EIGHT
DAKOTA
I plopped down in front of my vanity mirror, staring at my reflection. It had been two weeks since the Halloween party. Since the night Professor Hale and I had our… moment.
He and I continued on as usual, understanding that what happened was simply to satisfy our needs. To get each other out of our systems—to an extent—so that we could go forward without the sexual frustration that had seemed to lay small building bricks around us, trapping us.
He was my professor, and I was his student. We needed to live by that.
Professor Madden on the other hand was nowhere to be seen. I was unsure whether or not he purposely avoided me… or if he was just busy.
But, thankfully, my tutoring sessions with Professor Hale didn’t end. I still found myself in his office, admiring him as he tutored me.
We stole glances at each other during lessons, he’d keep me after class some days, and when we were in his office, all alone, we fought to keep our hands to ourselves. But, we needed to. We had to focus on what was important—my education.
Our eyes would often linger, our hands slightly grazing each other, and he couldn’t stop himself from locking his eyes on my lips whenever I spoke.
It was a cool Friday morning, and recently the temperature had been plummeting— fast.
A blanket of light grey clouds coated the sky and a gentle breeze blew up against my bare arms. I crossed my bedroom to close my window and the sky rumbled, making me jerk back. Gosh, I hate thunder.
Asher’s car pulled up, and I stared down at him. He got out and leaned against his car door, looking up at me with his arms crossed over his chest.
Asher passes by my house every morning on his way to campus, so when he sees my car still in the driveway, he makes an effort to share his disapproval.
I smiled— innocently— and he shook his head at me in disappointment. He lifted his wrist, tapping his watch and I groaned in annoyance. Oh crap.
* * *
“Late again.”
My body came to a dead stop and when I met Solace’s eyes across the room, she seemed more nervous than usual. She slightly shook her head and my brows drew together in confusion.
I whipped around to find Logan leaning against his desk with his arms folded over his chest, seeming agitated. More so than usual.
I cleared my throat. “Sorry, Professor,” I softly said, making my way to my seat.
He rubbed his tongue on the inside of his cheek, his grip on his bicep strong. “After class, Miss King.”
His words were harsh. I didn’t recognize that tone. Had I finally done it? Had I been late too many times? I swear it wasn’t on purpose.
“He’s in a mood today,” Solace whispered to me as Logan continued with the lesson. “You’re lucky he even let you stay.”
I sank into my seat, curious as to what had Logan in a bitter mood today because he was fine two days ago when we had our tutoring session.
I hadn’t seen him since then, so I didn’t have the tiniest clue as to what was going on with him.
Not that we were close enough for him to confide in me or anything.
During our lecture, one girl in particular, found herself at his desk almost four times, and the little green monster on my shoulder was being fed. Drastically.
With a tight jaw and irritation slithering up my spine, I quietly tapped my pen on my notebook. Suddenly, I was feeling mischievous. Logan needs something else to focus his attention on.
Deviously—I waited until he stopped typing on his computer. He got up, slipping both hands into the pockets of his slacks as he conversed with Darnell.
He gave Darnell a pat on the shoulder before stepping out from behind his desk, grabbing everyone’s attention. Darnell sat back down and I swallowed a ball of nerves down my throat.
“Please find your way to chapter six,” Logan announced and everyone did as they were told.
Slowly, I spread my thighs, revealing the red lace panties I was wearing underneath my skirt. I had a quick cheer practice after this class, so I decided my cheer uniform would do. I’d simply change after class.
“Darnell had a—” he cut himself off when his eyes—heavy with pure lust—almost instantly landed between my thighs, sending electricity throughout my body.
Heat rushed to my face with my heart skidding in my chest. Oh, I definitely made the right decision this morning.
The soft hazel eyes that made me melt, turned a vicious brown, and he lifted his eyes to meet mine.
Clearing his throat, I watched him subtly roll his shoulders back, almost mentally gathering himself. He finished his sentence, looking everywhere but at me. I bit back a smile before crossing my legs.
I tried my best to listen intently, but with the pulsing between my legs not settling down, all I could think about was him pushing me up against the wall, stripping me naked and doing whatever the hell he wanted to me.
Because Logan, fucking, Hale had that affect on me, and I’ll be dammed if I let someone else experience him the way I wanted to.
As soon as he was done speaking, he sat down behind his desk and my cellphone vibrated on my desk.
