Chapter 6
It’s beena week since Ben walked into my classroom and handed me his phone number—seven days where I haven’t been able to get him out my mind. So many times, I should have thrown out said number but haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. Instead, I programmed it into my phone and have been staring at the number for too long every night.
Here I am again, grading papers and casting glances at my phone.
Should I just send him a text already?
No.
I can’t.
It goes against all my ethics.
I don’t date students…
… ever.
Whether they are mine or not. The school would be fine with it as long as I filled out the proper paperwork. At least, that’s what I assume. Yet, it still doesn’t seem right.
Tell that to my fingers that are itching to reach for my phone and do it anyway.
Giving my head a shake, I ignore the desire to text him and continue to grade papers. Maybe with time, the urge to reach out will fade. I just have to push through and be strong.
I can do that.
Right?
The hallways are always packedwith students, and I smile and wave at the familiar faces, not missing the way some students blush or whisper to their friends as they pass. I’ve been dubbed the hot new teacher, which is damn annoying, but there isn’t anything I’m able to do about it except keep my boundaries clear.
“Funny seeing you here, Professor Johnson.”
I instantly recognize the voice, and my body heats with desire, but I force my feet to keep moving.
“I struggle to see how it’s funny, considering this is my place of employment,” I state, and Ben steps in beside me, keeping pace.
“Well, I wouldn’t have to hunt you down if you had just called,” he tells me with a bratty smirk.
“I won’t be calling you,” I state quietly. Surprisingly, my voice is firm, not giving away what I really want.
“Why not?” he inquires, nibbling on his lower lip and looking a bit self-conscious, which makes me feel like a jerk. I don’t want to upset him, but I can’t give in either. “You wanted my number when you left the resort.”
“That was before I knew you were going to be a student at this college,” I reply, keeping my voice low.
“Did I cross a line?” he asks with furrowed brows and a slight frown.
Technically, he didn’t because I hadn’t set it yet, but I need to put the boundary in place now. Unfortunately, the university halls aren’t the best place.
“We can’t have this conversation here,” I tell him and don’t miss how his eyes light up a little.
“Where do you want to talk then?” he inquires with a small hopeful smile.
I press my fingers against my forehead. Frankly, I don’t want to have this conversation at all, but Ben deserves to know where I stand. I’m also pretty certain Ben won’t drop this until I let him down gently but firmly.
“I’ll text you with a time and place to meet. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a class to prepare for.”
I rush away, but not before noticing Ben’s face light up at the suggestion of our meeting.
I am screwed when it comes to this boy.
My steps don’t slow until I’m at my desk, where I text Ben, whom I’ve aptly named Sweet Boy in my contacts.
Me: Meet me at this address tonight at eight o’clock.
I send my address in a separate message, making it easier for him to pull up in GPS. No sooner does the message read delivered than his reply comes through.
Sweet Boy: I’ll be there. What should I wear?
I blow out a breath at Ben’s brazenness. He was mostly coy and sweet in the hall, but he’s still very obviously a brat through and through. If he were actually my boy, I’d love the attitude and the way he pushes my buttons. But he’s not, so it’s only frustrating because there is nothing I’m able to do to correct his behavior. I can’t spank him or edge him until he apologizes. No, I have to be professional.
It’s killing me.
Me: Wear what you were wearing when I ran into you in the hall. This conversation won’t take long. I just don’t want people eavesdropping.
Sweet boy: We’ll see about that. Talk soon, Daddy.
My cock grows at the word, hearing his voice in my head. I’ll never forget how he panted that honorific when he was begging to come.
Inviting Ben to my house tonight will most likely turn out to be a mistake, but I’m out of options. I need to explain I’m not willing to cross this line, but the school isn’t the best place to have this conversation since there are people who could overhear us and report it to the dean.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for my students to begin making their way into my classroom, effectively distracting me from thoughts of Ben.
I’ll deal with him later.
Right now, I have a job to do that doesn’t include fantasizing about him.