Chapter 30 Dane #2
I say to myself but provide a PC answer instead, “Don’t believe everything you read in the paper.” Perusing the room again, I announce, “Yes, last one,” then point at a young guy dressed in a pink polo and beige shorts.
He stands and waves to the class, his hand trembling with nerves.
“Hi everyone, I’m Spencer. I just wanted to ask Professor Campbell. Um…” He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. “Do you really know Christian Ford as well as the tabloids say you do?”
Ah…yes. I was waiting for this. Ever since Christian announced the opening of his lifestyle club there’s been a lot more in the paper about him and his relationship with Jake and Elena.
However, before my Paris trip, I was spotted at the club, arriving only with Christian after an unexpectedly long day of competitive golfing—with my fellow billionaire—and the paparazzi had a field day with that one.
“Christian is a great friend of mine. He’s in a committed relationship and very public about it.”
“You mean, the threeway he’s in with that married couple?” Someone, I can’t tell who, says with disgust laced in his tone, loud enough for the class to hear.
Without turning my head, I shift my eyes in Hannah’s direction. She’s looking away as if she feels guilty and Ethan shifts uncomfortably in his chair.
And now I’m pissed. I hate when anyone speaks negatively about other people’s choices or sexuality. Especially people I know and love.
I still don’t know who said that, but I reply anyway, addressing the entire class.
“It’s called a polyamorous relationship and it’s completely normal and acceptable. I suggest you do your own research before you make assumptions or judgments on what it looks like.” I walk around my desk, exposing myself to the class.
My sexuality has been blasted in different newspapers and articles, some of what is said a complete fabrication, some of it true. But confirming it face-to-face with people whose respect you’re trying to gain is always difficult, regardless of how comfortable you are with it.
“To answer your roundabout question. I’m a proud bisexual man.
I believe love is love and it doesn’t matter if it's a man or a woman that sets your soul on fire, you shouldn’t restrict yourself from loving that person the way you want just because of their sex.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and their choice.
All I ask is that you respect each other and each other’s opinions in my classroom. ”
That quiets down the room, except for the hand signaling between Hannah and Ethan that I try to ignore but they blare louder than any words could.
“This is bullshit,” Ethan signs.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I can’t listen to him for an entire semester. He’s a liar and a cheat.”
What the fuck?
I’m a lot of things, but a liar and a cheat is not one of them.
“I need this class.”
“We’re dropping this class.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Stop!” I slam the side of my palm into my open one and yell the word at the same time.
Hannah’s eyes blow wide and Ethan cranes back in his chair.
“I’ve had enough of your side conversation. If you have something to say, say it to the class.” I speak the words as I walk toward the two of them, also signing each and every word clearly.
My heart is pounding hard behind my ribcage and I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m yelling in the middle of my class or if it’s because I’m so close to both of them I can hardly think straight.
Hannah stands with her chin held high, jaw tight and eyes hard. The confidence she’s grown to show in moments of confrontation radiating from every cell in her body.
“Can you read this?”
Her hand movements are soft and skeptical, like she doesn’t really want the answer.
I shut my eyes, knowing my answer is going to throw me straight into the category of a liar, just like they said.
Maybe I am one and the realization hits me hard. Reopening my eyes, she’s scowling now because she knows the answer but needs me to admit it.
“Answer me.”
Lifting my chin, I clench my palm in front of me, nodding with both my head and closed palm, signing, “Yes.”
It’s as if her entire body loses its foundation. Her shoulders sag and her chin drops as her eyes bounce from side-to-side recalling all their nonverbal conversations.
She shares a look with Ethan before looking back at me, fury burning in her eyes, but her expression is pained.
“The whole time? The whole time!”
Ethan stands but I point at him not taking my eyes of Hannah. “Sit. Both of you.”
His fists clench as he side-eyes Hannah. I know he wants to say something but I don’t give him the chance before turning around, glancing at my watch and excusing the class.
It’s almost an hour early but I don’t give a shit.
“Class is dismissed, I’ll upload your assignments in the portal and see you next week.” A few of the students hoot and holler with the early dismal, a couple others look between me and Hannah before standing and making their way out.
The shuffling of papers and bags blend with the squeaking of rubber soles on the tile floor as the students rush out, almost as if they need to exit before I change my mind.
There are still a few students lined up to exit but the room is pretty much vacant now.
Hannah begins to pack her things as Ethan stands again. It’s funny that they think they’re leaving.
“You two. My office.”
