When the first class finished, I expected everyone to leave, but instead, there was a flurry of students down the steps as they rushed towards their teacher. I heard their weak-ass questions about suggested reading and information about his office hours. Jasper was polite, but this place must hold a few hundred people, and at least a third of them had descended on him. I thought about pushing my way to the front to protect him, but I was sure they’d eat me alive, so instead, I stepped up towards the door and clapped my hands loudly.
“Professor Fischer has another lecture to give, so if you could make your way back outside. If you have genuine questions, then you can book a slot in his office hours, or you can email me, Finn Wells, and I will make sure he sees it.”
Disgruntled mutters and sighs of disappointment rippled through the room, but one by one, they all left. Intrigued, I watched as Jasper’s shoulders dropped the second we were alone again. He leant back on the desk at the front of the stage. His eyes locked on mine as I made my way down the stairs towards him.
“Thank you,” he whispered when I got close. “That was intense.”
I laughed. “You have no idea how well known you are, do you?” He frowned and shook his head. “I’ll show you after this. Are you okay? Can I get you anything? Coffee?”
“No, but thank you. You don’t have to look after me.”
I raised my brow. “That’s exactly what I have to do, Professor. My one job is to take care of you.”
NINE
JASPER
My leg bouncedunder my desk as Finn leant over me, moving my mouse and highlighting how his new systems worked and how to find the data and files I’d need.
What he’d achieved in the week he’d worked for me was nothing short of spectacular, but that wasn’t what had me feeling like this. No, what had me on edge was... well, everything else.
I sucked in a deep breath, regretting it instantly as the fresh, citrusy scent of Finn’s aftershave wrapped around me. It was just another reminder of how much my new PA seemed to be affecting me. Those long fingers, how perfectly turned out he always was, his calming nature, the way he laughed, those emerald-green eyes that didn’t shy away when we spoke. Finn might be smaller than me in stature, but he was a giant in every other way. He exuded confidence, and being around him seemed to be rubbing off on me, as I was almost starting to feel like I was getting the hang of this job.
“Got it?” he asked.
I looked up as he looked down, and there was a moment where we simply stared at each other and the world stopped turning. He licked his lips, and I forced myself to swallow.
“Professor?” He placed his hand on my shoulder, and his touch seared through me, sparking a memory of the last man who’d touched me.Travis.
I shook my head because I couldn’t think about him without it filling me with guilt.
“Yes, got it. I’ll go through it all again, and if I’ve got questions, I let you know.”
He stepped away from the desk. “Perfect. I have to go, as I need to be somewhere. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He walked to my office door.
“Finn.”
He turned, bringing his fingers to his hair as if he was checking it was still in place after his sudden movement.
“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
A blush spread up his cheeks before he offered me a nod and left.
Alone in the office, I stared out of the window at the view of the city, watching as people went about their evening, going home to family, meeting up with friends. I was going home to an empty place, and that was all my doing.
I gathered up my things to go do something I should have done as soon as I stepped foot back on UK soil.
* * *
“Hey, Ma.”
My mum stood in the open doorway of her house, her mouth open as she stared at me, and then, like a switch had been flicked, she burst into tears and screamed my name.
She closed the space between us, flinging her arms around me, pulling me into her familiar hold. “What the hell are you doing here?”
I kissed her cheek, knowing she’d not be as happy when she found out I’d been back in the UK for almost two weeks now, and I’d not even told them I was planning on coming back.