Page 30 of Crave

“Mia Hawkins?” His arms stiffened around her.

“Oh God, you’re—”

He held her away from him.

“Shit,” he gritted. “Shit, shit.”

“Jesus,” she breathed.

“You look so different. I didn’t know.”

She stared up at him. “Professor Taylor?”

His hands hovered over her without actually touching. She could feel the heat radiating from his palms, through her jacket, burning her soft skin.

“Modern Literature, front row,” he muttered. “Great work but never participated.”

“It’s okay,” she said quickly. “It doesn’t matter, it’s not a big deal. That was last year.”

She never would have expected to soothe him. He was older, more experienced. But she stroked his back and cupped his cheek. His breath quickened, and he flinched.

“It’s okay, Aaron,” she repeated.

“No, it’s not okay.”

“I’m not your student anymore. We’re across the ocean from the university.”

“Are you still enrolled?” His voice was terse and businesslike.

Fuck it, she’d give anything for him to hold her again and call her his sweet girl.

“Yes.” Her eyes dropped. “I’m doing my junior year abroad here. What about you?”

“I’m on sabbatical. Researching and writing.” She stared up at him, and he swallowed. “We can’t do this, Mia.”

“Yes, we can.”

“I pride myself on being ethical, and this is completely unethical.”

Goddammit. She’d finally met a man she liked, a man she was overwhelmingly attracted to, a man she could beherselfwith, and this was over before it began?

Mia had always been a people pleaser. She hated arguing. Hated making a fuss. She kept her mouth shut, even when she had something to say.

That ended now.

She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “You know what? I love you for saying that, but I also hate you for saying that.”

His mouth fell open.

“What are you so afraid of? Do you think I’ll get you in trouble? Is that it? ‘Professor Taylor sent me dick pics?’”

“That’s part of it,” he muttered.

“I would never do that.” The words rushed out, gathering strength. “I’m completely, totally on board with everything we’ve done. I would never try to hurt you.Never.And I know you’d never take me anywhere I don’t want to go.”

“All that from a week of texting?” He raised an eyebrow. His face softened, hinting at the dimple in his chin.

“We’ve talked a lot. I’ve said more to you in the past week than I have to most people in my life.”

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