Chapter 21

Delaney

I’m still confused as hell when World History is over. Most of the students pack their things up and leave, but a few stay behind to talk to Kai.

I don’t move, staying in my seat because I don’t know how to just walk away after the things Kai said. I need to tell him he’s crazy, that there's no way we can continue things between us. There are so many factors to consider.

I’m not even in the position to date anyone right now.

Only, isn’t that exactly what Stacy asked me to do?

No. I can’t use Kai like that.

But I also can’t stand the idea of going out and finding someone else to be with. Not when I know I’d never be able to really feel anything for them. At least not anytime soon, while I’d have a mountain of unresolved bullshit going on in my life.

Would it be too dramatic to say I hate my life right now? No matter what I do, I keep finding myself in deeper shit.

Being with my professor is just asking for unnecessary chaos in my life.

Yet, even though I’m telling myself no, that Kai and I can’t be anything, jealousy fills me as a few girls in my class go over to him with big, flirty smiles on their faces.

Sitting back in my chair, I cross my arms and scowl, straining to hear their conversion.

The tall, skinny blonde puts her hand on his arms and giggles. “How on earth are you just a lowly professor? You should be like a model or something.”

“Yeah, or an actor. I’d watch anything you’re in.” Her redheaded friend sighs wistfully.

I snort a laugh. Are they for real? I’m sure he’s never heard those lines before.

Kai’s lip twitches in amusement. He’s not fooled by their corny lines, but the girls take his smile as if he is.

“You know, I only picked this class because I needed to fill a course spot. So, I wouldn’t be mad if I had to drop it.” The blonde grins, biting her lower lip.

Oh-fucking-please.

“And why would you need to drop out of a class?” Kai asks, cocking a brow.

“You know, if me and you went out to grab a bite to eat... or something.” She flutters her eyelashes, and her friend scowls at her before looking at Kai.

“Or me. What she said.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. I thought this cheesy shit only happened in movies. Do these girls really think they’re going to get anywhere with this?

“I think it’s pretty presumptuous of you ladies to assume I’m single.” He crosses his arms across his chest. “Not to mention the fact that you think it’s appropriate to make moves on a member of the faculty.”

“So, you’re, like not single?” the redhead asks. “I mean, I don’t care if you have a girlfriend. She doesn’t have to know.”

“You’re joking, right?” I ask, unable to keep my mouth shut. All three of them turn to look at me. “This has to be some kind of setup.” I look around. “Where are the hidden cameras?”

“What are you talking about?” the blonde asks, looking annoyed with me.

“I’m assuming this is one big prank, isn’t it?” I look her up and down. “Because the way you’re just out there hitting on a teacher, assuming that’s something he wants. And the fact that you both didn’t even check to see if the classroom was empty. Do you have any shame?”

“This is a private conversation,” the redhead huffs.

“Not very private when you're having it out in the open and loud enough for people to hear.” I roll my eyes.

“If it’s not about schoolwork or your grade, then there’s no conversation needed. My personal life is none of anyone’s business. If you ladies try to cross that line again, I’ll have to report you to the dean.” Kai shoots them a hard look.

They both pale. “We were just joking, God, relax.” The blonde rolls her eyes. “You don’t need to get all crazy.” She grabs her friend’s arm. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

I wait until they’re out of the room and the doors are shut before I grab my bag and slip it on. “Do you get this often?” I ask as I walk towards him.

“Seeing how I’ve never really taught before, this would be a first. I’m kind of offended they didn’t put much thought into it. They really did just come right out with their intentions.”

I shoot him a glare that makes him chuckle. “You're joking with me, right?”

“Yes, Delaney, I am.” He grins.

“Oh,” I blink a few times, my cheeks heating.

“Not going to lie, seeing you get jealous and defensive over me...” He takes a few steps forward until he’s towering over me. “Has my cock harder than before.”

“I was not,” I mutter, crossing my arms. “And I’m not jealous.”

“Don’t lie to me, Sweetheart.” He cups my cheek. “I don’t like it.”

“For someone who shot those girls down, because they’re his students, you don’t seem to have that same mindset with me.”

“I don’t,” he agrees. “Because it’s different.”

“And how is it any different?”

“That's easy.” I shiver when he brushes his thumb against my cheek. The way he looks me in the eye has my belly erupting with butterflies. “They simply are not you.”

Damn it! Damn everything to hell. This man has made me into a fucking puddle of goo for him. Why do I want to lean into his touch, to do as he says just so I can hear him praise me, to hear all his pretty words?

Am I so eager for someone to love me that I’m willing to continue to throw out my pride?

When he leans down, capturing my lips with his, I don’t pull away. I melt into his body, moaning as he moves his lips, sweet and tender. I’m breathless when he pulls back, head spinning with pleasure.

