Page 14 of Pleasuring Professor Pisces
“Hi, Mr. Gates.”
“May I speak with you for a second?”
“Sure.” I turned back to Chelsea. “I’ll call you tomorrow, babe.”
“Sure, sugar. Be safe,” she whispered and kissed my cheek.
I watched as she stepped back inside the gallery and closed the door.
“May I walk you to your car?”
“Actually, I was going to grab a cup of coffee. I have a late night of grading presentations, so . . .”
I couldn’t believe that I had laid that out there like that.
He smiled that beautiful smile, and those dimples winked at me. “I’ma take that as an invitation for me to accompany you.”
“Do with it what you will.”
We walked down the sidewalk in silence as cars drove by on their way from one place to another. Thankfully, we were twenty minutes from campus. I wasn’t too worried about being spotted by anyone from school, although it could happen.
When we arrived at the coffee shop, Salem went to the counter to place our orders while I grabbed a table. There were only a handful of customers, including an elderly couple, two high school girls, and a businessman who was focused on his computer.
I felt at ease and took a seat near the rear of the coffee shop and away from the windows. It was awful that we were just having a cup of coffee, and I had to take the precautions that I was, but I had been down this road before.
“Here ya go. Got you a sticky bun too.”
“How do you know that I eat sweets, sir?” I asked sarcastically.
“Don’t even know. Just thought I might take the risk if it meant I got to see you smile.”
I couldn’t help the blush that spread over my face as it grew warm, and I grew uncomfortable under his scrutiny. When I looked back up at him, he wore a big, bright smile as if he had purposely taunted me to get a rise out of me.
“I wanted to apologize to you for being so aloof. I know these last few weeks weren’t comfortable for you in class, and that was due to my attitude. You did nothing wrong, Salem, and for that I apologize.”
He tilted his head and smirked. “Oh, I moved from Mr. Gates to Salem. I must be doing something right.”
I pointed my finger at him and narrowed my gaze. “Don’t start.”
He chuckled. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. But, nah, I can appreciate that you’re in a difficult predicament. People love talking, and they easily get the wrong impressions. That’s the last thing you would need, especially if it impacts your job.”
I nodded as my distant thoughts took over.
“So, I’m not trying to create a challenge for you, beautiful. I just wanted you to remain comfortable.”
I blew out a breath and looked into his discerning gaze. He looked concerned and thoughtful. The teasing glint was gone from his eyes, and it was replaced with a thoughtful look that made him appear more mature. Although, if I were to admit it, he always seemed more mature than the other male students in my classes.
“I had a situation a couple of years ago that has traumatized me.”
“We all have those lingering ghosts that cause us to be cautious.”
“Yes, well, I don’t know if you heard about it, but mine involved a student. Kyrie Charles was?—”
“Star quarterback, made headlines, and always brought the school good publicity, and his parents were wealthy and made generous donations.”
“Then you’ve heard.”
“Let’s just say that some of the girls felt it necessary to inform me about you.”
