She obeys, but the scowl that flashes across her features tells me she did so on a reflex that she now regrets.
I walk around the room’s perimeter and secure the door from the inside. For good measure, I lean against its hard surface. “What are you talking about?”
She rises from the sofa and curls her hands into fists. I’ve never seen her look so ferocious. The baser part of my brain wants to describe her as a sex kitten with claws. I shove it back to the recesses of my mind and remind it of Crius.
Just the thought of that bastard has all sensation draining away from my cock and clears my mind.
“You gave me a third.” She points at something on the university intranet.
“So, you are in possession of your phone,” I say.
Her face drops as the accusation in my words register. I had spent several frantic minutes on Monday calling and texting, hoping Crius wouldn’t contact me from her number with a sly ultimatum. If she was angry, she could have put me out of my misery and send a message telling me to fuck off.
A heartbeat later, her features harden. “Is this shitty grade your way of punishing me for using my safe word?”
I huff a bitter laugh. “If I wanted to reprimand you I would do so in a way we would both enjoy.”
She lowers her lashes, her nipples tightening into peaks that protrude through her blouse. When she squeezes those thighs together something deep in my chest rumbles with satisfaction, and heat rushes south. This time, no amount of thinking about Crius can stem this arousal.
Phoenix Stahl is temptation incarnate, and knowing that she enjoys my darkest desires only makes matters worse.
“Stop it,” she murmurs.
I raise my brows. “Care to elaborate?”
“You’re doing that voice thing.” She turns her gaze to the wall. “It’s distracting.”
My pulse quickens. Only my overwhelming need for her safety keeps me rooted to this spot. If I take one step toward Phoenix, I’m certain I could have her on her knees. After that, letting go of her will be impossible.
Bloody hell. I need to get back on track.
“I graded your assignment a first because your calculations were impeccable and you showed insights into the theory that warranted the highest accolade.”
“Really?” She glances at me out of the corner of her eye.
“This is work worthy of the London School of Finance,” I reply. “The flair for applying theoretical concepts to real life and the depth of your research easily makes you a worthy candidate for a master’s degree at any prestigious institution.”
Her lips part with a gasp. Half of me drifts forward, wanting to capture that pretty mouth in a kiss. Fortunately from the angle I’m standing, gravity keeps my back against the door.
Phoenix runs a trembling hand through her hair. “Then why did you grade it a third?”
“Clearly, the system mixed up your result with one of the many assignments I had to endure. As soon as you leave, I will rectify the mistake and demand that whoever is in charge of communicating grades to students performs a full audit.”
Her posture deflates.
“That’s it?” she asks, her eyes searching mine.
“Disappointed?” I fold my arms across my chest.
“Well I thought the third was your way of summoning me here.”
My lips tighten. “You ended our arrangement, and I accepted. From this moment onward, our association is strictly one of a lecturer and student.”
The air thickens with a tension that pushes against my chest. I know exactly what’s behind those words. My compliment has negated what was said early on Monday morning, and Phoenix wants to start again.
I’m not an unforgiving man. A light chastisement could cure Phoenix of the habit of disappearing without permission, but it won’t protect her from the danger of being used as a pawn.
She remains in place waiting for me to take back the words. Instead, I step away from the door, giving her room to pull the handle.