Addiction

31

"What happened to no perks?"

"Well, Miss Taylor. That concept kind of flew out the window when I fell in love with you."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." He grabbed our bagels and some cream cheese.

"Maybe I should give detailed instructions on how to seduce your professor."

He took a bite out of his bagel. "You didn't seduce me. I seduced you."

"No way. Short skirts, my best push up bra, uncalled for texts, and my unbelievably illicit answers in class seduced the crap out of you."

"I had you right where I wanted you."

I believed him. I may have flirted my way closer to him, but he was always one step ahead of me. He even gave me a fake grade to make me storm into his office.

"So what do you usually do after breakfast?"

"Go to class."

"What other classes do you teach?"

"I teach that grad class twice a week. And I have a few 300 and 400 level marketing courses."

"That's vague. Tell me what the 300 level ones are and I'll try to sign up for one next semester."

"You probably shouldn't take any more of my classes."

"But I like taking your classes. It means I get to stare at you the whole time."

"Which is very distracting."

"You seriously don't want me to take your marketing classes?"

"Well, I was thinking about it. And I think after this semester it really would be best if we disclosed our relationship to the dean. Maybe after winter session? That way your Comm grade won't be in jeopardy."

"Which means I can't take any more of your classes?"

"It does."

"Pros and cons."

"We can spend more time together at night that way. We won't have to worry about people seeing us together around campus. It'll be really nice."

"I'll think about it." Melissa had said other professors might see me differently if they knew. I didn't want that to be the case. "So what do you do after breakfast on the weekends?"

"Work."

"On your new company?"

"There's always something to do." He shifted in his chair. "Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss with you."

"Okay." Why does it feel like I'm in trouble?

"My brother is coming back from Costa Rica this weekend."

"That's fantastic. I can't wait to meet him. I want to get to know your family."

"I invited him here indefinitely. Earlier this month. We weren't together and..."

"James, that's fine. He's your brother. It'll be fun."

"Yeah, he's definitely fun." He took a sip of orange juice.

"Where will he stay?"

"There are guestrooms in the hallway before my office."

"Did you not want me to stay over while he's here?"

"Were you thinking about staying over more?" He looked pleased.

"Well, you were right about your bed. It's a lot more comfortable than mine."

"Is that the only reason?" He pulled me into his arms.

"I'm only in this relationship for the sleeping arrangements. Did I not make that clear when we started this?"

"No, you failed to mention that."

"Well now you know. I'm going to go brush my teeth." I pulled his hands off me and made my way back into his bedroom and into the bathroom. His toothbrush was in the holder. I opened up a few of the drawers, searching for one I could use. I shouldn't have thrown that one away from the other day. But I never imagined I'd be back here. I was so glad I was back.

There were no toothbrushes in his vanity. I bit my lip and eyed his. Is that weird to do? I didn't really know what the normal protocols for couples in this situation were. All of this was so new. I peered out the bathroom door. It couldn't hurt. He wouldn't even know. I quickly grabbed his toothbrush and brushed my teeth. I had this weird, excited feeling when I realized I was using Professor James Hunter's toothbrush. This probably is weird. I finished up in the bathroom and went back out into the kitchen. He was reading something on his phone.

"I'll be right back." He put his phone in his pocket and went into his bedroom. When he came back out he was looking at me curiously.

"What?"

"Did you use my toothbrush?"

"Maybe?"

For some reason he found that funny. "You are definitely making yourself at home. Even though you're only after me for my sweet sleeping arrangements, you can stay whenever you want. You'd move in for good if it was up to me. I only brought up Rob because I wanted to warn you that we were going to have company for awhile."

"I know. So what do you want to do now?"

"I can help you with Stat."

"All my notes are in my dorm. Besides, lame. We have a day off."

"So you want to do something more fun?"

"Yes. But I can't really go anywhere with my secret professor boyfriend and a huge bandage on my forehead."

He walked over to me and grabbed my chin. I tilted my face toward him as he slowly took off my bandage. "There, that's better." His phone buzzed and he quickly answered it. "Hunter."

Silence.

"No, I'll come get it. Thanks." He hung up and turned back to me. "You have a delivery."

"What? Here?"

"Apparently so." His expression was cloudy. He walked into his room and quickly changed into jeans and a v-neck t-shirt. He looked unbelievably sexy and brooding.

"I haven't given anyone your address, Professor Hunter."

"I know. It's rather curious." He kissed my forehead next to my stitches. "I'll be right back."

I watched him get on the elevator. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. What the hell? My parents were the only ones that knew I was with him. And I didn't give them his address. I sat down on the couch in his living room to wait for him.

I just wanted today to be fun. I was finally getting to know him better. Hopefully this delivery wouldn't change his mood. Whatever it was, I didn't want it.

Oh s**t. Brendan. Brendan was the only one who knew Professor Hunter's address. I got up and went into the bedroom to grab my phone. There were a few texts from Tyler and Melissa. My mom had sent one to check up on me. But there weren't any from Brendan. And why would there be? He didn't have my number. I had his. In the pocket of a pair of jeans probably on my dorm room floor.

Maybe the delivery wasn't from him. It was probably spam. Dirty spammers could find you anywhere. I went back into the living room, clutching my phone. The elevator doors dinged and opened. Professor Hunter's face was hidden by a huge bouquet. He placed the flowers down on the kitchen counter and looked over at me.