Page 47 of Give In

By the time my shift was done, I was dead on my feet. All I wanted to do was get home and sleep. I’d even scrubbed my makeup—and likely three layers of skin—off at work so I didn’t have to shower before bed.

Walking into my apartment building, I eyed the ratty couch. I was sure it was splattered with more DNA than a porn set, but for a brief second, I was tempted to curl up on it.

I hiked my bag up my shoulder and mentally prepped for the daunting trip upstairs when someone spoke from behind me.

“You shouldn’t drive when you’re so tired, Eden.”

Nearly jumping out of my skin, I whipped around to see Professor Caine lurking in the alcove that housed a never functioning vending machine. “Holy shit!” Realizing I’d yelled, I lowered to hiss, “What’re you doing here? How did you even know whereherewas?”

His lips quirked. “Perk of the job.”

“Effortless stalking is part of the benefits package?”

His eyes darkened to the color of midnight skies as he prowled toward me.

Part of me wanted to run from him.

Most of me wanted to runtohim.

I did neither and held my ground as he stopped close, our bodies nearly touching.

Looking down at me, a sardonic, almost devilish smile curved his lips. “It’s kind of like a 401K, except I pay into it with my soul and sanity.”

I had no clue what he was saying, but the way he said it was enough to make me lean forward, closing the minimal distance between us. “What’re you doing here?” I whispered, my voice breathy no matter how hard I worked to keep it even.

“Did you know there are two drug dealers on the first floor alone?”

“Well, good thing I don’t live on the first floor.” Though, truth be told, knowing that freaked me out. But on the long list of pressing matters, potential drug-related danger zone was surprisingly far down. “Anyway, you’re the one lurking in dark corners. Why?”

“I said we’d talk soon. I decided soon needed to be sooner.”

“Other students live in this building.”

He gestured behind. “Hence the shadow lurking.”

“Even if we continue lurking, this isn’t a good place to talk.”

As if on cue, the door opened and some kids came in, filling the small space with the overpowering scent of cheap beer and skunky weed.

Grabbing Professor Caine’s shirt, I frantically tugged him toward me, backing us into the darkened corner until I hit the wall. Almost tripping, his hands shot out, slapping above my head.

Using his positioning to our advantage, I wove my hands into his hair and pulled him down so his raised arms blocked his face.

If one of them wasn’t seeing double, I hoped we just looked like we were saying a hot and heavy goodbye.

“What’re you doing?” Professor Caine asked, his eyes dropping to my lips.

I tilted my head to the side. “A couple of those kids are students.”

“I don’t give a shit.”

“You talking to a female student at almost three in the morning would be unexplainable.”

“I didn’t say I could explain it. I said I don’t give a shit.”

Heart racing, I peeked around him to see the kids go into an apartment. “They’re gone. Hurry and go before they come back.”

“No.”