Page 37 of The Right Woman

“Okay. Just let me know when he gets there.”

Me

Get your ass to work. Now.

You want to be fired? Want me to call your PO?

The reply is almost immediate.

Eli

fuck im up im up omw

For the next week, I map out Professor Harrison’s routines. He lives a boring life, though. Nothingseemsout of the ordinary. There’re no hidden girlfriends or weird habits. But I also can’t get close enough to watch him during his office hours when his young students visit behind his solid wood door.

The following week, I have the kids, but I still make time to follow Piper’s blip religiously. She hasn’t varied her patterns, and it doesn’t seem she’s taken anyone else home.

Damn. I have it bad.

I’ve resorted to stalking her everywhere. Online. In her home. Checking on her family. All of her acquaintances. Visited the library a few times when I thought she wouldn’t see me. The low point was asking Avery if she was becoming friends with the library assistant and what she found out about her.

I have to stop this, break this off and walk away…

Or toss her over my shoulder and take her for myself, like a fucking caveman.

One of those is definitely going to happen.

Chapter

Sixteen

PIPER

Weeks passwhile I’m stuck in the mind-numbing rift of depression. It’s been a while since I’ve been that low for that long, but I think the fog is lifting. I’mnotgoing back on the meds. Nor back to therapy. If I have to discuss what happened to me one more time with a new person, I’d rather stay blitzed by the lack of serotonin. And lose my sex drive or vomit so much I can’t eat for weeks? Nah. I’ll pass.

I know I’ve made progress when I’ve showered andenjoyedit. Not just did it because I finally couldn’t stand my own stink. At least this time, I made it to work every day. Despite Shanna’s incessant criticisms of my performance,Iknew it was a feat of strength to get dressed and show up on time. Hell, I even talked to people. Essa doesn’t seem to notice anything off.

And now that I’m feeling better, it’s time to celebrate.

After the library, I head to the liquor store to restock my wine cache. While surfing the aisles for exactly what I need, a group of stacked guys with Greek letters on their hoodies push a cart filled with bottles of beer. One punches another in the fully tattooed arm and his eyes dance over my figure while the first licks his bottom lip. I didn’t think frat boys had tattoos like theyjust got out of prison, but these guys seem more like bikers than university students.

Speaking of prison… My best friend and her boyfriend broke up. Maybe this is exactly what Essa needs to try out the market. Instead of shirking from their gazes, I bat my lashes and take my time to bend over for the bottle I want on the bottom shelf.

As they pass, they all quiet, except for the one with dark hair and eyes. “Hey. You looking to party?”

I let my pink-stained lips slide into a grin and nod. “Yeah. Sure, what kind of party?”

The other frat boy tosses his arm around the front guy’s shoulder and throws out, “A classy one.” His palm waves to their cart. “We got bottled beer. And kegs coming, too, of course. It’s on Saturday, and we’d love to fill the house with beautiful women.”

“Can I bring my friend?”

One of the guys in the back steps forward. “Is she as hot as you?”

I cross my arms and stick out a hip as I stare each of them down until I can practically hearthe blood rushing to their cocks. “Hotter.”

“Yes. Most definitely. Bring whoever you want,” the first guy says. “Even the wine bottle.”

The four of them have red flags practically painted on their faces. They look like eager, dumb wolves ready to tear me apart. I shrug and give them an, “Okay, sure. Where is it?”

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