Her Billionaire Professor
Sophia Summers
Contents
Read all books by Sophia Summers
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
Read all books by Sophia Summers
Read all books by Sophia Summers
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Chapter 1
Today marked three hundred and seventy-five days longer on this earth than she had been expected to live. The sun shone brighter and the world even smelled better since she’d received the first all-clear from her cancer. And now she had a second chance at her education. A bit older than most of the students, certainly more seasoned than most, sometimes she wanted to shake all the complaining eighteen- to twenty-one-year-olds who shared her campus. Did they know how lucky they were?
Her phone dinged a reminder, but she didn’t need to look at it. The first informational meeting about the Italy study abroad would start in twenty minutes, and she was only five minutes away. The program was the pinnacle of her major and the whole reason she’d stuck with her focus within the major. The Italy study abroad was unique in that it offered opportunity for research to explore individual theories, and, in her opinion, it was the best hands-on education the university had to offer.
Bumped and bothered on all sides, Shawna was funneled into the auditorium with a crowd of fellow students. Someone behind her tripped and would have fallen into her, but a man at her side held out his arm. “Easy now.”
She turned to him to say thank you, but the words died on her lips. A pair of stunning, sincere green eyes stared back into her own. The world froze.
“You alright?” His voice, deep and rumbly, moved through her, but it was his eyes that grabbed her. The green color was stunning and unique, but she’d never seen such compassion and interest in one pair of eyes.
She nodded and then swallowed, trying to think what she could say. “Thank you.” Well, at least she hadn’t embarrassed herself. “This is a crazy lot of people.”
“I’m shocked at the interest. Let’s sit right there.” He led her to the front row. Two seats were open, and they sat together.
Shawna took note of the mostly female group of students. “I’m not at all surprised. The professor is supposed to be a genius, on the topic and let’s just say every girl I know likes to look at him as much as they like to listen.”
He choked and then reached for his water, his face reddening. “Sorry,” he rasped. “Went down the wrong pipe.”
She looked around the already packed room. Students were lining the back wall. The program could only take around thirty people. This was going to be a long shot. “That’s a lot of competition.”
He looked over his shoulder but dismissed the crowd with a shrug. “What’s your story?”
She raised her eyebrows. “Pardon?”
“Your story, why are you going on this study abroad?” His eyes turned mischievous. “I suspect it doesn’t have much to do with the professor’s looks.”
She laughed and felt her cheeks heat. “Not his looks, no, but I’ve read his books. I’ve been wanting to do this study abroad since my first semester. I’m a history major, and southern Italy is fascinating. The Greeks, the Jews, the Italians. Did you know they all passed through there?” She stopped herself before his eyes could start to glaze. “What about you?”
Instead of dulling with disinterest, his eyes twinkled back at her. “We are of one mind. The history, most definitely.” He searched her face, and she could have sworn the space between them shrank. His eyes held appreciation and interest, and his gaze lingered along her skin and caressed her face. Wow, he was something. When he spoke again, her appreciation for his voice grew. “There won’t be many opportunities once the class begins, but could you save a few research jam sessions for me?”
She laughed. He said all the right things. “Of course. Anyone who wants to geek out over the history of southern Italy while eating gelato at a café gets top priority in my book.”
“Top priority is where I like to be, though it might have to be for research only.” His eyes flit to the front, and a woman beckoned. She called out to the room. “And now, students, I’d like to introduce Dexter Adams, your host and the professor this year of our study abroad touring southern Italy.”
He stood, winking at Shawna, and made his way to the front.
What had just happened? She could hardly hear what he said next. Had she just flirted with her professor? Told him most of the girls only took his classes because he was hot? Up in front, he looked totally different than he had moments before. He was all business, and his tone was stern, even as he talked about expectations. He hammered in the this is not a vacation theme pretty hard and said he hoped it would be the most rigorous course they’d ever take. He asked them to pull up a website. “Here is your reading list for the semester. The first ten books need to be read and thoroughly understood before you even enter the country. You will have a test on the first day to gauge your preparation. Excursions and other educational opportunities will be granted to those who are successful.”
Groans were heard from the back row, and Shawna laughed inside. This was great news to her. She’d use her borrowed time to learn as much as she could. As she scrolled through the list, she was pleasantly surprised to find she had already read a number of the titles.
