Page 25 of Drown Like Heaven
“Of course. Very useful.”
Shoving his bag across the counter, I caught his eye. His gaze drifted down to my neck, catching on the hickeys from Mason that were still faintly visible on my pale skin. I brushed my hair over my shoulder, an unwelcome blush staining my cheeks. A muscle flinched in his jaw.
My stomach flipped, filthy images swarming my head.Hismouth on my neck,hislips pressing against my sensitive skin, biting dark marks into me, panting near my ear, strong body flush with mine andmoving—
Stop. I sucked in a sharp breath.
Dr. Killshaw gave another short nod as he turned to leave, not commenting on the bruises along my throat or the way I was breathing harder now.
“I’ll see you in lab, Masters.”
I waved awkwardly.
The second he was gone I spun around and slumped down to the ground behind the counter, kicking my feet out in front of me on the tile. I dragged my hands over my heated face, embarrassed. Why did I act like that? I didn’t need to say any of the things I’d said. I wished I could rewind time sixty seconds and fix everything that’d just happened. It was painful.
At least I didn’t have bruises on my face from Mason’s hand.
Why did my professor have to be so unnaturally attractive, though? That was the real question.
I heard the door open and my heart lurched up into my throat, humiliation making me stay seated. Maybe he’d just assume I’d gone into the back or something. I heard footsteps approaching the counter; I wanted to melt into the floor and never be seen again.
“Dakota?”
I let out a huge sigh of relief at the sound of Eric’s voice, my body noticeably releasing tension.
“Christ, Eric,” I grumbled. “You scared me.”
“Now, how the hell did I scare you?Youscaredme! Thought something happened to you—like a medical emergency or some shit.”
“I’m not sure if you saw the guy who left right before you came in,” I started to explain, getting to my feet and brushing off the seat of my jeans.
“Oh, yeah. I saw him. Tall fucker.”
I just sighed. “Yeah. Well he’s one of my professors this semester and I just made a huge ass of myself when talking to him.”
“Ah, that’s normal. I wouldn’t worry about it, butterfly.” He gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“I’m worried,” I deadpanned.
“You want to take your break now?” Eric asked, nodding to the register I was working, indicating he could take over for me if my humiliation was too much to bear.
“Nah.” I shook my head. “I’m okay. Just a moron. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t nearly as bad as you think it was.”
Sure. Right. Because me fantasizing about Dr. Killshaw bending me over this countertop wasn’t bad. At least I hadn’t let any of those thoughts slip. I would’ve had to drop the class for sure.
Eric eventually left me alone, grabbing a prepackaged cinnamon roll from the display and holding a finger to his lips as he took it with him.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket, navigating to my text chain with my best friend.
Me :My professor just came into the gas station and I acted like I’d never interacted with a man in my life. So bad
Almost immediately, she was typing. A tiny smile pulled at the corner of my mouth and I flicked my gaze out the window to the empty parking lot before dragging my stool over and sittingdown, phone gripped in my hands like a life raft. Talking with Mila tended to make me feel better about my idiocy.
Mila :One, I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you’re saying. Two, at least now you’re memorable
Me :I’m not sure that’s helpful
