Page 44 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

"So fill me in."

"Why?"

"Because I want to help."

"Why?" Traci's voice sounded accusatory.

"Why do I want to help you?"

"Yes. I mean you barely know me."

Sean looked hurt. He moved his fingers from her cheek to her chin, holding her face as he leaned in so close she felt his minty breath. "I've spent the last several hours getting to know you. I feel very close to you right now. You are a good person, Traci, and I don't know what it is, but I know there is something going on with you and those goons that were chasing after you in the hall yesterday. I'm worried about you."

His eyes shone with a sincerity that took her breath away. Her protective wall was crumbling as he resumed his gentle stroking of her back. He waited so patiently for her that when she finally started talking, her fears came out in a panicked rush.

"I must have been crazy to agree to give the keynote speech tomorrow. When they asked me last year to present, I assumed it would be in a small breakout session with just a few other professionals there to debate the material. I never dreamed they would schedule me to speak in front of the entire assembly in tomorrow's session. I should have backed out the second I found out, but now it's too late for them to find anyone else so I'm going to have to go through with it."

Her shivers were back, and Sean scooped her back into his arms to hug her tightly. "Hey, everyone gets a bit nervous with public speaking. I'm sure you'll do great."

It would be so easy for her to let him think she just had a case of stage fright, but now that she had her guard down, the words spilled out. "I was on the debate team in high school. I'm not worried about speaking in front of a crowd."

He pulled back to peer down into her eyes again. "Then what? Are you not prepared?"

"I'm prepared."

"Are you afraid your topic is going to put them to sleep?"

Traci's snorting laugh was unladylike and Sean chuckled. He was waiting for her answer.

"I think I can pretty much guarantee no one will fall asleep."

That had his interest piqued. "I'll bite. What is your area of expertise?"

"It's a bit controversial. A few of my peers don't agree with my findings. Others just aren't mature enough to handle the debate, the topic spurs."

"You still haven't told me... wait..." Sean's eyes widened. "Are you a sex therapist?"

"Not exactly, but close. A lot of my research skirts sexual topics, yes."

Sean whistled before breaking out into a wolfish grin. "Wow, how's that for luck? The first woman I ask out on a date in eighteen years and she's a sex therapist."

Traci slapped his chest harder than she'd meant to. "I said not exactly. It's a lot more complicated than that." She was getting defensive. She was so tired of having to defend her field of expertise.

Sean got serious again quickly. "Listen, I was just kidding around. I think it's great,

Trace."

She was completely caught off-guard by his familiar use of her nickname. She wasn't sure what to say so Sean pressed her. "Are you good at your job, Traci?"

She took a deep breath before answering. "Yes. I'm a good therapist."

"Somehow I already knew that. Next question. Did you work hard on your research and putting together your presentation?"

"Of course. I've worked my ass off."

Sean grinned. "Would it be ungentlemanly of me to let you know that I'm pretty sure your ass is still part of your body? I should know. I've admired it several times tonight." He slyly let his left-hand slide down from her back and cupped her butt, squeezing gently in appreciation. Even in the dim lighting, Traci could see his grey eyes clouding with desire. Her own breathing was becoming short, and she waited, hoping again for a kiss.

It wasn't to come. "What's the worst thing that can happen tomorrow, Traci?"

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