Professor

“I’m sorry for breaking down like this. It’s just a little unbelievable. We are both consenting adults.”

I leaned down and kissed her forehead, just closing my eyes and reveling in the fact she was here with me. “I knew the rules, Grace, and I didn’t fucking care about them. I knew from the moment I saw you walk into my class that this would be the outcome.” I pulled back and looked her in the eyes again.

“How did you know?” she whispered.

“Because I wasn’t going to let you go. I’d do anything, lose everything to be with you, Grace. Don’t you see that? Don’t you see that I’m so in love you?”

She smiled, and I saw that sadness vanish as her feelings for me rose up. “I love you too.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. “Will you be able to find another job? Or is this something that will follow you?” She said those words softly, and I didn’t answer for a moment, just held her, felt her warmth slip into me, let her scent envelop me.

“I don’t need a job, Grace. I have enough money to last me five lifetimes.” She pulled back and looked up at me.

“Your uncle’s business?”

“My business.” I kept my arms wrapped around her, refusing to let her go. I needed her close. “It all became mine after he passed away. I went to school and became a professor because I wanted that connection with my father. And I’ve had it. I did it. And maybe in the future I’ll teach again. But that’s not my main concern, not what I’m focused on.” I heard her breath catch. “I have you, and that’s all I care about.”

I’d say that over and over again.

I leaned down and kissed her, and she grew soft and pliant against me. If I never taught again, I’d be content because I’d have Grace.

I had her love.

They’d say I was obsessed.

I’d say I was in love.

What more did I need in life?

26

Grace

“So, he like…” Sherry leaned in close, her eyes wide, this look of wonder and excitement covering her face. “He just, like, kissed you in front of all of them?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the shocked sound in her voice. I nodded and grabbed my cup of tea, bringing it to my mouth and taking a long sip. The flavors of chamomile and honey filled my taste buds.

“Yeah, it was kind of intense if I’m being honest.” I set the cup down and just stared at the golden hued liquid contained in the ceramic. My hands were still wrapped around it, the warmth seeping into me.

“You’re thinking about him right now, aren’t you?”

I glanced up and stared at Sherry. I didn’t deny it as I nodded. I cleared my throat and shifted on the seat.

“So this is, like, the real deal.” She didn’t phrase it like a question.

“I love him so much, Sherry,” I whispered, feeling my cheeks heat as I thought about the passion that Lucian had for me, how he’d fucked me just this morning, made me get off three times before he’d finally relented and let me breathe. My legs were still shaking, my pussy sore. He was insatiable for me, and I couldn’t help but feel myself falling more in love with him each and every day.

“And he loves you? Like that’s a stupid question since I know the answer, since he all but said fuck you to the school.” She grinned. “Damn, I need a guy like that, that will just say screw everything else but me.”

“What about Letterman Craig?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Letterman Craig?” She snorted.

“It’s what I’ve been calling him because every time I see him he’s wearing that damn high school jacket.”

She laughed. “God, don’t remind me. I keep telling him that he needs to shelve that and put the past behind him. He’s still living in his glory football days.”

We both started laughing.

“But you guys are, like, serious?”

I saw her expression change, watched the way her cheeks turned pink, how she glanced away and smiled. She didn’t have to say the words for me to hear her loud and clear. She was into Craig, maybe things were even getting serious. I was happy for her, happy for both of us that we’d found something that we deserved.

She glanced up at me then, her expression sobering. “I really like him … am falling in love with him.”

My heart beat double-time in my chest for her.

“Does he love you back?”

She smiled softly, sweet. “He says he does.” She shrugged. “I can’t lie and say I’m not scared. I’ve never loved anyone before, Grace. I guess time will tell how things play out, but he’s really sweet and even holds the door open for me, pulls out the chairs before I sit down.”