Distraction accomplished.

  My chin pulls in, and I have to clarify. “What happened to the invisible line and ‘one loses and we all lose’?”

  “Exactly.” She shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “He acts like I’m in some gray area because I’m a grad student. I wish he’d take a hint and leave me alone already.”

  “Would you like me to say something to him?”

  “You are such a hero.” She places a hand on my forearm. “Thank you, but I’m a big girl. I can handle a pushy professor.”

  “Still, if he gets too pushy, you let me know.”

  At that moment, a body pushes up to the bar on my opposite side, and I turn, ready to snap when the words die in my throat. Reanna is standing beside me with an empty pitcher and an angry expression.

  “Dog’s Den,” she calls to the bartender, and he takes it from her, propping it under the tap and flipping the handle down.

  “Reanna.” Her name is lost in the noise of the bar.

  She leans closer, her full breasts practically pressed against my forearm, the heat of her body tightening my muscles.

  “I see you’re here with her.” Her accent is more pronounced, and her ice-blue eyes flash with cold fire.

  I shouldn’t like it that she’s jealous. This afternoon, when things got tense in my office, I almost broke. I’m a physical guy, and the idea she could hold her own is as much a turn-on as her fuck-me body.

  “Just having a friendly drink.” I should let her think I’m with Sharon, but I can't stop playing with fire, this blazing inferno I’m ready to dive into headfirst.

  “Oh, hello!” Sharon leans around my shoulder holding my arm. “You did really well on that paper, by the way. Totally deserved the A.”

  The bartender slides the pitcher to Reanna, but her eyes are fixed on Sharon’s arm clutching my bicep. They slowly rise to hers.

  “You’re too kind.” It’s not entirely sarcastic, but it has an edge.

  Reanna turns, carrying the pitcher back to the pool area, and I can’t take my eyes off the sway of her hips in those tight jeans. I can’t make my brain stop thinking how easy it would be to get beneath her sweater, ravish her breasts then come all over them.

  Fuck me.

  “Well, I hate to leave you this way,” Sharon teases, breaking my fantasy. “I’ve got an early class with Pamela in the morning.”

  “You’re kidding.” I hold up the full tumbler of bourbon I’m holding. “Stay for one more.”

  “Sorry, Prof, can’t.” She gives my arm a squeeze. “I’ll see you next week, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, and all that jazz.”

  With a small wave, she plunges into the growing crowd, heading for the door and leaving me at the bar to finish my drink alone. Automatically, my rebellious eyes go to the pool area, where Reanna stands behind her friend, with her arms crossed, watching me.

  The other boy, the one who looks like a football player, says something, and the blonde laughs. Then that asshole Evan walks up to Reanna again, sliding his arm around her waist and speaking in her ear. His lips curl in a slimy smile, and I’m about to come off the bar when she elbows him away impatiently.

  If that motherfucker thinks he’s going to touch her… Her eyes haven’t left mine, and I lift my chin. I want her to come back to me.

  I tell myself it’s because I want to warn her about his reputation, make sure she’s aware he’s a player, but a dangerous hum low in my stomach says it’s a lie. It’s way more than that.

  She’s already on the move, making her way to where I’m standing at the bar, moving through the crowd as if cutting through still water. Students drift out of her way, parting before an invisible force, the undeniable pull of our attraction.

  I can’t take my eyes off her as she gets closer, coming straight to where I stand and stopping directly in front of me, daring me to do something.

  “You flick your chin, and I come.” Her voice is smoldering. “Even when you hurt me, I’ll come to you.”

  “How did I hurt you?” My face is lowered, and my voice cracks.

  “Lying to me, telling me she means nothing to you.”

  “She’s my assistant, nothing more. I bumped into her on my way here.”

  My elbow is propped on the bar, and she looks to the bartender. “Stoli, neat.”

  He nods, moving into action, placing a small glass on the polished wood and turning over a tall bottle of vodka, quickly filling it.

  “Put it on my tab,” I say as he slides it across, and he nods.

