Indulging the Professor by Ella Jade Page B

and nodded at his friend
who looked amused that he was talking to a woman, “is getting married. This is his
impromptu bachelor party.”
    “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just wanted to say hello.”
    “You’re not
disturbing me. I’m happy to see you. Would you like to have a drink with me?”
    “I don’t want to interrupt.” She looked over at his friends.
“You’re here with the guys.”
    “Nonsense.” He stood and pulled out a barstool for her. “I’m
losing my house in that pool game. You’d be doing me a favor.”
    “As long as you don’t mind.” She sat down. “I’m not really
into loud music but I wanted to support my friend’s brother.”
    “What would you like to drink?”
    “Just a coke. I’m the designated driver tonight.”
    “Glad to hear you’re responsible.” He motioned for the
bartender. “The lady will have a coke.”
    “Do you come here often?” she asked as the bartender placed
the soda in front of her.
    He tightened his grasp on his beer bottle when she leaned
forward and wrapped her lips around the straw. More inappropriate thoughts
cluttered his mind. He noticed the stain her rose-colored lipstick left behind.
    “I did when I was
younger.” He looked around the bar at the twenty-something crowd. “I seem to be
getting older though.”
    “You can’t be more than thirty.” She sipped her drink again.
“Um, not that I stalk you or anything. I edited your bio for the book… That’s
how I know how old you are.”
    “I know.” He laughed at her explanation. “So what do you
think – which picture should I use?”
    “I like the close-up. It shows off your unique eyes.”
    “You think my eyes are unique?” He finished his beer as he
thought about her observation. He hadn’t realized she’d noticed him at all.
She’d never given him any indication that she found him attractive. She wasn’t
at all like the other students he’d encountered through the years. She appeared
unaffected by him. Perhaps that was what drew him to her. He never worried
about her crossing any lines.
    “I sound like a stalker again, don’t I?” Her cheeks turned
red. “I’ve just never seen such an exceptional shade of gray before.”
    “My two brothers have the same color, so I guess I never
thought of mine as different.”
    “They’re very nice.” She looked down at the floor.
    “Thank you.” He sensed her discomfort but he wanted to talk
to her some more. When they worked on his book it was all business, but that
was his fault. He often buried himself in his research and didn’t allow for
much social time when he had a deadline to meet. “Have you given much thought
to what you’ll do when you graduate?”
    “I’ve been offered a job in the governor’s office.”
    “Impressive.” Her ambition didn’t surprise him. She excelled
at her education and did a stellar job when it came to his research. “You’re
putting that political science degree to good use.”
    “It’s only entry level, but I’ve done several internships
there with school. I like the atmosphere.”
    “You’ll be staying local?”
    “I like Hartford.”
    “Me too. I’m happy you’re not going far.” More now than he
had initially realized.
    “Really?” Her chestnut colored eyes widened. “How come?”
    “I’m in the process of signing another book deal and I’d
like my research assistant to be available.” The book deal wasn’t the only
reason he didn’t want her to leave after graduation. There was something about
her that intrigued him. They’d been working together since January but this was
the first time they’d encountered one another in a social setting. He wanted to
learn more about her.
    “Of course.” She twisted her hands together again. “That’s
great news. I’d love to work with you again.”
    “I hoped you would. I was going to mention it next week.”
    “Hey, Jackie,” a tall, blonde girl called out from across
the room. “Hey, the band is about ready to