Page 38 of After Hours Lectures

“For sure. It was quite the shock when you walked into my class on the first day. I’d spent the entire weekend thinking about you, wishing I’d gotten your name and number before you’d left.”

This was the first time we’d talked about the night we met or seeing each other at school when the semester began, and I couldn’t help but be excited that he’d wanted to see me again.

“I felt the same way after I left your house. I wanted to see you again, but finding out you were my professor wasn’t what I had in mind, that’s for sure. I remember leaving that first class disappointed because I figured any chance of being with you again was gone.”

“If I were smart, there wouldn’t have been, but … I don’t know. There’s a connection here”—he gestured between us—“that I can’t ignore.”

A smile spread across my face. It was one thing for us to have sex because we were attracted to each other, but to hear Hayden admit it went deeper than that for him was a relief because I felt the same way. “I’m so glad I went to Chrome that night.”

“Me too,” he agreed. “But why were you in town during winter break? You didn’t go home for the holidays?”

I finished my last piece of bacon before answering. “I’d actually just gotten back that day. A few of the guys at the frat house wanted to go out, but my ex was joining them, so I stayed home. I ended up going to Chrome on a whim.”

“Is your ex a member of your frat?”

I grimaced. “Yeah. That’s how Ford and I met.”

“You live with your ex?” he asked.

Fuck.I had a feeling he wouldn’t like the answer to that question. “I do, but we weren’t together long. I’ve clearly moved on.”

“So, I was a rebound hookup?”

“At the time. Sorry—”

He held up his hand. “I’m not upset. Hell, I was just looking for a one-night stand myself. Funny how things work out.”

“Yeah.”

I made another cup of coffee while Hayden finished his breakfast. We still had a couple of hours before I needed to be back at the hotel, and I wanted to use our remaining time together wisely.

“Do you want to get dressed and grab your camera while I clean up in here?” I asked.

He nodded. “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

Thankfully, Hayden and I preferred to clean as we cooked, so when he returned a few minutes later, I was putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher.

“Go get dressed,” he said as he put his camera on the counter. “I’ll get the dishwasher started.”

“Yes, sir,” I teased.

His eyes darkened. It seemed someone liked being called sir. “That mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble.”

“There you go, making promises again.” I smirked as I passed him.

After we put on our coats, we stepped outside onto the covered deck, and the bitter cold stole my breath. “Damn, it’s freezing out here.”

“Yeah, that’s what happens when it snows.”

“And you say I’m a smartass.”

“C’mon.” He put his camera strap around his neck. “Let’s head down.”

It took a few minutes to trudge through the snow, but when we reached the edge of the frozen water, I took a moment to take in the beauty of the landscape. “I wish I’d brought my camera.”

Hayden stood next to me. “I know it’s after hours, but I could give you a one-on-one lesson.”

I beamed at him. “I do enjoy our one-on-ones.”