Her Billionaire Professor

by Sophia Summers

  They danced four more songs with Tony and Mateo, and Peter and Brandon joined them at the end of the last one, and the guys met each other.

  Another group of Americans filed into the dance floor, older. She watched them curiously, wondering what their story was. One of the women noticed Peter and pointed him out to the others. Soon they joined their group.

  “I’m Peter.” He cleared his throat an unnecessary amount.

  Brandon jabbed him in the side.

  “And this is Brandon.”

  Shawna laughed, and Mateo, who stood at her side winked. “Maybe we have more join us for gelato?” he asked.

  “Looks like it.”

  The rest of their group approached, and soon all the Americans in the club were together.

  One of the girls waved and shouted. “Dex! Over here.”

  Shawna froze. No.

  A slow song started, and Mateo pulled her into his arms. She allowed herself to be led around slowly, but her head spun. She looked in the direction the girl had called. It could be anyone—there was definitely more than one Dexter in the world. But as the crowd cleared, Dr. Adams walked through with one of the most exquisitely beautiful women she had ever seen on his arm.

  ‘Whoa.” Mateo raised his eyebrows.

  “Hey, what are you talking about?”

  “You were checking out that guy, right?” He laughed. “It’s okay, we all notice beauty when we see it. You are also stunningly beautiful.”

  Her eyes met his. “Thank you.” She looked in Dex’s direction. He had seen her, and her eyes locked on his, which were travelling rapidly from Mateo to her and back. She shrugged.

  “You know him?”

  ‘I do.”

  “Do you have something? Maybe we swap?”

  She laughed. “No, I don’t think so.”

  “What? Of course we do. I can see it in your face. He’s your secret love.”

  “Mateo, no, you don’t—”

  He navigated the space between them, and soon they were dancing next to Dr. Adams and his date. The music changed again to something slower. “We swap?” He directed his question at Dex but included his date as well.

  She nodded. “Sure!” She gave Dexter a gentle push. “Have a little fun. Be adventurous.”

  “But—”

  Mateo pulled the woman into his arms, which left Dr. Adams and Shawna standing awkwardly in front of one another.

  “Dex, dance with her.” The woman obviously had no idea that they knew each other.

  He stepped closer. “I’ll admit I’m happy with the situation we find ourselves in, but I want to know if you’re comfortable with it.”

  She closed the space between them. “I don’t see what choice we have.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Does it just seem like one of the many assignments I’ve given you tonight?”

  “Not at all.” She stepped into his outstretched arms and summoned her courage. “Which is part of the problem, I think.”

  His eyes darkened. “I see what you mean.” He swayed with her for a moment. His hands rested on her hips, cradling her, moving with her, giving them space. But no matter what space he allowed, she felt as though it was charged, pulling her closer. He shifted, taking her hand in his own. “I prefer a little fun to this monotonous swaying.”

  “Do you?” Inwardly thrilled, she followed his lead. And soon they were moving around the floor as he started to add small moves. She felt at times as though she floated.

  The song ended much too soon.

  He stepped away as soon as the music stopped.

  Mateo and the woman arrived, both laughing. He said, “Cassie, this is Shawna.”

  She eyed Shawna as though she knew something and was sizing her up. “Nice to meet you. You two know each other?”

  Dex cleared he throat. “We do, from the university.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened.

  “She’s on the faculty, sort of. My TA, actually.”

  Cassie nodded and Mateo wiggled his eyebrows in a particularly obnoxious manner. Everything she’d found charming about him was slowly seeping away. What had he told Cassie? Some kind of nonsense he’d spouted about her secret love, probably. From the looks Cassie was giving her, that was exactly what he’d said.

  Brandon and Peter returned with the other women, and Dex’s eyebrows rose into his hairline. “Well, I see we’re all getting to know each other, aren’t we?”

  Cassie linked her arm in his. “Yes, are these your students, Dex?”

  “Yes, they are.” He introduced the guys and Tiff, who also had returned with Gio.

  Peter suddenly looked five years older and had become charming. “We’re ready for gelato. You guys up for leaving?” He almost sounded as though he hoped they’d decline, but Dex surprised her and responded. “We’re in.”

  “Okay then.” Mateo clapped his hands together. “It’s a plan. I have just the place.”

  They exited onto the street, Mateo stepping up beside her.

  Dex looked back, eyeing the two of them a couple times, and Mateo whispered in her ear, “He’s jealous. We make him more jealous so he makes his move.”

  “No, Mateo.”

  He grabbed her hand and stepped closer. “You trust Mateo. We Italian men understand love. I know how his brain works.”

  “That might be the case, but—”

  “Here we are.” Mateo called out to the group.

  Dex turned around, and she watched his reaction to their hands being linked. Something stilled in his expression. His eyes never lifted to her face but stayed on their hands longer than necessary before he placed his hand on the small of the back of the woman with him.

  “You see? He is shook.” He winked. “I think that’s what you say.”

  “Shook works.” Although it was incredibly slang, like in the teenage crowd. “Shaken might be better.”

  They filled the café with their group, and the man behind the counter seemed happy about it.

