So I stood, meeting him halfway, neither of us saying anything for long moments. What could be said?

  “Professor Goode,” he said in a professional voice, not one he’d used with me since he hired me years before.

  I was friends with Calvin. I’d met his family, his children. We’d eaten dinner together. I considered him a friend. But he wasn’t here on a social visit. He was here on official university action.

  I had no doubt Ashley would tell them. She went by the books about everything, and it was one of the reasons I’d picked her to be my TA. She could be trusted, was loyal, and played by the rules.

  But that also had repercussions seeing as her catching me with Grace meant she hadn’t been able to keep it to herself. I couldn’t blame her, wasn’t even angry. In fact, I was glad she’d told the university.

  It meant there was no more hiding, no more pretending I wasn’t in love with Grace … no more acting like I had any control where she was concerned.

  “Dean Richards,” I said in return and held out my hand for the envelope. The look on his face spoke volumes, but then again, I hoped mine did as well.

  I wanted him to see how unaffected I was, that everything had come full circle, that things had happened the way they were supposed to.

  “You know why I’m here?” Although he phrased it like a question, I could hear in his voice he already knew the answer.

  “I know.”

  He exhaled as if this were painful for him. And maybe it was. We’d considered each other friends. He probably saw this as a betrayal.

  “The school has put you on suspension until further investigation. A hearing will be held tomorrow with more details on the situation. I’ll need you present first thing in the morning.”

  I nodded. “And Grace?”

  “She’s been notified as well. We’ll need her there to take her account of it all.”

  “She didn’t do anything wrong. No disciplinary action will be taken against her.” Maybe I shouldn’t have been so hardened, demanding shit, given the fact I wasn’t in any position to do so. But I’d be damned if she got dragged under for this.

  “She’s not to blame for this, Professor Goode.”

  What Calvin really meant was that I was some predator preying on an innocent student. He could think what he wanted, as long as she was left out of it.

  “What were you thinking, Lucian?” he said softly, the man I’d called a friend coming through for a moment. But I didn’t answer his question.

  “Thank you, Dean Richards. I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”

  I wasn’t going to tell him we loved each other, or that this was some slip of judgment and I was sorry. Because it wasn’t. I had Grace, finally, and I wasn’t letting her go. And that would most likely cost me my job, but so be it.

  So be it, because it was all worth it. She was worth it.

  25

  Grace

  The next morning

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

  “Do you understand everything, Professor Goode?”

  I turned and looked at Lucian, knowing my eyes were wide, feeling like my heart would jump out of my chest.

  “I understand,” Lucian said without any emotion in his voice. In fact, he sounded like he didn’t give two shits that he’d just been suspended from his position until further investigation.

  “This is a mistake, a misunderstanding,” I said before I could stop myself.

  I faced the board again, knowing I looked shocked. They couldn’t tell us how long the investigation would last, or if Lucian would even still have a job when it was all said and done.

  “How can you take the word of one person over a member of your staff?”

  The dean leaned forward and clasped his hands together, staring me in the eyes.

  “We take accusations of student and faculty fraternization very seriously. An investigation will be done to find out the truth.”

  All I could do was shake my head. “Nothing happened. This is all a big misunderstanding.” I was a broken record at this point. “This is all a big mistake,” I whispered, on the verge of crying. But I didn’t want to. I needed to be strong, needed to appear like I had my shit together and not break down in front of Lucian.

  “It’s okay, Grace,” Lucian said softly.

  And then before I knew what was happening, Lucian wrapped his arm around my shoulder and brought me in close. He took his other hand and gently grabbed my chin with his thumb and forefinger, turning my head so I was facing him now.

  He stared into my eyes, and everything else around me faded, vanished. We might’ve been able to salvage this, denied everything, but when he leaned in and kissed me right then and there in front of everyone, there was no denying it.

  He pulled back before I could stop him and smiled. “It doesn’t matter,” he said softly. “Only you do.” He turned and faced the board. “I love her, and I’m fully aware of the repercussions our relationship will bring.” And then he stood up and took my hand in his and led us out of the office.

  I looked over my shoulder at the board, their eyes wide and their mouths open in shock. I had no idea what was going to happen from this point forward, but Lucian seemed confident of the future, of our relationship.

  And that made me feel like everything would be okay.

  * * *

  Professor Goode

  She was upset and I hated it, hated that I was the reason she was in this situation, that she felt hopeless, sad for me.

  I wrapped my arms around Grace and pulled her in close. It had only been a couple of weeks since I’d been in front of the board for my “misconduct,” as they’d called it.

  And although maybe I could have gotten out of it, used my years of teaching there and my reputation, my good standing, to get out of Ashley telling them about Grace and me, the truth was, I didn’t want to lie about it.

  So I’d kissed her.

  I’d wanted to prove the point that she was mine. I’d wanted her from the moment I saw her, and losing my position was a small sacrifice to pay to be with her.

