Page 3 of The Virgin and the Patient Professor

Dani gulps and her eyes are wide when she studies my face. “Oh,” she finally says with a soft smile. “Thank you?”

I grin at that. “I love you, Dani. Take all the time you need to get used to that, but I hope you can do that from not too far away.”

She nods, still looking confused. “So…?”

“I’d happily take you to dinner right now, but you’re looking a little overwhelmed. Why don’t we meet on Sunday for lunch? I’m sure you’re busy with family and graduation tomorrow.”

She picks at her jeans. “I’m not sure I’m going,” she mutters.

“Why not?”

She straightens her spine before answering. “I don’t have any immediate family left and I’m older than most everyone else.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“Do youwantto go? Would it help if I were there for you?”

“Don’t you have to be there, anyway?” she asks wryly, her usual sparkle starting to return.

“Not this year. I conveniently timed the sabbatical to start on the last day of finals. But I’d be proud to be your guest.”

She bites her lip again, looking down before giving a hesitant nod. It takes all my will power not to pull her into my arms for a hug.

“Do you have your phone?”

She blinks at the change of subject, then hands it over. I put in my number and send to myself, then hand it back.

“I promise not to stalk you, Dani, but I’m available if you want to talk or just text a question. Whatever you need.”

She nods again and stands. I slowly rise to my feet. “Can I walk you home?” She tilts her head to the side with a shy smile, then her hand slowly reaches out and finds mine. We walk towards her dorm through the park hand in hand.

Dani

Leo kissed me. I mean, really kissed me. I was right to request it because I learned so much about him in those precious seconds. This must be what Cinderella felt like when the hidden world of fairy godmothers and enchanted pumpkins revealed itself. I’m so giddy I can’t settle. So I grab a sandwich, wrap it in a paper napkin from the cafeteria and take it back to my room where I can pace and giggle like a crazy woman without anyone else seeing. My room is already packed up. I don’t have to be out until Sunday night, but I’d been debating just moving into the small over the garage place I found for the summer tomorrow. Maybe Leo would help me move boxes? I giggle some more at the thought. I’d get to see those muscles he tries to hide in action!

I definitely want more of him. I want him to lay me down like he described and stuff my virgin pussy full of his cock. Right now. Just maybe not on a park bench. But will he really want me when he gets to know me? Like the way I like to walk off any excess energy when I’m anxious, not to mention my introverted need to hide from too many people. The half-shift at the coffee shop is pretty much my people limit for the day and I had to work to get there.

I fall asleep, remembering the feel of Leo’s lips on mine, his tongue gently invading my mouth. I’d pushed away every guy that had ever tried that before, but Leo was different. Not just older, but he was putting my needs first. But maybe that consideration wears off over time?

Graduation day dawns bright and chilly. It will warm up, I promise myself as I put on my prettiest dress, which only has tiny straps as an excuse for sleeves. Bayview is one of the more forward-looking colleges that spurn traditional cap and gown ceremonies. Nobody really knows why. I heard it’s because the woman who used to coordinate all the ordering and sizes had a nervous breakdown one year. And when everyone enjoyed graduation without all the extras, they just stopped doing it. So it’s come as you are, but be prepared to be immortalized in official photos. So I curl my hair carefully and take five minutes more on my makeup, which doesn’t amount to much because my usual routine is to wash my face and slap on some lip balm.

I’m pulling my dorm room door shut behind me when my phone dings. Leo sent a message and a photo of the empty stage.

Wanted you to know I’m here. No obligations to acknowledge me, but if you need reinforcement, follow this angle back.

It makes a difference knowing there’s someone in the crowd for me. I’m not sure why, but it does. I send him a thumbs up emoji back. I don’t know if Leo is fully versed in text abbreviations, so the emoji feels safer.

I forget about him mostly as we line up and find our seats. I do sneak a tiny peek when I turn to sit down in my metal folding chair on the football field that’s been carefully covered in plywood and rolled fake grass to protect the actual turf. His dark eyes are trained on me and I swear I can see him smile ever so slightly. He’s surrounded by ordinary families, not professors, but I still don’t feel comfortable waving, so I duck my head and take my seat.

4

Dani

Professor Emerson is droning on, repeating sections of his pre-printed speech that he can’t quite read. When he loses his place and goes back three pages, the whole crowd sighs and several people take out their phones. Everyone loves Professor Emerson, so they’re keeping them low and just tapping text messages. When he shows no sign of wrapping things up, I join them. I have questions for Leo, and he might as well answer them now.

So, when was the last time you had a girlfriend?I ask, with no preamble.

He answers back almost immediately.About six years ago and before you ask or in case you were afraid to, I definitely haven’t slept with anyone since you sat down in my classroom.

Seriously?

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