the floor as I stand and lean slightly over the desk to be closer to her face. “Tell me why you expect rejection, Miss Bower.”
Her breathing has increased, her chest is slightly pink, and she swallows several times. Fuck, the urge to touch her is taking over. I keep my distance for this exact reason. Forcing my hands to stay in place, I wait on her to answer.
“It’s easier to expect rejection than it is to be hopeful and get crushed,” she whispers, lost in thought or maybe my eyes.
It’s a powerful, yet heartbreaking statement. This was not a girl who was naive to the world. It made me begin to wonder just how experienced she was. What happened in her life to make her expect rejection? Was it from her family life or maybe past relationships? She’s a complete mystery to me and it makes me suddenly want to discover who she is. Is she always shy? Is she independant? Would she fight me if I bent her over my desk or would she push her tight ass against me?
Fuck. Clearing my throat, I stand straight. I nod, folding my arms over my chest. “I’ll get together some notes and books for you before the study group. Which day did you choose?” I need to remember she’s a student and I’m her professor. Not to mention she said I was her mentor, I won’t take advantage of that.
“Friday,” she says, adjusting the books she’s holding.
“Great. Enjoy the rest of your day Miss Bower,” I say, dismissing her.
I watch her walk out of the room and sink down into my chair. Scrubbing my face, I rest it in my hands. What the fuck am I thinking?
* * *
Finishing off my beer,I toss it into the garbage sitting near the grass. Looking out onto the ranch that used to be so full of life, I grab another beer. This place needs so much damn work. The barn where I spent so much time as a child is falling apart. There are weeds where once the horses roamed. All the fencing is broken and the plush green grass where I used to play ball, is dead and mostly just dirt.
My father would be disappointed. Hell, he was disappointed long before he died. I’m sure if he had a say I wouldn’t have been the one who got this place. He would have given it away before I got my hands on it, but I just couldn’t let it happen.