They share another glance, their expressions angry and I don’t blame them but I’m not letting them walk out of here like this.
The even funnier thing about my demand is I don’t even know where my fucking office is.
The Dean offered for me to come get acquainted with the campus and decorate my space early, but I’ve never proactively done anything earlier than I needed to.
I figured I would just do it after I started teaching and now I regret my procrastination because I feel all out of sorts with these two here.
I peek behind me, seeing two doors and walk confidently over to the first one, opening the door to a fucking closet with cleaning supplies.
Closing it quickly, I grip the door handle of the other, walking through it with purpose, hoping they didn’t see that.
I leave my office door ajar as I round my desk and place my hands on my hips, which feels weird.
So, I lean forward palming the hard wood of my foreign desk slightly hovering over it and my dick twitches.
Nope. Nope. That’s not going to work either.
Fuck, I’m a goddamn mess.
Hannah walks through the door first; Ethan trails right behind her and now that it’s just the three of us again, my heart does that weird thing it did in Paris. Beating uncontrollably and wild as my stomach turns into a butterfly graveyard.
“Nice closet, one-date Dane,” Ethan says sarcastically, calling out my nickname simultaneously with the fact that I know nothing about my classroom or surroundings.
“I thought maybe you were bringing us in here to introduce us to your girlfriend…or boyfriend,” Ethan adds with a hint of jealousy behind his tone.
“Who?” My brows furrow, confused.
“You said you were taken.”
“Oh.” I attempt to pull back my non-existent hair into a manbun, then stop midway when I remember I don’t have that much hair. “I’m not taken. I just said that so my single status wouldn’t be a distraction in the classroom.”
“Sure,” Ethan says incredulously.
What the fuck is his problem?
Steeling my spine, I cross my arms over my chest, reigning myself in.
I have no idea why they left so suddenly but the shift in his demeanor is screaming that I did something wrong. Knowing there’s nothing I’m going to say in our current state to talk him down, my gaze shifts to Hannah.
She’s just as breathtaking as the first time I saw her.
She’s wearing a dress similar to the one she wore on our dinner date at the Eiffel Tower.
The memory of her smiling, eating each dish like she savored every moment, and the flashback of that confident wink to the women at the table next to us before she even more confidently leaned in and kissed me in front of them and Ethan. Fuck.
I can physically feel my body sag with the memory of melting into her and my eyes soften. I fist my palm to ask her why they left but Ethan interrupts me before I can sign.
“Don’t look at her like that,” Ethan manages to grit a threat through his clenched teeth.
I’m angry that he’s saying that to me. I’m angry that he’s standing in front of me, acting like he didn’t beg for me.
I’m angry that my cock is so easily ready for them yet again and I’m fucking angry that I can see the dark pools of his irises and labored breath—not from need— but for how much he’s hates me right now.
My body is unyielding as I round my desk with urgency, standing toe-to-toe with him.
Ethan is taller by an inch or so, but my presence is commanding and dominating. It feels as if I engulf him, but he’s easily breaking my barrier with the scent of his smoky, woodsy cologne that wafts around me.
There has always been a tense energy between us, a push and pull we somehow mastered in Paris but now, it feels dangerous, explosive. Especially when I can see the bulge behind his zipper, because just like my traitorous body, he can’t help it either.
“Look at her like what?” I tilt my head, challenging him, stepping into his space.
“Like I don’t know the way her eyes squint and that dimple appears on her chin when she's turned on?” My feet push forward, forcing him to step back as I lower my voice.
“Like I don’t know what she tastes like on my tongue?
” Another step. “Like I haven’t heard a groan fall from her throat when she comes?
” I inch closer. “Don’t look at her like I don’t know what her pussy feels like when she clenches around my cock. ”
Ethan’s flush against the wall now, trapped between my towering form and the immovable structure. His eyes saucer in surprise and he’s momentarily paralyzed.
Pressing my palms into the wall, I cage him in.
“I guess I shouldn’t look at you like I don’t know what your cock feels like pulsing in my ass, either.
” My lips graze his ear as I press my body flush against him.
“I should forget those sexy, thunderous sounds you make when you lose that control you try so hard to maintain.” My hard cock finds his, and it’s just as erect and needy as mine.
I roll my hips into him and he huffs out a choppy breath as his jaw slacks.
Ethan’s eyes flutter, shutting for only a moment as if he’s relishing in my touch. Shaking his head with a growl, he steps forward, reaching his hand up to the base of my throat. He grips hard, then flips me around, slamming me against the wall.