“The fact that you just used the wordlollygaggingin a sentence makes me much happier than it probably should.”
Tamryn rolled her eyes.
“But there has to be more to it than you just crossing off an item on your to-do list, right?” Matt continued. “You want the career boost that you’re hoping the book will give you.”
“And now I need it more than ever,” Tamryn said.
She felt him stiffen. “Go on.”
“You don’t want to hear about this tonight, Matt.”
“Go on,” he encouraged her.
“Fine.” Tamryn sighed. “Remember when I mentioned that there were some issues at work?” She felt him nod against the crown of her head. “Well, that issue happens to be the new head of the History Department.”
“Sounds as if the history there is more than what you find in books.”
“Unfortunately, yes. He had been in the department for about five years when I first started at Brimley. He took me under his wing, helped me to work through all the bureaucratic stuff.”
“And?” Matt prompted her.
“And I fell in love with him.”
“But you’re not anymore?”
“Oh, no,” she said. “I am so far out of love with him that I can’t remember what loving him feels like.”
“The two of you had a falling-out?”
She huffed out a humorless laugh. “You can say that. This past fall, he was awarded a grant for a project that we worked on together. I put my research on the side for over a year so that I could concentrate on his research project. He’s been showered with accolades from all corners of academia.” She paused. “My name isn’t anywhere on it. We were supposed to be coauthors of the paper, but he took my name off before submitting the documentation.”
“Son of a bitch,” Matt cursed. “Who does something like that?”
“Dr. Reid Hayes,” she answered. “When I confronted him about it, he told me that I should be grateful that he allowed me to work on the project at all. He also said that if it wasn’t for the fact that I was screwing him, I would be working at some junior college.”
“That’s bullshit,” Matt said. “I can tell you’re ten times better than half the professors who taught me just by observing your work ethic. Your dedication to your research continues to amaze me.”
“I know I’m damn good at my job, but I won’t deny that Reid’s words pummeled my confidence. Hedidhelp me to get my position at Brimley. It was before we started sleeping together, but did he recommend me just because he wanted to sleep with me? How will I ever know?”
“Don’t.” Matt captured her chin and tilted her face up to his. “Don’t allow him to do that to you.”
“You’re right,” she whispered. She took his hand and brought it around her torso so that his forearm rested just below her breasts. Staring at the swath of moonlight that cut through the lace curtains, Tamryn said, “But I still want to prove to him that he did not make my career. Having this book published by a distinguished university press will mean a lot for me on a professional level, but the chance to rub it in Reid’s face—to prove that I can stand on my own merits in the academic world? That’s what really drives me.
“I just need to uncover that one piece of evidence that will bring all the research together. I know it’s there. I can feel myself getting closer. Everything points to my grandmother and Nicolette working together to start that school for slave children. I just need to find the proof.”
“You will,” he whispered against her temple.
Tamryn pulled his arms more firmly around her, relishing in the strength emanating from him. Those two words gave her hope that she would eventually uncover what she’d come to Gauthier to find.
As she rubbed her hand up and down his arm, a part of her realized she’d already found more than she’d ever expected.
Chapter 9
“Hey.” Matt pulledup next to Tamryn as she bent over and rested her hands on her knees. “I thought you were a runner?” he said, tugging on her ponytail.
She straightened and shot an evil look his way. “I usually run four miles a day. I’m just not used to running after having so little sleep the night before.”
Matt didn’t even try to stem the wicked smile that drew across his face. “Don’t think you’re going to get me to apologize for that, because it’s not gonna happen.”
