Page 50 of Bachelor

I exhaled, running my hands over my face. “I gave her a tour, and it wasn’t my idea, trust me. It wasn’t a date.”

“Well, I said as much, but she spent most of the day looking for you, I’m afraid. I need to go get out of my coat and shower. I’ll see you in there.”

He walked away before I could tell him I wasn’t going to her party tonight, but then the doors to the common room opened, and a trio of students walked out. The door stayed open long enough for me to see Whitney and Jessica sitting by the fireplace, talking, and Whitney’s withdrawn expression.

I needed to make things right. I needed to apologize for my behavior today, even if she didn’t want to hear it. It was the least I could do. Then if she wanted me to leave her alone, I would.

I just didn’t know what she wanted.

I walked into the common room and went to grab a drink, having a feeling I’d need one, but I was just about to pour myself a dram of whiskey when I felt a hand slide across my middle and jumped back in surprise, nearly knocking Cassandra over in the process.

“Professor Ellis!” She beamed.

Oh, great. She was drunk. Very, very drunk.

So were a few others, but the vibe in the room wasn’t even close to being a party. If anything, students mingled in small groups, some of them a little louder and more animated than others.

But Cassandra had been partying... by herself.

The scent of tequila hit me like a freight train, and I grabbed her arm right before she swayed to the right, almost falling into the table.

“You don’t look so good, Ms. Martins.” I tried to steady her, but she took it as an opportunity to clutch my shirt and run a finger across the skin visible just above the collar.

“You don’t mean that,” she drawled. “I see the way you look at me, Rhys. I’ve been looking for you all day long. I thought we’d be able to spend some time together this weekend, and all you’ve done is hang out with her.” She frowned, pointing to the corner of the room several feet away from where Whitney was sitting. “You have a little crush, don’t you?”

“I think you have the wrong idea about more than one thing, Cassandra.”

“And I think you and I should go upstairs to my room.” She walked her fingers up my chest, leaning in close.

“I don’t think you can stand up on your own, let alone walk.”

“I’ve had a few drinks. You just need to catch up. Let me pour you one—” She swung a hand wildly, knocking over several bottles of beer sitting on the drink tables. “Oops!”

“Cassandra, that’s enough. You’re drunk.”

“So what? It’s a college party!”

“This is not a college party,” I ground out, forced to stand there with my hand wrapped around her upper arm in the event that she pitched forward and fell into the table. “You’re an administrator, and this is highly inappropriate—”

“I’ll show you inappropriate.” She tried to lean back into me, but her ankles crossed, and she fell against me. I grabbed her waist.

“I need to put you in bed,” I growled.

She giggled. “I want you to do more than that—”

“Enough, please.”

My cheeks burned as I turned around and started walking her toward the entrance of the common room. I felt bad for her. She was making a fool of herself in front of students and faculty alike.

Dan walked through the door of the common room just as I exited, the two of us nearly running into each other. He looked down at my burden with shock etched into his face.

“She’s about to black out,” I said on an exhale. Cassandra’s head bobbed on my shoulder as she muttered something incoherent. “I’m taking her upstairs to her room. Can you find a female student or professor to keep an eye on her tonight?”

“Sure...” Dan looked down at Cassandra with concern and a hint of disgust on his normally jovial face. “Is she all right? Did she take anything?”

“I have no idea, but she’s completely out of it.”

I pulled her out of the door and turned just in time to see Whitney looking right at me, her eyes wide as Cassandra reached up and laid her hand on my chest.

---