Professor

“Oh my God,” Ashley finally said.

I tore my gaze from Lucian’s and looked at her again. I tried to scramble off him, but he already had his hands on my hips, keeping me right where I was.

I looked at him shocked, startled. Fear filled me. This was bad, very bad. She’d tell the administration. He’d get in trouble, and that had panic spiking in me.

I heard her leave, scrambling out, the door slamming behind her. And still Lucian hadn’t moved, kept me on his lap, his hands on my body. He stared into my eyes, and a small smile formed on his lips.

“Lucian, God. This is not good.” I shook my head and climbed off him, and he let me. My hands were shaking as I smoothed them down my pants. And yet he still sat there, his legs slightly open, his cock pressed against his slacks, tenting the material, showing me how big and thick he was.

I swallowed roughly, this knot of worry lodged in my throat.

“I’m not worried,” he said effortlessly.

“How can you not be worried?” My voice shook, trembled.

He finally stood up, adjusting his dick before coming over to me. The smile was still on his face as he placed his hand on my shoulder and moved it down my arm, taking my hand in his.

“I don’t care that she caught us.”

I felt my eyes widen. “W-what do you mean? If she tells people, you’re going to lose your job.” And still he looked unaffected.

He said nothing as he leaned down and kissed me. It was soft and sweet, reassuring. When he pulled back, I felt that stress leave me at the fact he was so calm.

“Grace, the only thing that matters to me is you. Nothing else is a concern. This job, what people think…” He shook his head. “You’re all I care about.” And then he pulled me in for a hug and I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady, even beating of his heart.

It was easy to not let it bother me because he didn’t let it affect him, but I loved Lucian, and the fact that this could ruin his life was a very real possibility, no matter what he said.

24

Professor Goode

I watched as my afternoon class left, the feeling of what was coming strong ever since yesterday when Ashley had walked in on Grace and me.

I gathered up my papers and put them in my satchel. When the last student was gone, I sat down and started going over the syllabus. This was pointless if I were being honest. I knew the board would call me in eventually, probably sooner rather than later.

It wasn’t but a moment later when I heard the door open. I glanced up and saw Dean Richards standing there, a manila envelope in his hand, a guarded expression on his face. I knew what this was about. I’d been prepared for this visit.

So I stood, meeting him halfway, neither of us saying anything for long moments. What could be said?

“Professor Goode,” he said in a professional voice, not one he’d used with me since he hired me years before.

I was friends with Calvin. I’d met his family, his children. We’d eaten dinner together. I considered him a friend. But he wasn’t here on a social visit. He was here on official university action.

I had no doubt Ashley would tell them. She went by the books about everything, and it was one of the reasons I’d picked her to be my TA. She could be trusted, was loyal, and played by the rules.

But that also had repercussions seeing as her catching me with Grace meant she hadn’t been able to keep it to herself. I couldn’t blame her, wasn’t even angry. In fact, I was glad she’d told the university.

It meant there was no more hiding, no more pretending I wasn’t in love with Grace … no more acting like I had any control where she was concerned.

“Dean Richards,” I said in return and held out my hand for the envelope. The look on his face spoke volumes, but then again, I hoped mine did as well.

I wanted him to see how unaffected I was, that everything had come full circle, that things had happened the way they were supposed to.

“You know why I’m here?” Although he phrased it like a question, I could hear in his voice he already knew the answer.

“I know.”

He exhaled as if this were painful for him. And maybe it was. We’d considered each other friends. He probably saw this as a betrayal.

“The school has put you on suspension until further investigation. A hearing will be held tomorrow with more details on the situation. I’ll need you present first thing in the morning.”

I nodded. “And Grace?”

“She’s been notified as well. We’ll need her there to take her account of it all.”