Page 91 of The Professor's Possession (Crystal River Billionaire Brothers)

I’m not taking no for an answer.

“I’m not happy that you’re going to be making your way back on your own in the dark,” I say. “I’mgoingto drive you. I’mgoingto make sure you’re safe.”

Olivia smiles. “I like how possessive you are about me, professor.”

“Well, there’s no damn way a girl of mine will go home unprotected,” I reply.

She looks up at me defiantly. “Try and stop me, boss. I’m independent, no matter what you might say.”

And she actually walks out of my front door - with a cheeky wink thrown my way – before I can do a thing to stop her. She skips off into the night, the independent woman that she is.

As I said... damn if I’m going to let that happen on my watch.

Once she departs, I promptly slip into my car and discreetly tail her route back to the dormitories. I maintain a careful gap between us—sufficient to ensure her well-being yet not so near as to arouse her suspicions. Despite her insistent independence, I remain uneasy until I am certain she returns okay.

Yeah, I am possessive over her.

I keep my eyes trained on her the entire way. I have an overwhelming urge to protect her: to make sure no harm will ever come to her.

It’s a feeling I’ve rarely had for a girl that isn’t family.

It’s only when I see Olivia’s back disappear – skipping merrily - through the front doors of the dorm building that I finally give up and head back home, safe in the knowledge that she is fine.

* * *

I seethe girl the next day in my class. I spot her sitting in what is becoming her favorite spot: the middle of the middle row. Right in my eye line.

She knows what her mere presence does to me, surely?

I am finding it increasingly more difficult to remain focused on the lectures I’m delivering when she’s in the same room. When she’s breathing the same air as me... it’s like my whole body is taken over by the primal side of my soul and I can’t stop my eyes from lingering over toward her direction.

She’s the last to leave the class yet again. That means she wants to talk to me. I’ve become used to these little moments that we share together in semi-public. I know I should admonish her for her boldness when others could walk in on us, but I find myself reluctant to raise my voice to her. So unlike the other women I’ve let into my life. She doesn’t know it, but she’s got me wrapped around her finger, and I’m unwilling to let go.

“I know you followed me home last night,” she says, walking up to my desk with an alarming confidence. I have to keep my eyes focused on her, and not her perfect body. “I saw your car follow me all the way home. It wasn’t very inconspicuous.”

There’s no point lying to her. I’m not a liar. I like to be direct.

“I did,” I reply curtly. “I wanted to make sure you got home safe.”

“I’m not your doll, professor.”

“I didn’t say you were,” I reply. “I’veneversaid you were. But I would also like you to know that any girl who leaves my home will be afforded my protection.”

Olivia scoffs at that. “Stop acting like some chivalrous knight from medieval times. I can look after myself perfectly fine, thank you very much.”

“I’m being deadly serious,” I reply.

Olivia shakes her head. I see the confidence with which she had so purposefully strolled over to me just moments earlier is now floundering. A chink in her armor.

“You can’t just send me a pretty gift and make me sign some contract and then I’m completely yours, professor.”

“Yeah? You’re not?”

Olivia leans across the desk so that our lips nearly touch.

“You have toworkto get me,” she whispers.

Fuck. I am turned on.

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