Read Lessons From the Professor Online
Authors: Shyla Colt
Lessons From the Professor (2 page)
“If the offer’s still on the table I think I’ll join you
ladies.”
“Finally!”
Leigh spun around and
crushed her in an exuberant hug.
The impulsive move
made Sutton laugh. She loved the free-spirited nature Leigh possessed. From the
moment they met the two had been the perfect balance of opposites.
Leigh had this infectious aura of energy and
joy that surrounded her. It was one of the reasons Sutton enjoyed being around
the other woman so much.
It was easy to
become burned out and give into negativity in the health care profession.
She did her best to avoid nurses “on their way out” because
their pessimism could spread like a cancer through the crew.
It was a phenomenon she’d seen one too many
times.
“You picked the perfect timing.
James is going to meet up with us later, and he’s
bringing his best friend Sidney.”
Sutton
arched an eyebrow when Leigh looked at her expectantly.
“Remember, he’s the human behavior professor I always
mention.”
“Oh!
Him
, it’ll be
nice to meet. You know I find everything to do with that subject fascinating.”
“I know.
I’ve e been
trying to get you two together for ages, but you always pull the hermit
act.”
Leigh nudged her with a playful
elbow to the rib.
“I was read the riot act by Mrs. Tracey earlier.”
“Then I guess I’ll keep my mouth shut for once.”
Leigh looped her arm through Sutton’s as they
made their way out of Bethesda South and across the street to the all night
diner the staff often frequented.
****
Sutton wasn’t sure what she expected
salt- and pepper-haired gentleman in fitted black dress slacks and a crisp
white button down was not it.
He was
tall and sinewy, but what really caught her attention was the almost regal air
he carried himself with. He glanced down, catching her appraisal, and she
flashed him a small smile as she fought to contain the heat she felt creep up
in her cheeks.
It’d been ages since
she’d reacted to anyone this way.
swagger that pulled her towards him like a magnet.
She lowered her lids and glanced over to
Leigh, rolling her eyes at her friend’s smirk.
“Hush,” Sutton mouthed. She was unable to hide her smile as
Leigh stood and embraced her husband, and Sutton followed suit.
“Hi, baby. Sutton and I are the only ones left. The other
girls wanted to go dancing.”
“Hi, James, good to see you again,” Sutton said. She stood
and leaned in to exchange a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She liked James. He
might be twenty years older than Leigh, but they fit together well.
“I’m sure they’d be bored to death with a couple of old
fogies like us,”
“You’re not old,
Leigh said. She moved away from her husband to place a kiss on his cheek.
“
this is my friend Sutton whom I’ve been trying to coerce into coming out with
us for ages. Sutton, this is Sidney, the Human Behavior Professor whose brain
you’ve wanted to pick.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sutton,”
she admired the long, elegant fingers that wrapped around her own. As a nurse
she was a firm believer in the power of touch, so hands were one of the first
things she noticed about a man.
“Likewise.”
“You have an interest in the study of human behavior?”
empty seat beside her at the table.
“Oh, I’m always interested in figuring out why people do
what they do,” she said. She turned her body to face him.
“Even if they rarely seem
to stop and examine that for themselves.”
“I dare say, if everyone had such a vested interest in their
actions, the world would be a better place,”
spilled from every pore.
She chuckled, impressed by his wit.
“Is that an English accent you have?” she asked.
“Close, my family is from
“How did you end up in
“Some days I ask myself the same thing. I did an exchange
program at the
for my PhD it would be here.”
“Do you ever miss
“Often, but I get back once or twice a year, so it’s not too
bad.”
“I’ve always wanted to travel to
but school and then the start of my career have kept me so Busy I couldn’t even
think the word vacation.”
“Then maybe you’re due for a trip.”
“
you just met the girl. Are you’re really trying to whisk her away for a
vacation overseas?” Leigh asked.
and snorted.
“That’s what happens when you eavesdrop, Leigh, my dear, you
only get half the story and even then it’s skewed.”
His tone was short, but infused with a subtle humor that
made them all laugh. Why had Sutton never come out with them before? The other
girls she could take or leave. Their conversations about fashion, men, and
dancing had bored her. Yet this small group of intelligent and charming people
was one she wouldn’t mind being a part of a couple of times a week.
Sutton studied
lashes as the night wore on. She admired the fluent motions of his hand, the
velvet smoothness of his voice, and the quickness of his mind. It was
embarrassing to admit, but she had developed a crush. It was all too easy to
imagine the havoc those lean hands could work on her body. Sutton crossed her
legs in an attempt to stave off the arousal building between her legs. She
cleared her throat and grabbed her water, hoping she looked a lot calmer than
she felt. The man hadn’t even shown an interest in her, and she was ready to
turn into female goo.
