Page 5 of Lessons From My Best Friend's Dad

Makes me shiver at the thought that anything could happen.

Like something inside me is coming loose.

I chew my lip and feel my legs press together. My face feels hot all of a sudden, but nowhere near as hot as the space between my legs.

“I was expecting Zoe to call or text by now,” he says absently. “She was seeing that Freeman boy. Have you heard from her?” he asks, looking concerned.

A worried father as well as my Professor. And here I am thinking dirty thoughts about him.

All the things I want him to do to me with those huge hands.

“Uh… No, I haven’t Professor Grayson,” I blush, moving back just enough to put the photo of him face down on my desk and move a box over it. Hopefully without him noticing.

He frowns, taking a little step inside, stooping to avoid the doorway.

“Please, call me Michael,” he says in a deep voice, his mouth creasing into a smile. His brow cocking in a way that looks more like a question.

“I’ll be regular old Michael Grayson this time Monday, once they officially boot me out,” he reminds me.

“And I’ll be heading back home,” I hear myself echoing back. My emotions finally catching up with me.

Making me realize that I don’t want to go back.

The past four years have been the best of my life and the real reason why is standing right in front of me.

I feel my lower lip tremble a little and hear myself sniff before I turn away from him, pretending to fuss over something I haven’t packed yet.

“Is everything alright?” he asks, his voice filled with concern for me now.

I can feel him moving closer behind me, his body almost touching mine by the time he asks me again.

“Sheree?”

I want to turn and face him. I want him to put his huge arms around me, tell me that everything’s gonna be fine. That I don’t have to go that he really—

I shudder as I hear him swallow hard, his hands an inch from my arms as he reaches out for me.

I can see him through my misty eyes in the reflection of the dorm window I’m facing.

If I turn now he’ll never touch me. If I stay like this, I’ll just cry like a little girl. I know it.

He makes a low sound in his throat and then takes in a sharp breath of air. His hands drop and he takes a step back like he’s had second thoughts.

Or sensed something I can’t.

Like an Alpha wolf sensing the moment he knows he’s lost his next meal.

Or his mate.

“Dad? What are you doing here?” Zoe asks, springing into the room unannounced. I can feel her eyes darting from her father to me.

I know her so well and she knows me better than anyone.

It wouldn’t be hard for her to pick up on the strange vibe between me and her dad right now.

I keep my back turned and make like I’m packing a box, quickly wiping my eyes and sniffing again.

“I… I was worried, Zoe. You said you’d text me and well I… Well, I was worried dammit,” her dad says, almost angrily before moving for the door.

“We can talk more at home, Zoe. Just tell me you’re alright,” Michael asks her, but I can feel his eyes searching for mine in the window again.

Zoe sighs, and hugging her dad’s side, I turn, and watch, and listen as she recounts how she was stood up by Todd Freeman.

I shouldn’t, but I laugh aloud. And noticing her dad’s smile, Zoe demands to know what’s going on.

“Nothing’s going on,” her dad smiles, pulling her to him with one arm while keeping his eyes on me.

“I was only just saying to Sheree a moment ago I hope Todd Freeman wasn’t scared off by Zoe’s old man being one of the faculty is all,” he lies.

“A huge, strong faculty member,” I gush without realizing what I’ve said until it’s too late.

Hoping my comment goes completely over Zoe’s head, but his eyes burn into me, begging me to look at him again.

A different look enters them now, one that makes my breath catch in my throat.

A look that tells me everything I’ve imagined for the past four years might have already crossed this man’s mind.

Did you really come here to look for Zoe, Professor?

I feel the thrill he’s given me turn to hurt when he focuses from me to his daughter again. Hugging her and begging forgiveness for being such a busy body dad.

Zoe playfully slaps his barrel chest, hugging him back, and assures him that as of next week he won’t have the luxury of ruining any more of her dates.

“You’re staying for my birthday though, right dad?” Zoe asks, craning her neck to look up at him.

“Is your birthday coming up?” he says, feigning surprise, like he doesn’t know, earning himself another slap on that huge chest of his.

---