Page 40 of Give In
Crosby had been right about Ceaders. There’d been rumors about him trading good grades for sex, but nothing had ever been proven.
Before I could come up with a valid reason to disagree with the placement, Peters did it for me. “If I remember correctly, she had a knack for coming up with abstract yet plausible theories. Which makes me think she’d do better working with theoretic rather than comparative. Would you be willing to oversee her independent studies?”
There was a long list of reasons to say no, but even knowing them all, I nodded. “I should have time.”
“Good. Talk it over with her and let me know what she decides.”
“Will do.”
We shot the shit for a few minutes before he left me alone to think about the mistake I’d just made.
*******
Eden
“Miss Wilder, I need to see you in my office after class,” Professor Caine said from behind me, as if everything revolved around him.
Standing near my chair, I dug around my bag for an elusive pen. I didn’t bother to look at him as I shook my head. “Sorry, I have another class to be to then.”
“When are you available?”
“My Fridays are pretty hectic.”
“That’s okay, I’m normally around late if that works better for you.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see his affable smile. His offer to see me outside of his usual office hours sounded considerate and magnanimous. But I could see his smirk and hear his implication.
What’s that saying about turnabout being fair play?
Shifting to face him, I returned the genial smile and subtle smirk combination. “No, I wouldn’t want to put you in a hard spot. I’m assuming it won’t be very long so it’ll be easy enough to fit in after class.”
“Actually, this is going to take a while, and I don’t want to be responsible for you missing someone else’s class. It’s very important, though, so why don’t we go to my office now?”
Me and my big mouth.
“Fine,” I said with a fake smile as he walked to the front.
Brooks, who’d just walked in for the last of it, leaned over to ask, “What do you think he wants to talk about?”
“Probably just my paper. You know how he likes to play devil’s advocate.”
Or just be the devil.
Nodding, he started his laptop. “I think that’s why he’s such a good teacher.”
“Yeah, he’s something,” I mumbled.
Professor Caine gave the class some instruction before prodding, “Miss Wilder, if you can tear yourself away from Mr. Crosby…”
I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door.
As I passed, he lowered his voice so only I could hear. “Remember what I said about punishment?”
Shit.
The short walk to his office was silent and awkward as hell, and it took all my control not to just walk away.
Professor Caine unlocked his door and stepped aside for me to enter first before closing it behind us. Leaning against it, his posture was casual, but his position blocked the only exit.
