Chapter 7
7
MADISON
T he Monday after a weekend getaway filled with fun and sex is a real downer.
The school library is quiet, and I’ve been sitting at a table for the past hour, hunched over the textbook for my economics class. I have a test at the end of the week, and I need to make sure I pass. I didn’t study over the weekend because I was out of town with Blake, but I have no regrets. We had the most wonderful time, and it was nice to not have to hide our relationship for a change. We shopped, ate at different restaurants, and probably scandalized the neighboring rooms with our loud sex. It was the best vacation I’ve ever had.
Sitting back in my chair, I stretch my neck, realizing I need to take a break. I rise to my feet, leaving my things at the table, not worried at all about anyone messing with my stuff. The place is practically deserted, and who in their right mind really wants to steal my book or my empty bag? I charge everything to my student ID, which is in my pocket, so I never carry anything valuable anyway. I leave my work area, wandering the library with no real destination in mind. I just need to stretch my legs and get my blood pumping before I fall asleep at the table.
I find my way to the fiction section, lazily scanning the shelves for anything that might pique my interest. But my mind is on dinner, thinking that maybe I should stop by the store to pick up a few things so I can cook for Blake for a change. He’s always so good to me, making sure I have a hot meal every night, even when we aren’t together. Maybe I’ll show him my appreciation with roasted chicken, sautéed asparagus, and herbed potatoes.
For a moment, I worry I shouldn’t eat such a heavy meal, but then I remember what Blake said. All the things he said to me actually. He truly does love my body the way it is. He proved it several times when he kissed every inch of me. But it’s also the way that he looks at me as if I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. You can’t fake that kind of admiration. Which means I know he’s telling me the truth.
Suddenly, I’m pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of heavy footsteps advancing in my direction. I glance toward the end of the aisle and see a student heading my way. Marcus is a football player, here on an athletic scholarship. I only know that because I was paired up with him last semester for a group project, and he made sure we all knew he had to pass the class because if he lost his ride, the football team would be without their best player.
It was hard not to roll my eyes every time he opened his mouth. He was a tool, but we managed to get a decent grade. I haven’t spoken to him since, and I don’t plan on it now. We have nothing in common and he’s not someone I want to be friends with, no matter how eligible and single my mother reminds me he is.
I move closer to the bookcase so that he can walk by without having to brush his big, muscular body against me. But he doesn’t pass. Instead, he stops at my side, crowding me and leaning an elbow on a shelf above my head.
I frown as I take a step back, not liking his proximity. He smirks at me, and I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be flirtatious, but I don’t find it charming.
“Can I help you, Marcus?”
“Oh, I’m sure you can.” His gaze skims over my body, and I wish that I wasn’t wearing such a short skirt. I chose it because I had Blake’s class today, and it was so hot watching his eyes roam over my exposed skin, seeing him struggle to keep his composure while giving his lecture.
But it doesn’t feel sexy at all when Marcus does the same thing. It makes my skin crawl, and panic starts to rise in my throat.
“I think I’ll just… get back to studying,” I say while pivoting on my heel. But I only make it one step before Marcus’s hand closes around my elbow, yanking me back until I crash into his chest. His arm is like a steel band as he holds me to him, chuckling when I begin to struggle.
“Calm down, baby,” he coos. “We can have a lot of fun up here, hidden away in the stacks.”
“I’m not interested,” I reply, driving my elbow into his ribs. He grunts and loosens his hold just enough for me to step away.
“What’s your problem?” he snaps. “You always act like you’re better than everyone. Do you know how many girls suck my dick up here?” He blocks my path.
“Well, I’m not going to be one of them. Now, let me go.”
He snarls at me. “I should make you choke on my cock. Maybe it’d fix that attitude of yours. Is that what you need? Some dick to give you an adjustment?”
I hear a murderous growl coming from behind Marcus.
“I believe she made it clear she’s not interested.”
He turns, and my breath whooshes out of me when I spot Blake coming toward us.
Marcus holds up his hands while shaking his head. “Not a big deal, professor. Just a couple of kids fooling around.” He glares at me. “Isn’t that right, Maddie?”
“No, it isn’t,” I correct as I inch myself away from him. “And my name is Madison , not Maddie .” Peering past Marcus’s shoulder, I address Blake. “I was looking for a book and he cornered me. Then he wouldn’t let me go.”
