Professor Cline Revealed (The Professor #1) by J.M. La Rocca Page B

never been used, were set elegantly on the table. I felt slightly uncomfortable at the sight. This was not my home and it all felt unnatural to me. This wasn’t the way I did things, and it was starting to put me on edge.
    I walked into the kitchen to see two domed covers on the counter. I had called Marcel, a friend of mine who was also an Italian chef, to see if he could come over and prepare a meal. I had him create two of my favorite dishes, deciding that I’d let her pick which one she’d like best. Matt, at the security desk, let him into the condo about two hours before and he’d created a veal marsala and penne alla vodka. I hoped she liked one of the two choices.
    Before grabbing the plates, I picked up the bottle of wine Marcel had paired with the food and brought it out to Emma. I walked over to see her sitting with her napkin already in her lap, looking out the window.
    “Would you like a glass of wine?”
    She smiled as I approached. “Yes, I’d love some,” she said as she turned back to look out at the view. “It’s like a different world up here,” she stated, enamored.
    “It is.”
    I picked up her wine glass and poured some of the pinot noir, then did the same with mine.
    “How long have you been in the city?” I asked her. I knew she wasn’t from New York; I could tell by her accent.
    She smiled. “A little over four years.”
    “And you’ve never seen this kind of view?” I pointed out to the skyline.
    She laughed and it lit up her face. “Yes, I’ve seen a view like this, but it’s not like I can see it every day like you can.”
    I looked out at the city and tried to see it from her point of view. If I wasn’t raised here, I’d probably appreciate it more .
    I gave her a small smile and started walking toward the kitchen. I needed to make this less about talking and more about fucking. “Are you ready to eat?”
    “Yes, I’m actually starving,” she said as she picked up her wine glass and took a sip. “Hmmm.” She licked her lips. “This is really good.”
    I grinned. “Marcel knows his wine.” I grabbed both plates and made my way back to the table. “Veal marsala or penne alla vodka?”
    She looked at both plates with a smile. “Veal marsala.”
    I set her plate down and took a seat across from her. She’d already taken her first bite by the time I was finally able to pick up my fork. And by the moan that left her lips, I could tell she was enjoying it.
    “Good?” I asked.
    She nodded with a blush and wiped at her mouth. “Sorry, I hadn’t really eaten all day.” She took a sip of her wine and watched me as I took my first bite before continuing to eat.
    We ate in comfortable silence, glancing at each other every so often. I took the time to look her over and figure out what it was about her I was so drawn to. I knew it wasn’t just her innocence, but also her assertive personality. It was never something I looked for in women, but with her… with her, it was so fucking sexy.
    Finishing her food, Emma placed her fork down and looked up to meet my gaze.
    “Can I be honest with you for a minute?” She placed her hands down in her lap and sat back in her seat.
    I frowned at her. “I want you to be honest with me at all times.” I set my own fork down and took a sip of my wine.
    She chuckled and looked down at her lap. “Of course… I just… this whole situation feels weird to me. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t regret coming here. I just feel…” she looked at me and laughed. “You’re my professor. Don’t you think things will get awkward?”
    “Things will only get awkward if you let it. We are both adults. I can separate my professional and personal life. The question is, can you?” I picked up my napkin and wiped my mouth before continuing. “I can still have you transferred to someone else if you’d like. You’d have to do it soon, but it can still be done if you wish to continue on with the night.”
    She shook her head. “No, I don’t