Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ADONIS
Clover
I’m really sorry I had to bail on you the other day. Maggie was following me around like someone was paying her to do it.
Adonis
It’s okay, and I’m sorry she’s being so difficult. That’s probably my fault.
Clover
Why would it be your fault?
Adonis
I know she has a crush on me. And I’m sure you’ve picked up on that too.
Clover
I have. I didn’t think you knew.
Adonis
I’d have to be blind and stupid not to notice.
Clover
I still don’t see how her following me is your fault.
Adonis
I avoid her and not you. I’ve inadvertently made her jealous of you. I think she’s following you around to force distance between us.
Clover
Just one more reason why we shouldn’t be together while on campus.
Adonis
Oh, no. Don’t think you’re getting out of tonight.
Clover
Sir, what if we get caught?
Adonis
That’s what makes this so much more fun.
Clover
You’re impossible. You know that?
Adonis
You know you like me this way.
Clover
Yes, I do.
T his evening can’t come fast enough. It’s been far too long since Clover and I have gotten any alone time together. Every time we tried to steal a few minutes, we were interrupted.
Maggie’s been the biggest culprit, though I suspect some of the reasons are because Clover is afraid of getting caught. I can’t blame her. Pursuing our attraction is risky.
But today’s interference is my staff meeting.
I should listen to the topics being discussed, but I can’t focus. Instead, I’m reading over the last conversation I had with Clover. Even when she’s trying to be reasonable, she gets me all worked up. I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s the only woman who’s ever made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
It’s weird.
Hell, it’s weird even thinking about those words let alone trying to process why I feel them.
I both love and hate it.
No matter how much I try to convince myself that what we have is just sex, I don’t believe it. I’ve come to care for her in ways I didn’t think I’d ever care for a woman again.
I don’t even think I cared this much for Lulu, and I moved in with her. Hell, I thought I loved her.
Does that mean I’m in love with Clover?
A wave of anxiety rushes through me, and I begin to sweat. I feel little droplets form all over my body—on my chest, neck, forehead, and my upper lip.
I slide my fingers under the collar of my shirt and tug at it. My tie is choking me and I wish I hadn’t warn my suit jacket to the meeting. If it wouldn’t draw unwanted attention to me, I’d take it off. But I don’t want anyone noticing how much I’m currently sweating.
I need to think about something else, because I can’t be in love. The thought is ludicrous. There’s no way I’m going down that road again. Not after the way Lulu betrayed me.
“Dr. Rosi?” I hear someone call my name. “Are you okay?”
Shit.
I look around, suddenly acutely aware that everyone in the room is staring at me. So much for going unnoticed. I’m still not sure who asked the question, so I address the room. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” Dr. Carver asks. I shift my eyes in his direction. I don’t think he’s the one who asked me before. “You look flushed. Are you coming down with something?”
I shake my head, undo my suit jacket, and slip it off. No use suffering since everyone has already noticed my discomfort. “I’m fine. Just a little warm in here.”
Dr. Oliver leans forward in his seat across the table from me and narrows his eyes. “I asked you a question, and you didn’t answer. It was as if you were in a trance.”
Dr. Oliver is one of the older faculty and the most rigid. He’s a brilliant researcher but notoriously difficult to work with. Getting on his bad side is the kiss of death.
“I apologize, sir.” I adjust in my seat and stuff my phone in my pocket, so I’m not tempted to look at it again. “What did you need?”
He clears his throat. From the way he’s looking at me, I can’t tell if he’s going to continue to reprimand me for zoning out or repeat his question. “I asked you if Clover Davis might have some time to help me with some research?”
“Clover?” I repeat her name like I don’t know who she is. “Um, she’s rather busy with her own research, classes, and another project for me.”
He furrows his brows, clearly unhappy with my answer. “I’ve heard she’s excellent at summarizing vast tomes of information. I’d like to use her for a few weeks, if you don’t mind.”
“When would you need her assistance?”
“Immediately.” He commands, and it causes me to retreat. He does not have a soft touch. “I need it compiled and organized into an alphabetized annotated bibliography within two weeks.”
I shake my head before he even finishes. “Clover doesn’t have that kind of time right now. She’s got to finish the first draft of her dissertation and have it to her committee by the end of the month. Plus, she’s teaching my class and still has grading to do.”
“Surely she can spare a few hours a day to help,” he insists.
I choke on my air and toss back a drink of water. “A few hours a day? There’s no way she has that kind of time. Not if she’s going to finish her own work first.”
“Her work can wait. I need the help.”
The way he speaks is harsh and demanding. It’s as if he’s ordering me to do as he commands. I refuse to give in.
“I appreciate that, but Clover doesn’t have the time. The grading for my class is mostly essays and term papers. It will consume all her spare time. Maggie, on the other hand, can probably fit it in. She’s not teaching this semester.”
Now he’s shaking his head. “I heard Clover was excellent with research. I need someone who is thorough and pays close attention to detail.”
