Temptation (The Hunted, #1)(59)

Chapter 41


Saturday

Professor Hunter had sent me a few more texts asking to meet with me. But I couldn't see him. I had never been so angry with someone in my life. I opened up my email and clicked on the one from Professor Hunter. Maybe I could end this through email. I reread what he had written.



Subject: Our discussion isn't over

Penny,

I wish you wouldn't always feel so compelled to argue with me. I told you that I have done some things in my past that I regret. I am not withholding information from you to be spiteful. I'm doing it to protect you. If you will allow me to come talk to you, I can explain.

-James



I forgot how angry his email had made me. He was so full of himself. I quickly wrote back to him.



Subject: Trying to Protect Me?

Professor Hunter,

I thought that I was naive, but I believe that description fits you better. I don't think that I'm the woman in your life that you should be protecting.

-Penny



There. I felt better already. I pressed send. It was cowardly to hide behind my computer, but I didn't have the guts to do it in person. It didn't take long before my computer dinged, signaling that I had a new email.



Subject: You're the Only Woman in My Life

Penny,

I'm not sure what you think you know about me. But I can tell you that I'm falling for you. There is no woman in my life that is more important to me. It's you. I'm coming over now.

-James



Why was I smiling right now? I bit my lip. Yes, his words were sweet, but he was lying. He was treating me like a child. I wasn't the only woman in his life. I was the other woman! I quickly typed out my response.



Subject: Don't You Dare

Professor Hunter,

Don't waste your time. Even if you come here, I'm not coming out to talk to you.

-Penny



He couldn't come here. I didn't want to see him. This had to be done through email. It was the only way that I'd be strong enough to confront him. My computer dinged again.



Subject: I Do Dare

Penny,

Stop being so stubborn. I'm leaving now. I'll see you in ten minutes.

-James



Crap. I had quickly lost control of our email conversation. Was there anything I could say so that he wouldn't come? It didn't seem like it. I took a deep breath. Could I do this? I just needed to not look at him and his stupid beautiful face. My attraction for him had blinded me before. I needed to make sure that wouldn't happen again. If I could focus on his adultery, I could be strong. He was an awful person.

I glanced in the mirror, fixed my hair, and wiped away some oil on my face with a tissue. I changed into a nice pair of yoga pants and a tank top. Why am I trying to look nice for an adulterer? I closed my dorm room door behind me and went out the back of my building to where he usually came to pick me up. His car was already there. My heartbeat was already accelerating and I hadn't even seen him. I walked down the steps and approached the car slowly, trying to remain calm. Professor Hunter opened the passenger's side door from the inside.

"Get in the car."

"But I don't want to go anywhere," I stammered. The idea of being so close to him in the car made me feel uncomfortable. I didn't trust myself around him. His hair was smoothed and he was clean-shaven, unlike in class earlier. He was wearing a t-shirt, a jacket, and jeans and I could smell his intoxicating scent through the open door.

Professor Hunter glared at me. "I'm not taking you anywhere. I just want to be able to talk to you in private."

I looked around. It was a chilly night and most of the students were either out partying or snuggled up in their dorms. "There's no one around."

"Penny, get in the car."

I didn't want our conversation to start this way. I sighed and sat down in the passenger's seat. He drove the car to the small parking lot by my dorm, pulled into one of the last spots, and cut the ignition. He stared out the windshield.

I thought he would start talking, but he stayed silent. My heart was beating so loud that I thought he might be able to hear it in the silent car. He was gripping the wheel of the car tightly and his knuckles were turning white. I glanced down at his ring finger. There weren't any tan lines or anything. I thought that's what I was supposed to look for. Was it possible that I was wrong about everything?

He finally turned to me. "I thought you weren't going to come out and see me."

There was something definitely wrong with me. All I wanted to do was start making out with him. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked out my window. "I figured I owed it to you to hear your side."

"You're cute when you're upset."

He was the infuriating one, not me. I was already fuming. We weren't supposed to be talking about us. We were supposed to be talking about him and his wife. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. I clenched my jaw.

"Tell you what?"

He was still going to play dumb? This was fucking ridiculous. "How could you possibly not know what I'm referring to? What is wrong with you?"

Professor Hunter took a deep breath. "You looked me up online, didn't you?" His brow was furrowed. Why was he pissed at me? What else was there online about him besides his hidden wife?