Page 45 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)
Chapter Forty-Five
LAUREN
W alking away from Caleb is getting harder and harder to do.
The more my feelings for him progress, and progress they are, the more time I want to spend with him.
He makes me feel safe and cared for, and considering I’ve spent my life in a constant fight or flight motion, I don’t want to lose the feelings he inspires within me—even if I do freak out at times.
After looking for the voice that called my name with no luck, I head towards the ladies’ room. I get about halfway down before…
“Ah, there you are, my dear.”
Shit.
I stop and turn towards the voice. “Dean Williams. How can I help you?” If my voice got any more saccharine I’d need to see a dentist.
He apparently doesn’t get my distaste for him as he smiles before saying, “I’d like to talk to you… in my office.”
“You can’t talk to me here?” I look around hoping that someone will see us and intervene, but they don’t, the hallway is deserted .
“It’s a… private matter. One that would be best discussed in my office. I’m sure you appreciate that.” A sinister grin creeps over his face and his dark eyes gleam in the light causing a shiver to race down my spine.
I’ve never had an interaction with this man and come away feeling good about myself after. The way he looks at me, as if he’s undressing me with his eyes, is something I do not like.
The dean stalks closer to me, his musky cologne overpowering my senses and making me want to sneeze. He takes my arm in a grip that isn’t altogether soft, my protests dying on my lips when he grabs me harder and offers me a cold glare.
“I would suggest coming quickly and quietly, Miss Taylor.”
Terrified as to what his un-worded threat could be, I allow him to pull me along, looking back down the corridor and hoping that Caleb will do what he’s always done after I’ve walked away—follow me.
The dean leads me to his home office after marching us down several different corridors.
If I was to try and leave here, I wouldn’t know the way back.
I hadn’t realized I was shaking until he stood at his door, unlocking it and not so gently pushing me in.
I nearly trip over the rug on the floor in my haste to get away from him.
The terror I’m feeling is starting to claw its way up my throat, and it’s the only thing that’s stopping me from screaming.
“Have a seat, Miss Taylor.” He smiles, almost shark-like, showing off his perfectly white teeth.
I don’t move. I can’t. I’m rooted to the spot.
I’ve never been in this position before, even at the club, there was always Steve or one of the other security guards around to help if needed.
I’m at a loss as to what to do. I will my body to move, to do anything other than just stand here defenseless, my eyes wide with terror .
Dean Williams pulls out a chair in front of his desk and demands in a cruel tone, “Sit, Lauren.”
My mouth is dry, but I force my legs to move, going and sitting in the proffered chair.
“Excellent.” He claps his hands together and smiles coldly, like this is all a game to him, and perches on the edge of the desk in front of me, arms resting on either side of him.
“You see Lauren, I’ve had my eye on you for a while now.
You’re a beautiful woman and I do so appreciate a woman with the, uh, talents that you possess. ”
“I-I do-don’t fo-follow,” I stutter, my sweaty hands clenched in my lap.
Dean Williams leans forward and runs a finger gently down my arm. “I first noticed you last year at that club, Strokes.” He says ‘club’ like it’s a dirty word. He gets a faraway look on his face as if remembering something.
I swallow, my words coming out more of a whisper. “I-I think you have the wrong person, and I’d like to leave.”
“Leave? Absolutely not, my dear. Now I’ve shown my cards, I can’t just let you just walk out of here. I have a reputation to uphold,” he scoffs as he looks down his nose at me, his lips curved into a thin smile.
“I won’t te-tell anyone,” I whisper, my body trembling as I reiterate, “I’d like to leave. Now.”
I go to stand and in an instant he’s in front of me. I can feel his breath on my cheek, and I have to swallow back the bile that’s risen to the back of my throat.
“Why? So, you can run back to him ?” he hisses through clenched teeth, rage simmering in his gaze.
“Who?” I ask. Surely he can’t know about Caleb.
The dean grabs my chin in his hand and tilts my head up to look at him, his face a mask of fury.
“You think I don’t know about you and Professor Anderson?
” His laugh is humorless and cruel. “You underestimate my obsession with you. I know all about the two of you,” he sneers.
“So, if you want him to keep his… job and for you to keep your scholarship, you are going to do exactly as I say. Is that clear?” His grip on my chin tightens and I whimper.
The thought of anything happening to Caleb terrifies me and the dean appears to be so deranged that I wouldn’t put it past him to do something to physically harm him. I have no choice. I won’t let anything happen to Caleb if I can help it. I love him and will protect him the best I can.
Fuck! Not the best time to realize you’re in love with your professor, Lauren.
With that thought I straighten my spine, my eyes ablaze with defiance as I shove his hand away from me, asking, “What do I need to do?”
“Good girl,” he coos, and I think I just threw up in my mouth slightly.
“Go home and wait for my call.” He lets go of my arm and I take a step back, rubbing where he’d held me, anger simmering in my veins at the threat against Caleb.
“Remember Lauren, not a word to anyone. You really don’t want to see what happens when you cross me. ”
Bolting for the door, I open it so hard it hits against the adjacent wall with a thud, my heart pounding and the blood rushing to my ears as I quickly dash to the nearest exit, which is just off one of the corridors he brought me down. I burst out into the night air, taking in huge gulps of air.
“Fuck!” I exclaim. What the hell just happened?
I keep taking deep breaths in and out, trying to dampen down the rising panic. How do I keep getting myself into these situations ?
Tipping my head back to look up at the night sky, my mind races with possibilities. But ultimately, what am I going to do? I can’t tell Caleb, that’s completely out of the question. I’m trying to protect him from that madman, not bring him into it.
The tears start flowing freely now, my face a complete mess. I wipe a hand under my eyes, but they keep coming. I need to think of a plan but first, I need to get home.
Taking in another large gulp of air, I will the tears to stop, give my face one more wipe and head inside. I find a waiter on my way back who's kind enough to show me the way. I left my bag and phone in Brad’s truck, so I need to find him.
I notice Brad talking to a couple of other students, and begin my walk toward him, when a hand brushes my arm.
“Miss Taylor, are you okay?”
I pause at the sound of the low voice.
Fuck my life. Not now. Literally anyone else.
I paste a faux smile on my face before turning around. “Professor Anderson, I was just on my way to Brad. I need to leave, and he has my bag in his truck.”
I can tell Caleb doesn’t believe me by the tilt of his head, the way his jaw clenches and the look that says, Yeah right . This man knows me too well, and I was a fool to think I could keep something from him.
Sighing, I look around before saying quietly, “I need to get home. Please don’t ask me any more than that right now because I can’t give it to you,” I plead.
Caleb isn’t happy but he nods his head. “I’ll meet you at the dorm, you’re coming back to mine tonight,” he whispers under his breath .
Both of us have pleasant smiles plastered to our faces, hoping anyone who’s watching will see a student and their professor having an innocent conversation.
“No, Caleb. I need to be on my own. Please respect that,” I force out, the tears welling up again.
Not here. Do not cry here, Lauren.
Caleb’s eyes narrow slightly but he agrees with a nod of his head. A relieved breath escapes me as I say, “Thank you. I need to go. Goodbye, Professor Anderson.”
With one last lingering look at the man I've fallen head over heels in love with, I turn and walk away to find Brad and get the hell out of here.