Page 54 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"So you had a hidden agenda on Friday night when you came over? I hadnoidea."
"I mean, I did want to help you get better. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for a kiss." He laughed.
"Okay, Tyler. Friends for real?" I stuck out my hand for him to shake.
"Friends don't shake hands, weirdo." He high fived me instead.
Professor Hunter walked into the room and locked eyes with me. And then he looked down at the rose on my desk and his expression darkened. He ran his hand through his hair as he put his satchel on his chair. I could tell he was mad.Crap.
"Speeches start next Monday. And this time we'll go backwards in the alphabet. So last names beginning with Z through N will go on Monday and M through A will go on Wednesday."
Is he punishing me?Now I'd have to be one of the first people to present.
"I don't want nerves to be as big of a factor for this speech. It's important to feel comfortable in this room. So let's all share something a little more intimate today." He paused. "Oh, I have an idea. I had an amazing date this weekend."
A few girls in the classroom sighed but I ignored them. I was dying to see what Professor Hunter had to say.
"Romance, dinner. The whole package. So how about everyone shares what their ideal first date would be. And let's switch things up today and start at the end of the alphabet so we get a feel for how next week's speeches are going to go. Adam Zabek, start us off."
I tuned Adam out and tried to think quickly of what I was going to say. Did Professor Hunter want me to talk about our date too?
"Penny Taylor."
I stood up and said the first thing that came to my mind. "I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. And the feel of the ocean and the taste of champagne."
Most of the class laughed.Thank you, Rupert Holmes.
Professor Hunter smiled and leaned back in his seat. "Tyler Stevens?"
Tyler stood up. "Hmmm. My ideal first date is probably making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape."
I couldn't resist laughing. Professor Hunter's smile immediately disappeared.Damn it, Tyler!
Professor Hunter cleared his throat. "Okay. Let's move past the song lyrics."
I smiled at Tyler and he stuck his tongue out at me. After everyone was done describing their ideal dates, Professor Hunter started talking about enunciation. But when he turned to write enunciation on the board, I stopped paying attention. Instead, I was looking at how his khakis hugged his ass. And how he bit his lip when he was concentrating. When class was finally dismissed, I said goodbye to Tyler and waited for the class to empty out.
Not knowing what to do about the rose, I grabbed it and held it down by my side.Please don't be mad.
"I see that you are continuing your relationship with Mr. Stevens, despite my request," he said as soon as I was close to his desk.
"I'm not."
He eyed the rose in my hand.
"It's just a friendship rose."
He rested back on the side of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. "Penny, there is no such thing as a friendship rose."
"But we really are just friends."
He gave me a challenging look. "I'll be picking you up at 1."
I hadn't expected him to change the subject. I was busy thinking of examples of how Tyler and I were just close friends. "Wait, what?"
"I'm taking you on your ideal date."
"But, I can't. I have a class at 2."
