Chapter 12

12

Adrianna kept a wary eye on Rachel. She sat in the front row as always, back straight and pen poised over her notebook, the model of a diligent student.

Rachel was anything but. She lingered by Professor Hanks' desk, leaning in close as she asked him a question. One hand rested casually on his forearm, fingertips brushing bare skin.

Adrianna's nails dug into her palm. She forced herself to look away, heat flooding her cheeks. It shouldn't matter what Rachel did. Professor Hanks was off-limits, no matter how her traitorous heart ached for him.

"Today we'll be discussing D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover." Professor Hanks cleared his throat, gently extracting himself from Rachel's grasp. He avoided Adrianna's gaze as he headed to the front of the classroom.

Rachel sauntered to an empty desk beside Adrianna, her perfume cloying. "Wonderful choice, isn't it?" she purred. "All that delicious passion and forbidden love. I'm sure the professor finds it...inspiring."

Adrianna's mouth tightened. She kept her eyes forward, refusing to engage.

"Oh come on." Rachel's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Surely you've thought about it. What it would be like to be with him."

A hot flush crept up Adrianna's neck. Her fingers tightened around her pen.

"I know I have," Rachel continued. "All those lectures, the way he looks at us like he can see right through us...He must be incredible in bed. All that intensity and control."

"That's enough," Adrianna hissed.

Rachel blinked, all innocence. "Whatever do you mean?"

Adrianna's jaw clenched. She wanted nothing more than to wipe the smug smile off Rachel's face. But she wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

Rachel sighed. "Suit yourself. But you might as well give up now. He'll be mine before the semester's over."

She flounced to a seat on the opposite side of the room. Adrianna's nails bit into her palms, anger and frustration warring with anguish in her chest.

Rachel was wrong. Professor Hanks would never be hers.

No matter the cost, Adrianna was determined to make sure of it.

Adrianna stared at the pages of her book, Rachel's words echoing in her mind like a malicious taunt.

He'll be mine before the semester's over.

Her throat tightened. She couldn't lose him. Not to Rachel, of all people.

With a jerky motion, she shoved her book into her bag and stood. She had to talk to someone, or she was liable to do something she'd regret.

She found Tiffany in the courtyard, chatting with a group of classmates. At Adrianna's approach, Tiffany excused herself and drew Adrianna to a secluded alcove, concern etched into her brow.

"What is it? What happened?"

The words tumbled out in a rush. Rachel's flirtation, her smug confidence, her claim on Professor Hanks. By the time she finished, Adrianna was clutching Tiffany's hands, her knuckles white.

"She can't have him. I won't allow it."

She sighed. "Adrianna, you know this is dangerous territory."

"You don't understand," Adrianna whispered. "When I'm with him, it's like nothing else matters. He sees me, the real me, in a way no one else does. I can't lose that. I won't."

"Be careful," Tiffany said. "You're playing with fire."

Adrianna's lips twisted. "Then I'll just have to make sure I don't get burned."

She had already made up her mind. Rachel wanted a war? She was about to get one. Adrianna would fight for Professor Hanks, no matter the cost.

Even if it meant burning everything else to the ground.

* * *

Professor Hanks was erasing the chalkboard after his Intro to Poetry class when Rachel sidled up to his desk, hips swaying.

"Professor, I was hoping I could discuss my paper with you. I have some concerns about my grade."

He kept his eyes on the board, his jaw tightening. "Your grade was more than fair, Ms. Simmons. If you have further questions, you can schedule an appointment with me during my office hours."

Rachel pouted, leaning forward to give him an eyeful of her cleavage. "Are you sure? I was hoping for some...private tutoring."

Mickey froze, his grip on the eraser turning his knuckles white. He thought of Adrianna. Of her brilliance, her passion, the light in her eyes when they discussed poetry. Of the way his heart raced when she walked into a room.

He took a deep breath and turned to Rachel, meeting her gaze steadily. "I'm afraid that would be entirely inappropriate. Please keep our discussions professional, Ms. Simmons."

Rachel's eyes narrowed, her pout twisting into a scowl. But she plastered a smile on her face as she straightened. "Of course, Professor. My mistake."

She sashayed out of the room, and Mickey sagged against the desk, running a hand through his hair. He didn't know how much longer he could resist temptation, for Adrianna's sake.

But how was he supposed to stay away when she was the only thing he wanted?

He was in too deep, and there seemed no way out that didn't end in heartbreak. The only question was whose heart would break first.