  “Thank you, professor.” She shoots the glass, setting it down without a flinch. “What do you want from me?”

  “I don’t like you being here with Evan.”

  “I don’t like you being here with Sharon.”

  My jaw clenches, and I put my hand on her elbow, pulling her closer. “Sharon isn’t a danger to me. I want to break his hands every time he touches you.”

  She flinches, but her eyes are locked with mine. “Maybe I should go back and let him touch me some more if this is how you respond.”

  “He’s a player.” It’s practically a growl. “He’ll mistreat you.”

  “I have no interest in him.” She slides her eyes down to my lips. “You, on the other hand…”

  My grip tightens, and I lower my chin to her ear. “I would never hurt you.”

  “You’re hurting me now.”

  I release her arm at once. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

  “It’s too loud in here.” She takes my hand briefly, tugging me away from the bar. “Follow me.”

  I hesitate, finishing the last of my drink, while she cuts a path along the bar to a side door and quickly exits. Lowering my tumbler, I glance around to be sure no one is watching before I retrace her steps, jerking open the metal door and leaving the noisy room.

  Rusty hinges squeak loudly as I step into a narrow alley. The silence is deafening after the roar inside, and the metal door closes with a bang.

  The space is empty. Two dumpsters are against the opposite wall, and the ground is damp with the occasional puddle dotting the brick pavement. The only sounds are the scree of cicadas and the occasional shush of a car passing on the street. A light at the end of the alley provides dim illumination, and it smells like wet asphalt, old beer, and garbage.

  “I’m here,” her voice calls softly, like a siren in the sea.

  Turning, I find her standing against the brick wall. Her hands are behind her waist, and she’s breathing rapidly, her full breasts rising and falling. I’ve had too much bourbon. My control is frayed thin, and I close the space between us without hesitation.

  “Oh, God,” she gasps as I catch her face in my hand, holding her cheeks with my fingers.

  Leaning closer, our noses brush. “What do you want from me?” I’m breathing fast, and it’s my last chance to turn back.

  Turning her face in my hand, her pink tongue slips out, and she sucks my thumb into her mouth. I hiss, allowing her to do it, to pulse her tongue against the base as she holds my gaze.

  Jerking my hand away, I seal my lips to hers. A moan slips from her throat, and I push her mouth open, plunging my tongue inside to taste her. She meets me halfway, curling her tongue with mine, straight vodka.

  Her fingers thread in my hair, tugging me closer, and our faces turn, lips pulling as we consume, chasing each other’s mouths in ravenous kisses.

  My hands start at her waist before sliding higher, cupping and lifting her bare breasts under her sweater. My thumbs circle her hardened nipples, and I want to rip the fabric away and consume her soft flesh.

  Breaking apart, my face is in her hair, and I’m breathing fast, inhaling her scent of jasmine and rich woods. She’s decadent and delicious.

  “I want you to touch me,” she purrs, and the inferno inside me destroys the last of my resistance.

  My brain burns remembering how she left my office, and my hands quickly move from her breasts to her waist. I quickly unfasten her jeans, shoving them low enough to allow my hand inside her panties.

  Lifting my face, I meet her eyes as my hand cups her bare pussy. Her head drops back as her lips part, and she moans deeply as I trace my fingers along her slick core. Sliding two fingers inside, I curl them as I circle her clit with my thumb. Another moan, and her hips begin to rock.

  I’m hypnotized by the sight of her, riding my hand as I touch all that’s forbidden. With my free hand, I grip her face, pulling her mouth to mine again.

  Her fingers curl and pull my hair as her hips rock faster. Little whimpers escape her throat, and every noise makes me want to be inside her. I’m not stopping until she comes. I have to hear her come.

  “Fuck, it’s so good,” she gasps.

  “Come for me,” I growl, and she makes another soft noise, nodding her head fast.

  My thumb moves faster. The two fingers inside her curl and massage the place that will push her over the edge. Lust and desire are fueled by anger. I’m furious she has this power over me. I’m risking everything to do this, but there’s no way I’m stopping.

