003: anything anything

Evangeline

His words shot like an arrow to my heart.

Words I never thought I would hear. Me? Lowest scores? That’s impossible.

I bit my lip before I could scoff out loud. I looked around, and thankfully, it was just the two of us here. Then I snapped my eyes back on him.

“I did everything the test said. Why did I get a 28?”

“Your work showed directionless talent, and a lack of fundamental knowledge. In addition, you did not follow the instructions.”

“I did.”

His left eye narrowed, irritation flashing across his features. Or maybe it was me imagining it.

Frustration started to bubble in my gut. This is all pointless, arguing with him. I didn’t come here for that.

“I need the score changed.” I blurted out. I had meant to add more bravado behind it, but something in his eyes was stripping me away of my words.

I wanted to leave. Fast.

“I can’t have a 28. It’s a dent on my perfect record. Professor, I kindly ask that you change the scores.”

He leaned his head back just a bit, his eyes lighting up. “Unfortunately, that cannot happen. The scores cannot be changed.”

“What?!”

“If that is all, I will see you next week in class.”

“You can’t!” I cried out, racing after him. “I mean…I didn’t mean to be rude, professor. But you have to do something! Anything! I can’t show that grade to my father! He’ll kill me and then he’ll take me out of Astrophysics!”

My chest heaved and I wanted to vomit. I don’t know why I’m telling him all this. But the words kept bubbling and bubbling out of my throat till they were all out. I needed him to know what was at stake for me. And he’s just being stubborn!

Professor Arthur turned around, his face polite but stern. “You’re an astrophysics major?”

“Yes,” I said breathlessly.

“Interesting.”

Eh?

That’s it?! Interesting?! Is this man for real?!

“You must believe that Art is not as important as Astrophysics, right?”

That stopped me dead in my tracks. “I don’t understand,”

“It’s all over your face, Miss Bramwell.”

“You think you can read me, professor?”

“An open book begs to be read.”

Annoyance welled in my throat. My fists balled at my sides and I slowly sucked on my teeth. Who does he even think he is?!

Fine. Since logic isn’t working, I’ll have to do this the other way.

“Professor,” I let my voice drop a few octaves as I took a bold step towards him. “I need a different grade, something along the lines of a 96. I’m willing to do anything for it.”

A guarded caution came to his eyes, and for a second, just a second, his eyes settled on my lips.

“Anything,” I added. I cocked my head to the side and smiled at him. “I’ll even call you daddy, if that’s what you’d like. I'll be really good for you, professor. It's what I'm good at.”

My heart beat out of my chest. This was stupid and very bad idea.

Anyone could walk in and see me behaving like a mad woman. If a video got out....yes. I should start looking into coffins.

But between this and facing my father’s wrath…let’s just say my face still hurts from yesterday.

Professor Arthur hadn’t said a word. His intense eyes bored into mine. He was too calm, like the surface of a sea before a storm.

Apprehension wormed into my veins.

This silence…I didn’t like it. It felt like he was analysing me. Calculating something I couldn't see.

Then, a subtle tilt of his head. An unknown emotion in his eyes. “Anything?” He asked.

Hope bloomed in my chest. I never imagined I’d ever have to sleep with a professor for a grade.

However, I will do anything, anything at all, to continue studying my chosen major.

Not to mention... Jeremy is gone. He left me. I didn't imagine I'd give my virginity to my professor but...I'm sure I'll be fine. I can handle it.

Anything for my dreams. Anything not to inherit Bramwell corp and be forced to drab, lifeless office meetings for the rest of my life.

I took another step closer to him. His scent coiled around me, dark and seductive, with a hint of something sweet. He was so tall I had to crane my neck up and meet his eyes.

Anyone could walk in.

Evangeline, step back now! Apologize! Find out another way to get that grade up.

My body was burning. And to my utter horror, there was a slickness between my thighs. That has never happened to me before. I don't recall a time I've ever been wet....much less just from a man's presence alone.

What....am I losing my control?

Or no. It's just sweat.

Yes. I'm sweaty that's all. It's making me hot and sticky all over. It's not....I can't even say the word "arousal". Why would I be aroused to this man?

Shameful.

His gaze traveled down my body. Past my face and lower to my chest, down to my stomach, all the way to my feet. Then slowly back up to my face. I swallowed thickly, forcing myself to smile.

He’s terrifying. He screams of elegant danger. I should not be doing this.

Then he spoke. “See me in my office, Miss Bramwell. 4:30pm. If you’re a second late, you’ve missed your chance.”

"My chance?" I echoed, like I hadn't heard his words loud and clear.

He picked up his things, and with one last unreadable look he gave me, turned to leave. "Not a second late." He said.

I watched him leave, a mixture of triumph and worry blooming in my heart. That's it? That was all it took for him to go from "scores can't be changed" To "I'll see what I can do?"

That…easy?