Page 101 of Betting on the Bad Boy
It had to be Murph.
I’d just confront him, find out what he wanted, and ask him to stop. It had to be that easy. Maybe I could grade some papers for him or prep his next month’s lesson plans. Whatever he wanted, I’d figure out a way to fix this. The alternative wasn’t an option.
Just as I was about to give up on him making an appearance and make the mad dash to teach my next class, the doorknob turned. A shock of red hair appeared in the crack of the doorway, followed by the rest of him.
I squirmed in my chair as Murph entered the office, a giant smirk on his face. “Well, hi there, Faith. Or should I say Ms. Austen?”
I gritted my teeth and blew a blast of air through my nose. “Spill it. How did you get your hands on my stuff?”
He moved around my desk and plopped down in his chair, putting his feet up on his desk and leaning back with his hands behind his head. “It was actually quite easy with us sharing an office and all. You really should password protect your computer.”
“I did password protect my computer.”
He scoffed. “Yeah, but then don’t write your password down and keep it on a sticky note in your top desk drawer.”
I wanted to launch myself across the desk and strangle him, especially since he made a good point about my substandard method of securing my computer. But still, that didn’t give him any right to go snooping around in my stuff. Best to get right to the point.
“How long have you known?”
“I suspected. That day you left your computer here while you went to class? I did a little digging and came across the first manuscript.”
Hot pinpricks danced across my cheeks. “Go on.”
“But that day Dante stopped by with your lingerie…” He paused and let his feet drop to the floor. “When you stormed out and Dante followed you, I hit the fucking jackpot. I figured I’d be a nice guy and turn in your application. Imagine my surprise when I walked over to your desk to grab it and saw page after page of porn about you and Dante written on your screen.”
“That was private. You had no right to look?—”
“And Dante had no right to pursue you.” Murph leaned over his desk toward me. “I knew you were both lying. There had to be something going on between you. Did you think I was too stupid to figure it out?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why leave me the pages? What do you want?”
“You cut right to the chase, huh?”
“I just want to get this over with.”
He examined his nails. “I did have a little proposition in mind.”
“Like what?”
His giant mouth leered at me, his glowing white teeth on full display. “Like turn down the offer of taking over Middleford’s classes, and I give you back the flash drive holding all of your manuscripts and promise not to say another word.”
“The classes? You’ve been putting me through hell over taking over Middleford’s classes?”
“That stupid job is my ticket to reducing my student loans. Not to mention edging you out of the tenure track.” Murph crossed his legs and examined his thumbnail. “As of right now, you’re their top choice.”
“And if I don’t?”
Murph grinned. “I leak it to the paper. I’m sure everyone on campus would love to know they’re rubbing elbows with a bestselling erotic author, especially the President of the University. And what about all the moms and dads who are paying for their kids to get a Christian education? The Dante and Faith stuff is scorching hot. Oh, and I still have your mom’s email address. It was so nice of her to give me a card.” He sneered, waiting for me to respond.
“You’re an asshole.”
Murph shrugged. “It’s up to you. Tell you what, since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll let you think about it overnight. You can even drop by if you want. Say my place, tomorrow night, nine o’clock? You know how much I love that red lingerie.”
“Like that would ever happen.”
Murph shrugged his shoulders. “Fine. Stop by, email, call, text. You’ve got a lot at stake here. Your job, the reputation of your dear, loving mom and stepdad.” He lowered his voice,“Plus, you don’t want to be the one to break Dante’s heart, do you?”
My heart surged in my chest. What would Dante think when he found out? It looked like he’d moved on, but still, I didn’t want him to think I’d just used him. Sure, it had started off that way. But now? How exactly did I feel about him now?