“I didn’t—” Marcus starts, but Blake interrupts him.
“Shut the fuck up.” He gets in Marcus’s face, his chest puffed out and his fists clenched at his sides. I’m sure there aren’t too many professors on campus who match Marcus’s height, but Blake does. And he’s not too far off from the football player’s size either.
Oh, God. He can’t get into a fight with a student. That’ll ruin his career.
I step up behind Blake and place a hand on his upper back. “Don’t,” I caution. “He’s not worth it.”
“Get the fuck outta here,” Blake snarls. “I’d better never catch you harassing her or any other girl on this campus again.”
Marcus looks like he wants to say something else, but Blake shoots him a venomous stare and the deflated quarterback steps aside with a huff. “Whatever. Her dick-sucking skills are probably trash anyway,” Marcus mumbles before stalking away.
Blake goes after him, but I grab his wrist and pull him toward me. “Just let him go.”
We watch Marcus disappear around the corner and hear him loudly descend the stairs. We’re alone in the stacks when Blake turns to me with a concerned expression on his face. “Are you okay?” His hands grip my shoulders, then move down my arms, his eyes scanning my body for any visible injuries.
“I’m fine,” I confirm, but feel a bit shaky. “He didn’t hurt me. Just scared me a little.” I’ve never been manhandled like that before, and admittedly, I’m uneasy. My thoughts are scrambled until Blake pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head.
His embrace grounds me, and I tilt my head back, parting my lips in silent invitation. He doesn’t hesitate to bring his mouth to mine, melting my stress away and forcing me to relax. I’m safe, just like I always am when I’m with him.
The kiss only lasts a minute, but I’m feeling better when he steps away. I can see the reluctance on his face, knowing that he doesn’t want to leave me after what just happened, but we can’t walk out of the library together. He may have narrowly escaped kicking the quarterback’s ass, but being romantically linked with your student is still a terminable offense.
He gives me another chaste kiss before we head in opposite directions. I return to my table, shoving my things into my backpack and heading out of the library. I’m stepping out into the late afternoon sunlight when I spot one of my classmates. It’s Chrissy, and she’s standing on the front steps like she’s waiting for me. When her gaze meets mine, I feel my stomach drop as a smug expression appears on her face.
What the hell does she want? Surely, she didn’t see anything. There wasn’t anyone else up there… Right?
I try to convince myself that she didn’t, that I’m worrying for nothing. But over the course of the week, I swear I spot her everywhere I go. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but it’s as if the girl is following me for some reason. It’s bad enough I have to see her prissy ass in Blake’s class, but she’s recently taken advantage of the open hours he has at the end of the day. And she always seems to be lingering in the hallway whenever I leave his office just after he’s taken me across his desk.
She’s watching me, and it’s driving me crazy. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, even when I’m not on campus. I haven’t caught sight of her anywhere other than at school, but I can’t shake the unsettling feeling.
“I think she might have seen us in the library,” I tell Blake at the end of the week. It’s Friday evening, and we're having our usual night in at his house. We’ve spent the last few hours having dinner and playing chess. I know nothing about the game, but I love letting him teach me. Now, we’re lying in bed together, after another round of spectacular sex, and I’m sharing my worries about Chrissy with him.
“That was Monday afternoon, honey. Do you really think she wouldn’t have said something by now?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Chrissy is a bitch and she’ll do anything to get her way. Believe me, I know the type.” He pulls me in closer to his side and kisses my forehead. “Besides, she’s not the sort of person who keeps quiet when she can hold something over your head for her own gain.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I know she doesn’t like me, so maybe that’s all it is.”
“She’s not going to do anything,” Blake proclaims, sounding so confident that I can’t help but believe him. “She’s a girl with a crush and if you’ve noticed her around lately, she might just be watching me, and not you.”
I giggle as I shove at his shoulder. “Not exactly humble, now are we, professor?”
“You’re the one who told me she was talking about me,” he says with a playful grin.
I flip onto my stomach, overlapping my hands on his chest and resting my chin on them. “Well, she was, and it makes me mad to even think about it.”
“Is my little one jealous?” he teases.
I lift my nose in the air and raise my eyebrows. “Nope, not me. I’m not the jealous type.”
“Liar.” He tickles my ribs and pulls my body on top of his. I love it when we lie like this. “Forget about Chrissy. Let’s not let her ruin our evening.”
“Fine, you win,” I huff.
