Page 62 of The Professor

“Yep.” He grinned at me and then glanced at the bank of security screens, scanning them. “How’d you take it?”

“Just milk, thanks.” I’d gone from captive to girlfriend in a heartbeat and I was surprised how at ease I felt around the men who had grabbed me and held me. I turned to Andrew who’d sat close and with his arm around my shoulders.

For so long he’d been off limits. Forbidden.

He the professor.

Me the student.

We weren’t allowed to touch. But now, finally, we were together. As one. There was no denying our feelings or lust for each other, and that was liberating and, in all honesty, a relief.

“Babe.” He stroked his finger down my neck. “I’d have killed him just for touching you.” He paused. “You sure this doesn’t hurt? There’ll be a bruise.”

“I’m fine. It happened so quickly, and I fought him. I wasn’t going to accept my fate. I wouldn’t have let him win.”

“Thank fuck we got there when we did.” He cupped my cheek and brushed his lips over mine.

“Yes, I’m glad about that.” I moved back a fraction. “But I’d done him some damage.”

“I saw his bloody nose, and he had the expression of a guy who’d just been kneed in the groin.”

“Big time.” I slid my hand onto Andrew’s thigh. “Perfect aim.”

He kissed me again, firmer this time, then, “Will you be okay here for a minute? I need to prepare something.”

“Er, yeah, of course.”

Andrew stood and left the room. Dalton placed a cup of strong tea in front of me along with a plate of custard creams.

“Thanks.”

He sat and studied me. “Gutsy move.”

“What? Shooting a killer?”

“Shooting a murderer, yeah, the guys would have done it for you. You didn’t have to take that on.”

“I guess.” I took a sip of tea and reached for a biscuit.

“Andrew doesn’t date, you know. Never seen him with a woman or even talk about one.”

I paused with the biscuit halfway to my mouth. “Okay.” I drew the word out.

“Just sayin’”

“Why?”

“’Cause…you know, after Sadie, I think it scares him to think the same thing might happen again.”

“Sadie…ah, that’s his sister, right?”

“Yeah.” Dalton looked away, his lips tight and his eyes narrowed. “She was.”

“Was? What happened to Sadie?”

“He hasn’t told you?”

I shook my head and bit into my biscuit. “No.”