Professor Cline Revealed by J. M. La Rocca

nodded. “Of course,” she answered as she got up, glancing toward me before she left the room.
    I walked toward his windows and shoved my hands in my pockets as I looked out. It was an overcast, dreary day, which matched my mood perfectly.
    “How are your classes going?” he asked.
    “They’re good,” I replied as I continued to stare out the window.
    “You know, when you finally realize where you belong, you have a place here.” I laughed and shook my head. I couldn’t help it; the man was fucking insane.
    “I’d rather take a hot poker to my eyes,” I said in a low growl just as the door opened.
    Melanie walked in with an alarmed look on her face and handed an envelope to John. She turned from the desk, picked up the notepad from her seat and sat down.
    “Thank you, Melanie.” He gave her a slight smile. “I don’t think you’ve met my son yet, have you?” he asked her. She smiled and shook her head. “Melanie, this is Mason. Mason, this is Melanie Blake, one of my associates.”
    I walked to her with my eyebrows pinched. Blake? She stood and reached out a hand.
    “It’s good to meet you,” I said to her as we clasped our hand in a shake.
    “You, too,” she returned with a smile. “I hear you are a great professor.”
    I backed away from her and shoved my hands in my pockets again. “Oh?” I said curiously.
    “Yes, my sister is actually one of your students,” she proclaimed as she took her seat again.
    Well, that makes things a bit interesting.
    “Ah, yes, Emma Blake. She’s in good hands, I assure you,” I said with a smirk, knowing I’d have my hands on her later. I looked at the clock on the wall and noted the time. I needed to get going so I could head home and change before I picked up Emma. “Well, I need to be heading out,” I said as I reached out for the envelope John still had clutched in his hand.
    He gave it to me. “There are two tickets in there. Maybe try and bring a date this year,” he said in a condescending tone.
    I shoved the envelope inside my jacket and walked out. Ten minutes was long enough in his presence.
     
    ~*~
     
    I went home and changed out of my suit, dressing into something more casual. I didn’t want Emma to be on edge more than she already was. I wanted her compliant. The more at ease she was, the more liable she would be to get into my bed, and I knew by the way her body melted into mine from that kiss, she was more than willing.
    I pulled up to the Museum of Modern Art at five fifty-seven after beating a heavy flow of traffic. I rarely took my car out for that very reason.
    She was standing off to the side, leaning against the building as she tapped away on her phone. I stayed in the car and watched her. She wore the same dress she’d had on earlier. It was the kind which showed just enough cleavage and leg to make a man wonder what she was hiding underneath.
    Opening my door, I stepped out into the cool night air and looked up at the sky. Dark clouds had rolled in, dropping the temperature.
    I was already making my way to Emma when she finally glanced up from her phone and noticed me. Her eyes widened and she froze as she looked me over.
    I smirked as I stood in front of her, my gaze causing her to avert her eyes. She got embarrassed so easily, and although I found that blush sexy, all it did was deprive me from looking at her beautiful face.
    Lifting my hand, I tilted her chin up and she looked at me with heavy breaths. The connection I’d felt to her earlier was still there, and I could tell by the way she was staring at me that she felt it, too. It was probably the only reason she was standing right there on the street with me. A part of me was saying I needed to get far away from her, to find someone else, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to. She was already consuming my thoughts. I knew from the moment I saw her that I wanted her, but I couldn’t let her get under my skin.
    “Are you ready to go?” I asked, dropping my hand.
    “Yes,”