Chapter 10

10

The heavy stack of term papers in his arms did little to distract Professor Hanks from the turmoil in his mind. As he walked down the hallway of the English department, his thoughts drifted to Adrianna like wisps of smoke, clouding his better judgment.

Their forbidden romance had begun so innocently, a shared passion for Keats and Byron blossoming into stolen kisses in his office. But it had spiraled out of control, consuming them in a blaze of desire that left no room for reason. He knew it was wrong. He knew he could lose his job, his career, everything he had worked for. Yet when she looked at him with those emerald eyes, he was powerless to resist.

Hanks was jolted from his reverie by the hushed voices of two students up ahead. He paid them little mind until he overheard Adrianna's name on the girl's lips, spat out like a curse. His heart pounding, he leaned closer to listen.

"Can you believe Professor Hanks is sleeping with Adrianna Rose?" The girl's eyes glinted with malicious glee. "I heard they were making out in his office the other day. Rachel saw them."

The boy's eyes widened. "No way. He could get fired for that."

Hanks' face burned with anger and shame as he strode past the gossiping students. So their secret was out, spreading through the university like wildfire. He knew this was a disaster in the making, but he hadn't expected the fallout to come so soon. There would be questions to answer, consequences to face. But all he could think about was Adrianna. He had to warn her before she became engulfed in the flames of their forbidden love, burned beyond all recognition. The path before them was shrouded in smoke and shadows, but he would guide her through to the other side.

The boy's eyes darted up, catching sight of Professor Hanks approaching. "So, uh, did you finish the reading for English Lit?" he asked, nudging the girl.

She blinked, confused for a moment, before following his gaze. Her face paled as she realized they had been overheard. "Oh, um, not yet. I was planning to get to it this weekend."

Hanks towered over them, his usual charm replaced by a stony expression. The hushed whispers and sly glances of the other students in the hallway grated on his frayed nerves. His relationship with Adrianna was nobody's business but their own. "Is there something you'd like to share?" he asked.

The students shook their heads, refusing to meet his piercing gaze.Satisfied, Hanks swept past them and rounded the corner, yearning for the solace of his office. But there he would be confronted with memories of Adrianna, her laughter echoing off the walls, her scent lingering on his jacket draped over the back of his chair. There was no escape, it seemed. Not from his feelings for her, and not from the prying eyes of the world.

Hanks frowned at the cowering students. "Where did you hear such nonsense?"

The girl worried her bottom lip, torn between the urge to tell the truth and the desire to avoid further angering him. "We didn't mean anything by it," she said. "It was just a rumor we heard, that's all."

"And where did you hear this rumor?" Hanks pressed.

"From Rachel," the boy blurted out. "She said she saw you and Adrianna in your office the other day."

"I see." Hanks pinched the bridge of his nose, irritation simmering in his veins. Of course, it had been Rachel. That girl delighted in creating drama where there was none. She would soon find that her games came with consequences.

With a curt nod, Hanks dismissed the students. But their uneasy expressions and hastily whispered apologies followed him down the hall, a discordant symphony echoing in his mind. His relationship with Adrianna was spiraling out of control, the currents pulling them under in a swell of passion and poor judgment. If they weren't careful, the rapids would dash them against the rocks, shattering the fragile bond between them into a thousand pieces. A tragic ending to their story before it had even begun.

Hanks shook off the gloomy thoughts and straightened his shoulders. There was still time to right the ship, to steer them into calmer waters before they reached the point of no return. He would sit Adrianna down and explain that they had to end this, for both their sakes. No more secret rendezvous in his office, no more longing looks across the lecture hall. They would go back to being student and teacher, and nothing more.

It was the responsible, ethical thing to do. The only thing to do.

And yet, the prospect of pushing Adrianna away filled him with an ache more painful than any he had known. How had she slipped past his defenses so easily, capturing his heart before he even realized it was missing? Against all odds, against all reason, he had fallen deeply for this girl. His student.

With a bitter laugh, Hanks ran a hand through his hair. Fate had a cruel sense of humor. After years of holding himself aloof, guarding his independence, he had finally opened himself to love. Only to find it where he least expected it, and in the one place he could never have it. The gods were laughing at him now, he was sure of it.

By the time he reached his office, resignation and heartbreak warred within him. He knew what he had to do. But oh, how he dreaded it. How he wished for once in his life he could be selfish, throw caution to the wind and take what his heart desired.

If only it were that simple. If only he were free to love Adrianna as he longed to. But he had a duty to uphold, and a hard path to walk. No matter the cost to his own happiness.