  “Uncle Tomasso. I have brought you new friends from America.”

  “Oh, Mateo, my boy.”

  “He still thinks I’m his boy.” Mateo murmured. “Yes, uncle. All these people have come for your delicious espresso and gelato.”

  “I treat you all. No one makes espresso like the Fuglio family.”

  “Or gelato. We have a better process than most. You tell your friends. This is the place in all of Rome to come. It’s the local secret.”

  Shawna nodded, loving this new experience. It felt much more authentic to get to know the locals, closer to the real Italy.

  They each chose their flavors and ordered some espresso. Mateo had everyone squeeze together at three tables he’d pushed closer. A few of them shared chairs, including her and Tiff, which placed her right next to Dr. Adams, her legs pressed up against his.

  She couldn’t hardly think because of his closeness, but she just decided to pretend he was one of the group, just another guy. It had been so long since she’d had real fun, since she’d dared spend time in a social situation like this one, she wanted the carefree fun to continue.

  “So, everyone here must talk about their secret love.” Mateo swirled his coffee. “Everyone has a secret love, someone they desire, they wish they could be with, but don’t dare make their move.”

  What was he doing? There went her relaxing evening. Suddenly the tension in their group amped up to a hundred. She fixed her eyes on her gelato, taking a slow bite, feeling like everyone at the table was watching her.

  When she dared to flick her gaze around the table, no one was looking at her, they were all looking equally embarrassed.

  But Dr. Adams was watching her.

  She turned her gaze to him, and again, his striking green eyes watched her. She tried to avoid having a big emotional moment in front of everyone. But she couldn’t look away. She waited. What would he say? Do?

  The kindness, the sincerity the generosity she’d always enjoyed from him was all present in his eyes, and now somet
hing more. He took a sip of his espresso. The heat between them seemed to grow, her legs tingling from his touch. “There’s a legend about secret love.”

  “Oh, here comes the professor.” Cassie was toying with him, but Shawna could tell she had no real interest in that part of Dex’s life. She wondered why he would choose her company.

  “It’s a great legend, really. There was a captain of the guard in the Roman army.”

  Shawna wrinkled her nose, wracking her brain for any stories about Roman soldiers.

  “So, he is ordered to this one village. They were reportedly not loyal to Rome, and he was sent to keep the peace.”

  “But when he got there, one family full of hot-headed brothers didn’t want him there. They saw the soldier coming from far off with this fellow soldiers, and they made plans to attack him.

  “He grew closer, thinking the village to be a quiet place, wondering why he had been commanded to come. Then he was ambushed.

  “The brothers were inexperienced and had no chance against the superior knowledge and training of the Roman soldiers. But just as the soldier would have sent his sword into the heart of one of the brothers, a pair of eyes caught his attention.

  A beautiful girl stepped out of the edge of the forest, her expression pleading. She didn’t have to say anything at all, her expression was obvious across her face.”

  Shawna held her breath.

  “The world stopped as the two stared at each other, suddenly caught up in an intense inner battle, each finding love for the first time, one while he was about to send a sword through the chest of another man.

  “The girl shook her head. He let the brother go.

  “When the brother would have started swinging to fight the soldier further, she ran and stood to his front, pleading with her brother to leave him be.”

  Dr. Adams stopped talking.

  “What happened?” Cassie was leaning forward, watching him.

  “That’s all I know.”

  “What? Aren’t you going to tell us the rest?” Tiff watched him.

  He shrugged. “We don’t always know how things work out. Love between the two of them was forbidden in many different ways, and yet it existed. What kinds of cultural obstacles would they have had to overcome.”

  Brandon groaned.

  “What’s the matter? Too much of a history class for you?”

  Shawna had not found her voice. Did he share that story for her benefit? Did he see them as falling in love and unable to pursue their feelings? Her heart raced. She had to sit back to catch her breath. When she looked up into his face, he seemed normal, back in his professor mode. But something did spark in his eyes, and Shawna felt more confused than ever.

  Chapter 11

  Dex realized more than ever that he was going to have to put some distance between him and Shawna. The chemistry between them could grow into something real. But he couldn’t let it progress in an inappropriate manner. It would just ruin anything good they could have.

  He watched the emotion flood her face and yet not react to it, in fact she did nothing that would indicate she was hoping for something clandestine between them. His respect for her only grew. Perhaps this was his chance to get to know a woman, really know her, in an environment that was completely devoid of romance.

  He’d never felt more conflicted about a situation. Perhaps he should talk to Margie about it. Had it come to that?

  What would happen if he told someone? Would it ruin the beautiful, quiet thing they had together?

  He studied Shawna’s face. He knew she was aware of his gaze, but she hesitated before turning her eyes to his.

  When she did, they were full of hesitant desire. She would be the death of him, with those eyes.

  He stood. “Well, I for one have plenty of work to complete tonight. I’m heading back.” He cleared his throat. “As should all of you.”

  Brandon groaned. “Really, professor?”

  Dex turned pointedly to Shawna, but instead of agreeing with him, she seemed to bristle. “You can be sure we will get our assignments to you on time.” She did not stand, and she didn’t follow him to the door when he turned to walk away.