Carefully and quietly— I turned it on, darting my eyes down to my screen. His name appeared and I clicked on it, swallowing hard at his text message.
Logan: Bring me your panties. Now.
I fought back a grin. Lowering my phone to my lap, I humorously texted back.
Me: My number is not for personal use.
Those were the exact words he first told me.
Logan: Now, Dakota.
His reply made my palms turn clammy around my cellphone and anxiety swirled in my stomach. Oh shit, he’s serious.
I looked up to see him place his cell phone on his desk. He leaned back in his chair, running his fingers up and down his jaw as our eyes locked.
I looked around and everyone seemed to be occupied with their work, and or the soft conversations they were having.
In an attempt to not draw too much attention, I made my way down— my legs feeling like jelly as I cast Logan a glance before slipping out of the classroom.
My heart pounded as I rushed to the bathroom. I placed one hand on the wall, using it for support as I slipped my panties down my legs. Mentally, I facepalmed myself. This is what you get for teasing your professor.
For what felt like hours, I was pondering on how to give it to him without being suspicious, but as expected, I drew a blank. I brushed my nerves off and took a deep breath in, desperately trying to ignore my racing heart.
“Fuck it,” I muttered, slipping them into my jackets pocket. Feeling like a bundle of nerves, I made my way back to class, slipping back inside.
Something fell to the floor behind me, and I heard Logan’s voice. “Miss King?” he said, and I turned around to see him sitting in the same position. He nodded towards his pen that had fallen and I rolled my eyes, steadily walking over to pick it up.
I crouched down next to his desk, dropping my panties on his lap before grabbing his pen and standing up straight. I slammed it onto his desk, forcing a smile.
He locked his hands together on his desk, leaning forward. “Now, have a seat and do that again,” he lowered his voice and my stomach dropped. I wanted to protest but the look in his eyes dared me to. It was evident this was a battle I’d lose.
Once again, Logan Hale reminded me that he’d always be in control. He nodded towards my desk and I turned around— walking away from him.
“Thank you, Miss King,” he called out from behind me.
I sat down, nervously spreading my thighs again and his eyes landed right between them. A bright flame consumed the need in his gaze, lighting up those sinfully hazel eyes, and I watched his clenched fist drop to his lap— most likely to feel my panties.
A look of pride washed over him before he shifted his eyes to his laptop, continuing to type away. It was as though a weight had been lifted off my chest, and finally, I could breathe.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt as I crossed my legs, hoping no one saw anything.
Soon enough class ended, and Logan dismissed everyone.
“Good luck,” Solace whispered with a playful wink before leaving.
The last person to leave closed the door and I crossed my arms over my chest, strolling over to Logan’s desk.
“Yes, Professor Hale?” I asked, stepping between him and his desk, my knees grazing his. “You wanted to see me after class?” I rested my ass against the wooden structure, gripping the edge.
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his hands on his lap as he looked up at me. Unfortunately for me, my panties were nowhere to be seen.
“You can’t be late for every lesson, Dakota.”
“Why not?” I asked, hopping onto the desk. “If I’m not late, we can’t have our secret little rendezvous,” I teasingly whispered, leaning forward and he slightly tilted his head to the side.
The sky grew darker, and the atmosphere shifted to something colder. An eerie chill trickled down my spine and the sky rumbled before quieting back down.
“This isn’t a game,” he warmed, standing up—barely leaving any space between us. “Today was the last time you showed up late to my class. Do you understand me?”
“Yeah? Or what?” I flashed him a playful grin. “Are you going to spank me, Professor Hale?”
He wrapped my ponytail around his fist, tugging my head back so that I looked up at him.
“Don’t tempt me,” he asserted. He moved his lips mere inches from mine. “You know I’d like nothing more than to bend you over my lap and leave my handprint on your perky little ass.”
I gulped. Yes, gulped. But, part of me liked the thought of it. The thrill, if you will. It was a sickening truth, and I was going to let Logan know that.
“Then what’s stopping you?” I challenged, dropping my eyes to his lips.
Now… never in my twenty-one years on this beautifully green, sunshine and rainbows planet, did I ever expect to utter those words. Much less to my professor.
His grip on my hair loosened, and within the blink of an eye he had me bending over his desk, using one hand to pin both of my wrists behind my back—his free hand loosening his belt.
“Logan—”
He was assertive. “Count.”