“Still boring you, professor?” I kept my voice light as I turned to walk into the hotel, my heart beating fast.
That had been the last comment he had written on my essay handed in a few weeks ago. I had been livid, confronting him about it after class. But he had simply shrugged off my concern, saying I hadn’t really applied myself to the topic, giving him the same answers as everyone else. He told me I had to work harder at standing out and being unique. He basically accused me of not having what it takes to do well. I never had problems with grades in my other classes, I always managed to do well, but for some reason, I couldn’t seem to impress Professor Cross. Until tonight.
“Amy, wait!”
I ignored him, making my way across the lobby to the elevator.
I knew he was right behind me, following me. I didn’t want to talk to him anymore. I had made my point and I liked how it had ended.
I quickly pressed the elevator button and stepped in when the doors opened.
Before they could close, however, he managed to get in.
He stood next to me, a little too close. I made a face and walked to the end of the elevator crossing my arms and looking pointedly away.
“Could we talk, Amy?” he asked in a deep voice. “Let’s go for a drink downstairs, at the bar?”
“I have found that talking to you does not really work for me,” I said drily. I wanted him to know how it felt, him wanting to talk to me and me, for once, being the one not interested. I loved the role reversal.
“I think, Amy, you may want to hear me out.” He had taken a step in my direction and when he looked at me, I could see some of the arrogance and swagger from class. But there was something else there as well. Something dark and powerful. He was really interested in me, maybe for the first time. I had never had an older man paying me this much attention or maybe, I didn’t usually invite it. Of course, I didn’t normally drink this much or go to places like Vegas. Nothing about this whole weekend was like anything I’d ever done before.
The doors opened on our floor, and I stepped out, ready to go to our room. But I was a little curious about what he wanted to say to me.
“What is it?” I couldn’t help asking, right outside our door.
He leaned against the wall, grinning at me.
“It’s not what you think,” he said, drawing out each word.
At that moment, the door to our suite opened and Isabella and Tamara came out, dressed to the nines, ready to go partying.
“There you are, Ames! We’re going dancing! Come!” They wiggled their hips, dramatically throwing their arms into the air. They didn’t seem to notice I had company. Three guys followed them out of the room, and they all seemed ready to take their partying to the next level.
I turned to my friends and said,
“You go on, I’ll catch up.”
I waited for them to leave before looking at Professor Cross, still leaning against the wall. Isabella called out the name of the club they were going to and got into the elevator. I turned back to look at him. A part of me was trying to warn me not to do this, not to spend more time with him. I couldn’t really beat my poolside performance, after all. Who knew where this was going to go next? Somehow, I realized, I really wanted to find out.
I knew this was a dangerous move and that I was taking a big risk. I had been able to pull it off until now, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t remain the case. Perhaps, I had started something I might not be able to stay on top of. I didn’t have that much experience with sexual attraction, but I knew it could be unpredictable, an energy that could be hard to reign in. It would be better to say goodnight to him, go into the room, take a long shower, and cool down. Maybe have some coffee, watch a little Netflix, and snap out of whatever was going on right now. That was what the real Amy would do, definitely. I was always so responsible, doing the right thing, making good choices. But it had not made for very exciting college years. I was always working while the others were out having fun. I could still join them at the club. I thought about this, fleetingly, and knew that I didn’t want to do that. Maybe, I could have a bit of fun of my own, I thought, giving Professor Cross some more of his own medicine. I liked having him in this position, begging me to talk to him, wanting to go for a drink, hell, wanting me. I knew I couldn’t resist it.
“Looks like I finally have your full attention, Professor Cross,” I said, drawing out each word and watching as he drew closer.