Chapter 12: I Spy
2019words
That was why she was not at the diner last night. She was whoring herself. The new professor was her latest jock.
Typical of a COED slut. He had met and sampled a lot before but the sex was too tamed for his tastes. And they were too eager to please.
While this one...He could train her to be perfectly docile. Cater to his every perverted need. Make her scream in pain while he violated her body and soul. He could break her.
She was to be his slave and she should know her place. He had promised his leader they could have her. That he would be the one to introduce her to his world.
Until he grew tired of the bitch. Then the vultures could have her.
No matter what, he would do anything to get his target. Had never failed to deliver the goods before. Luck was always on his side.
It was time to learn more about her.
He watched the professor get out of his sports car and open the passenger side, assisting his student from it. They exchanged a few words and the girl kissed the professor's cheek affectionately.
Fucking slut!
I'd make sure to flog you until you beg me to stop. His hands clenched at his sides, staring at the couple's interaction.
He had to be careful, he knew the man Sinclair Yuan was with and he had to make sure he was not caught. Viscount Redington was not a man to be crossed. If his student was a one-night stand, she wouldn't mean much to the new lord. It was so common in their world, that he was not so surprised anymore. However, caution was rearing inside his head.
Muscled blondie had to know what was what before he acted.
He would find out today.
_________________
Sinclair
How long could this last?
Two, or three months? Four?
As long as he wants me.
Sinclair had come to terms. When they parted, she would only bring the best moments of him. Memories to last her a lifetime.
Last night and early this morning had been an example. A willing pupil, she had let him guide her. To please him gave her satisfaction, too. He had done so with her several times, it was only fair she reciprocated.
She had enjoyed it immensely. Her first taste of him was addicting. In the early hours of the morning, she had become a wanton.
Damn! Not the most convenient time to remember. She was on her way to her first subject of the day and she knew her face was flaming from the memories of their activities. In his bed. In his ensuite bath.
"Hi," startled, her brown eyes darted up. Oh. Didn't notice him. What's his name?
"Paul." He said, grinning widely, waving. "Hello, cutie."
"Um, hi." She answered then her steps lengthened, trying to put distance from him.
"You didn't remember my name. I'm crushed." His hand went to his chest like he was hurting, charming smile in place, dimple winking, trying to coax a reaction from her.
"I'm sorry. I was preoccupied." She stated blandly. That was the truth.
How to get rid of this frat boy?
"I can tell." He said dryly. "There's a cafeteria nearby, care to join me later after class?"
Shit! "I can't. I work at the library after Trigo." Glad she had an excuse, she continued to ignore him while he walked by her side.
"We have Trigo together, remember?"
As if she'd forget. "Yes. I know."
"Let's sit together. Come on." He reached to grab her hand, alarmed, she stepped back. An instinctive reaction brought by her past. Only Nicholas had breached her fears. She was unsure all of a sudden. His cheerful smile faltered. "I'm sorry. I should have asked you first." He actually blushed, looking contrite.
His sincere apology surprised her, caught her off guard. Stopping, she examined him for real and tried to gauge his sincerity. Was she being too harsh to judge him? Maybe he really wanted to be friends. "I...it's okay. But I am not comfortable with you touching me."
"Sure. It's my fault anyway." He shrugged, smiling once more. "Come on. Hurry up or we'll be late."
Taking a deep breath, Sinclair nodded, following Paul. This time she lowered her defenses a bit and gave him a tentative smile in return.
But she was still getting weird vibes from the guy.
***
The smell of books had always relaxed her. Of the three jobs, she had maintained to keep, manning the library was her favorite. Plus, the benefits.
Free to indulge her senses, free to access expensive books she needed for her studies. When she had enough money, she would love to build a mini-library overlooking a flower and herb garden. The thought made her smile.
"Your face lit up when you do that." Surprised, she turned to him and found him holding a cup of take-out coffee from the nearby cafe. "Since you didn't want to go out with me, I thought to bring the cafe to you. Here," he handed her a bag of warm croissants.
Paul. Again. She couldn't comprehend why he had a sudden interest in her.
"Thank you but you didn't have to do this. I can buy my own coffee." She thought twice before receiving the refreshment. She didn't want to offend him, however, she also didn't want him to think she was leading him on. She can only offer friendship, nothing more.
He ignored her objections and placed the beverage on her table. "I want to get to know you, Sinclair." He admitted. His voice was soft.
Her face flamed. "Of course. We can be friends."
Paul grew serious and he stared at her intently. "I'll take it. But I won't lose hope until you agree on a date." He pushed closer to her. She stiffened.
How could she tell him she was currently dating Nicholas? Her revelation could ruin everything she had worked for. She and Paul might be friends but she didn't trust him. There was just something about him that made her wary. "I'm with someone," she admitted.
"Is it serious?"
