Page 34 of Give In

Just like when she called me ‘Professor Caine.’

At the start of each semester, I made it clear I preferred Caine. Students were always happy to drop the formality.

But not her. She always called me ‘Professor Caine,’ and it always made me so hard, it hurt.

Thank Christ for this desk.

My expression was apathetic as I met her fiery gaze. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“Somebody called and told my boss I’d tried breaking one of the rules.” She worked to appear nonchalant as she spoke, but her voice shook with fury.

Adorable fury.

“What rule?” I asked.

She opened her mouth before slamming it shut. “It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t you?”

“No,” I lied. “Did you get fired?”

Relief slumped her shoulders as she shook her head. “They know me well enough to know I wouldn’t.”

Damn.

During the hellish five minutes with the dick-shrinking blonde, she’d whispered an invitation to meet outside of work. She’d earnestly batted her lashes as she’d told me her hard-ass bosses would fire her if they found out, but she’d risk it for me.

I’d stored that info away.

And then I’d used it.

“Anyway,” Eden continued quietly, “sorry about... this.” Turning quickly, she practically sprinted up to her seat as the room began to fill.

Crosby walked in and headed straight for her.

Jealousy and anger clutched at me as I stared at her profile, watching as she tilted her head back to smile at him, her earlier tension seeming to fade away.

I wanted to do that for her.

Let her be.

Don’t make her fucked-up, too.

Move on.

Surging to my feet, I ignored common sense and gave in a little more.

“Miss Wilder,” I called, savoring the way her wide eyes shot to me, her full lips parting and a light blush spreading up her chest and across her cheeks. “Head to my office in five minutes.” I held her eyes for a moment more before looking at another student. “Mr. Campbell, since you were out last class, I’ll see you in twenty. The rest of you, use this time to work on your papers.”

*******

Eden

Yes!

Finding out I was going to get my meeting with Professor Caine was exactly what I’d needed to hear.

When I’d gone into work the night before, Charlie and Ted had been waiting for me. They’d told me about receiving a complaint that I’d propositioned a group of customers, and my heart had clenched so tight, I’d thought it would shatter. Tears had instantly filled my eyes as my mind had rushed to figure out what I would do without a job.

Thankfully, because they knew me, my job had been safe…