  “Oh, God, oh, fuck, oh…” In that moment, she climaxes on my hand.

  Her nails scratch my neck, falling to my shoulders as her knees buckle. I lift her up, plunging three fingers into her slippery depths, feeling the squeeze of her core, the spasm of her orgasm, cupping her wetness with my hand.

  She moans and shudders, bucking with every touch of my thumb against her clit. My arm is around her waist, and I hold her body tighter against mine. She’s quivering, grasping at my shoulder, and my dick is so hard in my jeans. I want to fuck her right now. I can’t fuck her right now. I’ve already done too much. Anyone could catch us in this alley.

  Still, I’m hypnotized by the sight of her, her hand sliding lower, palming my hardened cock through my jeans.

  Leaning forward, my lips are at her ear, my nose in the side of her hair. “You feel what you do to me?” My voice is hot, hoarse, and angry.

  “Yes,” she whispers, quickly unfastening my pants, allowing the pink tip of my erection to stretch free.

  “Fuck,” I hiss as she pushes the fabric lower, wrapping slim fingers around my shaft and pumping up and down.

  Without a word, she drops to her knees, teasing me with her tongue just before taking my cock fully into her mouth.

  “Shit,” I groan, knowing I should stop this, knowing this is wrong.

  She’s on her knees with her back to the wall, and I’m facing her, my pants lowered just enough for it to happen. She’s hidden by my legs, and at a glance, it probably looks like I’m hiding in the alley to take a leak.

  In reality, I’m losing my mind.

  She’s sucking me like she did my thumb. Her head bobs faster, and she pulls me deeper, all the way to her throat, watery eyes blinking up at me.

  Stop this, stop this, stop this, my conscience is screaming, but my body won’t let me. I want this. I want her. I want all of her. There’s no way I’m stopping now.

  My hand is in her hair, and I growl, “You like sucking my cock?”

  She manages to nod, and it’s my fucking fantasy. Her hot mouth is on my tip, and her hand grips the base of my shaft, jerking it in time. Then she pops off, flickering her tongue against the ridges of my dick, and my vision fails.

  My orgasm is a runaway train, a steady urge growing stronger in my belly as sparks flood my veins. Heat is in my thighs, tightening my balls.

  Her other hand slides around to grip my ass, holding me steady as she sucks and pulls, dragging me to that explosive edge. One more grip, one more plunge to the back of her throat, and I barely grind out a warning.

  “I’m coming.” I’m going to pull out, but she holds my hips with both hands, holding me steady as her lips touch the skin of my belly, as my cock pulses, shooting jets of orgasm down her throat.

  “Fuck,” I groan, holding the back of her head as she blinks up at me, swallowing greedily, round eyes watering.

  My knees almost buckle as my fingers curl against the damp bricks. My face is against my arm, and my hand slides through her soft hair, cupping her cheek. She takes every drop, not releasing me until my shudders subside, my pulsing stops.

  Then she rocks back on her heels, holding my waist as she slowly rises. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first day of class.”

  She slides her hands up my chest, and my arms are around her waist. Her body is flush against mine, and I confess, I don’t want to let her go, even if she is a student, even if she is ten years younger than me. I want to hold her, take away her pain, the loneliness I know too well.

  Lifting my head, I meet her stunning blue eyes. “Reanna…” I don’t know what to say. I’m not sorry.

  “That was amazing.” She places her palm against my cheek.

  “It was wrong.” I start to release her, but her grip on me tightens.

  “It was not wrong.”

  “I crossed the line.” That fucking invisible line between professor and student. “Not only that, but we’ve both been drinking…”

  “I’m not impaired, and consent is not an issue.” An edge is in her voice. “I want you to fuck me.”

  Need flashes in my chest, and my barely sated lust for her flames back to life.

  “I can’t do that.” I’ve got to grab the reins and be the adult here. “I’ve already done too much.”

  “We’re both adults. Where I come from, that’s all that matters.”

  “That’s never all that matters. I’m your professor. I’m in a position of trust.”

