Library

Chapter 13

13

The musty scent of old books greeted Adrianna as she walked into the office, her heart pounding in her chest. This was a bad idea.

"Ms. Rose, please have a seat." Professor Hanks's smooth baritone voice washed over her, and she swallowed hard, avoiding his piercing blue gaze.

She sat down on the edge of the leather chair, clutching her books to her chest like a shield. "Professor Hanks, I don't think it's appropriate for us to work together on the literary festival."

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "And why is that?"

Heat crept up her neck as she stared at the floor. Being alone with him made her feel vulnerable. She couldn't trust herself not to do something she'd regret.

"I'm afraid our working styles may clash," she said.

"Nonsense." He waved a hand. "We will be a formidable team. Now, when shall we meet to begin planning?"

Adrianna bit her lip, frustration warring with desire. She knew she should put her foot down, but the thought of spending hours alone with him, discussing their shared passion, was too tempting.

Maybe she could keep her feelings in check. Maybe it would be enough just to work with him, to catch glimpses of the brilliant mind behind the charming facade.

She looked up to find him watching her, a faint smile playing on his lips. Her traitorous heart skipped a beat.

No, she couldn't do this. But even as she opened her mouth to refuse, the words died on her lips. She was helpless to resist him, like a moth drawn to a flame.

"Tonight at seven?" he suggested.

Adrianna swallowed hard and nodded. She had made her choice, and now she would have to live with the consequences.

"Wonderful," he purred. "I look forward to it."

His words echoed in her mind as she left his office, filled with longing and regret in equal measure. This was going to be trouble.

A few hours later, Adrianna walked into the coffee shop, her heart pounding. She spotted Professor Hanks sitting at a table in the corner, two cups of coffee already set out. He looked up as she approached, a slow smile spreading across his face that made her knees weak.

"You're late," he said.

"I'm not late," she retorted. "You're just early."

His smile widened. "Touche."

As she sat down across from him, their eyes met and lingered. Adrianna felt a blush rising in her cheeks. She looked away hastily, fumbling for the coffee cup to hide her confusion.

Their fingers brushed as he passed her a folder of notes, and she jerked back as if scalded. Awareness crackled between them like static electricity.

"My apologies," he murmured. Adrianna risked a glance at him. He seemed perfectly composed, but there was a new tension in the set of his jaw. She realized with a start that he was just as affected by her as she was by him.

The knowledge sent a thrill of pleasure through her. She hid a secret smile behind her coffee cup. Two could play at this game.

"Shall we begin?" she asked.

He nodded, though his gaze remained heavy-lidded and intent. "By all means."

As the conversation turned to the literary festival, Adrianna found her nerves fading into the familiar rhythm of planning and discussion. But beneath the easy flow of ideas was an undercurrent of attraction she was powerless to ignore.

Every glance, every casual touch was charged with meaning. Each witty retort and clever insight revealed glimpses of the complex man beneath the polished professor facade.

By the time they finished their coffee, Adrianna was in deep trouble. She had fallen under the spell of Mickey Hanks again.

Adrianna met Tiffany after leaving the coffee shop. Her friend took one look at her and gasped.

"Oh no, what happened? You only get that look on your face when there's a man involved."

Adrianna sighed and confessed the whole sordid tale, from her undeniable attraction to Professor Hanks to their charged interactions that day.

Tiffany listened with a frown. "Adrianna, I thought we had been over this."

"I know," Adrianna said. "But I can't help myself around him."

"You have to be careful," Tiffany warned. "Keep it professional and avoid being alone together."

Adrianna nodded, though she couldn't imagine how she was going to survive several more months of longing looks and accidental touches without giving in to her desire.

"Promise me you'll be careful," Tiffany said.

"I promise," Adrianna said. But in her heart, she feared it was already too late. Her feelings for Mickey Hanks had taken on a life of their own. All she knew was that she wanted him with a hunger that stole her breath away, propriety and common sense be damned. She was in love, and nothing else mattered but being with the man who had captured her heart.

The next day, Adrianna walked into Professor Hanks' classroom with trepidation. After her conversation with Tiffany, she had resolved to keep maintaining proper student-teacher boundaries. But the moment she saw Mickey at the front of the class, looking unfairly handsome in a tailored shirt and glasses, her good intentions almost crumbled.

He glanced up and caught her gaze, a flicker of warmth lighting his eyes. Adrianna's heart stuttered as she took her usual seat.

As Mickey launched into his lecture, Adrianna tried to focus. But she was painfully aware of his melodious voice and graceful hands, remembering how those hands had caressed her body. She shivered, heat pooling low in her belly.

Mickey's gaze flickered to her, his words faltering for a split second. Adrianna bit her lip, wondering if he was thinking about their kiss too. She saw the muscles in his jaw clench as he struggled to continue, and she felt a thrill of feminine power. She could affect him as much as he affected her.

The class dragged on, the tension and longing between them building with every moment. More than once, Adrianna thought she saw Mickey's eyes darken with desire as he looked at her. She leaned forward, craving his proximity.

When the class ended, Adrianna lingered as the other students filed out. Mickey came around from behind, raking a hand through his hair.

"We can't keep doing this," he said.

"I know," Adrianna whispered. She took a step towards him, drawn by a magnetic force she was powerless to resist.

"I think it's best if we avoid being alone together from now on," he said.

Adrianna blinked back the sting of tears. She understood why this was necessary, but it still felt like rejection. Nodding, she gathered her things and left the classroom.

As Adrianna walked across the quad, her thoughts were in turmoil. She didn't know how she was going to move past her feelings for Mickey, but she had to find a way. Even if it broke her heart, she couldn't pursue a relationship. All she wanted was for the ache in her chest to fade, and for the memory of his kiss to stop haunting her.

Little did she know Mickey was grappling with the same anguish, the taste of her still lingering on his lips as he wondered if he had the strength to stay away from her. Their story was far from over.

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