Her smirk widens."Just looking out for you.Wouldn't want the ethics board getting curious."
She pushes off from the desk and starts toward the door, but pauses with her hand on the knob."Though I have to say...if she's worth risking your career over, she must be something."
I don't take the bait.
She studies me for another moment, then adds, "Oh, and try to keep your office door locked.Just in case."
She leaves, the scent of her perfume lingering like poison.
I exhale and rub a hand over my face.
Fuck.
Later that night, I meet up with Ridge and Hunter at a bar near campus.We drink, talk, and catch up.
They don't pry, but when I bring up the frustration of wanting someone I can't have, they both get quiet.
Hunter nods slowly."Been there."
I don't probe, because they don't pry when I don't want to talk.I just let them share what they are willing.
Ridge adds, "Sometimes you just have to wait."
I hesitate, then down the rest of my drink."I kissed her in my office after class today.We got carried away, but she stopped it."
Hunter whistles low."Damn.That's risky."
"Yeah.Don't I know it," I mutter."It's like when I see her, all sense of danger disappears.She's trying to keep her distance, but every time we're alone, it's like gravity."
Ridge tilts his head."Is she still worth it?"
"Every second," I smile just thinking about how she looked at me when I asked her to wear a dress to class next time.
Hunter tips his glass toward me."Then bring her to the masquerade ball at Club Red.Everyone there has something to lose.So, it'll be the safest place for you guys.If anyone can protect her from whispers, it's us."
Ridge smirks and leans back."Plus, a good mask hides a lot more than just a face."
I grin despite myself."You two are terrible influences."
Hunter raises his glass again."But we're the kind that gets results."
I nod, swirling the last of my drink."There's more.Professor Larkin came by my office.She saw Skye leaving and said something about how we looked at each other, making it sound like a warning."
Ridge's eyes narrow."Larkin's trouble.I hear whispers that she likes to be in everyone's business and uses it to her advantage to climb the ranks."
Hunter leans in."She report anything yet?"
"Not yet.I don't know if she will or if she just wants to hold it over my head for something.”
Ridge nods."Then the masquerade might be your only shot to show Skye what this really means.On your terms."
I nod, feeling the fire settle deeper in my chest.I'm going to fight for Skye.Even if it means going to war with people who think they can tell me what love should look like.
And suddenly, I have a plan.
Chapter 17
Skye