  Baffled, he was speechless as Cassie laughed at him. Everything he’d thought he understood so clearly about his and Shawna’s relationship cracked in a seam of insecurity. Perhaps he couldn’t read her expressions as well as he thought.

  The thought of her lingering with Mateo, the overly hormonal Italian man, or any of her fellow students didn’t sit well with him. But Cassie had stood immediately when he had, hanging on his arm. The others stayed. And so he was forced to continue with Cassie. Were it not for Shawna, he would have been perfectly content with Cassie. She was a good friend from long ago. And he had often wondered what would have come of a thing between he and Cassie if it weren’t for Shayla.

  But now, after being in Shawna’s presence, he felt nothing for her but friendship.

  “Do you want to see Shayla while she’s here in Italy?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t see why that would benefit anyone.”

  “So.” She gazed up at him, her eyes wide. “Are you open to spending time with others now?”

  “I’m open to colleagues, to friends, to business associates, and to students.” He shrugged. “I don’t have time for much else right now.”

  She nodded. They continued in pleasant silence. He couldn’t regret that his relationship with Shayla had prevented anything to grow between him and Cassie; as beautiful as she was, he’d never felt anything that intrigued him.

  They didn’t spend too much more time together. After a short walk to a piazza nearby, he called a car for Cassie and started his own walk back to their hotel.

  On the way back, he stopped at a cathedral that was open to the public at all hours. “Benvenuto, abbiamo spazio per tutti.” (Welcome, we have room for all.) He knew this cathedral. It was famous for some of its relics, a finger, strands of hair, an ear. It was fascinating. What an intriguing thought, that the remains of remarkable people were preserved for the faithful to appreciate. He didn’t hold to the particular belief that these relics held power, but he still found it respectable and interesting.

  He found a pew to sit in, and as he leaned back, he let the quiet of the building fill him. He hoped that he’d be influenced by some sort of ancient wisdom so he could understand all the conflicting emotions going on in his life.

  Shawna might be interested in something more with him. He was pretty sure, but then she’d stayed back at the café to spend time with other men. They could never discuss such a thing right now. He couldn’t even broach the topic. Their student-professor relationship prohibited just about anything that could progress between them. He had told himself he’d be happy with the purely professional relationship that they would have on this study abroad. But especially after today, he found he was more conflicted than happy.

  How unfair of him to resent her having fun with locals or fellow students, when she couldn’t have fun with him.

  He closed his eyes. Their dance together had been a tiny slice of heaven. He’d wanted to hold her closer, spend more time with her, and, for a moment, kiss those full lips of hers. But the strongest emotion from their dance was a new sense of rightness. She felt good in his arms. He felt strong with her at his side. And the world seemed more purposefully correct when they were together.

  He couldn’t describe it any other way. And now he’d made her mad by being demanding as her professor. He’d crossed the line. It wasn’t his place to tell the students when to go to bed.

  When he left the cathedral, his head was more clear. No solutions had presented themselves, but he was more determined to continue getting to know her, to working well with her, and limiting any other interaction.

  Once he was back in his hotel room, he left his door cracked. He opened his sliding glass door. He could treat her in a purely platonic way when he saw her, but a part of him knew he wouldn’t rest until he knew she was home.
Had she stayed out later with Mateo? Would he come back to her room? She didn’t seem the type to invite him in. Had she been drinking? He couldn’t remember. His mind raced with thoughts about her. He would have no peace until he knew she was back, so the easiest solution was to simply crack his doors and wait.

  It didn’t take long. Voices carried down the hallway. Mateo and Shawna.

  Dex moved closer to his door to hear when she went inside.

  Shawna laughed at something Dex didn’t hear. Then she said, “Thank you, Mateo, for everything. I appreciate what you were trying to do.”

  “And you got to dance with your secret love.”

  Dex’s heart pounded. Was he talking about him? He felt ridiculous assuming so.

  “Ugh. Stop saying that. He’s not.”

  “Say no more. This Italian understands. Did I not tell you?”

  The silence was unnerving. What were they doing? Hugging?

  “I could be your fling in Rome. Is that what you call your other lover?”

  “What! Mateo. No. I mean, I’m flattered, but I don’t do other lovers. But I don’t have a first lover, so if you were anything, you would be the lover not the other lover, which I don’t do.”

  “Oh, so you are looking for a not secret love while you’re here?”

  She laughed. “Not really that, either.”

  “Then let me say goodbye. I will be that friend. Can I call you?”

  “Yes, sure.”

  The sound of their shuffling brought him closer to the door. He couldn’t see anything, and he suddenly realized the awkwardness of him trying to listen in. Nothing at that door was any of his business at all.

  He heard her door shut, and he waited for Mateo to be long gone before he shut his own door as quietly as he could and prepared for bed.

  But voices from the balcony carried into his room, and he realized Mateo had been invited in.

  He groaned, hummed to himself, and shut his sliding glass door.

  It was going to be a long night.

  And he knew now, more than ever, he was going to have to shelter his feelings, hide his interest, and give her as much work as he could.