Temptation (The Hunted, #1)(65)

I closed my laptop and opened up my closet. The roses were turning black and lots of the petals had fallen to the floor. That was it. Our relationship lasted about as long as a dozen roses. I pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and high heeled boots, hooked on my favorite pushup bra and put on a tight black, v-neck shirt. I grabbed a lightweight jacket and an infinity scarf. After applying a small amount of foundation, mascara, and eyeshadow, I glanced in the mirror. I tilted my head a little and saw the hickey that Professor Hunter had given me. It was like he had branded me. I added a little concealer to the hickey to cover it up. After scrutinizing it in the mirror, I was ready to go.

I walked to class way faster than usual. My nerves must have made me jittery. I sat down at my desk, crossed my legs, and tapped my foot as I waited for Tyler. Melissa was right. I needed to be honest. Tyler deserved that. I needed to tell him that I was seeing someone else, but that I was going to end things. And that I wanted to be with just him. Tyler was seeing someone else too though. I wasn't sure what his reaction was going to be, but it was a conversation we needed to have.

Tyler walked into the room with a huge smile on his face. He was wearing jeans and a polo, just like he had in my dream. I shook my head. He wore that most days. That wasn't unusual. Get a grip. When he got to his desk he leaned down and kissed me.

I hadn't expected that. I hesitantly kissed him back. If Professor Hunter walked in and saw us I'd be mortified. He'd freak out. I told him I wasn't seeing Tyler. Soon my dream returned to me and my heart started beating fast. It felt like we had really had sex right in this room. I felt my face blushing.

He pulled away. "Good morning, Penny." He sat down in his chair. "You look really pretty today."

"Thanks, Tyler."

"You have no idea how many times I've walked into this room and wished I could kiss you like that."

I smiled. I had really only ever thought about Professor Hunter in this room. Except for my dream where Tyler had fucked me right on the chalkboard. I gulped. Right at the podium where I'd be giving my speech in a few minutes.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah. There's just something that I need to tell you. Do you want to get dinner tonight or something?

"Sounds good to me."

"Oh, Tyler, you never gave me the notes from Friday. Anything helpful for our speeches today?"

Tyler laughed. "Um, not really. I actually didn't even take notes in this class. I just wanted an excuse to come see you. Professor Hunter was talking about fighting or something on Friday. Like how in your speech you need to make the audience listen. Almost like it's a battle you need to win. It was really weird. You know how he is. All of his advice is super unhelpful and strange."

Interesting. Was that because Professor Hunter was fighting for me? I felt sad for a moment but shook the feeling away. He should be fighting for his marriage. My anger was growing again.

"Are you ready to finally find out why I chose economics and finance? I think you'll like my speech."

"Does that mean you're finally going to answer my question of what you want to do when you graduate?"

"Indeed."

Professor Hunter walked in, and I couldn't even help but turn my attention to him. It wasn't just the danger, he was the sexiest man I have ever laid my eyes on. Why does he have to be so unbelievably sexy? He was wearing a crisp suit that hugged his body perfectly. He locked eyes with me and smiled. But his expression immediately changed. He could probably sense how angry I was. His eyebrows lowered and he suddenly looked brooding.

That's right! I found out that you were lying to me again, you asshole!

Professor Hunter cleared his throat. "Okay, time for speeches. I'm excited to learn why all of you chose your majors." He pulled the podium to the middle of the room and made his way to the seat in front of Tyler. Professor Hunter's scent reached my nose, but it just fueled the flame growing inside of me. I had never been angrier in my entire life.

"Adam Zabek, you're up," Professor Hunter said once he had pulled out his papers to grade the speeches with.

Adam and a few other people went and then it was my turn.

"Penny Taylor." My name seemed foreign in Professor Hunter's voice. I was used to him saying Penny in a seductive, sweet way.

"Good luck, Penny," Tyler said with a smile.

Professor Hunter seemed to tense at Tyler's words. Good. I wanted Professor Hunter to be as upset as I was. It would serve him right if I really did fuck Tyler in front of the class.

"Thanks," I said and stood up. I walked past Professor Hunter and slowly to the front of the room, making sure not to trip on anything.

I knew you were supposed to envision the audience naked, but in my dream they had all seen me naked. Certainly my speech today would be less embarrassing than that. But it hadn't really been embarrassing. It had been insanely sexy. I held the sides of the podium. Everyone was staring at me, it was like they knew what I had dreamt. Tyler was even smiling at me and Professor Hunter looked angry. I looked down at my speech. No. No, I had something else to say. The same courage from my dream suddenly washed over me.

I locked eyes with Professor Hunter. The anger continued to swell to the surface. Something seemed to snap inside of me. Fuck him and his stupid, beautiful face. Someone cleared their throat. Shit. How long had I been standing up here?