  I ran my hand up and down her back, whispering that everything was fine, that I would be fine. She was upset because of me, because of the circumstances. And I wanted to take that pain away.

  I pulled back but kept her close, smiling and shaking my head, telling her without words in that moment that everything was perfect.

  “But it’s your job, what you worked hard to accomplish.”

  I didn’t feel anything in that moment but my love for her. “It’s just a job.” I wiped the stray tear that rolled down her cheek.

  “I’m sorry for breaking down like this. It’s just a little unbelievable. We are both consenting adults.”

  I leaned down and kissed her forehead, just closing my eyes and reveling in the fact she was here with me. “I knew the rules, Grace, and I didn’t fucking care about them. I knew from the moment I saw you walk into my class that this would be the outcome.” I pulled back and looked her in the eyes again.

  “How did you know?” she whispered.

  “Because I wasn’t going to let you go. I’d do anything, lose everything to be with you, Grace. Don’t you see that? Don’t you see that I’m so in love you?”

  She smiled, and I saw that sadness vanish as her feelings for me rose up. “I love you too.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. “Will you be able to find another job? Or is this something that will follow you?” She said those words softly, and I didn’t answer for a moment, just held her, felt her warmth slip into me, let her scent envelop me.

  “I don’t need a job, Grace. I have enough money to last me five lifetimes.” She pulled back and looked up at me.

  “Your uncle’s business?”

  “My business.” I kept my arms wrapped around her, refusing to let her go. I needed her close. “It all became mine after he passed away. I went to school and became a professor because I wanted that connection with my father. And I’ve had it. I did it. And maybe in the future I’ll teach again. But that’s not my main concern, not what I’m focused on.” I heard her breath catch. “I have you, and that’s all I care about.”

  I’d say that over and over again.

  I leaned down and kissed her, and she grew soft and pliant against me. If I never taught again, I’d be content because I’d have Grace.

  I had her love.

  They’d say I was obsessed.

  I’d say I was in love.

  What more did I need in life?

  26

  Grace

  “So, he like…” Sherry leaned in close, her eyes wide, this look of wonder and excitement covering her face. “He just, like, kissed you in front of all of them?”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle at the shocked sound in her voice. I nodded and grabbed my cup of tea, bringing it to my mouth and taking a long sip. The flavors of chamomile and honey filled my taste buds.

  “Yeah, it was kind of intense if I’m being honest.” I set the cup down and just stared at the golden hued liquid contained in the ceramic. My hands were still wrapped around it, the warmth seeping into me.

  “You’re thinking about him right now, aren’t you?”

  I glanced up and stared at Sherry. I didn’t deny it as I nodded. I cleared my throat and shifted on the seat.

  “So this is, like, the real deal.” She didn’t phrase it like a question.

  “I love him so much, Sherry,” I whispered, feeling my cheeks heat as I thought about the passion that Lucian had for me, how he’d fucked me just this morning, made me get off three times before he’d finally relented and let me breathe. My legs were still shaking, my pussy sore. He was insatiable for me, and I couldn’t help but feel myself falling more in love with him each and every day.

  “And he loves you? Like that’s a stupid question since I know the answer, since he all but said fuck you to the school.” She grinned. “Damn, I need a guy like that, that will just say screw everything else but me.”

  “What about Letterman Craig?”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “Letterman Craig?” She snorted.

  “It’s what I’ve been calling him because every time I see him he’s wearing that damn high school jacket.”

  She laughed. “God, don’t remind me. I keep telling him that he needs to shelve that and put the past behind him. He’s still living in his glory football days.”

  We both started laughing.

  “But you guys are, like, serious?”

  I saw her expression change, watched the way her cheeks turned pink, how she glanced away and smiled. She didn’t have to say the words for me to hear her loud and clear. She was into Craig, maybe things were even getting serious. I was happy for her, happy for both of us that we’d found something that we deserved.

  She glanced up at me then, her expression sobering. “I really like him … am falling in love with him.”

  My heart beat double-time in my chest for her.

  “Does he love you back?”

  She smiled softly, sweet. “He says he does.” She shrugged. “I can’t lie and say I’m not scared. I’ve never loved anyone before, Grace. I guess time will tell how things play out, but he’s really sweet and even holds the door open for me, pulls out the chairs before I sit down.”

  “Love is a scary thing.”

  She nodded, and we were silent for a moment, just reflecting on everything.

  I was genuinely happy for her and reached out to take her hand in mine, giving it a squeeze. “I’m glad he’s good to you. You deserve that.”

  She gave my hand a squeeze back. “And I’m glad you’re happy, Gracie. I can’t deny that I’m a little jealous you have our sexy-as-hell professor obsessed with you, that he’s so madly in love with you he gave up his job just so he could keep you.” She chuckled, and I heard the teasing note in her voice.

  “And no doubt a lot of girls are jealous of you, Sherry. Who says chivalry is dead when you have a guy like Craig?”

