Page 51 of Devil's Bargain

Scott leans back in his chair. “What about him?”

“Oh, like you don’t know!”

There’s a soft knock on the door. Rick pokes his head inside. “Is this a bad time?”

Scott gives me a pointed look. He looks over at Rick. “Not at all. Come in.”

I swallow thickly. This is not good. Rick eyes me questioningly as he comes to stand next to me. I can smell him, and it reminds me of the way he looked at me last night before he left.

“What can I help you with, Rick?”

Rick shoves his hands in his pockets. “When will you be done grading the homework?”

Scott looks at me as he says, “You’ll have it back on Friday.”

Rick nods slowly and rocks back on his heels. “Alright then.”

“Anything else?”

Rick glances at me. I avert my gaze and stare at the whiteboard behind Scott.

“No.”

“Good. Close the door behind you.” He dismisses Rick as he pretends to root through his drawer. “Now, April, the paperwork you need is here somewhere.”

As soon as the door clicks shut, he slams the drawer shut. “Did you want something?”

I scoff, crossing my arms. “What kind of a sick game are you playing?”

He scoots his chair back, stands up, and plants his hands on the desk. “I suggest you shut your mouth, little slut. Don’t forget your place!”

I slam my hand on the desk again, bringing our faces inches apart. “You’re my fucking math teacher. Don’t get ahead of yourself!”

Pain explodes across my cheek as it hits the desk. He digs his fingers into my neck and leans down close to my ear. “Careful! You don’t want to piss me off right now.”

“I think I already succeeded in that mission.”

His breath is hot on my skin. “Your snark makes me hard.”

My cheek throbs. I stay quiet until he releases me and sits back in his chair.

“You can leave.”

I don’t look back as I wipe my wet cheeks and hurry over to the door. I don’t know what the fuck is happening and that scares me.

Rick waits for me outside. I look over my shoulder to double-check that the door is closed. It is.

“What happened to your cheek?”

I subconsciously reach up and touch my hand to the throbbing skin. “Nothing.” I push past him. I can’t let any of the students out here spot us together.

He’s close on my heel but not close enough to look suspicious. “Did he hurt you?”

I falter in my step. “No.”

He pulls me to a stop, and a crease mars his forehead as he searches my face. “What’s wrong?”

I jerk my arm free and set off walking again. The cafeteria is just up ahead. “Nothing is wrong, Rick.”

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