Professor Adams sat down next to her again. “That should clear out half of them.” His chuckle was low and comforting.
“I guess I should say thanks?” She watched him. He seemed back to his comfortable self, if a bit more reserved. “Mr. Adams, I didn’t know. I never would have—”
“Been so honest with me?” He quirked an eyebrow. “I appreciated our chance to talk before any of that awkward teacher-student relationship could descend. Regardless, I’m still looking forward to those research breaks. We can get a group together, those who really want to learn.”
She nodded, slowly at first and then with more enthusiasm. “Yes. I’d love that. There’s so much more I’d like to discuss. That is, if I get in. I still need to apply.”
He held out his hand. “I’m Professor Adams. What’s yo
ur name?”
“Shawna Worthington.”
“I look forward to reading your application.”
Her eyes went wide. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you decided who got to attend.” She wanted to sink into a hole. Could things be any more awkward?
“No, I’m not the only one, just one voice on the committee. But I have a strong voice. And don’t worry about what you said. Your sincerity speaks through your whole face. I know you meant well.” He laughed, and she couldn’t even begin to guess what he meant by that.
Somehow, she had to get back on more professional terms with him. Perhaps, to him, things had always been professional, but she would definitely need to alter her filter. Now was the time to stop imagining him sipping wine with the Amalfi Coast behind him—and start picturing him in front of the class.
What did he mean, her sincerity was all over her face? She felt her cheeks burn. “Thank you. I’ll get it to you today.”
A line of students waited to talk to him. But he took one more moment with her. “I hope so. I look forward to reading it.”
She held her breath. And when he stood, she hightailed it out of there as fast as she could.
Dexter watched Shawna scoot out of the room, not speaking to anyone else. Was she escaping? He didn’t blame her. What had possessed him to set up a study date with a student?
He knew what. He’d been floored by their immediate connection.
She’d felt it too. Everything that entered her mind flashed across her face. It was delightful.
But the magnetism, the warmth between them, had pulled him closer. He’d never felt anything like it. Looking into her eyes, he sensed so much more there. There was so much to discover about her. So he’d peppered her with questions.
And then to discover she was a fellow researcher, fascinated with his favorite topic. He couldn’t resist, naturally, but he knew how to keep things platonic. He had students every semester try to flirt with him, hoping to set up after-hours meetings. He’d just make sure they had a small group when they were together, and talked only of curriculum-related subjects.
He grinned. Those were the most fascinating to discuss anyway. Oh, he hoped she was well-studied and intelligent. He couldn’t wait to read her application. He knew his fascination with her was way out of line, but he vowed to never let a hint of his attraction show. He couldn’t.
At great length, the last of the students left, and Margie, the department head, shook her head. “I hope some of them are truly interested in the research.”
He sighed. “I met some top-notch contenders, but only a handful. Could we limit the class size to seven or eight?”
She laughed. “No, Dexter. But if I know you, by the time you’re through with them, they’ll be converted to your belief that southern Italy is the only portion of the world worth studying.”
“There are other portions.” He grinned. “Probably.”
She shook her head. “I convinced Mark to come with me.” Her husband.
“Excellent. Now I know someone will be game for some excursions of our own.”
“He’s hoping The Angelique might make an appearance?”
He shrugged. “You know how I feel about that.”
“You’re determined to keep such a low profile you can’t even enjoy your own wealth?”
“I enjoy it. I have a spectacular wardrobe.”
“I’ll give you that.”
He held out his hand for a fist bump. “I’ll have my thoughts on the current candidates on your desk by morning.”
“I’d expect nothing less. Rest, too. Go out. Date?”
He cringed at the word. “Yeah.” He mumbled something noncommittal and walked out of the auditorium. He’d dated before. That had been a disaster. No need to do anything so drastic again. Not for a while, anyway.
But conversations with beautiful, intelligent women who he wasn’t allowed to date, that he could do. Friendship. He could do.
And he could do trips on his yacht with long-time friends.
He texted his assistant to send the yacht to the Mediterranean.
His phone rang. He looked at the screen and braced himself, swiping to answer. “Dad.”
“Hello, son. We’re having a full board meeting this week, I need you there.”
“I’m on hiatus.”
“You’re an honorary member, but you still have voting power. I need your vote on this one.”