“I understand.” I pick up my water bottle and take another gulp. It feels hotter now that I’m being scrutinized by Dr. Oliver. “Maggie is both of those things. I assure you, she will do an excellent job as well.”
He grumbles. He’s not a man who likes being told no. When he sets his mind to something, he doesn’t want to accept any other option.
He’s not wrong about Clover. She’s far better at research than most people—even the faculty in this department—but I’m not being selfish with her time. She doesn’t have any to spare. Not if she wants to get her own work done.
“Fine.” To my surprise, he concedes, and I relax. I really didn’t want to argue with him about this. He will be one of the faculty members that decides my fate at this university. “Maggie will do, I suppose. Has she started writing her dissertation?”
“No. That’s why she has more time to help than Clover. She just finished her proposal and is ready to start her research topic. But she can squeeze in helping you for a few weeks without setback.”
“Great.” He nods and actually looks pleased with my reply. “Have her set up a meeting with me on Monday. We can get started right after.”
I make a note in my planner. “I’m sure she’ll be delighted to help.”
Delight? I don’t know. She loves helping me, but that might be more about me than the work. Either way, it should help get her out of my hair for a few weeks. And out of Clover’s shadow.
Lord knows, we could both use the break from her.
My office door clicks closed before I realize I’m not alone. When I look up, Clover is leaning against the door with a seductive smile on her face.
I knew she was coming by this evening after everyone else left for the night, but these meetings are so much more fun if we role play and pretend otherwise.
I toss my pen down and sit back in my chair. “Good evening, Miss Davis. How can I help you?”
I hear the click of the lock next and try not to smile. I need to maintain my role as the overbearing, demanding professor. She likes it when I tell her what to do.
She pushes off the door and slowly steps toward me. She drops her bag at her feet, close to my desk.
“I was hoping we could discuss my performance.” She nibbles on her bottom lip as she reaches up and undoes the top button of her blouse. “I need to know if you’re pleased with my … work.”
“Well, that depends.” I adjust in my chair, trying to give my cock more room as it swells in my pants. I went from comfortable to feeling pinched in a matter of seconds.
“On what?” She frowns and bats her eyes. She’s borderline pouting.
“None of that.” I growl. She knows I hate pouting.
She quickly pulls her bottom lip back between her teeth. “What is it you need, then?”
“Go on.” I nod toward her chest. “I need to see more of you before I can complete my assessment.”
She looks down at her hands and undoes the rest of the buttons in agonizingly slow movements. When she undoes the last button, she spreads her shirt open, revealing her chest and bare stomach. My cock instantly hardens to the point it hurts under the pressure of my pants.
“Does this help?” She teases me further by running her finger up her stomach and over her bra. “Or do you need me to take this off too?”
“That depends,” I say.
She raises a brow. “On what, exactly?”
“Are we alone?”
“Yes, sir.” She smiles and shrugs her shirt off her shoulders. It falls to the floor in waves around her feet. “I checked every room and every office before I came here. We’re the only ones in the building.”
“Good girl.” I snap my fingers, and she reaches behind her and fastens her bra. I groan when her plump, peachy breasts bounce free from the garment. “So damn beautiful.”
Her smile grows at my praise. She runs her finger along the edge of my desk and looks at me like she’s bashful. It makes me chuckle because Clover is anything but bashful.
“Now that we’re all alone, what do you want to do with me, sir?”
I push my chair away from my desk and then pat my hand on my lap. “I want you right here, little minx.”
She starts to round my desk, but then stops. “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you a present.”
“I don’t need a present.” My voice is rough with need. “I just need you on my lap riding my cock.”
She chuckles. “But this is a fun gift. I promise you’ll love it.”
She picks up her bag and digs around until she finds what she’s looking for. When she holds it up, I furrow my brows. “Is that a …”
“Vibrator?” She answers for me. “Yes, it is.”
She twirls it around in her hands and strokes the long shaft. It’s a deep purple with a ribbed texture near the tip. On the opposite end, there’s a smaller finger that curves inward, made for massaging her clit while the shaft is deep inside her.
“Change in plans.” I quickly clean off the surface of my desk. “Sit your ass right here.”
She saunters around my desk and positions herself in front of me. I rest my hands on her thighs and squeeze before I slide my hands down and under her skirt. I loop my fingers around her panties and rip them down her legs.
“Sit.” I command, and she obeys.
“Shall I play with this, or do you want the honors?” She waves her vibrator in my face. I grumble and snatch it from her.
She spreads her legs just enough that I can see the shadow of her pussy. It’s not enough, so I push her shirt up around her waist and force her legs further apart. “That’s better. Now lean back on your hands.”
She rests her hands on the surface of my desk and leans back. She looks like a beautiful offering ready to be devoured by me.
“Is this what you want?” she asks.
I don’t answer her. Instead, I grip her knees and lick her glistening pussy like it’s a lollipop. She lets out a deep moan and her head falls back. Her sexy slender neck elongates and makes me wish I could kiss it at the same time I devour her pussy.
