Damaged Beyond Repair by Kashmira Kamat (KittyKash) (best short books to read TXT) 📗

                                                                             ****

A week later, I started to wonder if my date last Saturday had all been in my head and I'd imagined it because every time I tried to speak with Rowan, he'd disappear back in his office or get surrounded by the ever-increasing bunch of fangirls who made a point of remaining glued to his side. The other day, I watched Helen approach him after the noon extra session. Her glossy hair swayed over her shoulder, her high heels making that notorious sound on the floor as she halted right in front of the professor, putting me at blindsight. She dared to even put her filthy long-nailed hand flirtatiously over his shoulder, patting away some dirt that was apparently visible to her eyes.

Another week passed away in similar fashion, I was only acknowledged by Rowan with a mere smile which seemed to disappear when Eddie decided to pull dirty tricks like helping me carry books to class, or sitting with his chair close to mine, evading my personal space. Ed crossed the dotted line when he put his arm around my shoulder in Economics. Casual gesture, only it didn't look so casual to the onlookers. Rowan's eyes bore deep into mine, clearly displeased, and choose to ignore me after that, giving me the impression that I was the pollution in the air and not some living, moving species.

It killed me inside. What had I done to this man?

The next thing I know, I bumped right into him before the start of my history class.

There was no room for him to move or pull that 'you're the air that I breathe' line on me, he just stood there, giving me a plastic smile though I knew he was boiling some serious shit inside.

"Good Afternoon." He wished me like the good teacher that he was.

Beating around the bush had never been my thing, "Why are you avoiding me?"

Rowan passed me a confused look, "I'm sorry if I'm giving you that impression, Alana. That definitely wasn't my intention."

Fuck this.

He hadn't known the fact that pulling the 'I'm clueless' kinda crap on me wouldn't work, well two can play a game but, damn, if my silly heart would just stop beating so fast every time I heard my name roll off his tongue.

"Well, I most certainly got that impression, Mr. Masters."

He knew I was mocking him, "Why don't you join me in my office? I'd like to discuss it in private."

I trailed behind him to his office willingly, Nina wasn't around so I was relieved I wouldn't have to go through a round of annoying inquisition and the worst part was lying to her.

The office clicked open; the familiar scent of leather entered my nostril, he shut the door behind him making sure the hallway was empty and locked it. I stood uncomfortably, not sure of what I was supposed to do while he got rid of the files and books he'd been carrying. After he was done, he made his way to the windows, and pulled the white blinds down, allowing only a little light to pass through the gaps. The room remained in semi-darkness.

I swallowed hard.

I figured I might as well run for the hills right now. I highly doubted I'd be lucky enough to see the morning light the next day, considering the way I shot my mouth earlier on. I tried to play cool, acting as though it didn't bother me at all.

"So," his whole I don't give a damn demeanor had changed to I'm challenging you to speak, "what was it you were saying?"

I strutted, "I...I just want to know why you were avoiding me this past week. Have I done something wrong?"

"I was hoping you'd realize sooner." His hands were folded across his chest, his butt leaning on the oak desk. I couldn't see his expressions clearly.

"I'm not sure what it is, so I would really appreciate it if you could enlighten me."

"I don't make a habit of saying things twice. I don't want to see you speak with Eddie again or have anything to do with him."

Whoa. Where is he going with this?

"I see." I wasn't backing yet. "So where does that leave me?"

It was dark, but I could see him narrow his eyes at me, "what's that supposed to mean?"

I sighed heavily, how thick could he possibly get.

"I don't know, Mr. Masters, forgive me if I'm being rude, but you've been giving me all kinds of mixed signals since the past week. I thought we were through the student and teacher thing. Sue me if I'm reading too much into our last date. You never called me, texted me, or whatever people do after a date." I paused to catch a breath, "I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to call it a date, considering the way you've been avoiding me in university grounds. And now, you're pissed because I'm talking to some guy in my class. What am I supposed to make of this?"

He reached out for my hand and I slipped mine into his. He tugged me closer by the waist which did not leave me an inch of space to move. I was pinned to his body, his chest leveled with my eyes. I managed to look up, he whispered. "Do you understand that this is wrong?"

I looked deeper into his mocha eyes. "Yes, sir.."

"Help me fight it baby, runaway while you still can."

"I can't." I was intoxicated by his rich cologne. I could feel my own heart hammering against my chest, I hadn't realized until now how broad his shoulders were or how deep his eyes looked, deep and hypnotizing.

Rowan grinned. "I'll give you five seconds. Five."

"Four."

"Three."

"Two."

As if possessed by some daring spirit, I went up on my toes and grazed my lips slightly with his. I didn't miss the shiver that ran through his body. I pulled back, all ready to be thrown out of his office, but instead, he rewarded me with a full-blown grin.

"Well, you asked for it."

He leaned down and pressed his warm lips over mine, the little pecks took a turn to a more fierce stage as he swallowed me whole, kissing me passionately. My lips parted for an intake of breath when his tongue darted and swirled inside my mouth. He smelled of mint and something else I wasn't able to exactly put my finger on. I heard him moan softly as his hand reached for the hem of my tank top, pulling it upward until my skin was exposed to his tender touch. His fingers moved in slow patterns, sliding upward towards the cup of my bra while his other hand caressed my hair. We had completely forgotten that this was planet earth, he was my teacher, I was a student and this was taboo. The bell rang tearing us apart from the frenzy of lust that had taken over.