Her mind drifted to Professor Adams. Dexter. She dared his first name in her thoughts. And a woman. Falona. She was just the kind of woman Dexter should have at his side. Carefully put together, stunning, a bit exotic. Shawna should be grateful she had run into them. She couldn’t be carrying a growing crush on her already off-limits professor. And knowing that he had women like Falona in his life helped put her attraction to him in perspective.
She sighed. But he was handsome, smart, and… Stop. She told herself her time was way better spent focusing on important classes and finishing her education. She was far enough behind already.
Someone slid into the booth next to her, almost jostling her elbow while she sipped her tea.
“Hey, am I late?”
His name was Brandon, maybe? He planned to pursue a doctorate in history and looked way better in person than in his Facebook profile picture. He smiled at her, and something about the twinkle in his eye was comforting.
“Nope, you’re as early as I am. Well done.”
He put his number in the center of the table so a waiter could bring his order. “This is a great idea, a power group for the semester.” His brown hair was cut short, almost military style, and his t-shirt stretched across his chest and around his upper arms.
“I’m looking forward to some enriching conversation, and to hear your own studies and theories.” She sounded like a teacher’s pet. The problem was she was being totally sincere.
But Brandon didn’t even blink at her incredible nerdiness. “I’m here for a good dose of architecture. We have a mix of several time periods going on.”
The rest of the group gathered, two women and another man. The girls seemed tight. The kind that clung to each other and whispered a lot. Shawna had hoped for a friend. They still had time.
The first girl sat in a flurry, her apple shampoo wafting over the group, and Shawna smiled. “Welcome. I think we’re all here.”
The girl’s smile was pleasant if not warm. “I’m Tiff, this is Georgia.” She leaned closer to Brandon.
He sat up straighter, and Shawna could almost see his muscles expanding. She hid her smile. “Hey, I’m Brandon. This is Shawna.”
They turned to a pale, dark-haired man who looked more scared than anything. He cleared his throat. “I’m Peter.”
“So, how’s this gonna work?” Tiff scooted closer to Brandon. He turned to Shawna, waiting.
“Well, for today, I just thought we’d meet and talk about our interests, why we’re going on the study abroad, that kind of thing. Once we’re in Italy and have assignments, we should collaborate and discuss like a study group.”
“And we have all those titles to read before we go.” Georgia’s pout and slight southern melody in her voice made Shawna wonder if she was named after her state.
Tiff shrugged. “If you’ve been studying European history at all, most of those titles should already be in your library.”
Georgia’s worried expression brought out a bit of compassion in Shawna. “But there’s plenty of time to make that happen, and a long plane ride.”
Georgia’s face lit back up.
Peter’s eyes were sharp. Judging by the way his gaze travelled over the group, he missed little, but he seemed reticent.
Shawna leaned forward. “Okay, so let’s start with Peter. Tell us about yourself and what you’re studying.”
His face seemed to empty of all remaining color. Then he swallowed. “Peter Kowalski.”
“Oh, is that Polish?”
He nodded. “I’m studying the Jewish influence in southern Italy.”
“Then I think you will be most enlightened on this trip,” Professor Adams said, joining them with a smile that sent Shawna’s stomach flipping. She couldn’t stop the huge surprised smile or exclamation that burst out of her. “Oh! Hello!”
His eyes lingered on her for a moment, nestling in her hair somewhere before moving on around the group. She was left a bit breathless from the attention. She knew her reaction to him would fade. Most people in the world weren’t magazine-cover attractive. Once she got used to that, she would be able to respond normally. She hoped.
Tiff and Georgia had no qualms about exuberantly greeting Professor Adams. “How did you know we’d be here?”
He smiled. “I had a hunch.” His wink in Shawna’s direction did not go unnoticed, nor did the slight narrowing of Tiff’s eyes, but Shawna just scooted her chair to make room. “Do you have time to join us?”
“I do. In fact, I’m pleased to see just such a group gathered.”
The seat next to her felt so much closer now that he occupied the space. A waitress brought him a cup of tea, and he nodded to the group. “So, what have we done so far?”
“We just started introductions.”
“Good. So I only have a few minutes, but Shawna and I were talking about just such a group for those who want to delve a bit deeper. We are all about doing well in the course, but that’s secondary to the learning potential while we are there. In this group we will discuss things beyond what will be on the tests.”
Brandon toyed with his napkin. “We can study for the tests too though, right?”
“Of course. But you won’t have trouble with those. Not if you’re fascinated already with the history of the location.”
Peter’s face brightened for the first time. “This is what I like to hear. I was planning to make some visits to cemeteries, old synagogues. I’m searching out a family line as well. We think some of our people spent time in Italy.”
“Polish Jewish ancestors?” Professor Adams took a sip of his tea.
Peter nodded.
“There’s a good chance. Talk to me again once we are in-country. I can direct you to a good starting place.”
Shawna nodded, anxious to ask her next question. “So, now that we have you here, do you have additional reading for us?”
Georgia gasped.
“Or some thoughts to consider as we prepare?”
