The Professor

by Kelli Callahan

  The Professor

  Kelli Callahan

  Copyright © 2020 by Kelli Callahan

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Cruel Temptations

  Join My Mailing List

  Kelli’s Voracious Vixens

  About the Author

  Also by Kelli Callahan

  Prologue

  Abby

  “Merry Christmas, bitches!” some random guy shouts and cannonballs into the pool.

  Water splashes into the crowd eliciting a series of screams, groans and laughter. I giggle at the stranger’s antics, but the sound gets lost in the music.

  I lean closer to my sister to shout, “This is the loudest Christmas I’ve ever had.”

  Lucy turns to me, her honey brown eyes sparkling with delight. “The loudest and the best.”

  “You only think it’s the best because we can drink.”

  “Hell yes! I freaking love Mexico!” She lifts her glass and I do the same in agreement before taking a sip. Lucy is eighteen and I’m just a year older. Back home, by law, we’d be holding virgin cocktails. I love Mexico too. Last year, I decided that I wanted to experience Christmas in Cancun, away from the small town I grew up in and still live.

  Christmases in Oak Valley have become depressing. I needed us to get away, even if just for a week. So I scrimped and saved for a year, and here we are. The delicious tropical heat of Cancun beats the freezing snowy winter in Wyoming. Who needs snow when you can have the beach? There’s this sudden urge to walk barefoot in the sand. I have to soak up every ounce of this paradise as much as I can before returning to the reality of Oak Valley.

  “Hey, I want to take a walk on the beach. You want to come with?”

  “Um…” Lucy sips from her straw, her attention on the guy who cannon balled and got everyone near the pool wet. The blonde is looking this way too, right at Lucy with way too much interest.

  Rolling my eyes, I snort. “I’ll take that as a no. Be careful.”

  “You be careful. You’re the one walking by yourself.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I retort, head held high as I look out onto the white beaches that seem never ending with bright blue waves crashing against the shore.

  Yeah, I’ll be just fine here.

  I’m not too worried about my sister. We have learned to take care of ourselves since we have been on our own for so long. Uninvited depressing thoughts surface and I push them back. I guess being in party paradise on Christmas doesn’t really banish your problems. I don’t know why I thought it would.

  “Okay, later.” I lift my drink in goodbye, and as soon as I step away, the cannonball guy walks towards Lucy.

  Jeez, impatient much?

  Pushing through the crowd of revelers, I make my way to the open beach. I’m kind of relieved to be away from the crowd. Things are getting pretty wild at the Christmas party. I bet just about everyone here is on the same mission as I am: too get away from real life.

  The warm night breeze feels amazing on my skin. I burrow my toes in the sand and wiggle them. “I’m going to miss this.” I sigh and close my eyes when the waves crash against my ankles. The water is warm and leaves a light caress behind before another waves takes its place.

  “I know right.” The deep, honey-like baritone has me gasping and wheeling around.

  My electric lemonade sloshes over the glass onto my hand and a good portion ends up on my chest. The ice-cold liquid on my skin makes me squeal.

  Great. I’m going to be sticky now.

  “Shit. I’m so sorry.” A figure emerges from under the shadow of a palm tree. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He has a napkin in one hand and a bottle in another. He begins dabbing at my arm, moving upward. Then he nears my chest and freezes. I do too, finally getting a good look at him.

  Holy hell on toast.

  Was I just scared shitless by a model? I’m sure I look like a fool gawking at him, but I can’t help it. The man looks as good as his voice sounds. His chiseled features are near perfect… okay, who am I kidding? They’re perfect. He has deep set eyes―it’s a little dark, but I can tell they’re blue― high cheekbones, a square jaw, boasting sexy stubble. My gaze travels lower to take in his toned chest and arms. His defined abs tempt me to reach out and touch. And I’m not even that kind of girl. I don’t lust at first sight.

  The stranger’s eyes drop to my breasts in my tiny red bikini top. His cheeks flush ever so lightly. “Uh… maybe you should take care of that part.”

  “Uh huh.” Still gawking, I accept the napkin and dab at my wet boobs. He’s still watching, seemingly fascinated, so heat creeps into my cheeks until they’re on fire.

  I should have let them air dry.

  As if realizing he’s staring at my hands moving over my chest, he clears his throat and quickly averts his gaze. Rubbing the back of his neck, he says, “Sorry again. Can I get you another drink?”

  I peer at my almost empty glass. “No, it’s okay. I mean, I don’t want you to have to go all the way back inside. It’s a madhouse in there.”

  The stranger’s lips curve into a grin, showing white teeth. I almost scoff at how good-looking he is. “Who said anything about going back inside? I was having my own private party out here.” He points to a thatch hut with two beach chairs and a table lined with liquor bottles.

  “So, can I get you another drink?” he asks again.

  He has a private cabana with a personal bartender standing behind the counter, standing there with his arms folded across his stomach. Just who is this man that nearly dried by boobs with his napkin? “Sure, why not?” It’s the only way I’m going to find out more about him.

