Her Billionaire Professor

“Ungh.. mmmh..” Helen moaned softly, wrestling to keep it quiet. “Ohhh, God.. ouuhh..” The cold of the sink counter bit into her back as Liam’s hands gripped her hips with a hunger that belied his composed demeanor. His expensive cologne mingled with the sweat between them. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as if trying to disappear into someone, anyone, just for a moment. This was risky. She didn't know who Liam was, not really. All she had was a name and the memory of how it sounded between kisses, muffled by her own gasps. That didn't come as a surprise because they'd only crossed paths an hour ago. But she needed this escape. Life was a mess. The hospital bills. Her grandma's lung transplant. The demanding classes and the endless bar shifts. Who's to say she couldn't experience a little pleasure? True, she'd never done something like this before. But that only made the experience more thrilling. It wasn’t tender. It wasn’t love. That wasn't the point. This was to help her be free, even if only for the length of a few desperate thrusts. **** “Helen, Helen!” Leah's voice pierced through an otherwise peaceful dream. Helen's eyes opened reluctantly and faintly as she grunted in frustration. “It's already past nine,” Leah continued, unphased by Helen's antics. “You're gonna be late for class!” “I'm always late..” Helen grunted, burying her face in bed. “The lecturers don't even notice.” “You've forgotten there's a new lecturer today? Yesterday you were telling me about first impressions and all.” Helen sighed in concession. “I hate you, Leah.” “And I'm the best roommate in the world. Get off your ass and prepare for school. I didn't ask you to stay in late at the bar and f**k someone you'd just met. A married man at that.” “It was a moment of weakness, Leah. How many times do I have to say that? I also told you I didn't know he was married. His ring was in his pocket the whole time.” “Well, get your weak ass in the bathroom, young lady. And stop looking at me with those hungover eyes of yours.” Helen was about to stand from the bed, then she heard her phone buzz. She picked it, and the screen lit up with the contact name: “Assholes.” Her clever little rebellion against the place that bled her dry, call after call. She tossed the phone back on the bed and headed for the bathroom. “Who was that?” Leah asked, surprised Helen didn't pick up. “It's my grandma's hospital. They're likely calling to remind me about renewing the payment for the oxygen bill.” “That’s due? Already?” “Story of my life, Leah. Story of my life. I didn't make enough at the bar yesterday to pay up.” “Was that why you had your ‘moment of weakness?’” “More or less. But it wasn't the only reason. I'm just.. going through a lot right now.” “Still, you'll need to attend that lecture. I'll play therapist with you when you get back, okay?” “I hate you, Leah.” “Love you too, girl. A bath. A brush. Through the wardrobe, and off to school. Helen walked through the hallway, as she always did; like a complete stranger. The only person she ever talked to willingly on the whole campus was Leah. Every other conversation was forced. She walked into her lecture hall and got comfy in a front row seat. The way she'd been hearing members of staff talk about this lecturer, it seemed like he was a big deal. What was so special about him? Anyway, whoever he was, she wanted to get on his good side. She loved wearing jean trousers, but today she was wearing a gown. She loved sitting at the back of the class, but today she was going to stay up front. She preferred minding her business and maintaining silence during classes, but she was hoping she'd be the most vocal today. Her grades were tanking, and she didn't see any viable way out except for this; getting seen and approved by one or a few lecturers. This new guy was evidently the easiest of all her targets; she got to start with a clean slate. So she was determined to make an impressive first impression. “He's coming, he's coming,” a boy ran into the room. His words settled the classroom into a hush. Great, Helen wasn't the only one trying to make a first impression. Any other lecturer, and there wouldn't have been such immediate civility. She then heard footsteps. The lecturer walked in. As she lifted her head to look, she perceived a familiar scent, something she couldn't put a finger on: a scent of oud and a sharp trace of bergamot. Somehow, that made her nervous, something cold gripped her stomach. She then finally lifted her head and saw the lecturer. Of course, her vision now forced her memory. The familiar scent was from Liam's clothes the night before. f**k, she knew that was a mistake, she didn't just realise at the time how much of a mistake it was. The very next moment, Liam's eyes collided with hers. He froze like ice, but quickly recovered. He didn't just look at her, he looked through her. And in his eyes, Helen could read only one word: mistake.