I run my hands down her arms, then pull her closer to cup her ass. She balances her weight on her good leg and hooks the other around my waist, and I feel her tremble against me. Or maybe I’m the one trembling, I want her so badly.
I want her too much. I can’t believe I’m doing this, making out in my office with one of my students. I don’t want to, but I stop, pulling away slowly and looking down at her. Her eyes are half-closed, and she lets her hands slide down my chest as she lowers her leg. I want to take her mouth again, but the spell is broken. We’re in my office, anyone could walk in for God’s sake.
“I think things got a little out of hand,” I say.
She looks disappointed but nods.
“You should probably go.”
She gasps quietly, but she doesn’t say anything, giving me a stilted nod before gathering her crutches from where they’d fallen. She doesn’t meet my eyes as she leaves, and a pain pierces through my chest at the dejected way she moves.
I realize she never answered my question, and I resolve to spend the evening learning everything I can about the frustrating, alluring Ms. Tanner.
Chapter 5
Lorelei
How did this high school fantasy of mine suddenly become reality? And why is it more nightmare than dream come true? Even the next morning, I can still feel his lips against mine, his hands on my skin. I don’t know what came over me in his office, and I am mortified by my behavior. The way he’d asked how Cara could suddenly pass her test had me worried that he was onto us. I’d panicked and done the first thing that came to mind to distract him. But God, had that backfired.
All rational thought fell away the moment his lips touched mine. It was heaven…right up until it wasn’t. Clearly the kiss hadn’t affected the professor nearly as much as it had me. He had no problem backing away and telling me to leave. I’d been so embarrassed that I couldn’t even look at him. It was my first kiss, and he clearly hadn’t enjoyed it. To make matters worse, I’d forgotten both my coffee-stained shirt and Cara’s backpack.
Fortunately, today is Friday, and Cara doesn’t have any classes I have to attend. I can go to Professor Stewart’s office for her backpack, then spend the rest of the weekend nursing my bruised ego. With any luck, I’ll be able to convince the office secretary to get the backpack for me so I won’t have to see him.
Of course, luck is not on my side today. The secretary is nowhere to be found when I enter the math department’s office suite. And as if the universe is really trying to punish me for pulling this swap with my twin, Professor Stewart chooses that moment to come walking out of his office. He freezes when he sees me. Neither of us says anything for a moment, caught in an intense stare down.
Forcing myself to break eye contact, I blink a few times, then say, “I’m sorry to bother you, Professor. I left my sis—my backpack in your office.”
His eyes narrow at my near slip, but he just nods his head.
“Yeah, I found it as I was leaving last night. I was going to try to get it back to you today. It’s still in my office,” he says, turning back toward his office door.
I follow him, but stop in the doorway. When he notices, he gestures for me to enter.
“Come in, Ms. Tanner. There are a few things I think we need to discuss.”
I gulp nervously and walk through the door. He shuts it, then turns to me with an unreadable expression and gestures for me to sit down.
“You’re not Ms. Tanner,” he says once I’ve taken a seat at the desk by the window.
Was it only yesterday that I sat at this very desk to take Cara’s retest? It feels so long ago. He walks over to stand close, too close for me to get out of the chair without brushing up against him. My whole body warms at the thought.
“I am,” I say in a strangled voice, trying desperately to rein in my thoughts. I have to stay focused or I could blow this whole thing for Cara.
He takes a step back, and I’m immediately disappointed.
“You’re absolutely not because she couldn’t have answered any of those questions, let alone gotten that many of them right.”
“So, you admit you gave her an impossible test out of spite?” I ask. Immediately, I realize my mistake. “I mean, me. You gave me that test—”
“Come with me to the dean’s office,” He says, turning toward the door. “I don’t have time for this. You cheat, you face the consequences, whoever you are.”
I jump up, wincing as I accidently put weight on my injured ankle, and grab his arm, then drop it when he glares down at me.
“Please, Professor,” I plead, hobbling around to get in between him and the door. “I can explain. I am actually Ms. Tanner, just Ms.LoreleiTanner. Cara’s my sister.”
“Twins,” he says, sounding half-disgusted, half-amused. “Well, you still cheated.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t, I swear. I mean, I guess I did for Cara, but I promise you it isn’t what you think. I can explain if you’ll just give me a chance.Please.”
