Page 4 of Taught By the Doctor
Zoey blushed and looked down at her plate. She felt really shy all of a sudden. Evan was staring at her with such intensity. It embarrassed her, but she also felt something else. She felt beautiful and sexy.
“I wanted to take you out to celebrate you officially starting nursing school,” he said.
Zoey grinned at him, a genuine one of thanks. “I really appreciate it, Evan,” she said sincerely.
Evan returned her grin, but then his expression grew serious. “I also wanted to discuss more of what I expect from you during the school semesters.”
“Evan, later, okay?” Zoey almost begged. She started to look around again. The people closest to them weren’t really in hearing distance as long as they kept their voices down, butstill. Just the thought of someone overhearing them was extremely embarrassing.
“No one can hear us,” Evan said, as if reading her thoughts. His tone was innocent, but Zoey could see the mischievous light in his eyes. He was enjoying this. He loved to watch her squirm.
“But why can’t this wait until we get home?” she asked in dismay.
Evan’s voice was calm, but he pinned Zoey with a stern look. “I gave it some thought and decided we would have this conversation in public,” he told her. “Since I attempted to talk it out privately with you in the comfort of our home and you almost threw an impressive tantrum.”
Zoey averted her eyes when memories from the night before flooded her mind.
Evan reached across the table to tilt her chin up so she was looking at him again.
“I will be taking on more housework,” he said sternly.
Zoey grit her teeth, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Fine,” she said quietly.
Evan raised an eyebrow. “Keep the attitude up and you’ll be one sorry little girl when I get you home,” he said, raising his voice ever so slightly. He watched in satisfaction when Zoey glanced around again to make sure no one had heard his threat.
“Okay, okay! I’m sorry!” she said quickly. She swallowed hard. “Anything else?” She knew there would be but was still hopeful.
“We’ve already discussed that I’ll also be keeping track of your assignments and tests,” he said. He continued when Zoey nodded stiffly. “We haven’t talked about what will happen if you fail to turn in an assignment or don’t do well on a test.”
Zoey swallowed, but stayed quiet. She began to fiddle with the edge of the tablecloth that hung just above her lap.
“It’s no secret that I’m going to be taking your studies very seriously, Zoey,” he said, eyes darkening. “If you fail to turn in an assignment, I will be punishing you.” For her sake, he lowered his voice a bit at the threat.
Zoey nodded her understanding, her cheeks growing dark. “And the tests?” she murmured.
“Generally, you will be punished for unsatisfactory marks on tests as well,” he said, but then softened his tone slightly as he continued. “But it will depend on the circumstances. If you do fail a quiz or test, we will sit down and review how much you studied for it as well as the nature of the test and any outside forces that might have caused you to not do well. Then I will make the final judgement to decide if punishment is necessary.”
Zoey listened carefully, her eyes widening. “So, it’s possible that even if I do fail a test, you won’t punish me for it?”
Evan nodded. “Your classes are going to be difficult,” he said. “If I feel like you honestly did your best and you still failed, I will not punish you.”
That was the end of the school conversation, much to Zoey’s relief. She poked at her food for several minutes, lost in thought.
Evan’s eyes didn’t leave her face as he took a sip of Coke. “Zoey, you’ve stopped eating,” he said, his voice laced with concern. “Is your food not good?”
Zoey shook her head. “It’s really good, Evan,” she said in a reassuring tone. A few minutes ago, she had been eating pretty ravenously, but the sudden butterflies in her stomach were making her a bit nauseous. “I just lost my appetite all of a sudden.”
Evan reached over the table and placed the back of his hand on her forehead before stroking her cheek, making Zoey’s eyes flutter shut. “Are you not feeling well?” he asked.
Zoey smiled at him, not wanting him to worry. “I’m fine,” she said.
Evan’s face turned stern then. “Then you need to keep eating, young lady,” he said.
Zoey looked down at her food and grimaced. “Can’t we take it home?”
Evan shook his head. “No, pretty girl,” he said. “You’ve only had a few bites. You were starving when we got here, so you will finish at least half before we leave.”
Zoey stared at him, studying his expression for any signs that she could possibly sway him. The hard creases in his forehead and set in his jaw made her decide the chances of swaying him were very slim. She lifted her fork and ate slowly.