  She hesitates, blinking into my eyes, then she steps to the side, out of the dominating cage of my arms. I drop them to my sides, and her lips curl into a knowing smile.

  We restore our clothes, and she nods briefly, turning away from me towards the entrance to the alley.

  “In that case, I’ll see you in class, professor.”

  “Will you be able to sleep?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She takes that first step to leave me, and it aches not to stop her, not to take her in my arms and carry her to my bed, fuck her all night, and protect her from the nightmares.

  Instead, I hold myself in place, focusing on my job, my reputation, my position. “When I can’t sleep, I watch The Goblet of Fire.”

  I don’t know why I say it, why I can’t just let her go.

  “Good to know.” Her back is still turned, but she nods, walking away from me, leaving me scorched and raw inside.

  I thought I was off-course when I came here, but now I can’t even find the fucking map. And standing here in this dim alley, watching the sway of her hips as she leaves me, remembering the sounds she makes when she comes for me, all I can think is when can I do it again?

  10

  Reanna

  Energy floods my veins, and I’m buzzing with the anticipation of seeing him again.

  It’s especially thrilling after weeks of building tension to have it all pay off so spectacularly in a dirty alley outside a college bar.

  Oh, that alley. It was the perfect place to act out our forbidden desires. Heat floods my veins when I remember his hands desperately grasping between my legs, his filthy words as I took his dick in my mouth. We were hungry and raw, and I want to do it again. I want to do everything with him just as ferociously.

  For years, I’ve been so focused on research and finding clues and getting revenge for my father’s murder. It’s nice to have some fun for a change, and Professor Dirk Winston is very fun. Bonus? I slept like a baby when I got home.

  Too bad the afterglow fades, because now I’m ready to go to his house and knock on his door. Preferably with as little clothing on as possible.

  Ali is on a date with Ryan and said not to expect her home tonight, so I’m alone in the dorm, staring at my phone, tossing and turning in the bed and wondering why I don’t have his number. I could text him… I could sext him. Heat lights between my thighs, and I curse my lack of forethought.

  Pulling out my tablet, I search for The Goblet of Fire movie on a streaming app. He was so adorable worrying about my nightmares immediately after dominating me, fucking my face, then pushing me away. I’m definitely sick, because I kind of loved him for it.

  Could it be possible we might have something once I’ve found my revenge? Could we build on the foundation we’ve laid here? Maybe he could see past the lies I’ve had to tell, the double-life I’ve had to live. Maybe he would like me for me.

  Clicking play, I wait as the story begins with a giant snake and a murder. I’ve never been into normal, popular things—I’ve never had a normal life, so watching these magical children, I’m surprised by the darkness and relatability here.

  Snuggling deeper beneath my blankets, I imagine him unable to sleep, watching it with me, tracing his fingers in my hair. Now that he’s finally touched me, more like now that he devoured me with his hands everywhere like he couldn’t get enough—thumbs circling my nipples, fingers in my mouth, inside my pussy. Now that I know being with him is even hotter than my imagination, I want more.

  My toes curl, and I’m ready to shut off the movie, slip my hand in my panties, and have a new sexy fantasy with him when my phone buzzes. Turning on my side, I lift it to see another annoying text from Natasha. Do you have it yet?

  I can picture her thin lips pressed into an impatient line, and I quickly reply. Should be close enough in another week.

  Just typing the words sends a thrill through my chest. One more week, and I’ll have him. He’s so close to losing control right now. I have one last card to play, and he’ll be mine. Pressing my lips into a smile, I will miss his sexy internal battles. Such a good professor.

  WTF is taking so long???

  Her reply makes me sit up and growl, tapping furiously. It’ll take as long as I need. This was your GD idea. I don’t even know if it’s here.

  211 Faculty Row. GO FIND IT.

  Grinding my jaw, I toss the phone on my bed, pissed at her bossy text, her shouty caps. If she wanted the book so badly, she could’ve come down herself or hired a thief to steal it back. Oh, wait, that would require money and manpower, two things she has in short supply right now.