“Yeah, a lot of good that did you.”
“I’ll pick up something else in town.” I shrugged and inspected his worn jeans, appreciating the way they sat on his lean hips. Even the way he stood seemed masculine somehow.
“You don’t have to. I have a .45 you can borrow.”
“Really?” That would speed along my surveying. One less thing to worry about.
“Yeah, just don’t lose it. I’ll get it out of the safe once you’re ready to go back out there.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” He shifted from one foot to another, clearly uncomfortable with my gratitude.
“I think tomorrow I can do a little walking.”
“Not yet.” He furrowed his brow. “You aren’t recovered enough.”
“I won’t go far.” I grinned. “And what’s this newfound love of my company?”
He scowled. “Get over yourself. I just don’t want you getting hurt worse and then spending yet another two weeks here.”
“Neither do I.” I wrinkled my nose. “I’d probably die of starvation from your cooking.”
His smirk appeared, and my heart warmed at our not-so-friendly banter.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” He turned to leave, then paused, as if unsure. “Red?”
“Yeah?” I swung my legs over the side of the bed and tested my calf.
“I just…”
I stared at his back. “Yeah?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll see you at dinner.” He strode away, his steps thundering down the stairs.
I spent the rest of the day walking around the house and feeling pleased with my leg’s recovery. It was weaker, but having the stitches removed made every movement easier. Pausing in front of Garrett’s door, I stared at it, wondering what he kept inside. I wasn’t much of a lock pick, especially given that the door had an antique handle that took an actual key.
Jiggling the handle, I found it locked yet again and sighed. This time, though, I noticed light through the keyhole. His room faced west, the afternoon sun pouring through. If the light could get out, maybe I could see in.
I stopped and held my breath, listening for Garrett. Nothing moved in the house. I imagined him locked in his library, bent over a book, his dark locks tucked behind his ears as he concentrated on each precise stroke of ink. Kneeling, I hunched forward and looked through the keyhole. The light blinded me, so I had to sit back.
“Shit,” I whispered to myself and decided to sit and wait until the sun’s angle was bearable. Every moment risked me being discovered, but I would hear Garrett coming. I listened intently and waited for the light to fade. After what felt like an eternity, the glare died enough for me to peek through. My eye adjusted after a short moment, and I got a glimpse of a large bed, the wide window, and something hanging on the wall. I squinted and leaned forward, my forehead pressing into the door handle. What was that?
Angling to the side, I got a better view of the wall. Rope. He had various coils of rope hanging on some sort of rack. I couldn’t see the rest of it, just the edge. I sat back on my haunches. What the fuck?
A knocking sound had me on my feet and trudging back to my room at a fast clip. If he caught me, I wasn’t sure what he’d do, but I had an idea based on what he kept handy in his bedroom. The thought of being tied to his bed sent a thrill through me when I should be disgusted or scared. What is wrong with you?
The fleshy knock grew louder as I passed the stairs. I paused. The sound was familiar—someone was knocking at the front door. I hurried down the stairs, my left leg aching in protest. With no Garrett in sight, I got on my tiptoes and peered out of the peephole.
“Fuck.” I plopped back down on my heels.
“I know she’s in there. Open up!” Dr. Stallings pounded on the heavy door, but it only rattled a little.
The library door stood open, and I didn’t see any hint of Garrett. After a calming breath, I turned the bolt on the door and pulled it open.
Dr. Stallings rushed in and took me in his arms, picking me up in a dramatic fashion.
“What happened? Are you okay? The sheriff wasn’t giving me any information. I was worried sick. Did they hurt you?” He rattled off the questions, then pressed hot kisses to my neck.
I cringed and pushed him back. “I’m fine. Promise. They’ve been taking good care of me.”
He lowered me to my feet and looked around the foyer. “They kept you locked up in this ghastly house?”
I frowned. The house had grown on me over the past couple of weeks. But, I followed his gaze to the tatty rug and dusty chandelier, I could see his point. “I’ve been recovering here. It made sense. The boar attack happened nearby.”
“Who’s here with you?”
“The property owner. He’s around somewhere.”
“Has he touched you?” He ran a possessive hand through my hair.
“What? No. He’s the one who saved me in the woods and stitched me up.” I pointed to my leg.
He knelt and ran his hands over the healing wounds. “You poor thing.” When his lips met my skin, I had to fight the impulse to knee him in the face.
His clean-shaven jaw brushed against my skin as he dropped kisses up to my knee and then higher. I took a step back. “I’m okay. I promise.”
He rose to his feet. “I think you should come back with me.”
“No.” I responded more vehemently than I intended.
His look of concern turned to a glower, and he took a step toward me. “I think this has been too much for you. You can always get back to the survey during summer term.”
“But I’m so close.” I forced myself to move closer to him. “My leg is nearly healed, and I’ve already found a promising dig site.” Running my hands down the front of his wool coat, I stared up into his eyes and tried to look beguiling.
He grabbed my waist and pressed me to him, his cock hardening against my stomach. “Maybe come back for just a week, so the two of us can get caught up.”
I let him kiss me, his mouth clumsy and demanding. Closing my eyes, I imagined it was Garrett’s skillful tongue pressing inside me, his hands roving my ass. Instead of Dr. Stallings’ smooth skin, it was Garrett’s rough beard against me.
Someone cleared their throat. Dr. Stallings released me and backed away. I wiped his saliva off my lips with the back of my hand.
“Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my house?” Garrett’s glacial tone sent prickles along my skin.
“I’m Elise’s professor.” He puffed out his chest. “I’ve come to check up on her.”
“I saw how you were checking up.” Garrett walked up beside me, his jaw set in a furious line. “Teaching methods have certainly changed since I
was a student.”
“I, ah, that’s none of your business.” He tried to stare down his nose at Garrett, but Dr. Stallings was a good three inches shorter, so it didn’t quite work.
“In my house, everything’s my business.” Garrett put his hand at the small of my back, his touch sending warmth licking along my skin.
Professor Stallings eyed Garrett’s arm as it snaked behind me. “Elise, you’re coming back with me.”
“I’m not finished. I only got one site scouted before the accident. I need more time.”
He shook his head, mock sadness drawing his mouth down in a frown. “I’m afraid it’s just too dangerous for you to be out here alone. I can’t promise funding for such a perilous expedition.”
My heart sank.
“You threaten her funding to keep her in line?” Garrett laughed. “That’s your power play?”
“I’ve done no such thing.” Dr. Stallings narrowed his eyes. “She was almost killed trying to survey this area. I think it only makes sense for her to wait until the summer when she can survey in safety.”
“And, let me guess, you intend to accompany her in the summer?”
“I’ll be free to help then, yes.”
“Help, huh?” Garrett tsked. “I hope you don’t intend to kiss her the same as you did a minute ago. Watching that shit was painful. So I can’t even imagine what a bumbling fool you’d be when trying to find her clit.”
Dr. Stallings’ face turned an angry shade of red as I wished for the floorboards to open up and swallow me.
I needed to defuse the situation. “Everyone just calm down, okay? We’re all adults here. No need for ugliness.”
Garrett scowled at Professor Stallings, and I could almost feel the vicious take down building in his lungs.
I edged closer to him. “Garrett, please.”
His fingers dug into my waist as he pulled me into his side. “Don’t say that.” His voice hissed through his teeth.
“Elise, come with me.” Dr. Stallings held his hand out toward me. “We can have that dinner and discuss your future like we should have done before you left. The land will still be here in the summer. I’ll come with you and help you get it all done. As your faculty advisor, I need you to trust me.”