“The initial list is a good start. A guide to architecture would be helpful.” He nodded toward Brandon. “Which I assume this young man can provide.”
Brandon sat up taller.
“And design elements.” He indicated Tiff. “About which I know Miss Suthers will be a veritable fount of accuracy.”
Her blush was charming. And Shawna watched Professor Adam’s face to see if he noticed. He didn’t seem to linger there for long.
He mentioned how other members could help the group, and then Tiff raised an eyebrow. “What about Shawna?”
When Professor Adams turned his attention to her, Shawna had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from fawning. “Didn’t I tell you? Shawna’s the TA.”
Tiff sucked in a breath. It was quiet, but Shawna heard her surprise. Did Shawna not seem capable?
“We were so pleased to discover such an incredibly prepared applicant that we offered the position immediately. You are lucky to find yourself in her group. I know she’s being selective in choosing students to join our extracurricular study jams.”
Tiff schooled her expression and looked appropriately humble. Shawna couldn’t get a read on her. But she was excited to talk about the fashion and design of the past with her.
Professor Adams shifted so that his arm brushed hers. Then he turned again to include her in his next statement. “Shawna will also help with grading papers and responses. So stay on her good side.” The wink he sent her way charmed her to her toes. She knew he was just being friendly. That he was trying to ease the obvious undercurrent of jealousy she might face. But she would spend time tonight trying to recover. She smiled. Give it time. It wasn’t his fault he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
They talked for twenty minutes, and when professor Adams left, they all stood and started packing up their things. As soon as he was out of earshot, Tiff smirked. “You could have told us you were the TA.”
“It’s a brand-new thing. I wasn’t sure it had gone through the department yet.”
“So, how do you know him?”
“Pardon?”
“I saw you sitting together in our first meeting. How do you guys know each other?” Her eyes took on an interesting glint that Shawna couldn’t understand.
“We don’t, not really. I just met him that first day.”
They all said goodbye, setting up a time to meet again to compare notes before they travelled. As soon as they left, Shawna sat back down, worn out from the different bolts of energy that had flown around the table.
After a few moments, she almost bit her tongue when Professor Adams came back to join her. “Are they gone?” His face, impishly devious, made her laugh.
“I think so.”
“That was a bit trying, wasn’t it? Or am I reading them wrong?”
“I can’t tell. I was sitting here attempting to recover to be honest.”
“Well, we don’t do drama. And we don’t do positioning. So if they aren’t our group, we’ll modify and evolve. But as long as you’re there, I feel like the conversation will be stellar.”
She searched his face. What could he mean by this extra attention? She nodded. “Thank you.” He was so open and bold, he couldn’t possibly be after anything more than a teacher-student relationship. But everything he said washed over her through the filter of her attraction. It would fade. It had to fade.
She tipped her head toward the door. “They do seem worried about extra work. But that’s the whole point.”
“Exactly. Studying this stuff isn’t work. It’s our living, breathing passion.”
She nodded. “Maybe there aren’t many who agree.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find them. And until then, this group will do. Students overly intent on impressing their professor, or their TA, can offer brilliant conversation.” He laughed, and the carefree sound of it rumbled through her. “They might surprise us.”
“Exactly. I am looking forward to being pleasantly surprised.”
A comfortable silence settled over them, and then she stood.
“Oh, do you need to be somewhere?” he asked.
“I do. Or, that is, I thought you did?”
He checked his watch. “Yes, I suppose I should show up for office hours.”
She lifted her bag onto her shoulder. “Thanks for coming today. It was a good surprise.”
“I’ll admit I joined your FB group and saw the notifications going around. I’m glad you didn’t mind me crashing. Sometimes when the professor shows up, all the fun is doused.”
“No, it was great. I appreciated it. And it was helpful because I didn’t know how to bring up the whole TA thing.”
“Tiff will get over it. Maybe.” His grin was wicked again. “And if she doesn’t, we’ll have some fun at her expense.”
“What? No.”
He held up his hands. “I’m kidding.” As he walked away, he called over his shoulder. “Sort of. Come on, where are you heading next? While I’ve got you, let’s talk about these papers I keep bringing up.”
“Oh, okay, great.” She was secretly thrilled at the opportunity to spend more time with him. He was literally brimming with energy and passion and excitement. It was contagious, and she found herself holding back a jump in her step.
She looked forward to being with him in Italy. If she could just not respond so much to his physical qualities, they’d get on great.
Chapter 5
Dexter gathered the students together at the gate. Thirty students. Almost everyone had chosen to take the flight together. And he suddenly felt a bit like a high school chaperone, something he hadn’t ever wanted to be. “Once we get close enough to see the buildings from the air, use those few minutes during landing to pick out important landmarks, to get an understanding of the geography from up above, and to try and see reasons why some of the population is so divided.”
They nodded. Most carried a pillow around their necks, earbuds already in one ear, and were dressed comfortably for the flight. He searched the group. Where was Shawna?
He instructed them to board when called. Early boarding had already started, and he may as well get on with the other first class passengers. No way was he riding in coach. Solidarity with his students had its limits.