He gritted his teeth. He dad was always trying to pull him back in. But Dexter had no interest in business. As soon as they started talking numbers and projections and comparison and market trend, his eyes glazed over. He had pages full of doodles to prove it. “Do I have to attend? Just tell me how to vote.”
“You know you do, son. It will only take one afternoon, and then you can get back to playing professor at that university of yours.”
Columbia. Phd. “Okay, dad. I’ll be there. Send me a rundown so I can be prepared.”
“Already sent. Thanks, Dex. I knew I could count on you to come through in the clutch.”
His dad probably wished Dexter had played football. Then he probably wished he’d majored in business and gotten his MBA. But this history-loving, non-contact-sport aficionado just didn’t have it in him to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Dex lived for those who no longer breathed. In fact, he was most fascinated with the ones who were quickly fading from memory. He longed to discover pockets of history that were almost forgotten and bring them to light through his work as a professor. He’d even considered writing historical fiction. He had several ideas kicking around in his mind about the people who could have lived in Italy long ago.
Shawna came back to mind. He smiled then pulled up her application. Just as he’d suspected, hers was the first to be submitted. He scrolled through her essay answers, her short paragraphs. And then stopped on one that immersed him completely. “People always say to study history so we don’t keep making the same mistakes. While that is a good reason to study history. I say we should study history to learn from their triumphs. Study their genius. Read their histories because they deserved to live and they deserved to be remembered. Share their thoughts to continue the collective memory. To that end, I recently read about a Greek woman in southern Italy…”
Dexter was enchanted. Who was this woman? Someone he would love to get to know.
As a student, he reminded himself.
Which was perfect, because he had no desire to date another woman ever in his lifetime.
Even if she was just as interested as he was.
Chapter 2
Shawna walked out of the doctor’s office greatly relieved. Every time she came in for her quarterly scans and check-up, her hands shook; she replayed all the worst-case scenarios. Every four months seemed like a blink. Soon, they would stretch the follow-up visits over longer periods of time. Six months, then a year.
The tests had all come back normal, no sign of cancer anywhere.
She was slowly picking up the pieces of her life that had been put on hold. She was enrolled in school, waiting to hear back about her application, and looking for a job. And her mom had finally let her live on campus. It’s not like she couldn’t have gone against her mom’s wishes, but they’d all been through a lot, so Shawna had waited until her mom was ready, until she felt sure Shawna could live a normal student life again.
Except, she would never feel completely normal. Every class, every lecture, her dorm room, the university clubs, all of it felt like an amazing miracle. Life was a gift, and she planned to appreciate every bit. Like staring at the bright blue sky from next to the flower beds.
She made it back up to campus and lay down on the soft grass. She let her mind relax and went over her gratitude list for the day. A clean, cancer free body. A mother who loved her. History classes. Roommates.
A shadow fell across her face, and she squinted up at Professor Adams’ jubilant expression.
She sat up, breathless. “Oh! Mr. Adams.”
“May I?” He indicated the grass next to her.
“Of course.” She tucked her feet behind her and waited for him to speak.
He looked up to where she had been gazing moments before. “Beautiful day.”
“Yes. I can’t make myself go back inside, not yet.”
“On days like today, I always wish that libraries were outdoors.”
Her mouth opened, and she only half remembered to close it. “I just had the same thought. The best library I’ve ever been to is mostly windows, even the ceiling. Unfortunately, it does feel like a bit of a greenhouse in there in the summer.”
“I’d imagine so. At any rate, our library boasts that one wall…”
She pointed across campus. “On the second floor, east side. I am familiar with the very one.”
He smiled. “I’m happy to hear it. I see we are of one mind again.”
She felt her face heat, and she dug her fingernails into her palms. She could not be blushing with her professor.
“I stopped by because I wanted you to know you’ve been accepted into the summer study abroad program.”
She sucked in her breath and bit back a squeal. “Oh, I’m so happy to hear it. Thank you. I have literally been hoping to do this for years.”
He looked at her, his expression curious. “Your application was by far the best we received. I thought you’d enjoy hearing that.”
This time she did blush, and she couldn’t stop the pink from spreading. “Thank you. I’m pretty passionate about history. And Italy. It’s a great fit for me.”
“I can tell. I’m happy to have you along.” He toyed with a blade of grass. “I wanted to mention something else while I have you. We’ll be needing a student TA of sorts, and I wondered if you’d want to fill that spot?”
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