Chapter Twelve
~Xander~
T hat girl will absolutely be the death of me. I’m the one that lectured her on keeping things professional, yet I can’t seem to keep my wits whenever she’s about. It’s her goddamn beauty, her innocence, the way she carries herself with such grace. All without even realizing it, which only makes her more enticing. She’s a burning flame and I’m the moth, sparked on by a desire I can’t seem to extinguish.
I had hoped she would drop my class, but it seems that isn’t going to be the case. It was easy enough to let her go a month ago when I thought I wouldn’t see her again. Wouldn’t have to stop the dirty thoughts racing through my brain every time I looked at her sensual, full lips and remember what they felt like against mine. How her sweet breath and warm tongue mingled with mine. How hot her mouth was as she wrapped those same lips around my cock.
“Fuck me.” I mutter, my hand moving to adjust that same appendage, twitching under the zipper of my pants. Thank God no one has entered the classroom yet. I made it a point to get here early for once. Even though every cell of my being knows it’s wrong, I want to see her walk into the class. I want to be able to have thirty seconds of just watching her. Thirty seconds to see her reaction to me. Thirty seconds to see if and how she looks at me. That thirty seconds will tell me everything I need to know about whether or not she is as obsessed with me as I am of her.
I get my wish, not five minutes later, when she strolls into the room, her face lit up with a bright smile, her attention completely focused on the man walking next to her. Blake Davenport. I should have known this was a possibility from the moment I saw them interacting the first day of class. A fucking Davenport though.
I suppose he was well matched for her financially, but that family is known for being more than a little ruthless with their wealth. She’s entirely oblivious to my presence, a soft giggle escaping that luscious mouth as they both take their seats. It occurs to me that perhaps I don’t have the impact or effect on her I thought I did. Which also startles me into realizing she is the one affecting me. Well, that thirty seconds didn’t quite work out the way I thought.
I continue to observe the behavior between them, scrutinizing every smile, laugh, and ugh, touch. Why the fuck is he brushing his fingers against her hand? What exactly transpired between them over the weekend that makes him think he has a right to touch her like that. My body heats as a surge of possessiveness takes hold. I force myself to look away, darting a glance around the rest of the room, noticing it’s grown rather full. I need to stop this behavior before someone heeds the inappropriate obsession I have developed.
I rise from my chair, the legs scraping loudly against the wooden floor as it slides back, all eyes in the room training on me. I clear my throat as I stride to the podium, “Let’s get started, shall we?”
I spend the next forty-five minutes discussing the behavior of dark matter and energy and how it relates to the nature of fundamental particles. I can’t help but note how the subject matter greatly reflects my mood. There’s still another forty-five minutes left before the class ends, but I don’t have it in me to blather on about energy, so surprising even myself, I address the class.
“You can go.” I wave my hand dismissively. “I’ll see you all on Friday.” I steal a glance in the one direction I shouldn’t, my spine stiffening as Blake places a hand on Summer’s lower back. “Except you, Ms. Knight.”
She freezes mid-step, her head tilting to the front of the room, her brow scrunched in confusion as her gaze meets mine.
“I’d like a word with you in my office, please.” I don’t wait for her to respond, instead pivoting my body to the back of the room to start walking to the rear door. A moment later I hear the patter of steps behind me, so I know she’s following.
Neither of us says a word as she waits for me to unlock the door, then hold it open for her to walk through. As soon as she does, I shut it firmly behind me, spinning to face her, shoving my body against hers until her back slams into the wall.
“What the fuck are you doing with Davenport?” My eyes bore into hers, as she gapes open mouthed at me.
It only takes three seconds before she gathers her wits, her expression changing to one of fury as her eyes squint and her nostrils flare out in heat. “How is that any of your damn business?”
She struggles under my hold, trying to slither out from my grasp, my body reacting by pressing into her further. Her eyes flare when she registers the full affect she has on me, a gasp slipping past her lips as she stops wiggling her hips. “Xander?”
“Summer.” I practically growl.
“What are you doing?” Her voice timid now, no longer angry. “You’re breaking the rules.”
“I don’t fucking know.” I shake my head, stepping back, raking a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
She takes a tentative step in my direction. “I thought you said-”
“I know!” I interrupt, then soften my voice. “I know.” I grip the back of my neck and pace around the small space between us. “I just wasn’t prepared to have that boy thrown in my face.”
“Blake?” She questions, a frown tugging down one side of her mouth for only a moment before it turns up in a smirk, realization dawning. “Oh my God. You’re jealous.”
“You think I’m jealous?” I huff, attempting to back pedal. “This is not jealousy, this is concern. The Davenport men are known to be ruthless rakes. That boy is not worth your time.”
She completely heeds what I say, repeating her earlier conclusion. “You are. You’re jealous.” Her smile broadens as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Admit it.”
I clench my jaw, then blow out a slow breath. “Not jealous, Summer. Protective. You deserve better.”
She glances below my waist, a single brow arching as her blue eyes pierce through mine. “Your body would indicate otherwise.”
“How my body reacts is of no consequence.” I grit out. “It’s what he’ll try to do to yours that worries me.”
“Really?” She moves closer, close enough for me to feel the heat radiating off her body, her floral scent invading my senses. She reaches out and trails her fingers softly over my cheek, down my neck and over my chest.
I clasp my hand over hers, stopping her from moving any lower, my breath hot as I lock my gaze with hers. “You need to stop.”
“But why? If this is of no consequence.” She smirks, and fuck if it doesn’t make my cock jerk in my pants.
“You’re playing with fire, Summer, and believe me, neither of us want to get burned.” I murmur, my lips only an inch from hers.
“Oh, I don’t know.” She flutters her lashes at me, lust in her voice. “I’ve always liked it a little hot.” She runs the pink tip of her tongue over her bottom lip, leaving it glistening in its wake. She tilts her head, her full, wet, pouty mouth begging to be kissed.
She’s pushing every ounce of restraint I have to the limit, including the bulge throbbing below my waist. I want nothing more than to make that teacher fantasy come true. I want to swipe every last thing off my desk, throw her ass over it and sink myself so deep inside her, she screams my name. But at what cost? My job? My reputation? Her reputation? No. I won’t do that to her.
Instead, because I can’t resist one taste, I brush my lips delicately over hers, and then take three steps back. The disappointment on her face is visible, her cheeks flushing pink, I’m sure in embarrassment. And, because I’m the bastard I am, I don’t do anything to lessen it, instead I feed it.
“Still the same little girl, I see? Still not understanding the consequences of your actions.”
“My actions?” Her hands clench into fists, her voice hissing like an angry cat. “What about your actions? You’re the one that brought me in here! You’re the one that pressed me up against the wall! You’re the one who’s jealous!”
I know she’s right, but I’ll be damned if I admit it. “I’m not doing this with you, Summer.” I wrap a light grip around her forearm and guide her toward the door. “Just heed my warning and stay away from Davenport. He’s bad news.”
Her eyes turn to thin slits, her response venom. “You’re the one that’s bad news.”
“As long as you remember that, little girl, we’ll be just fine.” I shove her out the door and slam it behind her before she can say anything else. I fall against it, sliding my hand down my face. I am so thoroughly fucked.