“I should be hurt.” He laughed, but his eyes were blank. “But I’m not.”
“I’m sure you’re not.”
“You start tomorrow at eight.”
“What?” I frowned, wondering if I had heard correctly. “What do you mean?”
“Was I not clear? You should come to my office tomorrow at eight a.m.”
“You haven’t even interviewed me yet.”
“You were the only applicant, so you win.”
“I didn’t win anything. I told you, I don’t want the position.”
“Are you scared, little Lolita?”
“Scared of what?” I took another step back as he took a step forward. I couldn’t allow him to touch me again. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from responding if he touched me again.
“Scared because I know who you are.”
“I don’t know what you think you know.” I looked him in the eye. “And I’d never be scared of an asshole like you. I accept the position.”
“Good.” He smiled and walked back to his desk as if nothing had just happened. He picked up his briefcase and pulled out his cell phone. “What’s your phone number?”
“Why do you want my number?”
“So I can text you my address.”
“Why do I need your address?”
“Because that is where my office is.”
“What? It’s not here?”
“No.” He shook his head. “It’s in Knightsbridge.”
“Can’t I just meet you here?”
“No.”
I frowned. “But why were you in a hotel the other night—”
“What is your number, Lola?” He cut me off and handed me his phone. “Input it here, I’ll text you my address, and I’ll expect you in the morning. Don’t be late.”
“I don’t even know what to say,” I mumbled as I put my number into his phone.
“No need to say anything.” He took the phone back from me and put it in his pocket.
“What am I going to be doing for you?”
“We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”
“Oh God, you don’t expect me to be your assistant-slash-lover, do you?” I blurted out. “I’ve read books about this, you know. Man in power hires poor, innocent girl to be his assistant, but really she’s his sex toy to have sex at his whim. Just because I slept with you once doesn’t mean you can bend me over a desk at your will. Contrary to what you may think, I’m not a slut and I can’t be bought.” I took a deep breath and continued, ignoring the sudden light shining in his eyes. “You’re my professor. You can’t do this. I can get you fired. This is sexual harassment.”
“See, Lola,” he spoke quietly, “this is why you shouldn’t study literature.”
“What?” I frowned at him. That was his response to my entire diatribe?
“What kind of books are you reading?” He laughed. “I’ve never heard of any great literature with the premise of ‘easy girl becomes sex slave to powerful man.’ Put down the Harlequins and learn about real life, Lola. I neither want nor need you to do any sexual favors for me.”
“I ...” I mumbled, flabbergasted at his words. “I don’t read Harlequins.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want you to go getting any dreams in your head about this situation. I know how you girls are. You will never have a relationship with me or my brother.” His eyes flashed at me. “And while I admit you were good for a night, I’ve no need to repeat it.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, Lolita.”
And with that, he sauntered out of the room, leaving me standing there, wondering what the hell was going on.
***
His View
I was excited for the first day of class. I wanted to see her face when she realized I was going to be her professor. Would her face go red? Would she run out of the room? Maybe she’d pull me out of the classroom and argue with me. Maybe I’d push her against the wall and lift her up and press myself into her, so she could feel how much I’d missed her.
“Don’t be crazy, Xavier,” I lectured myself. I knew I was treading in murky waters. Lola was going to be my student. I was her professor. It was already pretty scandalous that we’d slept together. I’d be crazy to sleep with her again as her professor—but then, I liked crazy. I had only taken this job as a favor to the president of the university. And it was a study abroad program. I was sure that the rules weren’t as strict about professors and students dating. And it wasn’t like I was in it for the dating part anyways.