Temptation (The Hunted, #1)(73)


I slid the paper back onto his desk. I tapped my foot and bit the end of my pen, anxiously waiting for his response. When the person speaking finished, he quickly scribbled me a note and placed it on my desk.



Come to my office during lunch and find out. And stop biting your pen. That's not what belongs in your mouth.



I lowered my pen. I looked over at him and he flashed his panty dropping smile at me. Everything below my waistline clenched. I gulped and quickly turned away. There was no way that this afternoon could come soon enough. My heartbeat was already accelerating in anticipation. I folded the paper and slipped it into my pocket. The thought of the naughty words so close to my skin made me even more excited.

When class finally ended I was surprised to see that Tyler didn't move. He waited patiently as the class emptied out. Then he rose from his seat and turned around.

"Mr. Stevens," Professor Hunter said.

"What you're doing is wrong," Tyler said. There was venom in his voice. I had never expected him to confront Professor Hunter. I gulped.

"Not everything is so black and white," Professor Hunter said calmly.

"In this case, it is."

"I beg to differ."

It looked like Tyler wanted to say something else, but instead he just glared at Professor Hunter. "This isn't going to end well," Tyler finally said.

"Are you threatening me?"

Tyler laughed. "No, I would never threaten my professor. I'm fully aware of where the line is, unlike some of us." Tyler shook his head, walked past us, and exited through the back door.

Professor Hunter was silent for a moment. "Penny, is that something I should be worried about?"

"I don't know. I asked him not to tell anyone."

"Then there's no use dwelling on it." He leaned in and gave me a swift kiss on the lips.

"Do you still want me to come to your office for lunch?"

"Of course." He held out his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.

"Is 12:30 okay?"

"Sounds good. I'll pick us up something." He looked over his shoulder to make sure the room was still empty and then kissed me again. But this time it was hard, fierce, and possessive. When he drew back I felt slightly dizzy. He kissed my hand. "Until later."





Chapter 49


Wednesday

My Stat professor droned on in what he thought was English. But I didn't understand a word of it. I had missed class on Monday and I was more confused than ever. By the time class ended, I had several pages of notes that made zero sense. I sighed and put them into my backpack. I was probably going to need to hire a tutor.

I pulled my backpack over my shoulder and headed out of class. The sunlight hitting my face made me smile. Right now wasn't the time to think about school. I had a lunch date with Professor Hunter.

I made my way across campus and toward the business and economics building. Professor Hunter had never invited me to his office before. I had always just showed up. The last time I had been there was the first time we had had sex. Just thinking about it made me excited. He had completely possessed me.

I opened the door to Lerner and made my way upstairs. Professor Hunter's office was on the third floor. My heart was racing when I reached his door. I knocked and stepped back. When he opened the door he looked both ways, grabbed my arm, and pulled me inside his office. As soon as he closed the door, he pressed my back against it.

"Penny."

"Professor Hunter."

He leaned forward and touched his nose against mine. "I thought you were going to start calling me James?"

"It's hard to break a habit. And besides, we are in your office."

He smiled and pulled away. "We should probably eat." He released me and my back slid down the door.

"Oh." I was breathless. I wasn't thinking about food. Professor Hunter walked over and sat down behind his desk. There were two wrapped sandwiches and bottles of something on his desk.

"I picked up sandwiches from Capriotti's. I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I just got two of my favorite."

"And what is your favorite?"

"Turkey, lettuce, provolone cheese, and mayo." He looked at me hopefully.

"That sounds delicious." I sat down across from him, grabbed one of the sandwiches, and unwrapped the paper. "It's actually exactly what I would have ordered." I took a bite. "So good."

He laughed. "We have more in common than I thought."

"Apparently so." I slowly chewed my sandwich. There was a question gnawing at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." There was a small line across his forehead. He was still uncomfortable talking to me about personal things.

I wanted to ask him how much longer his divorce was going to take, but I didn't want to upset him. Instead I tried to keep things up-tempo and said, "I failed my speech, didn't I?"

"You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out just like everyone else. No favoritism, remember?"

"I thought you were joking. So I really don't get special treatment?"

Professor Hunter shook his head.

"None at all? I really think there should be certain perks to dating a professor."

Ivy Smoak's Books