Chapter 4

Aliyah's POV

I opened my eyes to the first rays of light as they kissed my face. My body was deliciously sore, and I felt like I had lived the most exquisite dream ever. 

My lips stretched in a smile and I turned to face Professor Deville, to see for myself that last night wasn't just the outcome of a very wild alcohol-induced hallucination, but that smile died a very swift death. 

The bed was empty. The only sign that I had shared it with someone else was the scent of sandalwood that wafted from it, and the crease on the sheets, but other than that... nothing.

Tears sprang to my eyes and, like it was summoned, the headache that came with consuming high amounts of alcohol found its way into my temples, pounding like an upbeat drum.

Did he regret it? Did he wish that it had never happened? Was he also drunk? Maybe he...

The sound of a phone ringing cut through my thoughts, slicing them to silence instantly. I looked around and found my phone on the coffee table in the middle of the room. 

I don't remember taking my phone with me to the bathroom. That was... weird.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I hurried over to the phone and answered the call. "Hello?"

"You're going to be late for class. There's some clothes and shoes underneath the table. Get dressed." It was the man from last night - professor Deville, still sounding weird - and that was all he said before the call went off with a definite click.

What the hell?

I couldn't think too much on it, I really was running late. I got dressed in the pair of sweats and a tee that was arranged close to my phone on the table and raced out of the room.

I took a cab back to my dorm, and as soon as I walked into the room, my roommates all turned to me with wide eyes. 

"What are you wearing?" Leah gushed. 

"Is that a man's tee and sweats you're wearing?" Becca chimed in. "You go girl!"

Embarrassment poured over me immediately. I tried to play it cool but Kelly chose that moment to walk out of our bathroom. 

"Hell, you look totally fucked. No wonder you ditched us last night."

"God, can you girls cut it out?" I begged. "I didn't... it..."

Leah pulled me, her eyes glittering with curiosity. "Tell me everything. Who was it? How was it? Oh my God, was it your mate?"

My mouth opened, and closed, then repeated. No words were coming out. But that didn't stop them from asking more questions. 

"Was it the man from the bar? The one is the sexy bun?" Becca enquired.

Heat rose to my face as I remembered all the things that professional face had done to my body last night. 

"She's blushing. Oh my, it must have been good." Kelly sounded smug, like she was proud that her plan worked.

The bell chimed once, a warning that classes were going to start soon. That snapped me out of my reverie.

"I'll tell you girls all about it later. Right now, I need to get ready for class." Of course I couldn't tell them who exactly it was or what exactly we did, but I could at least tell them enough to keep them off my back.

A giggle slipped past my lips as I stood before the bathroom mirror, looking at the various kiss marks he had left all over my skin. Today was going to be an amazing day.

*******

My eyes were glued to Professor Deville's frame as he walked back and forth explaining themes to us, but I could barely make out anything that was being said.

His shirt was rolled up at the sleeves - the norm - and the way his muscles bunched every time he moved his hand made my mouth water. It didn't help that I now had memories of the night before to guide my fantasies.

By the time the bell went off to signal the end of his class, I knew I needed to talk to him. We needed to get this out of the way, even though he seemed very unconcerned in this moment. 

"Where are you going?" Leah asked as I started to push my way through the desks to go after him.

I shot her a look over my shoulder. "I need to ask the professor something important. I'll be right back."

Not wanting for a response, I all but sprinted out, finding him in his usual brisk stroll down the hall and away from the classroom.

I admired his back for a second too long before I remembered what I was supposed to be doing. "Professor," I called out.

He paused and turned to face me, the action much similar to the way he had turned back to me last night before...

"Ms. Marcus. Is there something I can do for you?"

A blush crept up my cheeks and I smiled shyly, pushing my hair behind my ear in an attempt to draw his attention back to the magic of the night before.

"I was just wondering if I could... uh... maybe... if I could..."

He sighed, the one that said he was getting bored and needed to get away from here. "Get it out, Marcus."

I squared my shoulder. "Can I come see you later? At your office, of course. Except you'd prefer somewhere more private?"

His brows clinched, confusion first making an appearance, and then quickly replaced by annoyance. "Excuse me?"

My bravado was fading but I forced myself to push on. "There are some things we need to talk about. Like last night for instance, and I..."

"Are you on any drugs?" The question forced my mouth to close.

I frowned back now. "No. Why would you? I mean I was drunk last night and so were you. It's not like..."

"Aliyah Marcus!" He barked, voice low but filled with warning. "I'll be very careful what I accuse my professor of if I were you."

His tone made it clear that he wasn't having any of this, and the denial broke my heart. He took my first time and now this?

I shook my head. I wasn't going to let him do this. "You and I did something last night. Be a man and own up to it."

"Having any relationship with my students that go beyond the classroom is an absolute taboo and could lead to my termination - both from my job and with my life. Why would I be stupid enough to frolic around with a student, and worse, one who cannot for the life of her keep a secret?"

Tears were running down my face now, but his mean streak wasn't fading any time soon.

He stepped closer. "Listen here, little miss. I don't know what stupid bet you've made to feel relevant, but I assure you, I'll never stoop low enough to your level just to prove that I am a man. Being with a child makes me anything but."

Out of everything he said, the only thing I could reply to was... "I'm not a child."

His gaze ran over the full length of my body. "Amen." 

And then he turned and stalked away like he hadn't just crushed my heart under the soles of his feet.

Leah ran out soon, pulling on my arm. "Come on, we have an assembly now."

I quickly swiped my tears away before she could see them, and let her drag me with her to the conference hall, finding a seat with our other roommates who happened to be there already.

“Are you okay?” Becca asked after taking one look at me.

I forced a smile for her sake and nodded. “Yep. Just tired.”

The girls shared a knowing look and giggled, but my heart weighed heavier than a ton of gold. 

The hall finally fell into a hush as the head of the academics unit stepped up on the podium, an unsmiling Professor Deville behind her, his hair in a bun this time and his clothes totally different from what he had on now.

I swallowed, my mind starting to spin. Could this be a misunderstanding? Could I have…

“Attention everyone,” Mrs. Harpy called into the microphone. “I'd like to officially inform you all that a new program has been added to your curriculum following the rising toll in crime rates here in our city.”

My mind echoes with a warning I couldn't ignore, but I forced a swallow and listened. 

“He might look familiar, but he really isn't,” she joked. “This is your new professor for combat, pack laws and authorized hunting, Professor Tyler Deville.”

His head raised and green eyes locked on mine from across the room, widening slightly in recognition. 

Holy shit!