The Girl Next Door

“Why is that so funny? I’m being serious.” She points to the computer. “This is shaping up to be a great paper. One I look forward to reading.”

Now that makes me laugh.

I shrug and shake my head. “Writing has never come easy to me.” Even though I was dreading this meeting, it’s obvious there was never anything to be concerned about. “I appreciate you spending so much time with me.”

“Helping students realize their full potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.” She shifts and our knees touch. “It’s one reason I’m so passionate about my work.” Her hand flutters to mine before covering it.

My gaze drops to our clasped fingers.

“Well, um, thank you, Dr. Hayes.”

“When we’re alone, you can call me Rebecca.”

“Right.” This meeting has taken a turn for the awkward. I don’t care if she’s touchy-feely or not. I don’t like it. Now that the paper has been wrapped up, all I want to do is escape.

When I attempt to retract my fingers, her grip tightens, halting my movements.

“Beck—”

I glance up and realize her face is much closer than before.

“I had hoped you would take advantage of my offer to work one-on-one with you. Kind of like a mentor.” She tucks an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “There is so much I could teach you, if you would let me.”

Relief rushes from my lungs when she lifts her hand from mine. Instead of pulling away, it settles on my thigh where it rests dangerously close to my balls.

Friendliness is one thing.

This is something altogether different.

“Um—”

Before I can say anything more, she’s on her knees between my legs. Her other hand drops to my thigh before she slides both toward my junk.

Hunger flashes in her eyes before settling on my lap. “I’ve been very patient about waiting for you to get the hint. So, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands.” As those words leave her lips, her fingers wrap around my cock.

Holy shit!

“Dr. Hayes,” I choke out as a strange paralysis takes over. I can’t move. My muscles feel locked in place.

“Rebecca,” she corrects, tongue darting out to smudge her lips. “Call me Rebecca.”

“I’m not—”

There’s a knock on the office door. My head jerks up as it opens in slow motion.

“Dr. H—”

Oh, fuck.

Mia.

I would recognize her voice anywhere.

“Now’s not a good time!” the older woman shouts, but it’s too late.

As Mia falters over the threshold, her wide gaze locks on mine before sliding to the woman between my outstretched legs. I quickly knock her hands away, hoping the situation doesn’t look as damning as I imagine it does.

“I, um, sorry,” Mia mumbles before taking a hasty step in retreat. Hurt and shock swirl through her dark depths before she quickly slams the door closed.

The thick wood reverberates on its hinges as silence settles around us.

“Well, that’s not good.” Dr. Hayes rises gracefully to her feet before running a hand over her pencil skirt. “Luckily Mia is my teaching assistant, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to smooth this over.” Instead of looking embarrassed, a smile curves her lips before a chuckle escapes. “Did you see the look on her face? I think we shocked her.”

We?

I don’t think so.

I sure as hell wasn’t a willing participant in this.

Not bothering to answer, I bolt to my feet and snap my computer shut before shoving it in my backpack.

“Next time we need to make sure the door is locked.” She gives me a little wink before sliding behind her desk and sinking to her chair.

There won’t be a next time.

“I need to go,” I mutter. All I can think about is finding Mia and explaining what happened.

With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I leave the office and jog through the hallway to the elevators. Bypassing them, I take the stairwell, sprinting down five flights before reaching the ground floor. I push through the metal door into the lobby but don’t see Mia’s dark head anywhere.

A few guys from the football team are shooting the shit outside Mitchell Hall. When they call me over, I wave them off and run past. My heart skips a beat when I see her striding about twenty yards ahead of me. I hasten my pace, pushing through the people crowded onto the path. A few grumble before glancing at me. When they realize who I am, they shut their mouths.

“Mia!” I call out when I’m close enough, “wait up!”

She doesn’t glance over her shoulder, but I know she heard me because she picks up her pace, as if trying to escape. There’s no way in hell I can allow that to happen.

When I’m within striking distance, I reach out and wrap my fingers around her upper arm to stop her. The moment I make contact, she whips around and bares her teeth.