He wondered about Shawna. She could take care of herself, and she had already proven to be an incredibly capable TA. Surely boarding a plane lay within her abilities. But what if she missed the flight? He had been hoping they could get started putting together the first assignments right away after landing. He even hoped to visit an archeological site with her. She and Brandon seemed the most interested. Brandon particularly. But Shawna seemed interested in any extra learning in Italy.
He didn’t analyze too closely his focus on the woman. He didn’t want to understand its roots. He just wanted a lovely, fascinating semester with like-minded people, and students who worked hard and actually cared about the material. He stepped onto the plane and stopped short. Shawna sat in the window seat next to his aisle seat.
He placed his bag in the overhead compartment, trying to figure out how to appropriately greet her. She looked up at him before he could hide his unnamed emotion. And he enjoyed the shock and then pleasure that crossed her face and then her deliberate attempt to hide her emotions. So, she was still not immune to him.
He was secretly satisfied that he wasn’t the only one affected, even if they were both remarkably good at keeping things professional. “Well, I’m not disappointed. Just surprised.” He’d had the impression funds weren’t overflowing from her account.
Her smile grew. “I’d say I’m stalking you, but I’m already your TA. You can’t be rid of me.”
“True.” He laughed and then sat beside her. “Margie and her husband should be joining us up here as well. It’s actually fortuitous. We can have our first staff meeting.”
She shook her head. “Or we could get in some reading.” She held up one of his books.
“Or both.”
Other passengers started loading, and she dipped her head and turned to the window
“Are you hiding from your fellow students?”
“Well, I was hoping to make a few friends.”
“Am I cramping your style?” Having the professor around all the time wasn’t the coolest way to spend a lovely semester abroad.
“No, it’s not you.” She widened her eyes. “Well, it is you, too, I guess. But I was planning to hide my face even if you weren’t here.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. If people can’t handle your good fortune, then they aren’t really worth your time, are they?”
She smiled.
“But I do understand. I try to do exactly what you are attempting all the time.”
“What’s that?”
“Live understated, hide all moments where I might seem outside of the norm.”
She shook her head. “Why do we do things like that?”
“I don’t know. Well, I do know. But I don’t want to get into it. Let’s just say I will always prefer a low-profile life.” He eyed her. “But I get the impression first class isn’t your norm?”
“Is it obvious?”
“Not at all. Just a hunch.” She had applied for financial aid for the program.
“I find the business class risky—too many people. I had a compromised immune system, and force of habit makes me extra careful about things like transoceanic flights.”
“I’d like to know more about this. Maybe after we’ve been going for five hours we can start divulging all of our secrets in a crazed, delusional state of mass boredom?”
“It’s not really a secret. But I will set my phone alarm for five hours from now so that I can start listening to yours.”
“Ho ho. After my secrets, are you?”
“I am. At least the academic ones.”
“Then you’re in the right seat. Give me five hours and I’ll start baring all.”
“He’s not kidding.” Marcus and Margie joined them.
&
nbsp; “Margie! Good to see you both,” Dexter said. “Glad you could come, Mark.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Margie convinced me a few months in southern Italy would be good for us.”
“Are you working?”
“Yes, I’ll finish up research on one project, and I can touch base with my team from here,” Mark said. “I’ll have to travel like I would at home, but this is as good a home base as any.”
“Better.”
“So she keeps telling me.”
Dexter clapped him on the back. “Glad you could come. I appreciate it.”
“Looking forward to some time on The Angelique. I heard a rumor you might have her docked and ready?”
Dex glanced at Shawna, who just smiled and acted as though the conversation didn’t concern her. “Do you know my TA?”
Mark held out his hand. “I wondered how Dex got so lucky in a travel partner. Great to meet you.”
“The funny thing is we didn’t plan this. I boarded and here she was.”
Shawna held up her pencil. “But I’m already taking orders. He thought it might be beneficial to have our first staff meeting on the flight over.”
“That’s my Dexter.” Margie leaned over as if to whisper. “But I give you my permission to tell him when you’ve had enough. We don’t pay you enough for twenty-four-hour attention.”
Shawna blushed prettily, which Dex found amusing and revealing. Had she been pleasantly entertained by the idea of more time together?
Maybe when the semester was over, and she wasn’t in any of his classes, he could explore their connection. But for now, he’d have to be careful not to even hint in that direction. A relationship with a student was a disaster waiting to happen. Especially with someone like Shawna. From what he could already tell about her, she deserved better than that.
The flight crew began preparations for take-off, and he settled back comfortably in his chair, ready for excellent conversation and productivity. He couldn’t have chosen a better situation if he’d arranged it himself.
Which made him question why he hadn’t. Surely the TA could have joined them all in first class, if only for the option to plan and converse during the flight. He couldn’t be making decisions simply because he was attracted to her. It would die down. She was unaccountably beautiful, but what he appreciated most was her mind, her thoughts, and her shared interest in history. She was interesting, not attractive.
Her Billionaire Professor Page 3
