Page 81 of Switch

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised.Daniel’s a good friend, but I’ve long suspected I wouldn’t want to fall on his bad side.Apparently, neither does PJ.

“Hey, Fallon.”PJ seems to be scrabbling for a subject change.“Any word from the security guy about those cameras they found in your place?”

Daniel’s eyebrows go up.“Cameras?”

My post-orgasm relaxation lifts at the memory of those little devices Everett Cartier dropped onto my kitchen counter.“Long story, but the short version is someone had installed video cameras in my house.They’re gone now.”

Daniel’s concerned gaze makes me itchy, so I keep my attention on my phone.“Now that I think about it, he said he’d follow up by email if he found any further information…”

I duck my head and open the email app on my phone.Not that I’m expecting to see anything; it’s a distraction tactic.

Which makes it all the more shocking when there is an email, but not from Everett.It’s from an anonymous address, nothing but a nonsensical string of numbers and letters, with the subject heading of “IS THIS YOUR STUDENT?”

A short line in the email body reads,I wonder what everyone would say about this if they knew?

My heart races as I tap on the attachment.Before it even loads, I regret having done so.But I have to know.I have to.

The video is taken from my bedroom.From the first date I had with PJ.It shows me on my knees.I’m sucking his cock while he tells me what to do.

Suddenly I’m standing on quicksand, and the shame is pulling me down.This is bad.This is…catastrophic.I don’t even know.I can’t fucking catch my breath.I resist the urge to look around, as if the person who has so thoroughly violated my privacy might be in this room and gloating.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I close the player and shove my phone into my pocket.“Nothing from Everett” is all I’m able to say.

PJ’s not buying it.His face is full of suspicious worry.I can’t tell him now, though.Can’t even open my mouth.

Just like that, my career is over.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Fallon

PJ:Did you find the present I got for you?

Fallon: I did, Keeper

PJ: Are you wearing it?

My face gets warm.It wasn’t even anything out of control.No metal or chains.Or maybe it wouldn’t be to some, but to me a temporary tattoo that says “OWNED” is sexy as hell.It feels like a step forward for us.

It feels like a declaration.

Fallon: Not yet.I’m at the faculty mixer, remember?

Fallon: You’re not upset with me, are you?

PJ: I’m not mad.Just wanted to see it on you.

PJ: But I know how you can make it up to me.

Fallon: Anything

PJ: Wear it on Monday.While you’re teaching about The Scarlet Letter up in front of the class.Just for me.

What PJ doesn’t know yet is I might not be there on Monday.I’ve bitten my nails for days waiting for something further after that video.Like a message from my department head letting me know I’ve been fired.

This has Eric written all over it.It’s absolutely the sort of thing he’d do.

So I’ve decided to get ahead of the problem.I scan the room, trying to locate Dean Sutton.