Professor

I shook my head slowly but didn’t know why I was doing that. This was actually happening? Professor Goode, Lucian, had stalked me? That should’ve terrified me, yet I found myself warming. The very idea that he’d gone to those lengths to be close to me, to think he was protecting me, had arousal moving through my veins in an almost twisted manner.

“I don’t think that’s normal,” I whispered, although the words seemed foreign to me.

“It’s very normal when it comes to my need for you, my desire, Grace.”

I felt my eyes widen and leaned back a little bit, the chair creaking from my shift. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to react. This had been what I’d fantasized about but never thought I’d have as my reality.

I was in love with Professor Goode, yet could I ever actually admit that?

I didn’t know how to handle his words, his admission.

“And when you were at the coffee shop and overheard me and Sherry … were you there by chance?”

He stared at me for a second before finally shaking his head. I felt my heart race.

“I’ve wanted you for a long time, Grace, since the very first moment I saw you step into my class with that clear lip gloss on your red lips, wearing that little sundress, and your hair piled in a messy bun.”

The way he spoke was as if he envisioned that very day right now.

“I remember there was perspiration on your temple, and how much I wanted to run my fingers along those beads.”

I felt like I was sweating now, from what he said, how he watched me. Was this really happening?

“Yes, Grace. It’s really happening.” I hadn’t realized I’d said those words out loud. He reached out, and I was frozen in place as he brushed a strand of hair away from my shoulder, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “And now that I’ve admitted how I feel, now that you know the truth … I’m not about to let you go.”

11

Professor Goode

She’d been extremely quiet since I told her how I felt in my kitchen, and although I wanted her to talk to me, I also knew pushing her would only drive her further away.

Grace desired me as well. I could see that in the way she looked at me, in the way she bit her lip when she thought I didn’t notice her glances. But maybe I’d misjudged the situation and told her this far too fast?

She’d been discombobulated with being at my home, me being at the club. And then I dropped it in her lap that I wanted her, that I’d pretty much stalked her to protect her.

Grace would come to understand that I did it all for her.

I pulled to a stop in front of her small bungalow and put the car in park. I kept my hands on the steering wheel as I looked over at her. She was biting her lip, nervous, maybe not knowing what to say, how to react.

“Grace?” I said softly.

She glanced over at me then and gave me a shy smile. “Thank you again for … everything.” It was clear she was uncomfortable, trying to escape as quickly as possible.

She opened the car door and was about to get out, but I reached over the seat and curled my hand gently around hers, stopping her from exiting. She looked over at me, her nerves tangible.

“I know what I said was a lot to take in, but I meant every word. I’m not going to walk away, Grace.” I smoothed my thumb over the top of her hand, her skin so soft, electricity moving up the digits and through my entire body. “I know you feel the same way, to an extent.” My obsession with her was consuming, maddening. “And you don’t have to admit that right now, but you will have to eventually, Grace.” I leaned in just an inch, but there was still a good bit of space that separated us. I didn’t like that. “You’ll have to admit it to yourself, and then to me, because I’m not walking away. I’m not giving you up.” There was determination in my voice, hard resolve. “The sooner you realize that, the easier this will all be, the easier it will be to accept.”

She licked her lips, and I lowered my gaze to watch the act, my heart racing and my body coming alive from, from her close proximity.

“I know,” she said, her voice soft, utterly feminine.

I should’ve let go of her hand, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead I pushed even more, knowing what I was about to ask her could very well have her drawing into herself, distancing herself from me. This was so inappropriate, desiring my student, admitting that she was mine, but fuck logistics and rules.