“Thank you.” She turned away, clearly embarrassed by her response.
“And Libby?” I called.
Once she glanced at me over her shoulder, I said, “I enjoyed getting to know you both.”
Her breath hitched, and her eyes spoke the volumes she tried to hide when she turned her head.
I smirked, a warm glow settling low in my belly as I leaned against the whiteboard, enjoying watching the lovely Libby collect her things. She shot me a surreptitious look, but I didn’t bother to hide my interest.
I hadn’t felt desire of this magnitude…let alone the need toromancea woman in years. I’d forgotten howexhilaratingit was.
Sure, Libby Dagon was my student, and nothing physical or romantic could happen between us until after she completed my course in three weeks, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t pursue the sweet little doe after...
Because I would.
In fact, now the anticipation would be sweet as I ticked down the days.
CHAPTER3
Libby
“So,what do you think I should wear?” I asked Hudson two weeks later.
My son settled in his playpen that I’d shoehorned into the corner of my bedroom and blew bubbles. He was clearly delighted with his spit and toes and not at all interested in my clothing options—or that I wanted to impress Jamieson Finch.
Jamieson.
The name whispered through my mind as I shivered. I reveled in thinking of Dr. Finch by his first name. I enjoyed thinking about Dr. Finch. Period.
I’d been daydreaming about the gorgeous math professor more often…and I’d been thinking about him plenty before he held Hudson. Last week, April had been well enough to watch him, but tonight she’d scheduled a date with a cute teacher’s assistant in the philosophy department. The guy was a year younger than me and reminded me of a string bean with a dark puff of hair.
Nothing like Jamieson Finch.
“Well, I guess these are the right pants because we’re out of time.”
I bent down and picked up Hudson with a grunt. “We may need to lay off those bananas, big guy. My arms aren’t strong enough to keep up with your growing self.”
I buckled him into his carrier, then tickled his tummy before grasping my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder. I’d already double-checked that I had my laptop and other materials I needed for this class.
It was my only course this semester—the last one I needed for my master’s in theoretical mathematics and derivatives. Thanks to my brother’s life insurance policy, I had some breathing room to pick the best position after I graduated. I planned to take my time with my job search to ensure the company I chose to work for would offer Hudson quality daycare and me some flexibility in my schedule so that I didn’t miss too many of Hudson’s firsts.
I locked my apartment. I traipsed down the hall where a few wreaths and lights were hung around doors, which had begun to appear after Thanksgiving. I enjoyed the various lawn decorations that had popped up on the small, tidy homes near the university as I walked the quarter mile to the lecture hall, but by the time I was two-thirds of the way there, I was hot, a little sweaty, and puffing.
“Seriously, I need to get in better shape,” I muttered.
“What you need is a stroller or one of those baby wraps so that your arms are free.”
I squeaked at the voice until I realized Dr. Finch had settled into stride next to me. He waved at Hudson’s carrier. “May I?”
“Um…”
He cast me a side-eye that had me almost swooning because the man’s eyelashes werefabulous. “Before you tell me I don’t have to, I’m offering because I’d like to see my little friend again.”
I handed over the carrier with a grunt. I shook my arms as Jamieson…Dr. Finch…settled Hudson’s car seat in the crook of his elbow.
“Itisheavy. Yes, you definitely need a stroller.”
“I don’t take Hudson out that often.” I blushed, wondering what this accomplished man must think of my comment.
