Page 6 of Tempted
Taking a second, I try to smooth out some of the wrinkles in my shirt, knowing any imperfections will likely be reported back to the parentals. It’ll be bad enough that I’ve decided on a casual look, opting for a loose white t-shirt that’s tucked in at the front to my dark wash skinny jeans that I cuffed to my ankle. And finishing the look I chose some white slip-on Vans, fighting the urge to wear ankle booties and a blazer one hundred percent of the way as I got dressed instead of choosing to shy away from the overbearing scolding I’m sure is coming my way.
I also have on a few simple pieces of native jewelry, the silver and turquoise being my favorite, as well as an array of crystal bracelets to help me stay centered, focused, and peaceful. Hopefully, the black obsidian and tourmaline do their best work keeping the ick juju at bay today. I’d found them when I unpacked over the week and was so excited, feeling a little off kilter without them.
I know some people think believing in the power crystals hold—among other things—is whacky, but I’ve always felt more at peace, protected even, when I have them with me. Thankfully, I’m not the only person that believes in the magic we all carry within ourselves. There’s an entire world of people riding their own vibes across the spanse of our planet and I’m here for it.
The line has died down so I step up and place my order. “Hi, can I please get an extra-large turmeric and ginger tea?” I ask, smiling politely at the woman working at the small cart. “Oh, and one of those fruit cups, they look delicious!”
“Sure thing, girl. I got you. That’ll be five dollars and fifty cents.”
“Seriously?” I question the total, maybe a little too incredulously based on the way the poor girl jumps. Instantly I feel terrible.
“Um, yeah. I can remove something if it’s too much. I’d hook you up but a girl’s gotta eat, you know?” she says, wincing, with a guilty look crossing her face that she can’t afford to help me and now I feel worse.
If I’m not mistaken there’s a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as well, leaving me to officially feel like the world’s biggest asshole.
“No, no, no. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out. It’s just that, I’m from Los Angeles and the prices there are… Well, that’s just say, I feel like I’m stealing right now,” I chuckle lightly, hoping to bring my stupidity to light and ease her mind while handing over a twenty. “With the island technically being a part of California, I guess I stupidly made assumptions. Keep the change, please.”
“No way! That’s way too much for a tip! For real, like three times what you even paid.”
Her shell shocked look makes my heart happy, so I quip back, “hey, a girl’s gotta eat, right?” Smirking, I grab the drink and fruit and turn to go find my class, offering a wave and a wink before disappearing around the corner.
I won’t forget her smile at my simple gesture. She was so genuinely upset on my behalf when she thought I couldn’t afford a cup of fruit, it was only fair that I do something to bring her playfulness back. Hopefully, that’s only the start to a really good day for her.
Note to self: stop by and talk to the girl from time to time. Kindness is a special sort of gift and it costs nothing to give away.
The first day of classes honestly came way too soon for my liking. I tinkered around the island for the last two weeks, learning the lay of the land, developing routines and such. Normally I’d explore more heavily but I kept hanging around close to home on the off chance I’d see my mystery man again.
I’m still mind boggled that in all the time we spent together, I never once thought to ask him his name. I’d told him mine, I’m sure of it, but the rest of our time together feels a little foggy. All I can remember is the draw I feel to him and the explosive sex that was definitely the best I’d ever had.
Maybe it wasn’t as good for him though…
Frowning at the thought, I try my best to let that notion go. There’s probably another reason he hasn’t hit me up. At least I hope so.
Damn, now I’m ruining my own day.
I see the sign indicating that I’ve made it to the right place and walk into the lecture hall, picking out a seat smack dab in the middle, but on the aisle. I don’t want to be a teacher’s pet but I also don’t want to appear as a slacker seeing as this is the class with my mom’s colleague as the Prof. I also happen to love a good get away when it’s called for, so the aisle seat is where it’s at for me.
Sitting down, I quickly eat my cup of fruit and sip on my tea before pulling out my iPad along with its adorable turquoise keyboard attachment and Apple pencil. Then I grab one of my essential oil blend rollers and put some on my pulse points, taking a few deep breaths to calm my anxiety over being in this class, knowing my every move will likely be talked about with Mother, made even worse by thinking about all of my insecurities and why I’m likely lacking too much for a guy to have interest in me beyond one freaking day. One I can’t even remember! Why in the hell am I even obsessing over someone I hardly know and am struggling to remember the fine details of.
Lost to my inner musings, I don’t even notice that the class has filled up around me, let alone the fact that there’s a voice sounding off throughout the vast room until I hear my name called out several times, snapping me out of my funk. It’s then that I notice, not only am I being called on for unknown reasons, but also that I know the voice of the speaker and going by the smirk on his now very cocky face, I’d say he’s calling me out on purpose, almost like he’s teasing me.
Ha-freaking-ha.
If this were the other day, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’d be swooning over every word that passed his lips or look that crossed his handsome as ever face, but like the fog has lifted, there’s nothing attractive about this man to me anymore, at least not like before. There’s no denying he’s still insanely beautiful—it’s annoying. Is the instant one eighty because he’s my teacher? Is it because he’s obviously a liar? Ugh, I really wish I knew what went down the other day. That mind-blowing orgasm doesn’t seem so great now…
“Felix Jackson!” his voice rings out again, and I have to physically force the words I speak out of my mouth. “I’m sorry,Dr. Carmichael. I seem to have missed the question. Would you mind repeating yourself?” I ask through clenched teeth, agitation wreaking havoc in my mind.
I slept with my professor. I slept with my Mother’s colleague. I’m going to puke.
The disgust must be written all over my face because the smugness he’d just been wearing turns into an immediate sneer and when he responds, he’s a total ass-nugget.
“I would mind, indeed.Ms. Jackson. Pay attention, or you’ll be asked to leave my class.”
“Unbelievable,” I huff to myself in annoyance. How fucking dare he. Did he know I was his student? How is this guy as old as my mom? Why didn’t I bother to ask any god-damn questions the other day? Would I even remember if I had? Based on everything I can remember, I doubt it.
“Final warning, Felix,” he retorts, causing a few chuckles to sound around me, whether at my defiance or at his enjoyment over reprimanding me, I’m not sure.
“Yes, sir,” I counter with a quick two-finger salute, no longer worried in the slightest about how he’s friends with Mother. If he threatens to tell her anything, I’ll threaten him right back with the fact that he took advantage of his colleague’s daughter. He had to have known who I was. She’s prepared him, and knowing her, she likely sent over an entire dossier on me—photographs included because entitled rich people are crazy.
