Curveball(41)

“Like what? Olivia is his Ethics professor, and she has been sleeping with him the entire semester. That is not only unprofessional, but it’s also immoral.”

I see no point in denying the allegations, not when they have evidence of our relationship, shot from a cell phone of a student. They even have a shot of Mark kissing me outside my car. Honestly, I was shocked it took people this long to figure out something was going on between Mark and me, especially after all our sexploits in public places.

“That’s hearsay, and you know it,” Professor Swanson shoots back. “The only proof you have is a picture taken last week. And it’s not even a clean shot. For all you know, that is someone else in that picture. Olivia is a good professor, and the school policy does not expressly prohibit relationships between students and professors, only frowns upon them; therefore, it is not an actionable offense.” Professor Swanson locks eyes with me, his gaze serious and intense. “However, I will not let you go with only a warning, Olivia. I have you on the schedule to teach summer classes. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” I mutter, my voice low and soft, “summer one and two classes.”

“You are relieved of your duties for this summer. That is your punishment. But make no mistake; this type of behavior is not welcome at Strickland Uniersity. I better not find out there is anything else going on between you and any other students.”

I stand up from my chair, my legs shaking so badly that I have trouble supporting myself, desperate to get out of his office. “Thank you.”

What else do I say to the man whom I have admired and looked up to while I was in school, the man who is now disappointed with me and probably regrets hiring me?

Hauling ass out the door, I shuffle through the crowded halls, dodging students and teachers, while fighting back tears until I get into my office. When I close the door, I jump when I hear Mark’s voice behind me, and I spin around to face him.

I lean against the door, still shaking from my meeting and needing to find some form of support before my legs give out and I collapse on the floor. “What are you doing in here?”

He holds up a red chain with my spare key. “You gave it to me, remember? How did your meeting go?”

“I almost got fired. You shouldn’t be in here, Mark.” I walk toward my desk, and he scoops me up in his big, strong arms. “If someone were to see you leaving my office, I would be packing my bags by the end of the day. Professor Caldwell wants my head on a spike.”

“What did they say?” he asks with a hint of concern in his voice. “After everything you have done for me…I wish there were something I could do to make this right. You’re a good lawyer and a damn good teacher. I’m sorry, baby.”

“Professor Swanson is giving my summer classes to another professor as punishment, but at least I get to keep my job. It’s not your fault. I made the decision to sleep with my student.”

“I never made it easy for you.”

When I rest my head on his shoulder, he hooks his good arm around my waist, the cast at his side. The doctor estimated about two to three more weeks until he can have the cast off. With the rate Mark has been healing, Dr. Bryant is optimistic that he will be able to play ball again. And, knowing my man, he will kill himself to make his dream a reality.

I look up at him, and he smiles.

“No, you never made this easy for me. But I don’t regret a thing. Choosing you was the best decision I ever made.”

“So, does that mean I’m getting an A in your class?”

I laugh, the first genuine one I have had all day. “You earned the A I am giving you, but yes, you are getting an A in my class. Despite what I initially thought about you, you are smart and work hard.”

He moves my hair to the side and sucks on my ear. The heat from his breath and the things he does with his tongue cause my entire body to clench and my toes to curl.

“Good girl,” he hisses between breaths, his mouth slowly moving from my ear to my neck, “because I’d have had to bend you over your desk and spank you for giving me a bad grade.”

“We can still do that if you’d like,” I manage to get out, losing my concentration with his hand and mouth all over me.

“I think I love you more each day,” he whispers against my neck. “You’re like an addiction I can’t kick.”

“I love you, too, but you’re like poison,” I shoot back, laughing.

“Yeah, but we’re good together.”

His words bring a smile to my lips.

In the beginning, Mark was like poison to my heart, toxic and dangerous yet so strong and powerful. He got into my pants and somehow managed to work his way into my heart, forcing me to rethink my life and career. I will never live to regret the choice I made because, for the first time in my life, my bad decision feels so good.





Chapter Seventeen





Mark: One Year Later





Over the last year, I busted my ass to get back into game-ready shape.

My coach worked with me in his free time and even let me practice with the team in the off-season—with one small stipulation. I had to take Chase Matthews under my wing after he replaced me as our starting pitcher. So, I did as Coach had asked, and over the course of summer and fall, some of my knowledge rubbed off on Matthews, and I healed myself in the process.