The Professor's Second Chance Mate

Chapter 19b

***Kelton***

“Do you have classes today?” I asked, when I was finally able to calm my racing heart and catch my breath to speak. This beauty would be the death of me. And I’d die a happy man.

“In the afternoon.”

I dropped light kisses on the top of her head while I thought through my response.

“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone. You could audit my class.” I suggested. Though I didn’t think she’d go for it.

“I can mind-link you now, and I promise to let you know if anything happens,” she smiled sweetly, and my heart beat a little quicker. She made me feel like a damn schoolboy with his first crush.

Though I wasn’t happy with her response, I’d be happier marching her across campus by the hand, and with me everywhere I went, never letting her get more than three feet away from me. Though I knew she wouldn't go for that. My possessiveness toward her, while barely containable before, had intensified since marking her. I was petrified I’d lose her.

“I love that you’re worried, that you care. But please understand that I’ve been looking after myself for a long time…” The sad and wistful turn in her voice broke my heart.

“But you don’t need to anymore.” I didn’t mean to cut her off, my thoughts just burst free. I needed her to know I was here for her. “Look,” I continued in a less desperate tone. “I know it’s archaic, but I feel like it’s my job to protect you. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you and me not being there for you. Last night when you called, I thought… well my mind went straight to the worst case scenario.” Darla. It went to Darla and my parents. I’d lost them to rogues. As much as I liked Darla, I knew even then she wasn’t the love of my life. The only reason I’d married and marked her was that she was pregnant with my babies. What I feel for my true mate, my Lara, is infinitely more intense. I cannot lose her. I would not survive it.

“Your first mate,” she mumbled. From the look of her, she was comparing herself to Darla.

I rolled on top of her, staring into her beautiful eyes to make sure I had her full attention. “I can’t lose you.” I’d never wanted a woman more.

Pouring all my emotion into it, I leaned down and kissed her. Yet, I took my time. Gently caressing her warm soft lips, in an unhurried manner. I wanted her to feel how much I wanted her, how much I needed her. I could never express how much she meant to me in words without sounding like a sappy d**k, yet I hoped this kiss would show her.

When I pulled back, both of us panting as if gasping for oxygen, she blushed with that adorable smile of hers.

“Wow,” she mumbled.

“Please stick to public places, or with that friend. Ally?” She nodded. I felt marginally better but would still have preferred she were coming with me. It took all my willpower not to be the possessive bastard I wanted to be. She needed her space and independence as much as she needed me.

—————

Normally, classes were easy for me. I’d been an Alpha and a businessman my whole life, I’d raised twins, I managed a large pack. A room full of young people was nothing. But today… Today my mind kept wandering to my beautiful mate. I could almost feel her hands exploring my body, her sweet tongue running up and flicking over my c**k, her warm mouth swallowing it. Almost like a phantom of her was still touching me. The memory of the sounds she made beneath me were a siren call.

I had to lecture from behind my desk as my c**k hardened at the thoughts running rampant in my mind. She’s started a fire in me, a burning desire for her that I wasn’t sure would ever be sated. She stole my heart and captured my self-control.

And if I wasn’t distracted by the extreme pleasure of her sweet body tangled with mine, I was worrying about where she was and who she was with. Hoping these shadow creature things would not come for her again, searching my memories for anything that might be a reference to them.

How would I actually cope with her in my class? I’d have to ignore not only the memories, but her magnificent scent and her kaleidoscope eyes. Seeing her right there and not being able to touch her, to kiss her, I’d be hard-pressed to get a coherent word out when all I wanted was to bend her over my desk and dive in balls deep.

After class, I headed to my office to see if I could figure out who this Haden fellow was. That twerp and I needed to have a conversation. There were three Haden’s registered at the school, four Hayden’s, and one Haiden. All of the eight were born in America, so unlikely to have an accent like Lara mentioned. Only one was studying Art History, and he was a small nerdy black guy, not a tall, blond Mediterranean fellow like my mate described.

Dead end.

Perhaps it was time to call for reinforcements. She would not be pleased.