  Plus, what happens in Mexico stays in Mexico. Right?

  I gulp and follow the stranger. My heart is pounding a little harder and faster than normal, but that’s on account of the ridiculously handsome man in proximity. My palms are a sweaty and my stomach flutters. I’ve never felt anything like it before, not even with my first crush in the fifth grade. Trevor Martin never made my heart skip its beat like the god-like man in front of me.

  His shoulders bunch showing the thick ropes of muscle. There is a slight tinge of red across the top of his back from being out in the sun all day. The swim trunks hang low on his hips, showing his tan line and deep V that has my mouth watering for a taste.

  I almost want to say, “Damn, the drink. Just lay down and let me do body shots off you.” But I guess that will be too forward for a virgin like me.

  I stop at the hut and gaze at the bottles. Wow. Someone sure came on vacation to spend big. “I’d hate to impose on your private party… stranger who scared the crap out of me.”

  His roar of laughter makes me suck in a sharp breath. Goodness, he even laughs sexy. “You’re not imposing. It’s just me and Lou here. Lou, strange woman on the beach. Strange woman, Lou,” he introduces me to man behind t
he bar.

  “Nice to meet you strange woman,” Lou grins.

  “You too, Lou.” I wave at him.

  The sexy man who has me rethinking the ‘virgin’ thing extends a hand. “I’m Bryce.”

  Swallowing, I place my hand in his. The callouses on his hands surprise me as he grips on to me tightly. They leave a slight scratch, but something else too, something warm and bright. My name is on the tip of my tongue, but for some reason it can’t come out. This man probably lives worlds away from Wyoming, but my shame about my name surfaces full force.

  “J-Jessica.” I’m cursed with a ready ability to blush, and I have to will myself not to turn red after my lie.

  “Where are you from, Jessica?” he finally lets go of my hand, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

  Where do I want to be from? If I’m going to lie about my name, I might as well lie about where I live too. Keep the lies rolling. I hear Las Vegas is nice, and I’d love to go there someday.

  “Vegas.”

  Bryce’s brows lift. “From one vacation spot to another. Must be nice.”

  I shrug, feeling awful. Why should I feel bad, though? After tonight, I’ll never see Bryce again. The thought makes me relax. I don’t have to be Abigale Knight from Oak Valley. I can be whoever I want. “It is. Can’t beat the lovely beaches here though.”

  “True. Come on, have a seat. Have whatever you like.” He waves to the assortment of liquors and Lou grabs the shaker to start mixing the drink.

  “Just a gin and tonic with extra lime, please. If you have it,” I say to Lou.

  “Coming right up,” he replies.

  Grabbing a beach chair, I slip into the role of Jessica from Vegas. She’s bold and sophisticated, and she comes from a nice family. She knows how to flirt with handsome strangers. The total opposite of me. “A one-man party on the beach at night,” I note, then backtrack. “I’m sorry, two-man party. Who are you trying to get away from, Bryce?”

  He grins and sits beside me. “You’re perceptive.”

  I make a mental note to go easy on the gin and tonic when I chug half of it down as soon as Lou hands the glass to me. I’ve never consumed alcohol before my vacation, but Jessica from Vegas is a sophisticated party girl, she has to have something in her glass. “So, you are here to escape something or someone.”

  Stroking his chin, watching me intently, he says, “Since you’re a stranger and I probably won’t ever see you again, I feel comfortable sharing.”

  I grin. “Score!” I fist the air.

  He chuckles. “I came here to get away from everything. Work, family obligations...my father.”

  “Oh, troublesome fathers. I feel you on that one.” My mouth clamps shut, and I mentally facepalm myself. I’d better be careful about giving away too much. “Sounds like you were itching to be alone. I should go and let you and Lou party the night away.”

  I get up from the chair and his fingers wrap around my wrist to stop me. My pause, my feet sinking in the sand as I look at him.

  “No. Don’t go. You’re right. I did want to be alone until you came along.”

  My eyes collide with his. Okay, he is totally flirting. “Oh.” I almost grimace. Oh? How lame. Jessica’s responses should never be lame.

  There’s blatant interest in his eyes as he gives me a once over. “Please, stay.”

  After a few more drinks between Bryce and me, we’re both relaxed. We’ve been chatting like old friends for the last thirty minutes. I’ve been lying my ass off about who I am, of course. That aside, we’re both comfortable. It’s easy to let loose with a stranger you won’t see again. There’s no judgement.

  My phone buzzes in my shorts pocket, interrupting us. “Let me check this message really quick. I’m sure it’s my sister making sure I haven’t been kidnapped on the beach or something.”

  Bryce laughs while I tap out a response to Lucy. She is checking up on me, and apparently, she’s having a good time with Cannonball Guy. She sent a picture of them making goofy faces and holding drinks. I chuckle and slip the phone back into my pocket.

