“You’re wrong about what I’m thinking. I don’t judge you. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” His hands tighten around the wheel until the vinyl squeaks. “And I hate to think of how things could’ve gone if I wasn’t there at the right time.”
Same here—but now I’m wondering what’s going to happen next. “Where are you taking me?”
“My place.”
My heart’s going to burst out of my chest if it doesn’t stop pounding like it is. His place. I’m going to his place, and we’ll do everything I’ve fantasized about. I’m finally going to know how it feels to have his hands on me. His lips. His tongue.
I let out an involuntary shiver of anticipation that he seems to notice. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to claim my prize just yet.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Yes, I’m pretty damn sure. I think I know what goes on in my own head. “I’m just a little chilly.”
“In a dress like that? I’m not surprised.” There’s a bite to his voice, something I’ve never heard come out of his mouth. Perhaps it’s a hint that he wants me. That he finally sees me the way I’ve always wanted him to.
I wish he would pull the car over and put his hands on me. I rub my thighs together in a vain attempt to quieten down the frenzy that’s going on. I don’t know if it’s anticipation or the idea that my fantasies could finally come true, but I’m wetter than I usually am after waking up from a dirty fantasy dream.
The car slows, and we pull up in front of a modest-looking house only a few minutes’ drive from campus. He could probably walk if he wanted to. He also could have dropped me off at my place, but he didn’t seem to consider that. So what the hell am I doing here if he doesn’t plan on claiming me yet?
“This is nice.” I mean, what else is there to say? I’ve never exactly been in a situation like this. “I mean, the house is nice.” I could slap myself in the face because I sound so dumb.
“Thanks.” He gets out and opens my door before extending a hand. I place mine inside his—it’s so much bigger—and step out of the car. I swear, it'll be a miracle if I make it out of this without dying. My heart can’t take all of this pounding and weak knees stuff.
He leads me inside, and I’m not sure what I was expecting. A sloppy man cave? No, that’s not Professor Wolff. He’s too exciting for that. Precise. It’s another thing I like about him. That’s why it’s not surprising that the place is clean, tidy, and comfortable. His walls are lined with books, and a big, open kitchen takes up almost half of the first floor. It’s spotless, without even a speck of dust on the wine bottles he keeps in a tall rack.
“There isn’t much to see.” He takes off his jacket and loosens his tie before opening the top button of his shirt. It’s enough to make my knees turn to jelly. Doesn’t he see what he’s doing to me? My nipples harden, and my stomach tightens.
“It’s a lot better than my apartment,” I offer with a weak laugh.
“I guess it would be.” He gestures toward the wine, and I shake my head. I want to be completely sober for whatever is going to happen next. I want to fully feel everything, and I want to be able to remember it. I’m never going to have another opportunity like this again.
“You’re probably wondering why I brought you here in the first place.” He opens a bottle of red wine without looking at me. I notice now his voice is deeper, rougher. “Since, as I said, I have no intention of claiming you tonight.”
My stomach drops. “Why not?”
That surprises him enough to lift his head. His eyes are wider than before when they meet mine. “Seriously?”
“I mean, yeah. You’re spending all that money on me. Why would you do that if you didn’t want to…” Oh, fuck me, I wish I had never opened my mouth. I feel so stupid. Naïve and inexperienced, and he sees all of it for what it is.
“If we’re being honest, the man who was determined to win you is not a nice man.” He pours a glass, wearing an ugly smirk. “I knew there was no way I could let him have you. It would have to be over my dead body, especially since the moment you showed up in my class, I’ve been enthralled by you, wishing I could get to know you more and learn what makes you tick.”
A smile appears on my lips. So he’s interested in me. Then the smile slips because I realize he’s not going to fuck me yet, which makes me wonder. “Are you going to keep my share of the money?”
He pauses in the middle of lifting the glass to his lips. “Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re not getting anything for it.”
“Let me correct your misunderstanding. I said I’m not going to claim you yet. I’m not going to traumatize you that way, not when you’ve already been through so much tonight. I’ve waited for you this long, sweetheart. I can wait a little longer.”
“How long do you want to wait?”
“Make no mistake. I intend to claim what I purchased. Your virginity belongs to me, Emma.” His eyes narrow, and flames of lust flicker deep inside them. “Say it. Tell me you understand.”
“I understand.”
“Good girl,” he bites out and gestures for me to follow him to the stairs, which I climb behind him. He’s not the way I imagined him to be. In class, he’s soft-spoken, kind, and so unlike this dark, commanding man in front of me.