“I’m gonna repeat what I said before, just so that you leave here with it fresh in your mind. I want you, Delaney, and I’ve accepted that I can’t get you out of my system. Not that I want to. So, you're simply mine. Again, I’ll give you time to adjust, to get used to the idea. But at the end of the day, we both know how this will end up.”

“And how’s that?”

He gives me a cocky smirk that makes my core weep. “With you in my bed and my ring on your finger.”

My eyes widen, and I gape at him. He can not be serious right now. This man has lost his mind.

He just chuckles, finding my reaction cute or something.

“Give me your phone,” he demands, holding out his hand.

“What? Why?” I ask, brows furrowed. He just stares at me until I pull it out of my pocket and hand it to him.

“Password?”

I go to take it back to unlock it for God knows what reason, but he pulls it back. “Password,” he repeats. Sighing in annoyance, I give him the pin. He does something on my phone before handing it back to me. Then he looks at his own phone and nods.

“What did you do?”

“Put my number in and texted myself, so I have yours.” He slips his phone into his back pocket. “Now, as much as I hate to leave, I have a meeting in ten on the other end of campus, and you have a meeting with the photography club if I’m not mistaken.”

“How do you know that?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

He smiles with a chuckle. “I know a lot about you, Sweetheart. And I may have abused my power to find out your class schedule.”

“What are you? A stalker now?” I cross my arms with a raised brow.

“For you, maybe just a little.” He leans in to kiss my cheek before walking past me and out of the room.

I stand there, stunned. What is my life right now?

Taking a moment to get myself together, I head out for my first photography club meeting.

As I’m walking through campus my phone dings. Pulling it free, I see that it’s a text message. Unlocking my screen, I see it’s from Kai.

My belly swoops as I click on it.

Kai: Miss you already, Sweetheart. You better be my good girl, don’t be getting into any trouble.

I bite my lower lip, hating how much I love when he calls me his good girl.

Me: New phone, who’s this?

Kai: Am I sensing a Brat? Don’t worry, I’ll spank that out of you in due time.

Fuck me. Why does the idea of being bent over Kai’s knee, ass bare to him as he spanks me for being naughty, make my core clench?

Me: Whatever you say, Sir.

Kai: I think I like that. Next time , I want you to say yes , sir , when I ask you to get on your knees and swallow me down.

My cheeks flush, and I look around to see if anyone is near. Clicking the lock screen on, I put my phone away and rush towards the photography club. I don’t think I can handle texting Kai right now. It’s too much, and I’m still so damn confused. I don’t even know what’s going on anymore.

***

“I’m so excited we get to be in photography club together.” Winter grins as we sit at a table, waiting for our new assignments.

From what I gathered, the majority of what this club does consists of members covering different sports teams.

I thought it would be a little bit more in-depth than that, but Winter told me I’d have to take an actual photography course if that was something I was looking for.

Thinking of Kai and how he talked about his travels and his passion for photography, maybe I’ll look into taking a course next semester. Couldn’t hurt, and I think it would be fun.

For now, this will do.

“Alright! Now for your assignments. Terry, you will be covering the lacrosse team. Erin, you have the swimming team. Robbie, you have baseball. Tiffany, yours is hockey.”

The teacher turns his head to me. “Delaney, you're to cover the football team, and Winter, yours is cheerleading.”

My stomach drops as Winter and I look at each other with dread-filled looks on our faces.

This isn’t good. How am I going to stay away from Logan when I have to see him all the time? This would mean I’d have to be at his practices and games.

And for Winter, Stacy and her friends were some of her biggest tormentors, forcing her to take their photos all the time? That’s just cruel.

“No.” I shake my head. “There has got to be something we can do.”

“Laney, wait,” Winter pleads, but I’m already on my feet and over to Mr. White's desk.

“Delaney, here is everything you're going to need.” He hands me a camera bag.

I don’t take it. “I was wondering if there’s any way Winter and I could get another assignment?”

“Why?” his brows furrow.

“It’s just... personal reasons.”

He shakes his head. “Not unless someone else here would like to switch with you.”

I turn to face the class, not giving a shit about drawing attention to myself. “Any chance two of you might be willing to switch with me and Winter?”

They all look away, none of them able to meet my eyes. Assholes.

“Here.” Mr. White raises the camera. I sigh, taking it from him and making my way back over to Winter.

“Thanks for trying.” She gives me a smile.

“If you want, I can switch with you,” I offer.

“No point.” She shrugs. “For the most part, cheerleaders and the football team are always together for practice and games.”

“At least we will be together.” I try to give her a reassuring smile that I don’t feel.

“At least there's that.” She gives me a genuine grin.

Putting the bag on the table, I open it up to find there are other things inside, too. Pulling out the papers, I see that it’s a practice schedule and a game schedule.

Shit. Tomorrow, there’s a home game.

So much for avoiding them at all costs, he’s been blowing up my phone since the day I left, and I’ve been pretending they’re not there, not being able to bring myself to delete them.

Guess I’ll be facing him sooner rather than later.

I can’t wait.