“I’m not a psych major.”
“But you’re taking criminal psychology with Professor Winston.”
Nodding, I quickly place my order for coffee: two creams, no sugar. Ali orders hot chocolate. We swipe our student cards, and head for the psychology department.
“So you’re a criminal justice major.” My roommate scrunches her nose. “Sounds like an oxymoron. Do criminals deserve justice?”
“Everyone deserves justice.” I recognize that male voice from last night.
Evan slides up beside us, and Ali gives him a bright smile. “Hey! I knew we’d see you guys around again.”
“The campus is not that big,” I quietly note, stopping at the door of my class.
“No way—are you headed in here?” He motions to the door, and my stomach sinks.
Forcing a smile, I blink up at him. “Sure am. You?”
“Yes…” He does a little fist pump. “Homework buddy.”
Great. Another complication.
A loud male voice from inside draws my notice.
“They’re starting.” I grab the door to the small auditorium, and hold it open. “After you.”
Evan heads inside, and I take a beat. Ali waves, heading down the hall, and I wait a few seconds longer. I want to have his full attention when I enter.
The male voice comes closer, and the door pushes open a bit while I'm holding it. “Are you coming in?”
Lifting my chin, my eyes lock with intense, green-hazel and my chest squeezes. Dirk Winston is not skinny. He’s not a computer geek. He’s not even short.
I’m five-eight, which is tall for a girl, so he’s got to be six foot. His brown hair is slightly wavy and attractively messy, and he smells like clean citrus and fresh soap. I can tell he’s muscular by the way his slim button-down shirt stretches over his chest and shoulders.
Full lips part over straight-white teeth, and he gives me an all-American-hero smile. “We’re starting now, Miss…?”
Blinking away quickly, I try to catch my breath. Professor Dirk Winston is lose your panties, fall to your knees, thank (not-lost) Jesus, fucking hot as sin.
My dream from this morning, my papa’s murder, echoes in my memory, and I’m ashamed. I don’t fall for marks. I’m a soldier, and this job is the chance of my life, to find answers, to avenge my father.
“Sorry…” I clear my throat, finding my focus. “Lorak. Reanna Lorak.”
“If you’ll take your seat, Miss Lorak.” He turns, and his ass is perfectly tight in those jeans.
I almost exhale a delighted sigh, but a hissing sound snaps me out of my lust-filled gaze. Evan tilts his head towards the empty seat beside him, and I remember how to walk.
Professor Panty-dropper continues his course introduction as I quickly take my seat and get my shit together. I’m better than this. So what if he’s even hotter than his older brother?
An image of Natasha’s scowling face flashes across my brain, melting my lust into anger. Nothing has changed about this job, and in an hour, I’ll make the first move.
5
Dirk
First class in the can.I’m standing at the front of the small auditorium, disconnecting my laptop from the podium and making a note of where I stopped. I added a few bonus readings to the homework assignment, so I need to update my syllabus on the campus intranet.
Campus life is a little different from when I was at Columbia, with everything online now. Dr. Broadman told me since it’s my first year, I should expect to update my lesson plans, assignments, and readings regularly, based on our actual progress. He called it “first-year problems.”
Sharon sat in on the class, helping with attendance, and I’m pleased to have a good-sized group of students. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they were very engaged. Of course, they’re paying money to be here, so they’re attentive, asking questions, and taking notes.