8

LUCIA

Being Jeremy’s professor was much harder than I thought it would be, and I never even thought it would be easy in the first place.

I thought I could just ignore him and move on with my life, but it turned out to be almost impossible.

It was hard to take my eyes off him. Once he was in class, I always found it difficult to concentrate, and my eyes would keep wandering to him no matter how much I resisted.

Jeremy was extremely handsome, and it didn’t just stop there. He was so sexy that at this point, it was hard to deny the fact that I was attracted to him.

I fought so badly against the attraction because I knew it was wrong. It was forbidden. I couldn’t be with him. He was my student, and I was his professor.

Unfortunately, because it was forbidden, it even made me want him more to the point where I was almost losing my mind.

Jeremy did not make things any easier. Instead of staying far away from me like I hoped he would, he did everything to get my attention, which included asking some meaningless questions in the class, which always landed him in trouble.

He always did everything to get some alone time with me and when he did, he would flirt shamelessly with me which ended up with me resisting each time, but I knew that each time, I was getting to my last straw.

Jeremy was almost irresistible, and it would only be a matter of time before I would eventually give in, and once I did, my life and career would be over.

For this reason, I grew desperate. I grew as mean and harsh as possible, but it still did little to deter Jeremy. He was just as stubborn as ever.

I walked into what was my last class for the week, and I couldn’t help but let out a loud sigh when I saw Jeremy already seated with the rest of the class.

I was half hoping that he wouldn’t show up today, but deep down, I knew that he would.

I continued teaching, avoiding Jeremy’s gaze as much as I could, but to my surprise, he didn’t cause any troubles or ask any stupid questions.

He paid attention to the class, and when it was done, he swept out of the class with the others, not even glancing back at me.

Once I was alone in the lecture hall, I couldn’t help but raise a brow, completely taken aback by Jeremy’s sudden change.

What had suddenly come over him? Usually, he would have been looking for ways to get some alone time with me, but now, he just left. Did he finally give up?

I shrugged, packing my stuff in my bag when the doors to the lecture hall finally opened, and none other than Jeremy walked in.

“Oh, dear God,” I groaned loudly, placing my hands over my temples. I should have known. Jeremy leaving just like that was too good to be true.

“What do you want?” I growled, eyes flashing with annoyance even though it killed me to push him away like this.

I didn’t have a choice. It had to be done.

“Come on, Professor Darwin. Don’t act like you are not happy to see me.” Jeremy took slow steps towards me, his beautiful blue eyes glinting with utter mischief.

My breaths grew heavy as he moved closer to him, and I almost melted into a puddle once I caught a whiff of his intoxicating cologne.

“What do you want?” I repeated once again. I tried to keep my voice steady, but it was hard as Jeremy ran his fingers delicately across my chin and jaw. So close to my lips.

I felt my knees grow weak as heat pooled in my insides. For a moment, I just wanted to throw myself at him and melt at his touch, but I managed to compose myself as I tilted my face away from his touch.

That was not enough to stop Jeremy, though. He took slow, deliberate steps towards me, his blue eyes intense on mine.

I was hypnotized and unable to look away till he got so close to me that I could feel his breath fan my face.

My heart pounded loudly against my chest as I looked up at him.

Jeremy’s eyes never left mine, and they looked from my eyes and rested on my lips for a second before going back to my eyes.

He slowly licked his lips as his Adam’s apple bobbled.

“Lucia,” He whispered, and I could hear the intense desire and longing. “You know what I want. I want you, and only you.”

My breaths grew even heavier as my heart threatened to beat out of my chest. For a moment, I was tempted to give in. I almost gave in.

All I wanted to do was lean in and press a kiss to those plump lips of his once again. To taste him again. I wanted to feel his rock-hard body against mine once again.

I could have it all at that moment, but it would cost me my career and ruin my life. I wasn’t ready to take that risk. It was not worth it.

With a heavy heart, I slowly took a step back, forcing myself to harden my expression as a scoff escaped my lips.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jeremy. I’m not yours to have. Now if you’ll excuse me. I need to take my leave.”

I picked up my bag and was about to storm out of the hall when Jeremy grabbed my wrist, holding me back.

I let out a small sigh, slowly turning to him, my eyes cold as ice. “Let go of me, Jeremy.’’

“Please, Lucia. Don’t do this. We can make this work. I know we can. You know how I feel about you, and I know you feel the same. I understand your reasons for doing this, but you don’t have to.” His eyes were pleading, and I almost wavered at the intensity in his eyes.

Since I was getting swayed by him, I knew I had to up my game. I snatched my wrist from his hands, my eyes flashing with cold rage.

“You don’t understand anything, Jeremy. Don’t act like you do. You’re just acting like a kid with a crush. Get over it.” She growled, turning around and hoping that he wouldn’t go after her.

He didn’t and despite the fact that she was grateful for it, deep down, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

I shoved the disappointment down my insides as I kept walking till I left the campus premises.

I called a cab, still in a sour mood as I instantly headed back home. Once I got home, I changed into some casual clothes, got some rest, and got some work done ahead of next week.

I spoke to Beth like I had been doing every day since she went on her honeymoon. After I had gotten all of my work done, it was getting late, and since I was not in the mood to cook, I decided to go out to eat instead.

The weather was chilly outside, and I wasted no time throwing on a coat over my clothes and grabbing my purse before making my way out of the apartment.

Once I got outside, I felt the chill wind whip against my hair and clothes, and I quickly stuck my freezing hands in my pockets.

I walked along the sidewalk, my eyes darting around the street, which was busy and bustling with people and vehicles.

It was great to be in New York again. I had spent a couple of years in Austria, and I was taking my time adjusting to the American lifestyle once again.

Things would have gone a lot smoother if I didn’t manage to insert myself in that mess with Jeremy. Thinking of him soured my mood once again, and my insides twisted as I let out a loud sigh.

I kept walking for a while and finally, I located a fast food restaurant. I took my hands out of my pockets, rubbing them together as I made my way into the building.

I was instantly greeted by warmth and the aroma of different foods and spices. My stomach grumbled with hunger, and I wasted no time locating a table.

I ordered my food, and before long, my food was served, and I began eating, savouring every bite and flavour.

I took a few sips of my drink and continued eating, enjoying my meal, the warmth of the restaurant, and the chatter from the people all around me.

Suddenly, I heard the door to the restaurant open, and I raised my head, my eyes darting towards the entrance.

They widened with horror when I saw Jeremy walking into the restaurant, surrounded by four other guys whom I assumed were his friends.

I instantly felt my heart sink at the sight.