“Good girl. Now, give Daddy a kiss and let me fuck you to sleep.”
I smile before doing what he says.
But I can’t forget Chrissy’s smug expression or the uncomfortable feeling stirring in my stomach. And it isn’t until the following Monday that I find out just how wrong we were…
When I arrive for Blake’s class, I take it as a good sign that Chrissy isn’t here. Though I’m also surprised she doesn’t show, considering we have a test at the end of the week and it’s supposed to count for twenty percent of our grade. But I put her out of my mind and do my best to focus on the lesson, because even though I may be sleeping with my professor, he’s still my Daddy and doesn’t cut me an ounce of slack.
We’re walking to his office under the guise of me needing some help with the coursework when I ask, “Did you notice who wasn’t in class today?”
“Is this a test? Asking if I noticed another woman?”
I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Okay, yes. I noticed she wasn’t there. But she could have decided to skip my class for any reason. She’s not the only one.”
“That’s true,” I mutter.
“I happen to know she comes from a wealthy family. Maybe she thinks she can cut and buy her way out of a failing grade. But I promise you that won’t work with me. I’m not that kind of professor.”
We reach his office, and Blake opens the door for me to step through first.
“I know it won’t work. You won’t even give me a break and I’m the one sleeping with you.”
He pushes me inside and I’m sure I’ll get a spanking for that. But my steps come to a screeching halt when I see Chrissy sitting behind his desk with that ever-present smirk she always seems to have.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Blake questions as he freezes in place beside me.
She props her feet on his desk, crossing her legs at the ankle. “You might wanna shut the door. We need to talk.” She’s completely relaxed as she reclines in Blake’s chair, and I have a sickening feeling I know what’s about to happen.
“This office was locked. How’d you get in here?” Blake demands.
“Oh, I have my ways.” Chrissy smiles again and it’s all teeth, like a sneaky predator. “You flirt with the right maintenance man, and he’ll do just about anything you want. You see, some people have good taste in women.” Her eyes flick to me before returning to Blake.
I knew I was right. She knows about us.
He ushers me farther into the room before closing the door. “What do you want, Chrissy?” Blake’s tone is cold as ice, but he somehow keeps his posture relaxed. Something I can’t seem to do as every muscle in my body is pulled tight like a string.
She picks at her nails, appearing unbothered. “Well, I should have been the one you fucked in your office, but you blew that chance.” Her pink stilettos shine beneath the fluorescent lights. “That’s what you two are up to when you come here after class, right?”
She’s looking at me, but Blake’s the one who responds. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Chrissy. My office hours are open to everyone. And you know that. If you want help with class, then I’d be happy to help you just like I do for Madison.”
Chrissy laughs but it’s anything but a joyful sound. “Oh, I won’t be needing any help with calculus, Professor Alexander, because you’re going to give me an A. And all my friends too.” My gasp is audible, but Blake just stares at her with contempt. “You see, I know that you two are fucking. I saw you kissing in the library, and I’ve been watching you both for over a week.” She looks right at me now. “Your moans sound fake, by the way. You should work on your acting skills.”
“Shut your mouth, bitch.” I lunge for her, but Blake sticks out an arm to hold me back. Guess the tables have turned from a week ago in the library. “So, you’ve decided to blackmail us? Is that it?” I ask, disgusted.
She chuckles and drops her feet to the tiled floor. “Of course, silly.” She stands, swinging her hips as she walks around the desk and stops in front of Blake. She tilts her head to the side and pouts in a way that’s probably meant to be cute but comes off as childish. “You wouldn’t want to get fired, now would you? I know how much professors make. It’d be a shame to lose a steady paycheck with no future prospects.” Her gaze shifts to me, and I see how malicious she really is behind those calculating eyes. “And we all know who your father is. Mayor Cavanaugh can’t afford a scandal right now, can he? He’d be ruined, and you can forget him becoming governor.”
Politicians have overcome far greater scandals than this, but I’m not willing to take the chance. Hell, you can be convicted of a felony and still run for president, so there’s that. But I won’t risk the career that Blake loves. Teaching is his passion and I won’t take that away from him.
“I’ll give you two a couple of days to decide what you want to do. But don’t keep me waiting too long. I’ll just be over here racking up more evidence.” And with that, Chrissy strolls out of the office without a care in the world. I feel sick to my stomach as I watch her go.
What the hell are we gonna do now?