All Chapters of HOT PROFESSOR NEXT DOOR: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ARIANA'S POVA pair of warm brown eyes met mine.Number Eleven.Wait… number Eleven?Standing this close to him, I realized I'd underestimated just how tall he was. I had to crane my neck to meet his eyes.Though, he wasn't as tall as Prof…Shut up!A light sheen of sweat still clung to his forehead from the game, and the Ashford jersey stretched comfortably across his shoulders. Despite having just walked off the court, he didn't look the least bit exhausted.Instead, he was smiling."You okay?" he asked softly. His voice snapped me back to reality.Realizing I was still halfway in his arms, I quickly stepped back, nearly stumbling over my own feet again. "I… I'm fine."He raised an amused eyebrow. "Doesn't look like it."I let out a small breath, embarrassed by how clumsy I'd just looked. "I wasn't paying attention.""I noticed." There wasn't a hint of mockery in his tone, yet somehow it only made me more embarrassed."I... sorry.""What are you apologizing for?" he asked with a sma

ARIANA'S POVShe kept walking.My chest tightened as panic surged through me. I quickened my pace until I finally caught up with her, reaching out and grabbing her wrist.She stopped.For one hopeful second, I thought she was finally going to listen.Instead, she pulled her hand out of mine quickly."Maya..." My voice cracked as I stepped in front of her before she could walk away again. "It's not what you think."She looked at me. Then her eyes drifted over my face before flicking toward the basketball arena behind me.A quiet, bitter laugh escaped her. "What am I supposed to think, Ariana?"My mouth opened, but nothing came out. "I..." My voice trembled. "I just wanted to talk to Scott. I just wanted answers.”Maya stared at me like I had just spoken a language she no longer understood."Answers?" she repeated, disbelief written all over her face. "Did you just say answers?" Her voice rose, frustration spilling through every syllable. "After every fucking thing that happened, after

THIAGO'S POVHelp me.The words refused to leave my head.She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes, her fingers still clutching the front of my shirt like I was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.For several seconds, I couldn't speak.I simply looked at her, watching the tears streaking down her face. My chest tightened.I hadn't followed her into the hallway. When I left the arena early, I had only wanted some air and to give Scott a chance to focus on the game rather than glaring at me.Instead, I found her breaking down after we collided with each other.Now she was standing in front of me, asking for something she clearly didn't understand.Or maybe she did.I closed my eyes for the briefest moment.Fuck.She had no idea what she was asking. She thought she wanted someone to help her forget Scott. She didn't realize what that would actually mean. She didn't realize what it would mean for me.I drew in a slow breath, forcing myself to think like a professor

ARIANA'S POVHeavy bass vibrated through the floor while colored lights swept across the crowded club, flashing over laughing faces and moving bodies.For the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe without thinking about Scott.Maybe this had been a good idea after all.I made my way toward the bar and climbed onto one of the stools."What can I get you?" the bartender asked.I hesitated. For a brief second, Sunday night flashed through my mind.The alcohol. My blurry vision. Professor Thiago. The embarrassment that followed.I shook the memory away. "I'll have a mojito," I said. "Easy on the alcohol.”A few minutes later, a glass was placed in front of me.I stared at it for a moment before taking a cautious sip.Good.Strong enough to take the edge off, but not enough to cloud my head. That was exactly what I needed.I stayed at the bar for a while, slowly finishing my drink as I watched people enjoy themselves.Some were dancing without a care in the world. Others sat toge

THIAGO'S POVFor a second, I simply stared at her.Ariana?Here?The shock on her face mirrored my own, but before I could say anything, I noticed something else. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag.She looked terrified.It was the same look I had seen in the hallway after the basketball game, just before she had completely broken down in my arms.My brows drew together.What happened?My gaze instinctively swept around us, trying to understand why she suddenly looked as though she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.That was when I saw them.The basketball team.My brother sat across the club surrounded by his teammates, still celebrating their championship win. The trophy rested on the table beside them while everyone laughed loudly over what they were all discussing about. My gaze lingered on Scott for a while. A girl leaned into Scott’s side, slowly rubbing his chest.I looked back at Ariana as everything clicked.She had probably come here to clear her hea