Page 54 of Broken by my Bully

Miss Lee’s staring in Kai’s direction, but her eyes are unfocused like she’s in her own head. Kai is leering at her, but when he feels me switch focus to him, he looks away.

I suppose I can’t chastise him for being human. Or male.

Miss Lee’s plump, heart-shaped face exudes innocence. And while her clothing is the furthest thing from complimentary, it does a poor job of hiding her juicy curves.

“Correct, Mr. Jordan. But Miss Lee seems resourceful. I’m sure she’ll find a way.”

Kai sits forward, pulling air through his teeth as he gives Miss Lee a pitying once-over. “Sure hope so, Sir. Be a pity seeing our one and only grant student fail because she can’t keep up with the rest of us.”

Christ, these students are all born with a chip on their shoulder.

If Kai has more to say, I don’t wait around to hear it.

Miss Lee chases along behind me as I head for the door, and I swear I hear Kai chuckle to himself.

Sadists, and sociopaths, and society’s outcasts.

If they had paid attention in my class, my students would have run out of pages in their Activity Logs by now.

Is it any wonder I find teaching so intoxicating?

Just like Miss Lee.

It saddened me that I’d only be able to monitor her in class, or the occasional chance encounter in the hall. Throughout this lecture, I’ve been planning how to study her up close.

Kai doesn’t know it, but he just handed me the perfect lure.

We step into the hall, and I slow down until she’s forced to walk beside me. She throws a nervous glance toward me and tucks her hair behind her ear.

“He’s right. It would be a tragedy wasting an opportunity like yours, Miss Lee,” I murmur, my voice meant for her ears alone.

She stiffens up, but says nothing. From the tight set of her jaw, it’s almost like she doesn’t dare.

“I could pick up a copy of Zimbardo’s book for you.”

Haven looks at me, wide-eyed. “You’d buy a book for me?”

I chuckle at her audacity. “I’d belendingyou the spare copy I have at home.” My voice drops lower, firmer. “Had you mentioned you needed one, I’d have brought it to class for you. Pride comes before a fall.”

She quickly looks away, cheeks flushing ever so slightly. “I didn’t think you’d?—”

“Care? Because teachers are all closeted narcissistic sadists?”

“No! I mean, not all of them.Definitelynot you. But Mr. Santiago back in elementary school? Ask Kai. We thought he was an undercover CIA operative.” She laughs and then cuts off the sound.

Elementary school.

Christ, I was grinding through grad school when she was learning her ABCs.

“You and Mr. Jordan were in school together?”

“Uh…kind of.” She shrugs, fidgets with her bag.

I can tell I’m losing her to something unpleasant. Perhaps Kai’s callous remarks back there.

“Then it’s settled. If we hurry, you can make the afternoon shuttle back here in time for your class.”

“Wh…wait…” She throws me a frantic look as she realizes what I’m implying, a blush creeping up her throat. “You want me to go with you? To your…house? Can’t you just bring me the book?”