With a heavy sigh, Hanks steeled himself for the conversation ahead. It was time to be the professor once more, and hide the man beneath.

His phone notified him of an incoming email and he stopped.

Hanks stared at the email, a sense of foreboding settling in his gut. This couldn't be good. The dean rarely summoned professors to his office, and never with such short notice.

His mind raced as he made his way across campus, a chill chasing down his spine. Did Whitaker know? Had he found out about Adrianna? Impossible. Already?

Yet doubt gnawed at him, eroding his confidence with every step. By the time he reached the dean's office, his heart was pounding as though he'd run a marathon. He drew a steadying breath and steeled his nerves before knocking on the heavy wooden door.

The dean peered up from behind a stack of papers, his eyes as sharp and penetrating as a hawk's. "Have a seat, Professor Hanks."

Hanks inclined his head and lowered himself into one of the leather chairs, unable to keep his knee from bouncing. He clasped his hands to still them, hoping his anxiety didn't show on his face.

Whitaker set aside the papers, steepling his fingers under his chin as he fixed Hanks with a grave look. "I've called you here because there have been...disturbing reports about your behavior."

A cold fist of panic squeezed Hanks' chest. So, his worst fears came true. The dean knew. How, he still couldn't fathom, but those shrewd eyes saw all, missed nothing. His secret was out, and there would be a heavy price to pay. His career, his reputation, everything he held dear, all of it hung in the balance now.

"It's come to my attention that you've been acting improperly with one of your students." Whitaker's gaze was flinty, judgmental. "Is this true?"

Hanks swallowed against the dryness in his throat. There was no point denying it now. "It's true," he said. "Adrianna Rose and I had a brief relationship before the start of this semester. I ended it as soon as I realized she was in my class."

"I see." Whitaker's mouth turned down in a frown. "Your behavior is unacceptable and puts this institution at risk. As an educator, you have a duty to maintain proper student-teacher boundaries."

Shame flooded Hanks, hot and choking. He knew Whitaker was right, knew he'd betrayed the trust of his position and his profession. But his feelings for Adrianna had been too powerful to resist, like a riptide pulling him under. "I understand," he said, shoulders slumping in defeat. "I take full responsibility for my actions."

Whitaker leaned forward, eyes hard. "This relationship must end immediately. You will avoid all unnecessary interaction with Miss Rose, keep your distance, and maintain proper decorum. Is that clear?"

Hanks swallowed the bitter taste of regret. "Perfectly clear."

"Good. I will be monitoring the situation closely." Whitaker sat back, steepling his fingers once more. "You're a good professor, Hanks, and I don't wish to see your career ended over a foolish mistake. But there will be no second chances here. One more slip, and you're out. Do you understand?"

Hanks nodded. The terms were harsh but fair. He'd been given a reprieve, a chance to make things right. He only prayed he had the strength to let Adrianna go.

Hanks stood outside Whitaker's office, heart pounding. He knew what he had to do, but the thought of facing Adrianna, of telling her they could no longer be together, made his chest ache.

He trudged down the hall, lost in his thoughts. Adrianna. She turned, a smile lighting her face at the sight of him, and his heart stumbled.

God, how was he going to do this?

She walked over to him, hips swaying, and slid her arms around his neck. "I was hoping I'd run into you," she purred, lips curving.

The familiar scent of her, the feel of her body pressed to his, shattered his resolve. He pulled her close, one hand tangling in her hair, as he claimed her mouth in a searing kiss.

Adrianna melted against him with a soft moan, igniting the fire in his blood. For a long moment he was lost, drowning in her taste and touch, forgetting everything but the woman in his arms.

Then reality came crashing back in, and he pulled away with a gasp. "No, we can't do this," he said. "Not anymore."

Adrianna stared up at him, eyes wide and confused. "What? What are you talking about?"

Hanks looked away, unable to bear the hurt in her gaze. "Whitaker knows about us. He's forbidden me from seeing you, or I'll lose my job." His hands clenched at his sides. "We have to end this, Adrianna."

"No." Her voice was sharp as a knife. "No, you can't do this, Mickey. I won't let you give up on us."

His chest ached, torn between duty and desire. "Adrianna, please understand. I have no choice."

She grabbed his arm, fury and anguish twisting her lovely features. "There's always a choice! You can't just throw me away!"

Hanks flinched at the accusation, hating himself for what he was about to do. "I'm sorry," he said. "But it's over."

Then he turned and walked away, each step breaking his heart, but knowing it was the only way. He had already gone too far. Now he had to let her go, no matter the cost.