Page 37 of Give In

“I’d watch the attitude, Miss Wilder.”

Not heeding his warning, I put extra snark into my tone when I asked, “Or what, Professor Caine?”

“Surely you know what happens to naughty—”

I barked out a laugh, harsh and humorless. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

He stood to his full height, the broadness of his body overshadowing my much smaller frame. Rather than their usual indifference, his dark blue eyes grew intense. “I never joke about that, Miss Wilder.” His low voice was severe. “I’ll warn you once more, watch the attitude.”

Maybe it was his tone. Or the change in his stance. Or the way his eyes seemed to flash.

Likely, it was all three.

But for whatever reason, an apology danced on the tip of my tongue. My body softened, almost swaying into his.

Thankfully, a knock sounded, breaking the trance before I did something stupider than I’d already done.

“Whatever. This is so not worth it,” I grumbled, trying to move again, but his hold tightened almost painfully.

“And what’s that mean?” His voice was so harsh, his whisper sounded like a roar.

“It means, I’m dropping this class, even if I have to switch my major,” I whispered back. His hold on my wrist loosened just enough for me to yank my arm free and rush to the door. Throwing it open, I startled Drake Campbell, who was standing in the hall, reeking like weed.

Holy hell. Just walk around with a bong, it’d be subtler.

“Goodbye, Professor Caine,” I called over my shoulder. I smiled at Drake before getting the hell out of there.

Chapter Nine

Oh Captain, My… Asshole

Eden

Calm down.

Be cool and concise.

Take emotions out of it.

Despite my plan, the moment my feet touched the threshold of Professor Caine’s office Wednesday morning, I practically shouted, “Why won’t you sign the stupid paper?”

Professor Caine was standing with his back to me as he shuffled through some folders. At my outburst, he looked over his shoulder. “Hello, Miss Wilder. You missed class Monday. I’ll assume you were sick. Have a seat.”

“No.” I did, however, step inside and close the door so passersby didn’t get a show. “Why won’t you sign the paper?”

“Because you aren’t allowed to drop my class.”

Slowly, I inhaled and exhaled as I tried not to yell. “That’s not for you to decide.”

Although he hadn’t turned around, I couldhearhis cocky smirk as he said, “And yet, here you are, needing me to sign the paper.”

“Why are you being such a dick?”

At that, he did turn, a warning in his intense gaze. “Language.”

A warning I ignored. “If you’d sign the damn paper, you wouldn’t have to hear it because we wouldn’t have to see each other.”

“Is that what you’d like?” he growled, prowling toward me.