The Professor (Forbidden Encounters 1)

He helps me to my feet. “I need to get my things.”

He stands back and allows me to grab my handbag and books from my car. Silently, I follow him to his, gratefully sliding in when he opens the door. “I can check your car out if you like.”

“Don’t bother. I’ve tried everything I know, and I know a lot. I’ll just have to get it to the garage tomorrow.”

He nods and gives me one more concerned look before closing the door. The last thing I want is to be in an enclosed space with Bryce, but I’m in no position to turn down a ride.

“I’ll take you home,” he says.

“I wasn’t planning to go home. I was going to call a friend to come get me, and crash at her place for the night.”

“You could have called me.”

My derisive snort almost comes out, but I bite it back. As if I’d call him for help after seeing him with that woman. I say nothing, just turn to stare out the window. Bryce sighs and drives off. “What’s your friend’s address.”

I mumble Charlie’s address and go back to silence. I don’t brood for too long because I don’t want to seem ungrateful. “Thank you for the lift. It’s a good thing you came along.”

“You say it as if it’s a coincidence. I told you, I was looking for you.”

“I heard you the first time.”

I can feel him looking at me, and I start to squirm uneasily. The conversation that I know he wants to have isn’t one I’m in the mood for. I’m too emotionally fragile right now.

“Are you going to tell me why you were crying?”

“No.”

“Did it have anything to do with me?”

This time I do snort out loud. “Of course not.” My voice went a little higher than normal, and he grunts. I guess he knows I’m lying. Gritting my teeth, I cross my arms defensively. “I have other things going on in my life, Bryce.”

“Are we going to talk?”

“About what?” How he left me hanging in my driveway? Ignored my call? Flirted with some other woman?

“Clearly, you’re pissed at me. You have every right to be. But we need to talk so kindly put aside your sass for a few minutes.”

I round on him with a withering glare. “My sass?”

Staring straight ahead, he shrugs. I can still make out the smug grin on his profile. I want to slap the sexy smirk off his handsome face. Or kiss it off. I can’t believe I’m thinking about kissing him when I’m supposed to be mad at him. Ugh. I’m thoroughly disgusted with myself.

“We don’t need to talk about anything right now. I’m not in the…” I sit forward to peer through the windshield. “Hey, this isn’t Chief Traverse’s street.”

“No it isn’t. It’s my street.”

I gasp. “I’m not going to your place.”

“We’re already here.”

He turns into a driveway. The wrought iron gates are already opening. “This is basically kidnapping, you know that right? You’re kidnapping me, Bryce.”

“And you’re being dramatic.”

Slack-jawed, I stare at him. I can’t believe he brought me to his place. “Why you arrogant?”

“Why are you so worried about being alone with me, Abby. You enjoyed the last time we were alone, didn’t you?”

Mouth opening and closing, I struggle to find words. My face feels like it’s on fire. The rest of my body too. That’s mostly because of the memories he just conjured. My indignation dies down and I just feel...exhausted. “But then you just left…” I hate that my voice sounds so small and distressed.