Page 29 of Revere

My cheeks must turn bright red at the reminder. “What about students like Sophia?”

The second her name is out, I regret saying anything.

I’mnotjealous.

I don’t care that he’s clearly screwing her. If I had to guess, he probably has a few women in his rotation. The thought alone makes me sick.

“Sophia?” Professor Gray’s eyebrows pinch.

“Never mind,” I grumble, turning to walk away.

But as I do, he snags my elbow. Gentle but firm. I freeze, still turned away from him as he closes in behind me. His chest grazes my back with each inhale.

With one of his hands gripping the shelf over my head, his other stays on my elbow. His thumb drags back and forth just once before he drops it. Dipping his chin, his breath tickles my temple. I’m clinging to the books in my arms for dear life.

There’s no escaping this man.

And not just because he’s gorgeous—which he is. He’s downright difficult to look at without losing all good sense. But he’s brilliant. Witty. He’s an intellectual minefield that I can’t help walking through just to see what I might set off.

“Why did you bring up Sophia?” he asks me again.

“No reason.”

“I’ve never fucked one of my students, Patience.” His voice is hushed. “That’s what you’re wondering, right?”

“I don’t care if you have or haven’t.”

“Are you sure about that?” He dares to lift a hand, slowly tracing his fingers down the side of my neck. “You get all rosy when you’re lying.”

“It’s hot in here.” That’s partly true.

Itishot in here. But it has nothing to do with the temperature and everything to do with how close Professor Gray is standing to me right now. How it still isn’t close enough.

Is this what it feels like to want someone? Is this why my friends have been making the worst decisions with boyfriends lately? Because everything running through my mind is not appropriate, but I can’t find it in me to care as his fingertip barely brushes me.

“I misjudged you before we met.”

“You didn’t know me before we met. How could you really have judged me at all?”

He hums, not directly responding to that. “Why are you here, Patience?”

“To learn.”

“Is that the only reason?” His fingers pause at my pulse point, and it’s like he’s using it to read my truth. “You can tell me.”

“No, I can’t.” The huff that escapes is laced with defeat, whether I like it or not. “I really can’t.”

There are things I can’t tell anyone. Ever. Reasons I’ll never let anyone in. My trust is a mountain, and I’ve made sure every side has sharp cliffs so no one can climb it.

“I’m not someone you should try to figure out.” I look up over my shoulder, daring to face him when I should know better.

“Why not?”

“Because you won’t get very far.”

“Is that a challenge?” His lips quirk.

I’m used to men being put off by how difficult I am, but Professor Gray looks…