Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
After striding back to the front of the room, I turn to look across it. “You can reach me in my office if you have any questions,” I say, then remind them of my office hours. “That’s it for today.” I pause, then say, “Miss Davis, would you stay after for a moment?”
Everyone scrambles to grab their things and leave the room. Only then do I allow myself to look at Amber and catch the sheen of frustrated tears in her eyes thanks to that test result.
* * *
Amber
Great. So not only do I have another failing grade but now I have to face Shane in my humiliation, I think. I swallow past the lump in my throat, wondering not for the first time since starting this class if I made a mistake in coming back to school. Maybe I am too old. Maybe the subject matter is just too much for me. If I can’t handle it now, when I have no other responsibilities at home, what am I going to do when L.J. comes home and demands most of my time?
I have no one to talk to, either. The Bennetts, my mom, the guys are all cheering me on and believe in me. Even L.J. told me this morning how proud he is of me. I smile at the thought of my little man. I miss him so much, but he is having the summer of his life, and I know I made the right decision starting school alone and letting him spend time with his family.
I told Layla I was struggling in economics, but my friend’s joking answer was to ask my hot professor for extra help, and that just isn’t happening. Shane made it clear he is off-limits to me. But now he wants to talk, probably to suggest I drop the course, even now, so late in the semester. The room has emptied out, and I hear the sound of footsteps coming up the aisle.
Looking up, I glance into his concerned gaze. I still have a hard time thinking of him as Professor Warden.
He strides over to me and settles into the closest chair, shocking me when he places his hand over mine.
“Hey.”
Sparks fly at the simple touch, my entire body alighting with sudden life and need. I don’t have to wonder if he feels the energy between us, too. He rips his hand away from me so fast my head spins, and he is right to do so. I can’t allow myself to focus on sexual tension when I have this failing grade glaring at me from my desk. But the scent of his cologne surrounds me, mocking my attempt to keep things purely innocent and professional.
“Amber?” he asks, his voice gruff with what I think is the same desire pulsing inside of me. “What can I do to help?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I’m doing everything I can, but nothing is enough.”
“How are your other classes going?”
I blink back my earlier tears. “Fine. Good, actually.” The realization helps center me. “It’s just this one that’s giving me fits.”
Understanding lights his expression. “So it’s not school that’s hard for you, it’s economics.”
I grimace. “Right. And I wanted to minor in business, so I need this intro class for any course that comes after it.”
“What about a tutor? Maybe some one-on-one instruction will help,” he says.
“Are you offering?” The words are out before I can censor them.
A heightened flush hits his cheeks, and even that hint of color is sexy. I can imagine the same ruddy hue on his cheeks when we are in the middle of a hot make-out session, or when he is deep inside me while in my big, lonely bed.
He opens his mouth to reply, and I speak first. “I was kidding,” I say before he can reprimand me again. “Can you recommend someone to tutor me?”
He nods. “Let me ask around, see who’s available in the summer, and I’ll get you a couple of names.”
Gratitude rushes through me. “Thank you. I don’t want to quit, but I know I can’t do this on my own.” And though he can’t offer his own help, he came up with a solution I hadn’t thought of myself. “I appreciate the suggestion.”
He smiles. “I’m glad you like it. Now let’s hope it works.”
We rise at the same time, and I take a step back, unsteady on my feet. He reaches out a hand to steady me, pulling me forward, and suddenly I am in his arms, my head tilted backward, his mouth millimeters from mine.
“Dammit,” he mutters gruffly, and as if unable to hold back from kissing me any longer, he closes the distance and seals his lips over mine.
I’ve dreamed of this moment many times in the last few weeks, but reality supersedes fantasy. He wraps me in his body heat as his tongue sweeps into my waiting mouth. I moan and lean into him, my long-dormant senses coming alive with the sensations he awakens inside me.