Page 14 of Teacher's Pet

I realized then, I hadn’t even asked his name.

It didn’t matter, he was my student, so I’d find out soon enough.

Lilly’s blue eyes were bright, brimming with feeling.

His weren’t. They’d been stripped of it, like something had hollowed him out.

My scarf was probably still wrapped around his neck. Probably smelled like him now.

And I couldn’t decide if that unsettled me… or if I wanted it to.

Chapter 3

RYAN

“C’mon, doll face, just one dinner. That won’t kill you, right?” Landon grinned beside me, his hand ghosting over the back of my chair.“I inviteallthe new students. Well, the hot ones.”

The professor was late. 7:01 PM and still no sign of him. Did he run into trouble?

I gave Landon an easy smile. His blue eyes lingered on my collarbones, where I’d dabbed some moisturizing balm earlier so they’d catch the light.

Then his gaze climbed back to my face and he gave me a faux-pleading look. “We’ll have fun.”

I looked him over, teasing. “I don’t know… I don’t think you could handle me.”

He leaned in. “I could handle a lot.”

A soft scoff came from behind me. I glanced over and saw a skinny brunette glaring in our direction. Hazel eyes narrowed, then flicked down as he pushed his glasses up.

Landon’s smirk faltered. He dropped his hand. His jaw tightened, and he didn’t bother looking at me now.

Awkward.

“Do I wanna know what that’s about?” I teased.

“Just my loser stepbrother. Ignore him.” Landon leaned back in his chair, but then raised his voice, loud enough for the brunette to hear. “Some people need to learn to mind their own business.”

“Some people should learn to keep it in their pants—”

Their voices blurred into background noise when the door swung open.

“Good evening, class.”

I sat up straighter the moment I saw Mr. Thorne.

I licked my lips, grateful I’d picked the front row today.

Class was a whole lot better when I was actually dry and knewhewas going to be my view for the next hour and a half.

God, the man was something else.

Good to know he's just as hot as I remembered him.

Students greeted him as he set his papers down, but I just sat there, taking him in.

Tight khakis. Button-up shirt hugging broad shoulders and a muscular build. His dark, rich hair was cropped short but long enough that I could probably grab a fistful of it in bed.

Freshly shaved. A shadow of scruff still visible on his jaw. I bit my lip, ignoring Landon, who was still trying to drag me into conversation.