6

Chapter 6

Samirah’s POV

"So, what's it going to be, Professor?" Vickerry leaned down, his eyes locked onto mine as he closed the remaining distance between us. The scent of his Alpha pheromones swirled around the cramped kitchen. "Are we going to keep fighting this, or are you going to let me take you out on a date?"

I stared at him with disbelief, my heart hammering against my ribs, though not for the reason he thought. I forced a cold, mocking laugh to bubble up from my throat, hiding the tremble in my voice.

"A date?" I asked, tilting my chin up to look him dead in the eyes. "You went through all this trouble—intercepting my housing application, playing dress-up as a bearded tradesman, risking detention, and facing possible disciplinary actions from the university board—just to ask me for a date?"

Vickerry’s smirk faltered slightly, his thick eyebrows knitting together. "I don't risk things, Samirah. I get what I want."

"Well, you won't be getting this," I said, my voice hardening as I took a deliberate step back. "You know it can’t be possible. Aside from the fact that you are an arrogant, uncultured bully, I am your lecturer. It is a massive breach of university protocol. I don’t cultivate romantic or sexual relationships with my students. Ever."

"Rules can be bent," he rumbled, his voice dropping into a low register that made my inner Omega wolf stubbornly prick up its ears. "Especially when my family funds the university."

"Not my rules, Mr Adams." I tucked the edge of my towel tighter across my chest, desperately wishing I wasn’t  practically naked in front of him. "Now, pack up your useless toolbox and get out of my flat before I make sure those disciplinary actions become a reality."

Vickerry didn't move. Instead, his gaze dropped to the exposed skin of my collarbone, his jaw tightening as he took a slow, deep breath, inhaling my scent.

"I know women like you, playing hard to get when in all honesty, you want to say yes to this big bad boy," he whispered, a wicked, knowing smile returning to his face. "But fine. Let's make a real wager out of it."

"We are not wagering a single bloody thing," I snapped, my voice sharp enough. I pointed a trembling but firm finger toward the front door. "I want you out of my apartment this very minute, Vickerry. Leave. Now."

Vickerry didn't even flinch. Instead, he stepped deeper into my personal space, his towering frame completely blocking the light.

"I didn't go through the absolute stress of tracking you down, blocking your lodge, and ruining my hands with a filthy U-bend just to be dismissed like a dog, Samirah," he countered, his voice dropping into a rumble. He leaned down, his massive shoulders broad enough to trap me against the kitchen counter. "You either give me a proper response right now, or I will be forced to take what I want forcefully."

Panic spiked through my chest. My inner wolf whimpered, entirely overwhelmed by the raw, menacing threat of his presence. I was trapped in a towel, and entirely vulnerable against this powerful Alpha.

I needed to do whatever I can to de-escalate the situation.

I tried to stable my breath.

"Alright! Fine!" I blurted out, my breath hitching as I pressed myself flat against the edge of the counter. "I... I will think about it. Just give me time. I'll give you my feedback in the next twenty hours."

Vickerry didn't back away. He loomed directly over me, his dark eyes searching my face before he leaned down further, his nose tracing the air just an inch from my neck. He took a deep breath, perceiving my scent.

I fidgeted beneath his gaze, my hands clutching the towel so hard my knuckles turned white. "Please," I whispered, desperately trying to keep my voice from breaking. "Please just leave. Expect your reply in twenty-four hours."

He paused, his lips almost brushing the sensitive skin beneath my ear, before he finally pulled back. The smuggish, victorious smirk returned to his face as he straightened up to his full, imposing height.

"Twenty-four hours," Vickerry said, turning away from me with a careless shrug. "That is all you’ve got, Professor. Don't keep me waiting."

Without another word, he snatched up the toolbox, threw the strap over his broad shoulder, and strolled out of the kitchen. A moment later, the thud of my front door closing echoed through the flat, leaving me alone in the sudden silence.

In that moment, I decided it was time to show him I am not to be messed with.