Not Daddy Material (Billionaire's Contract Duet 2)

I was speechless.

“I know you and Beau are graduating and I’m not asking you to take on additional work. But, I wanted to ask you two if you would hand over your research at the end of the semester and let me publish your findings. I’ll list you both as contributors, of course.”

This was bad. Very bad. Shit. I needed Beau’s calm and casual attitude. He could handle any intense situation. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

“I know. It’s a huge honor for undergraduates. I’m sure you and Beau can appreciate how unusual it is to be a part of a national-level publication.”

“Professor Garcia, I have to talk to Beau about this. I can’t answer for him.”

“Of course not.” She waved

her hand in the air. “I would expect nothing less from you, London.”

I bit hard on my bottom lip. I couldn’t think of a way to squash her idea. Instead, I started walking toward the exit at the top of the stairs.

“Oh, and, London, between you and me, you’ve done an amazing job on the project considering who you are working with.”

I turned in her direction, trying to hide the sudden anger that had just surfaced in my eyes. “What do you mean, Professor?”

She laughed. “It can’t be easy going on dates with someone like him. You’re so artistic and gifted. I didn’t expect anything to develop with you two; he isn’t exactly unique. However, you’ve done the best with an unusual situation. I can’t wait for the final project.”

If I had a dagger in my backpack, I probably would have aimed it at her hideous boots. I smiled sweetly before leaving. “Thank you, Professor. We won’t disappoint you.”

She didn’t know him the way I did. No one did.

Finally, alone in the corridor of Manning Hall, I pulled out my phone to text my un-unique-fake-not-fake boyfriend.

I felt like a mall walker hurriedly racing past row after row of towering bookshelves. Davis Library was nothing if not a labyrinth. It had been months since I had navigated the floors of periodicals and stressed out studying students. But after several rounds of cryptic texts, Beau had convinced me to meet him in one of the library’s eighth floor study rooms.

There was a man sleeping on one of the couches, but I didn’t see anyone else as I charged to room 8052, the study cube Beau had reserved. I tapped on the door then pushed it forward, walking into a dark cubicle.

“Beau?” I called into the tiny study space. The door slammed behind me. I felt strong and determined arms encircle my waist as he backed me against the door.

“I missed you.” He growled into my ear before descending on my mouth. He grabbed under my bottom and hitched my legs around his waist. This was unreal.

I tasted his lips. “Have you been drinking?” I tried to pull back, but he was working his way down my neck and I was melting in his hands.

Then, I remembered we were in the library. Mustering a little more strength, I unlocked myself from his grip.

“Beau? What’s going on? Are you drunk? Don’t you have an exam?”

I felt his breath on my neck as my eyes started to adjust to the darkness of the study room.

“Yeah. Bucket list.”

“What are you talking about?” I was trying to pace my breathing. Three days without kissing Beau was definitely too many.

“Take an exam drunk, which I’m getting ready to do, and kiss a girl in Davis Library, which I just did. Check and check.”

I slugged him in the arm. “You lured me up here to mark something off your list?”

“Ouch, London.” He grabbed his bicep. “You didn’t seem to mind a second ago.” His lips nuzzled under my jaw, and his hand slipped between the space under the small of my back and my jeans.

“Wait a second. You’re going to take an exam drunk? Are you crazy?”

“Don’t worry. I studied while you were in Comm 224, then I started drinking.”

I couldn’t stop the small moan that surfaced, but I could stop him. “Beau. I need to get you coffee or something. You can’t go to class like this.”