“I think one last round of drinks is needed,” James said a
while later.
They all voiced their agreement, and Sutton was surprised
when
“What would you like?” he asked.
“A rum and cola please.”
He nodded, and she watched, impressed by his
manners, when he waved the waiter over after she was finished with James, and
ordered drinks for the both of them.
“A lady should never have to order her own drinks.” He gave
her a wink, and she fought the urge to allow her jaw to drop. Was he flirting
with her, or just being a gentleman?
“Careful, Professor Rothman, if you keep saying all the
right things I may just have to keep you.” She’d chosen her words carefully.
The playful words could go either way, and she studied his face as she tested
the waters.
“What would a beautiful, young woman like
yourself
want with me?”
“Plenty.
I like older men.”
The arch of his eyebrows told her she’d
stunned him as well as herself. It wasn’t in her nature to be so bold, but she
had promised herself to live a little tonight. He was the first man she’ d been
attracted to in ages, and she’d kick herself later if she didn’t at least show
him she was interested.
“Well, that’s an important piece of information to have.” He
smiled.
“How much older?”
“It depends, how old are you?”
“Didn’t anyone ever teach you it’s impolite to ask someone
their age?” His voice was light and playful as he chuckled. “I’m fifty.”
“What a coincidence, that’s the age I like.”
She gave him a saucy wink and relished in the
laughter she caused, despite the heat that infused her face. It was times like
these she was damn glad her skin was dark, so no one could see her blush.
She gasped when he traced the tiny tattooed heart on her
wrist a moment later.
“Tell me, Sutton, what else do you like in a man?” His voice
dropped an octave and took on a husky tone as he pinned her with his dark
eyes.
Damn he was intense.
“Intelligence, wit, manners and humor, to
name a few things.”
“I see, what about control?”
“C-control?” she asked, unable to concentrate when his
finger traced tiny circles against her skin.
“Do you like it when a man is in control? When he tells you
what to do?”
“I- I don’t know.” She licked her suddenly dry lips as she
lowered her gazed, unable to understand the emotions this man caused with just
a few questions and an innocent caress.
“
Ahh
, but you’d like to find out,
wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.” Her admission made her feel of the arousal and
interest he’d piqued.
To everyone else they were having a casual conversation, but
the liberties he was taking were anything but. His arm had crept around the
back of her chair, and he trailed a delicious path over the small of her back
with his fingers. Just light enough to tease without giving true pleasure. She
could have told him to stop, yet she found she didn’t want to. His knee brushed
up against hers, and it was all she could do not to purr. What kind of black
magic did this man possess? Did he know what he was doing?
She peered up at him
from beneath her lashes and grimaced when he caught her and smirked. The
bastard knew exactly what he was doing, and she’ d e damned if she didn’t find
it sexy as all get out.
He kept her on
edge for the rest of the night with his light caresses and intimate questions.
It threw her off kilter and left her unsure of where she stood. She should be
insulted, but instead she longed to experience more. When the check arrived at
the table she didn’t know if she was relieved or saddened.
He held out his hand to help her up from her seat, and they
lagged behind James and Leigh to say a semi-private goodbye outside of the
restaurant.
“Did you enjoy my company tonight?” he asked. He tilted his
head to the side slightly, almost as if he was studying her.
“Very much.”
He paused and opened his mouth as if to say something,
before shaking his head.
“I feel the same, and we’ll see each other soon I’m sure.”
He placed a gentle kiss on her hand as he walked away
leaving her flabbergasted. Did that mean he wasn’t interested, or he was
leaving the ball in her court?
****
Sutton could feel the questions in Leigh’s gaze as she walked away from James,
who was saying his goodbyes to
“I’m just going to walk Sutton to her car, honey,” Leigh
said. She looped her arms through Sutton’s and leaned in to whisper into her
ear as they headed towards her car.
“So, what did you think of
“He’s a nice guy.”
“Come on, Sutton, you were practically drooling.”
“I was not! His conversation was…stimulating.”
“Do you really expect me to think your brain was the only
thing he stimulated?”
“He’s an attractive man, with a killer accent. I’d have to
be dead not to notice, even if he’s like twenty years older than me.”
“Eighteen, but who’s counting?”
“Don’t match-make.”
“Why not?
He’s single, you’re
single, and I’d have to be blind not to see you enjoyed one another’s company.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Sutton asked.
She hit the keyless remote as they reached her car and turned to face her
friend.
“No, because I really think there was a spark there. I know
to people like he did with you.”
“What do you mean take to me? All he did was converse.”
“Believe
me,
he had the charm
dialed up.”
A smile crept over
her lips at the thought of the distinguished professor putting an effort into
making a good impression on her.
Maybe
the attraction wasn’t one-sided after all.