The room fades into darkness as everything disappears except for him. His deep brown eyes bore into mine, making me drown in confusion. Should I drop the class and pursue him? What’s the worst that could happen? I graduate a semester late? That’s not a big deal. My parents? My dad? My hands break out into a sweat until I wipe them on my pants. It’s a big deal.
Moments later, everyone has their quizzes back, except for me. Alexander stops in front of the class with one paper in his gasp. “Daisy?”
I lick my lips as my heart flutters erratically against my chest. “Yes?”
“See me after class.”
“Okay.”
Oh, crap. Did I screw up that bad? I thought I understood the concepts. Fuck. We’re only a few lessons in. Just wait until it gets harder. I may have to quit for an entirely different reason. Because I suck.
Heather twists in her seat and laughs. “I knew you’d fail the class. Again. Proving you’re too dumb to live, let alone become a doctor. There’s no way you’re ever going to become a doctor.” She tosses a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s a joke.”
The bell rings, saving me from more of her constructive criticism, without the constructive portion added in.
Once everyone is gone, Alexander approaches my desk. “I’m glad you’re okay. Even though I watched you get into your vehicle and leave, I was worried about you. I wanted to call and check on you, but I didn’t have your number.”
“Thank you.” The air between us sizzles as he pulls out his cell phone.
“I realize I can get it from the school director, but I don’t want to invade your privacy.” He rolls his neck, making it pop loud enough to hear.
“That’s thoughtful of you.”
“But after the other night, I’m worried about your safety. I understand that volunteering there is important to you, but I need to know you’re safe. Give me your phone number, and I’ll send you a text with mine. Until they implement the new lighting system, I want you to call me when you leave and let me know when you get safely into your car.”
“I….” I swallow over the dryness of my throat. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do.” His eyes drop to my lips and stay there. “I don’t get any sleep thinking about you anyway. When I add worrying about you on top of it, I’m a mess.”
Holy balls. My knees shake at his confession, and I struggle to catch my breath. Just give him your number. Say the numbers.
After I rattle off my phone number, he programs it into his phone. This feels big. Is it big? Or is it nothing?
“Now, be a good girl and call me when you get off work.” His eyes flare with heat as he says the words. “I don’t want to have to track you down and punish you for disobeying me.”
But what if I want him to? “I work tonight and get off at 10 o’clock.”
“Good.” Every inch of my skin tingles as his eyes never leaves mine. The intensity of the man is overwhelming. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
He hands me the quiz. When his thumb slides over the back of my hand, my panties combust. “Good job on your quiz.”
I flip it over. An ‘A’ with no red marks. Holy crap. My mouth drops open, and I clutch my chest. “You’re a phenomenal teacher.”
“My goal is to make you the perfect student.” He bites his bottom lip.
The door opens, and the first student for the next class walks inside, stopping a few feet inside the door. “I’m sorry. I assumed the room was empty.” His face heats until the freckles on his cheeks pop.
“We were just finishing up here.” Alexander straightens and puts distance between us. “If you need a tutor for class, let me know.”
“Right.” I nod jerkily as reality seeps back into my brain. He’s the professor, and I’m the student. Of course, he wants me to be safe and to be a good student. That’s it. Right? Because holy fuck if he means anything else. What is fourteen weeks? We can pretend for 3 ½ months that nothing is going on between us.
Don’t get your head in the clouds. If he wants anything, it’s another one-night stand. He’s not going to ruin his future for you.
I gather my gear and walk out into the hallway.Ding.My cell phone buzzes in my hand.
Alexander: Text me when you leave. When you get to your car. And when you get inside your house. Do you understand?
Me: Yes, sir.