Page 24 of Until Presley

By the time the small service ends, I feel like I’ve cried myself out. Ham and I stand next to Alan as everyone approaches, offering their condolences. Professor Blackman introduces himself to Alan and shares how much he admired Leah and her work. A memory ghosts through my mind of Leah once telling me that Professor Blackman had accused her of distracting me from my studies. That’s the only time I’d ever heard her mention him. She never had him as an instructor, so how did they know each other? I shake my head, trying to make sense of it all. Something doesn’t feel right.

Professor Blackman takes my hand and pulls me in for a hug.

I quickly raise my hand to stop him. “Sorry. I’m hugged out.” I force a smile. Ham’s hand flexes along my back, then slides to my waist, pulling me close to him again.

“You are?” Professor Blackman spits out, turning his attention to Ham.

“I’m Presley’s boyfriend.”

The professor whips his head toward me, his gaze narrowing. He’s a couple inches shorter than Ham. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.” He tips his head to the side. “Are you sure dating should be your focus right now?”

Ham’s grip tightens on my hip, and I feel the urge to push back my shoulders and stand tall.

“Thank you for attending, Professor Blackman,” I say, brushing him off, and look at the next person waiting to pay their respects.

Moments later, we stand there, everyone talking around us. I hear Ham telling Hanna and Walker we’ll come by. I don’t want to, but I don’t want to be alone right now either. A chill works its way up my spine, and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I glance around, and that’s when I catch Professor Blackman staring me down. I quickly turn away, unsure of what’s going on. He’s always been around when I’m on campus, and he did show up to my master’s graduation. But this is the first time I’ve actually questioned why he’s always there.

“Hey, sprite, did you hear me?” Ham says as he squeezes me.

“I’m sorry. No, I didn’t.” I look up at him.

Ham

Looking across the small group that’s starting to disperse, I spot the professor who was rude to Presley. As I watch him, something shifts in his expression. I realize he doesn’t just care for Presley as a student—he’s jealous of me.

When Presley doesn’t hear me ask her about him, I repeat myself. She looks up at me, and I see the pain in her eyes. They’re red-rimmed from crying and look as if a storm is brewing across the ocean. I lean down and gently kiss her lips.

“I got you, babe. Come on.” I lead her away toward my Jeep, where I kiss her deeply, making sure that asshole knows who Presley belongs to. Her cheeks are flushed when I pull away, and I press my lips to her forehead. I love kissing her. I love touching her. I need to talk her into staying with me tonight.

“Ms. Blanchard,” a voice says, and we both turn as I help Presley into the Jeep.

“Yes?” she responds.

He flashes his badge and then points to the guy standing beside him.

“I’m Special Agent Harkness with the FBI, and this is Special Agent Brownley. We have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind?”

“Um…” Presley looks at me, and I prepare to help her down.

“We can wait until later or tomorrow if you’d like,” Agent Brownley offers. “We know you’ve already spoken with the police, but we believe this case might be connected to another investigation we’re working on.”

“How about you come to our place tomorrow?” I give them my address and close the door, ignoring Presley’s gasp.

When I climb into my seat, she turns to me.

“Wedon’t live together.” Her hand waves back and forth between us.

I can’t hide my smile as I back out and head for Walker’s place. He lives in town, near our warehouse.

“Baby, I know we don’t.” I turn to look at her when we stop at a light. “Yet. But we will soon enough, if I have anything to say about it, and it’s better than them coming to your place. Furthermore”—I turn my attention back to the road—“you’re staying with me tonight so I can keep your mind off today.” I smirk and glance at her. A blush fills her cheeks. I love the soft color she turns when I talk sexy to her.

We pull up to Walker and Hanna’s place, and I walk around to help Presley out. She slips her jacket off and lays it across the seat before we walk to the door. I place my hand against her lower back, and I can’t wait to get her home.

Hanna’s mom opens the door and immediately pulls me in for a hug before turning toward Presley.

“Hello, I’m Liz, Hanna’s mom.” She points to her husband, who is hovering close behind her. “This is Trevor, her dad. He looks meaner than he is.”

Just like she did with my mom, Presley holds out her hand to shake, but Liz pulls her in for a hug.

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