“I should go,” I croaked out, turning toward the door.
Her fingers curled around my elbow, and I froze. Staring at the door, I knew to hold on a minute longer. I couldn’t help but listen.
“Please, don’t let this become a missed opportunity,” she insisted gently. “Even if I don’t want only you, that doesn’t mean I don’t want you.”
“Don’t worry, darling,” I promised her. “This isn’t over.”
As I left, I could feel her eyes on me. They watched as I shut the door, left wanting and alone. I stood in the hall and considered turning back. My hand, even as I stood there, tingled with electricity begging to course through her body. I could have undone her royal-blue blouse and made that kiss outside look chaste. I only needed to fortify my courage. When I found Millie alone again, I’d be ready. I would be prepared to fight to earn her affection in its entirety. I walked away with that resolve in my head, but one line of hers echoed back. It cracked a chink in my newfound armor.
“Just because one man kissed me outside doesn’t mean I can’t want somebody else.”
Did she mean that she wasn’t looking for exclusivity? If I tried to be her one and only, would that make me lose her permanently? Somehow, putting her words together, I began to think there were greater depths to her answers than I possibly knew.
I needed to find Caleb. With these new revelations, I began to think our little bargain didn’t cover the hidden depths of that woman.
And yet, I found myself thinking about all the things I could have done. If Vladimir hadn’t gotten to her first, if that desk was mine instead of Caleb’s, I was instantly jealous just thinking about it. They both had a claim on her. Caleb had her time. Vlad had her kiss.
What did I have?
If there was such a creature in my office, I would find a way to wipe away any hesitation between us. Millie would hop up on the desk and spread her legs, welcoming me in.
As luck would have it, my father called me. I had to abandon my search for the astronomy professor to focus on what my dad wanted. These conversations and the hunt for clarity would have to wait.
“Hey, Dad,” I greeted him, being sure to hide any disappointment.
Leave it up to parents to interfere in their children’s sex lives, even at the age of forty-one.