  “Vacationing with your sister. That sounds nice.”

  “It is. It’s Christmas, we always celebrate it together.”

  Bryce glances back at the hotel where music is filtering from. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the party?”

  “I’m sure. I’m enjoying present company.” Is it me or do I sound a little breathless?

  Bryce’s eyes, which I’ve realized are a mesmerizing sapphire blue, flicker with interest. He’s been checking me out the entire time, but he’s been a total gentleman, never blatantly making a pass at me. I’ve been dying for him to. I’m not going to sleep with him or anything. I’m not that kind of girl. I’d just like a kiss. A kiss on the beach from a handsome stranger, under the stars at Christmas. A sweet memory to take home.

  “In that case, do you want to take a dip with me?” He angles his chin to the water.

  My face heats up again. “I can’t swim.”

  “Good thing, I’m an excellent swimmer.”

  Of course he is. He looks like he’s excellent at everything, including kissing. I wonder if it’s going to happen. “Okay.” Jessica would never pass up the offer at taking a dip in the ocean with a hot guy.

  I feel his eyes on me as I slide my shorts off. All of a sudden, I feel self-conscious in my skimpy two piece. I think it’s because his stare is so intense. It’s like he can see through me.

  “Wow,” I hear him say under his breath. There’s an adorable shade of pink in his cheeks. “I mean, let’s go.”

  Smiling like a fool over a his appreciation, I take off toward the water. It feels incredible. Not too cold. Just right. “The water feels so good.”

  “It does, doesn’t it?”

  I watch Bryce immerse himself under water to come up a second later. His dark brown hair glistens with the moisture under the moonlight and so does his bronze skin. I almost wipe my mouth to check for drool.

  “I love the water. Swimming, snorkeling, all of that.”

  He certainly has the body of a swimmer. I can’t respond because I’m tongue-tied, entranced by the sight of him.

  “I heard that one of the best beaches is on the Linapacan Island in the Philippines.”

  “I wonder how true that is.”

  “Oh, it’s true.” He gives me a small smile that sends butterfly wings into a frenzy in my stomach. “I had to go there to prove it.”

  “The Philippines, huh?” This is my first time traveling outside of my small town. “Sounds like you travel a lot.”

  He shrugs. “I get around.”

  I’m not paying attention to much else but him. By the time I realize I’ve waded out a little too deep until it’s too late and I start to panic. The water is only at my neck, but it’s enough to freak me out. I don’t like to be in the dark waters because I don’t like not being able to see my feet. Something could come up and swallow me whole and I won’t have a chance of fighting the monster because I wouldn’t see it coming.

  “Oh God, too deep, too deep.” I begin to flail about, trying to turn back around.

  Bryce’s arm circles my waist, and he chuckles. “You do know your feet are still on the ocean floor, right?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I have this fear of drowning. I stick to three feet of water in pools. I didn’t come here on my dream Christmas vacation to die.”

  “Relax, I’ve got you. We can even go a little further.”

  I scowl. Easy for him to say. He’s way taller. “Are you nuts? I don’t―”

  I gasp when he moves further, my arms circling his neck. My feet aren’t touching the floor anymore, but I’m securely held above the water by big, warm hands on my hips. “Oh, look at that, I’m still alive,” I say with a nervous giggle.

  His eyes gleam with laughter. “Look at that.”

  “You want to laugh at me, don’t you?”

  “Actually, I’d like to kiss you more.”

 
My mouth clamps shut. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Yet, I’m struck dumb when he finally makes a move.

  His smile fades a little. “Am I being too forward?”

  I shake my head vigorously. “No. I’d like for you to kiss me too.”

  Just like that, I get what I’ve been waiting for. A kiss on the beach from a handsome stranger. His mouth hovers close to mine for a few seconds, and anticipation crackles in the surrounding air. When his lips touch mine, my eyes flutter closed. I savor every sensation, the heat and weight of his lips on mine, the heat budding in my core and blossoming to the rest of my body. A hunger for more is coursing through my system. All of that from a kiss?

  Bryce’s kiss is slow, sensual, commanding. I knew he’d be a great kisser. I’m on fire, ready to combust when his tongue teases my lips open. Maybe it’s the sound of my moan that breaks the spell we seem to be under because he pulls away at the sound of it.

  Breathless, I stare at him in amazement. I’ve never known the true meaning of the phrase sexual chemistry until now. Bryce seems to be just as rattled as I am. He visibly swallows. His brows are dipped into a slight frown. I don’t think he was expecting our kiss to be so intense either.

  “I think you should get back to the party.” His voice is low and strained.

  Blinking rapidly, I nod. “I think I should too.”

  If I stay with Bryce and kiss him again, I’ll end up losing my virginity on the beach in Cancun.

  And as wonderful as it sounds, I don’t want the rest of my vacation wanting more from a stranger while knowing I can’t get it. That’s torture.

  He gave me the perfect gift.

  The ability to be someone else and it was fun while it lasted.