Page 84 of Wicked Ends
“Yes, perfectly fine. I’d advise you to watch your stick, you can do real damage with that thing.”
Marcus nodded, his face the picture of innocence. “Yes, I forget that not everyone can handle a stick this size… Apologies.”
Wade narrowed his eyes, clearly picking up on the teasing in Marcus’ tone, but not able to retort since he technically hadn’t said anything rude.
“Well, you do that. Come on, Anna, I need to get you to class.”
“If it works for you, Professor, I’ll walk you… since I’m going that way. I have class now, as you remember,” Marcus said smoothly, somehow managing to take my files from Wade before he could protest.
“I… well, I was going to?—”
“The English department is all the way on the other side of campus; if I were you, I’d hurry. You wouldn’t want to disappoint the ladies of Intro to Hardy by being late. I hear your recitation ofThe Mayor of Casterbridgeis a real panty-dropper.”
“Mr. Bailey!” I exclaimed.
“Sorry, I meant showstopper,” Marcus said and patted Wade heavily on the shoulder. “Now off you go, sir, and don’t worry about Professor Moore. I’ll take care of her. Rest assured, she’s in good hands.”
With that slight grip, he somehow managed to manoeuvre Wade’s shoulder into spinning, sending him walking in the other direction. He turned back, but Marcus had already started walking down the hall, carrying my files.
“You coming?”
I hurried to catch up with him.
“You’re going to get us in trouble,” I muttered as soon as we were out of everyone’s earshot.
“Did you enjoy the apple?” Marcus asked.
“Case in point… you can’t be doing things like that,” I told him.
He raised an eyebrow. “But you can let the number one HHU professor player walk you to class, when he works in the other direction?”
“He was being helpful.”
“Bullshit, he wants to fuck you, and the sooner it’s made clear that that’s not happening, the better.”
“And what did that cheerleader at lunch want, besides to sit nearly in your lap?” I heard myself say before I could help it.
Marcus grinned like I’d made his day. “I’d never let her touch me, beautiful. And to be clear, I let her sit, because I was already getting up. It doesn’t matter what she wants, only what I want. And I want you, in case that’s still unclear.”
“Well, likewise. I mean, I don’t want Wade, so you have nothing to be worried about.”
Marcus considered my words and tutted. “You don’t want to make me jealous, Ari… I confess, I’ve never felt that particular emotion before, but I guarantee… you won’t like it.”
“Don’t threaten me.”
“I’m not threatening you, baby, I’m threatening any fucker who dares trespass on what is mine. Given how compassionate you are, you should really invest in a chastity belt until the semester is over, or wear a ring on your finger and tell people you’re married, to prevent any of your coworkers from having any untimely accidents.”
“You’re meant to be staying away,” I reminded him.
“I have class now, Professor, unless you want me to skip?”
I flushed. “No, of course not.”
Marcus nodded and waited while I unlocked my classroom door. He came in behind me, and I was extra aware of how quiet it was and how close Marcus was at my back. I went down the stairs to my desk and pointed to a small side table.
“You can leave those there,” I said, pointedly moving myself so the desk was between us.
He set down the files and turned, folding his thick, muscular arms over his chest and eyeing my defensive position with amusement.
