5. Chapter 4 #2
He snapped, the humor in his face vanishing. “You seriously want me to believe that’s what this is? And not your wife?” His voice rose, quick, clipped. “Did she complain about me taking up your time?”
I closed my mouth, my mind reeling for an appropriate response that won’t add fire to the flames.
“That’s is why you’re cutting me off, isn’t it? Your bitch wife?”
What the fuck?
The word hit harder than I expected.
I pressed my palm against my jaw, trying to control my facial expression.
Don’t get pissed off.
“Ryan, that’s not appropriate. Don’t ever talk about my wife like that.”
He stepped in, his voice quick and edged. “So it wasn’t her telling you to stay away from me? Is that old hag jealous?”
I held my ground, though the heat in his tone made my pulse quicken. “Enough, Ryan.”
“Or what?” His hand shot out, shoving me back into my chair.
“Ryan—”
That flash of temper reminded me of the first day we met. Small frame or not, his presence filled the room. I stood to put some space between us, but he pushed me down again.
“Stop,” I said, taking his wrists, not hurting him, just holding him still. “I don’t ever want to hear that tone from you again. I’m your professor.”
“You’re a coward,” he snapped, yanking free. “Does your wife bend you over? Fuck you with a strap-on? She must, the way you’re acting like her bitch.”
I try to walk back but his nails press against my hands, leaving marks.
My jaw tightened, and before I could think better of it, my hand twitched forward, sharp enough to sting but not enough to hurt. The sound was louder than the slap itself.
Fuck!
Regret hit me instantly, cold and heavy. “Ryan—”
He turned, palm pressed to his cheek. Then, slowly, a grin spread. “Did you just hit me? A student?” His voice was controlled, almost amused.
The apology hovered in my throat, but that grin kept me still.
“You know how fucked you are, right?” he said softly, almost with a smile. “One call to my father, and your career’s over.”
Tension coiled in my chest. It felt like whatever line I’d been trying not to cross with him had just been erased entirely. That first day, his sharpness, the way he tested me, maybe that hadn’t been a fluke. Maybe that was him, through and through.
“I’m sorry, Ryan. I had no—”
He put a finger to my lips. “I won’t tell anyone… but—”
The word lingered between us. His eyes stayed on mine, searching, maybe measuring. Then he gave a light push. Not enough to hurt, but enough to guide me back into the chair.
He didn’t step away. Instead, he lingered there, close enough that I could feel the faint heat radiating off him. My hands stayed on the armrests, steady, though my chest tightened.
“What are you doing?” I asked quietly.
Ryan tilted his head, like he was deciding. Then, slowly, deliberately, he lowered himself onto my lap, knees bracketing my thighs. His gaze never wavered.
“If you love your job and your wife,” he murmured, “you’ll keep your mouth shut. Got it?”
I clenched my jaw and stayed silent. He chuckled, shifting on my lap. He wasn’t heavy, about the same weight as my wife, and that realization made my heart stutter.
What the hell.
My hands stayed still on the armrests as he leaned in, heat radiating through the small space between us.
I shouldn’t let this happen, not here, not with him. But I’d already broken the line when I slapped him. The moment I let it get physical, I created this chain of reaction.
He leaned in until we were nose to nose.
His eyes were shining, flecks of hazel framed by long lashes.
Closer still…his lips just inches from mine.
This isn’t right. This isn’t right. This—
I looked down. His mouth curved into a grin, his pink tongue sliding over his bottom lip.
His hands reached behind me, pulling me in until we were breathing the same air. The sharp sweetness of spearmint gum filled my head, and all I could see were his eyes, bright and fixed on me.
“You’re so serious,” he murmured. “I bet you’re a good kisser.”
What?
Before I could react, he yanked me closer, his breath ghosting my ear.
“Relax… you’re not the one in charge.”
Then his lips found mine.
Soft. Warm.
I tried to push him off, gripping his waist to pull him away, but he only settled closer, grinding lightly against me.
Fuck. The jolt went straight through me, and he caught it, biting his lip.
“Don’t worry. Your wife doesn’t have to know.” He leaned back just long enough to say it before kissing me again.
His teeth caught my bottom lip. I wasn’t going to give in to his blackmail or his hands on me, but he was dominating the kiss, forcing his tongue into my mouth.
I tightened my grip on his waist, my head spinning as he kept taking.
No. I can’t. I needed to stand my ground.
But nothing about this made sense. Had Ryan been waiting for this all along?
He’d carried himself like a good kid; earnest, maybe a little pushy, but harmless.
Now… I wasn’t so sure. Part of me wanted to believe he was just acting out, that this was some misguided attempt to get my attention.
But even I knew there was only so far optimism could stretch.
He moaned soft, almost needy.
I shouldn’t do this.
Then his lips softened, brushing mine more hesitantly, almost like he was inviting me to take control.
I didn’t mean to, but I deepened the kiss. He shifted again, wiggling in my lap, his ass pressing against my cock.
No, no, no.
It felt like I was losing control, my head light, my thoughts scattered. I needed—
My phone buzzed on the desk. I pushed him off, harder than I meant to.
“Fuck.”
He stumbled back, a flicker of something, hurt or anger, crossing his face.
“Ouch.”