Page 192 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"I haven't really seen him since the hospital. He's a big boy though. He'll be fine."
I looked down at my lap.
"Hey," she said. "You have to make the choice that's right for you. So if dating your recently divorced, brooding professor is what you want, then own it."
"You're always right about everything. Except your advice about getting under someone else."
"It worked out in the end, didn't it?"
"Yeah, it did." I smiled to myself.
***
After having dinner with Melissa and catching up some more I finally got a text from Professor Hunter: "I'm outside."
"I've gotta go," I said to Melissa and slid off my bed.
"Penny. It won't be that bad. Whatever it is, you probably already know it."
I smiled at her. "See you later." I closed the door behind me. It felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. He was divorced. I should be happy right now, not nervous. I opened up the door to my dorm and saw his black Audi.
He stepped out of it and walked around to the passenger side door. Instead of opening it, he pulled me in close.
"Someone will see..."
He placed his lips on mine, silencing me. He kissed me hard and I kissed him back. It was like he hadn't kissed me in weeks, not hours. When he pulled away I was breathless. I knew my face was flushed.
"You look so beautiful."
"You look so handsome," I said. He was wearing jeans and a dress shirt. The top few buttons on his shirt were undone.
He opened up my door for me. When I got in he immediately closed it and walked around to his side. He got in and buckled his seatbelt. But he didn't put the car into drive.
"Are we going to your place?" I asked.
"It's too stifling."
"Maybe we can go for a walk?"
"We can't. Not here."
"You just kissed me outside of my dorm. It's dark. It's fine."
"Okay." He pulled the car into a parking spot and got out. I got out before he had a chance to open up my door for me. He eyed me curiously.
"I'm not used to dating a gentleman."
"I know." He smiled at me. He grabbed my hand and together we walked toward the green. The area between the dorms was filled with a manicured lawn, walkways, and benches. He held my hand as we walked on one of the brick paths. It was chilly and there were only a few other people out. Our feet crunched on the fallen leaves. When we reached a bench that seemed particularly shadowed, he gestured for me to sit down. He looked down at me for a second and then sat down next to me.
"I need to know exactly what she said to you this morning."
"She already knew about me."
"I didn't..."
"I know. She made it clear that you didn't do much talking last time you saw her." I shrugged.
He sighed. "I'm so, so sorry."
