The Professor Who Shouldn't Want Me

This Could Have Been a Text

POV: Isadora

I ducked away quickly, slipping into an alleyway right next to my building. Dammit! How did he get here faster than me? Usually, he took long enough for me to get home and even squeeze in a shower. My phone buzzed, it was him, asking if I was home. I was panicking. Even if I told him I’d just stepped out for a second, there was a huge chance he’d just wait for me at the door. Crap! I needed to turn back into Anne, fast.

I ripped off my wig, stuffed it into my backpack, and grabbed my sunglasses to hide my eye color. Okay, now the only problem was the clothes. I was wearing a white button-down tucked into light-wash jeans. Now what? I couldn't just show up in the same outfit, especially not on the day I’d been most active in class.

I started heading toward the mouth of the alley. People were brushing past on the sidewalk, and among them, I spotted a woman in a dark, oversized hoodie that reached her knees. Oh my god, it was perfect.

“Excuse me!”, I called out. “Look, this is going to sound weird, but... I’ll give you 300 bucks for that hoodie.”

“What?”, she asked, looking confused. I just flipped open my wallet and showed her the cash. “Okay.”, she whipped the hoodie off and I handed over the money.

When I put it on, the hoodie also came down to my knees. Fine, it would have to do. I stepped out of the alley and headed for the building entrance. Henry was still there, distracted by his phone.

“Babe!”, I said, faking surprise.

“Hey, princess! I just texted you.”

“I had to run out for a bit to... drop Carol off at the subway station. She... she didn't know where it was. She hasn't lived here very long...”, I forced a smile.

Once again, Carol was helping me keep up my disguise without even knowing it.

“I thought I’d be back before you got here.”, he smiled and kissed me.

“I haven't been waiting long.”

The second we stepped into the apartment, I practically bolted to the bathroom to put in my contacts. I seriously needed to start carrying them with me all the time.

“So, is your roommate sleeping out tonight?”, he asked as soon as I walked out of the bathroom. He had a mischievous smirk on his face, and I just nodded.

“Interesting...”, he murmured, loosening his tie and pulling it off.

“What are you doing?”, I asked with a smile.

“I was thinking about taking a shower.”, he replied, starting to unbutton his shirt. “What do you think?”

“Not a bad idea.”, I said, my eyes wandering to his exposed abs. God, I never got tired of that six-pack.

“Why don't you stop staring and just get over here?”, he asked, catching my far-from-innocent look.

I walked over to him, and he grabbed me, pulling me into a deep kiss. It felt like he hadn't touched me in days, even though we’d just spent the entire weekend together. Sometimes Henry seemed truly insatiable, but I couldn't blame him, because he made me feel the exact same way.

He hooked his hands under my hoodie, starting to pull it off. Lost in the kiss, I almost forgot I was still wearing "Isadora’s clothes." When he gripped the fabric tight, ready to yank it over my head, it hit me.

“Wait!”, I jumped back.

“What’s wrong, babe?”

“Uh... towels! I’m gonna go grab the towels.”, I blurted out and ran to the bedroom.

As soon as I got there, I stripped down. There, no trace of Isadora left. I wrapped myself in one towel and grabbed another.

“I’m back!”

“All that just to make my job easier?”, he asked, eyeing me in the towel.

I just shrugged and kissed him again. He swept me up into his arms and carried me into the bathroom. We filled the tub and climbed in, it definitely wasn't made for two people. But we made it work. He stayed on the bottom and I sat on top of him, riding him frantically while he sucked on one of my breasts.

The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. I thought it was my alarm, but it was actually my sister calling.

“Isabella? Did something happen?”

“Are you free for lunch on Thursday?”

“What? Why?”

“Because Mom wants me to talk to you. You know, about your recent... behavior.”, I rolled my eyes.

“Isabella, it’s...”, I checked the screen. “It’s 6:40 in the morning! And you’re calling me to schedule a lunch date commissioned by my mother?!”, I said, beyond annoyed.

“It’s not my fault you’re a late sleeper, Isadora. By this time, I’ve already done pilates, had breakfast, and finished an article for my personal site.”

“Maybe if you woke up earlier, you wouldn't be struggling so much at Harvard Law...”, I let out an irritated sigh. “Anyway, Thursday at noon?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No. If it’s not Thursday, it’ll be Friday. If not Friday, then Saturday... You know how this works. And trust me, you want to have this conversation, especially since I’m the reason you got off scot-free at the last dinner.”

“The reason?”

“Yes. Who do you think convinced Dad to look past your 'insolence' until your wedding day actually arrives?”

“I bought you some time to rethink your attitude. You’re welcome, sis!”

“Wow, Isabella! Thank you so much. I really don't know what I’d do without such a wonderful sister like you.”, I said, dripping with irony.

“Tone aside, it’s the truth. I’ll text you the address of the restaurant.”

“This whole conversation could have been a text!”

“See you then, little sister!”, she said and hung up.

“I didn't know you had a sister.”, I looked toward the bedroom door. Henry was standing there with a cup of coffee in his hand.

Oh my god. Hadn't he gone for a run? How long had he been standing there? And how much did he hear?