  “Touché,” she said and smiled wider. “We’re both lucky.”

  Yeah, we were.

  “I’d say we have a couple of keepers, Gracie.”

  Yeah, looked like we really did.

  Epilogue

  Grace

  One year later

  I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and I stretched, the silk sheets moving along my body. Silk sheets. Not something I’d ever experienced in my life before meeting Lucian, but ever since I’d moved in with him six months ago, he’d insisted that we sleep on them, that I deserved no less.

  He spoiled me, worshipped me. I was his queen, as he liked to say.

  I lifted my arms and stretched them above my head, my fingers curling against the wrought-iron bars of the headboard, the feeling of the intricate details brushing against my fingertips. I still had my eyes closed, but it was the feeling of Lucian’s hand sliding along my side, over my belly, and between my thighs, that had me opening them and staring at the ceiling.

  He pulled a gasp from me as his fingers slid against my slit, teasing my hole before gathering the moisture already formed there and bringing it to my clit.

  I turned my head and looked at him. He was so close now, his body facing mine, his gaze trained right on me. His dark eyes seemed even darker because his pupils were dilated. The scruff on his face had my fingers itching to touch it, pull his head down and between my thighs, to see if that five o’clock shadow would be soft or rough between my thighs.

  “Good morning,” he grumbled out. He slid his finger inside of me, and I let out a silent cry. “Spread wider for me,” he whispered.

  I did as he said, neither one of us saying anything. Lucian continued to finger me as he stared into my eyes. And then he leaned in and kissed me, working his hand even faster between my legs, his finger pushing in and out of my pussy.

  “Lucian,” I whispered at the same time I exploded, climaxing so hard my breasts thrust out on their own, my back arching, and a flush stealing over me.

  The muscles in my thighs burned for as wide as my legs were spread, and still he worked me over, wringing out the last drop of pleasure he could in me.

  When he pulled his fingers out of me, I forced my eyes open, watched as he lifted his hand, the digits glistening with my cream. He brought it to his mouth and sucked it all clean, never once taking his focus off me.

  He kissed me again, thrusting his tongue in my mouth and making me taste the musky, sweet flavor of my arousal. I didn’t know how long we lay there, making out, my body still shaking from the aftereffects of my orgasm. But I could have stayed there all day.

  I felt his erection prod my thigh, and I broke the kiss, placing my hand on his chest and gently pushing at him until he was on his back.

  I pushed the sheets off us, stared down at the massive erection he sported, his cock so long and thick that the tip reached his belly button, a drop of pre-cum already on the crown. My mouth watered and my throat tightened.

  I took one more glance at his face before moving down and grabbing hold of that monster dick, his girth so substantial that my fingers didn’t even touch as I held him. I used my other hand to grab his balls, the heavy sac overflowing my palm.

  There was no preamble as I opened my mouth and started sucking on the tip, licking away the salty pre-cum as I tried to take as much of him into my mouth as I could. But he was too big, too long. I got halfway down before the crown hit the back of my throat, causing me to gag slightly before I retreated.

  I did this over and over again, Lucian’s hand in my hair, my hair tangled in his fingers. He lifted his hips up at the same time he gently pushed my head down on him, making me take more of his length. He groaned harshly, and I knew he was close, so close that I kept tasting spurts of his semen move along my tongue.

  I hummed, knowing the sound and vibration would set him off. And just like I knew it would, he groaned deeply, tightened his hand in my hair painfully, and thrust his hips up into my mouth, making me take as much as I could.

  He came powerfully, shooting his load down my throat. I swallowed it all, my eyes watering but my appetite for him strong.

  And when I felt his cock become semisoft in my mouth, only then did I pull back. I sucked in a great lungful of air, the blood rushing below the surface of my lips, my mouth feeling swollen. He stared at me with desire on his face. This light sheen of sweat covered his bare chest, and arousal slammed into me.

  I wanted him, desperately.

  I climbed on top of him, straddling his waist, his cock hardening between our bodies instantly. I was so wet, drenched in fact.

  I reached down and grabbed his dick, placed the tip at my entrance, and slid down on his shaft fluidly. We both groaned, and my entire body heated, sweat beading along my chest and back. I braced my hands on his pectoral muscles and started riding him.

  Up and down, faster and harder. I ground my pelvis against his on every downstroke, curled my nails into his chest every time I rose up. I could feel myself climbing higher and higher, and the clipped sounds coming from Lucian told me he’d be going over the edge right along with me.

  He might’ve just gotten off, but when I said he was insatiable for me, I meant just that.

  And then he grabbed my breasts and pulled at my nipples with his thumbs and forefingers, twisting the tips until I tilted my head back, my hair brushing along the top of my ass, and cried out as I came.

  I fell over the edge hard.

  It wasn’t until several moments passed that I collapsed on his chest, Lucian holding me, his cock still buried deep in my body. We didn’t say anything, but no words needed to be spoken.

  This moment was perfect.

  This moment was our reality.