“What can I do for you today, Mr. Dunkle?”
He winced. Yeah, she was pissed. And she had every right to be. “Ella, I’m so sorry.”
She studied him coldly. “This isn’t the time nor the place. My classroom is reserved for academic questions. Is there a question you want to ask me, Mr. Dunkle?”
He jerked back, reminding himself she was right. He didn’t want to get her in trouble. “No, Professor. I’m sorry to interrupt.”
He walked out and did the only thing possible.
Waited until she was done.
He tracked her to her car and appeared in front of her. “Ella?”
She jumped, her hand at her throat. “You scared me! Why are you stalking me?” She looked around nervously. “We’re still on campus. You may not care, but I don’t want to put my son or my job at risk.”
“I understand. Open the car.”
She glared, but finally pressed the button. They got in the car, and he turned toward her. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.
“Another apology? You seem to be good at them. Unfortunately, I’m unsure of what you’re apologizing for. Leaving me in the middle of the night? Staying away for three days? Avoiding Luke? Or having sex with me?”
He winced and pushed his fingers through his hair in frustration. “None of it. All of it. I screwed up bad. I panicked because I didn’t know where this would leave us. You and Luke mean the world to me and I couldn’t keep my hands off you the other night. You deserve to hate me. I hate myself.”
His honesty must have hit the right chords because she let out a deep breath and met his gaze. “Look, I was confused, too, but I don’t regret it.” Vulnerability gleamed in her eyes. “Do you?”
“No.”
She nodded. She seemed to struggle with her emotions. He waited for her to share her confusion and admit her feelings for him. Instead, she gave him a tight smile.
“Good. I don’t want us to act weird or avoid each other. It was an amazing night, and we’ll just move on. Deal?”
His gut lurched. Why did she seem so eager to forget how amazing they were together? She didn’t even seem interested in talking about their relationship. The sex had been the best he ever experienced. The level of heat and hunger she exhibited and released in him was almost primitive. He’d never felt such a deep connection. But she was smiling like he was a stranger and she was trying to be polite.
Irritation tingled his nerve endings. “Yeah. Fine. Deal. How about I come over and see Luke tonight?”
“He actually has a sleepover tonight.”
“On a school night?”
“Yes, I gave him special permission. He’s working on a science project with his two friends and the mother called to see if they could stay. I like these two boys, and I’ve met with Cathy for coffee. I figured it was good for him, and he promised he’d FaceTime with me.”
“That’s great.” He paused, his heart pounding ridiculously in his chest. “Maybe you want to go out to eat tonight? Talk a bit more?”
Her gaze dropped from his and she stuck the key in her ignition. “Thanks, but I can’t.”
“Why?”
She dragged in a breath. “I have a date tonight.”
His head was suddenly taken over by a swarm of angry bees. “With the same guy?”
“No, a new guy. Kennedy felt this new man would be a great match, and we both ended up free this evening.”
“Oh.” She’d been crying his name as he thrust inside her and now she was going to dinner with another man. This was what he wanted, right? He’d been afraid she’d get too serious on him and ruin their friendship. Things were back on the right track.
Cliché.
“Great. Hope you have a good time.” He reached for the door handle.
“Connor?”
“What?”
Her voice was whisper soft. “This is what you want, right? For us to move on with other people?”
Tension drew his body taut. His heart did a strange flip-flop, screaming for him to change the rules. Tell her he didn’t want her to date anyone else. Admit he was scared but wanted to see where this could go.
“Yes. I think it’s good for both of us.”
She paused. “Okay.”
“Have a good time tonight.”
He left the car without another word, wondering why the hell he was so pissed off.
And what he could do about it.
* * * *
That night, he watched from behind his curtains as she left on her date. Tonight, she wore silky black pants that clung to her magnificent ass, spiked heels, and a lacey black top that looked like it wasn’t enough material to go out in public with.