Were they serious? She was. Nicholas though... "I think we are." She bobbed her head.
"If you are the only one who thinks that you are then it's not THAT serious." He emphasized.
Her brows furrowed. Irritated all of a sudden. Her relationship with the professor was a sore subject for her. Refusing to answer, avoiding his gaze, she opened the brown paper bag and peered inside, "Wow, this smells good. Want some?"
Grinning, Paul shook his head, accepting her change of the topic. "No. It's yours, Sinclair."
Nodding her thanks once more, she took a bite of the delicious treat. "Hmmm, yummy...This is one of my favorites..." She almost choked when she glanced behind Paul.
What time is it? He was early.
Her lover.
Eyes flashing with rage, his hands clenched on his sides, jaw ticking, he looked almost ready to attack the unsuspecting man standing in front of her. Strolling toward her with one goal in mind, he reached her side and he pulled her to him by her slim waist.
"Professor," she greeted nervously. She felt like wringing her hands. Her new friend, Paul, an idiot that he was, narrowed his gaze at Nicholas.
"Ms. Yuan, a word, please." Not a request. His diction was precise and his deep voice carried in the quiet walls of the library.
She felt tension in every line of his tall, lean body. His annoyance reached her in spades.
Her professor was mad. She knew he was the type of man that could get possessive but she never expected he would show it to the world. Better not to antagonize him further.
Raising her soft brown eyes, she focused on him and nodded.
"Wait. Do you want me to go with you, Sinclair?" Paul's sharp blue eyes never left the professor's. She shook her head no. "Are you sure?" What the hell was he doing?
"I want to speak to my girlfriend. This does not concern you. You may leave." He drawled yet his voice sounded menacing. And what the fuck are you doing, Nicholas?
Everyone heard the professor. It was impossible not to. Sinclair wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.
By tomorrow, everyone would know she was dating Nicholas. She would lose her scholarship and she would be done for. All of her hard work would be jeopardized.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Sinclair," Paul said softly, not minding the man beside her, he inclined his head and left.
She nodded absentmindedly, twisted her arm from Nicholas's grasp, gathered her things, and hurriedly left the room, leaving Nicholas on her heels.
People down the long hallway, intrigued, followed her movements, shocked to see the professor following her. Ducking her head, embarrassed, she moved faster but it was too easy for him to catch her since he had longer strides.
"Sinclair," he warned. His hand was firm on her elbow, urgently guiding her somewhere private. She almost bolted and she realized where he was taking her. They turned to a less crowded corridor and stopped at a secured room.
"Not here, Nick." She protested. She would have preferred if they went home and discussed whatever it was that got him so annoyed.
"Yes, here." Producing his keys, he opened the heavy door of his private office, guiding her inside, making sure to lock the door behind them.
Halting, not game to face him yet, she took a shaky deep breath and tried to compose herself. She looked around her, even his school office reflected his status in life. Airy and spacious, couches in deep brown leather, heavy tomes of books on shelves, and a smooth mahogany desk, probably antique, completed his domain.
She felt him stir behind her, loathe to be at a disadvantage, she turned to face him and remained standing. Tilting her chin, she narrowed her eyes and blurted out, "He was just a friend."
Nicholas stalked closer, cutting the distance between the two of them. "I think not, sweet. I saw how he was looking at you. How long?"
"How long, what?" her brows furrowed.
"How long have you known him?" His voice was soft. Too cold. Sinclair shivered.
She knew he needed answers but this was so absurd. She had made her stance known to Paul and she knew he respected her wish. "He is just a friend, Nicholas. And he will remain, my friend, until I see fit. You can't tell me what to do. You are not my keeper." As soon as she said the words she regretted them. She didn't mean it, she also felt something odd from the frat boy's overzealous attention to her but she was so pissed at Nicholas for thinking she would cheat on him.
"Not your keeper. We'll see." The fire in his eyes alarmed her. His face was graven and his body was taut with tension. "Come here."
"No."
"Yes." Nicholas occupied the nearest comfortable sofa and sat gracefully. Limbs elegantly sprawled.
"I have to go." Though she had no idea where to go after this. Maybe back to her old house.
"Not until I show you that I will be keeping you forever. You are mine, Sinclair. Now, come here."
What did he mean forever? Did she dare find out?
_____________
Paul
Fuck! The interaction between the Viscount and his latest paramour was enough to give him pause.
It was serious. Like a heart attack.
The young lord was obviously smitten with Sinclair. Anyone could see it. He practically declared it
Paul had a serious competition.
Shit! Perfectly laid plans laid to waste and should be revisited. The simple snatch and grab could no longer apply. He was sure Redington had a small army at his beck and call. Plus, his powerful allies.
He was confident he could still charm his way to her heart.
The question was how to isolate her from the powerful man that had claimed her as his.