I lick her again before I suck her clit between my teeth. She gasps and my cock throbs. I’m aching to be buried deep inside her, but I’m not done playing yet.
Sliding a finger inside her, I confirm she’s wet and ready for her toy. While my tongue teases her clit, I slide her vibrator inside her and then turn it on. It starts thrusting inside her just like my cock will be doing soon enough.
“Oh god, that’s so good.” She sighs, lifts her legs up, and rests her feet on my shoulders. It opens her up even more for me. I lick and nibble at her click while her vibrator fucks her, hitting that sweet spot deep inside her.
I press the other button on her vibrator, and the smaller curved finger vibrates to life. I move my mouth and let it take the place of my tongue on her clit.
The moan that escapes her is other worldly.
I increase the speed and intensity of it and press it deeper inside her. While I let the vibrator work her pussy, I lean forward and suck a nipple into my mouth. I’m not gentle. I suck and nibble until she writhes beneath. I bite down so hard. It’ll leave my mark on her.
Her back arches and she cries out as her orgasm consumes her. I quickly undo my pants and pull my cock out while doing my best to hold the vibrator in place. She’s coming so hard, she’s crying for relief, but I refuse to give it to her. I need to feel her on my cock.
As soon as I have a condom on, I pull the vibrator out of her and slam inside her.
“Fuck!” I call out. She’s so tight and wet and warm. Her body pulses around my cock as she writhes and rolls into another release.
“Goddammit minx.” I pump hard, in and out, as fast as I can, chasing her into oblivion. “You feel so fucking good.”
I look down at her and she looks completely lost to her pleasure. Her nipples are hard little buds. My bite mark around the one makes my cock throb even more. I love marking her as mine. Her mouth is open wide, and her eyes are closed.
Sliding a hand around her neck, I lift her head. “Look at me.” I growl out the command.
She obeys, and my cock gets even harder from the look of desperation, need, and pleasure staring up at me.
“Please,” she pleads. I’m not exactly sure what she’s begging me for. To stop. To fuck her harder. To push her even further over the edge than she’s already fallen off of.
Stopping is not an option, so I increase the speed of my thrusts, and I don’t slow down until I explode inside her.
I press my lips to hers and kiss her like I’ve never kissed a woman before.
And that’s when I know with certainty just how screwed I am.
Clover Davis owns a hell of a lot more than just my cock.
This woman owns my heart.
I can’t stop staring at Clover as she buttons her shirt back up and tucks it into her skirt. She’s just as sexy putting her clothes on as she is taking them off.
“Do you like the view?” She smiles at me as she runs her fingers through her hair.
“Yes.” I reach for her and pull her down on my lap. “Very much.”
Then I cup her chin and press a kiss to her lips. She sighs into me, and I love how it makes me feel. Needed. Appreciated. Desired.
She wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head on my shoulder. “I could stay like this all night.”
“Then stay.” I hold her closer and breathe in her scent. I’d sleep in my office if it meant she’d stay with me. I love having her in my arms.
“I can’t.” Her body falls limp as she lets out another sigh. “I need to go home. I’ve still got so much work to do.”
“You can do it tomorrow.” I argue.
She chuckles. “My boss is demanding. He won’t be happy if I don’t get the rest of the essays graded.”
“He’ll get over it.” I insist.
She tosses her head back in laughter. “You say that now, but when your students are disappointed, you’ll change your mind.”
“I’ll blame myself. Not you.”
“Maybe so.” She pats my chest and wiggles free from my hold. “But I still want to get the rest of them graded tonight. I can’t concentrate on my dissertation until they’re done.”
Before I can object further, she pushes to her feet and rounds my desk. She grabs her bag and slings it over her shoulder.
“Let me walk you out.” I stand and grab my phone, stuffing it in my pocket.
“No, stay. You still have work to do too.”
Despite her refusal, I walk her to my office door. She opens it and steps out into the quiet hallway. My heart rate kicks up as fear rushes through me. It would not look good if someone caught her leaving my office this late at night.
I glance in both directions. My nerves calm slightly when I don’t see anyone.
“It’s okay, sir.” She rests her hand on my chest and smiles. “No one is here.”
Then she pushes up on her toes and presses her lips to mine. It’s gentle and sweet and ends far too soon.
“You shouldn’t kiss me in the open like this. Even if it is late.”
“It’s more exciting this way, don’t you think?” She wiggles her fingers in the air at me as she heads down the hallway, still wearing a huge smile.
“See you tomorrow, Dr. Rosi,” she says right before she vanishes into the stairwell.
I sigh, step back into my office, and shut the door.
I try to get more work done, but it’s pointless. I’m surrounded by her scent and the memory of what we did here tonight.
At this moment, I couldn’t care less about Greek literature. The only thing I want is Clover Davis. I’m not sure how I’m going to keep her, but I know with certainty I will not stop fighting for her.
She’s the woman I want, and nothing is going to stop me from keeping her. Not even my job.
I just have no clue how it’s going to work yet.