Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Clearing my throat, I try to straighten up and be more ‘focused’. “I am sorry. I was thinking I didn't want someone to come in here and think you were being inappropriate, if they recognized us. That’s it. I apologize for not being more… I don’t know. Whatever a girl my age should be. I won’t waste anymore of your time.” Trying to stop the tears before they fall in front of him, I scramble from my chair, knock it over as I get up, and basically trip all over myself. Geesh, Jinny. You can’t even leave right. I hear what I think is a curse behind me, but I don’t turn back to check.
I make it to the corner of the building before I lean against it and give myself a second to cry. I don’t know why I am so upset. It is not like this was anything other than him being polite. Not to mention I am used to people seeing me as nothing but a nuisance. So why does it hurt so much more coming from him? “Please tell me you are not crying.” Stiffly my back straightens as his warm, cognac and eggnog voice caresses me. “Turn around and look at me,” he commands, standing so close to me, I can feel his body heat through the cold. Helpless to do anything but what his bossy voice says, I turn and he gasps, immediately turning his head from my face. “Please wipe those offensive tears from your face, precious. I might lose my mind if I think you're hurting because of me.” What the heck is happening here? And wait, did he call me precious? My fuzzy gloves slide across my cheeks as I wipe the wetness and look at him. “Thank fuck.” His hands come to my face and he looks me in the eyes, not saying anything.
“Uh, professor?”
“Call me Noah outside of the classroom, precious.” He said it like I am going to be seeing him more than that.
“Okay. Noah. What is happening?”
“I have no fucking idea.” He says it and then like a bit of Christmas magic, his mouth touches mine slightly. Not enough to be indecent, but enough for the feeling to linger once he pulls back. “I knew you would be sweet.” Blushing, I bite my lip and try to keep a level head.
“It’s just the hot chocolate I had.” His thumbs rub along my cheeks and his head moves back and forth.
“No, precious. It’s you. You are so sweet and innocent and I am a grumpy asshole. But, I never meant to make you cry. I was not criticizing you, precious girl. I am just pissed because you are out here in the world all alone and vulnerable. Your face is readable and that makes you easy prey for some jackass to come and take advantage and fucking hell, I want to be able to have a claim on you so that doesn’t happen.” My mouth moves up and down as I try to think of some to say to that, but I'm still running his words through my head. Did he just admit to wanting me?
“I-I can’t… don’t know what to say.” He chuckles and kisses me chastely once more before pulling back.
“You don’t have to say anything, precious. It’s done. The day you walked in late, face disheveled and clearly upset, every protective instinct I had boiled over. The sexist woman I have ever seen is my student. It pissed me off. I couldn’t walk you to my office, mark you, and then seat you in front of me so I could keep an eye on you.” Well, okay then.
“Why not?” As soon as it comes out of my mouth, I cover it with my hand, shocked I was brave enough to give voice to the naughty little Santa’s in my head. He chuckles and shakes his head.
“Soon, my little mistletoe. Now, let’s get you home.” Oh boy am I going to have lots to talk about when I hear from the girls.
CHAPTER 8
NOAH
Her kiss was sweet as hell. It was tentative, and I could tell she hasn’t done much, if any, kissing. The caveman in me likes that idea, probably more than I should.
“Come home with me,” I say, in between kisses. I can’t seem to keep my lips off of her.
“Yes,” she says, nodding.
“My car is back at the school,” I say and we walk over there quickly.
The drive to my apartment is silent, the tension between us delicious.
“This is where you live?” she asks as soon as we are inside.
“Yep. For now,” I reply, looking around the drab space.
“You’re moving?”
“Yeah, this won’t work for long.”
“I see,” she says, but there’s no way she does. Not yet.
I take her bag from her shoulder and set it down on the couch, before kissing her again. She melts into me. I take over. She doesn’t stop me as strip her naked. Her perfect body is beckoning to me.