Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 34941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
I realize that my fingers are clenching the edge of the desk, and I loosen them.
"And if the relationship is doomed, or the relationship is toxic, or the relationship is any other combination of circumstances," she continues, "doesn't that mean the couple should work harder to overcome it? Because if you love someone, shouldn't you work for it?"
She looks so hopeful, so desperate to have an answer to the question that's plagued humankind for centuries. And it's not the answer I have for her.
"Sometimes," I answer, and the smile she'd worn is wiped from her face. "But sometimes, there's no fighting fate." The disappointment on her face is clear, and she shuffles her papers around as if I've ruined everything she's been working on. "I'm sorry. That's not the answer you wanted, is it?"
She shakes her head, and I sigh.
"The truth is, there is no right answer. But what you have is a solid thesis and the beginnings of a paper. I know that's not what you wanted, but it's a start."
"Thank you, Professor...er, I mean, Nathan. Did you...want to read what I already have?" She puts on a happy face again, looking up at me, red lips turning up at the corners. The flashback to the fantasy I just had, those cherry lips wrapped around...
Never mind. Never fucking mind. I can't think about that right now. "Of course," I tell her, discreetly adjusting my half-hard member before going to join her on the sofa. She moves from the arm and settles on the cushion, handing me the small stack of papers that she has already written for me to look over. I try to ignore how close we are, legs touching, arms brushing against each other as we shift about.
I read the papers carefully, making notes as I go, and she doesn't make a sound the entire time. The silence is unnerving, but I'm so engrossed in her words that it's not as bad as it could be.
"Noelle," I say, and my voice comes out husky. Clearing my throat, I continue. "You're very eloquent, but this is too flowery and descriptive. Your professors don't care if the sky's the color of sapphires or diamonds or whatever, they just want the facts and the analysis. But, the analysis is strong. Your point is clear and well-argued, and the conclusion is perfect. I think if you just take this and strip away some of the extra, you'll have a really strong essay."
I hand the papers back, and when her fingers brush mine, I almost jump at the zing of electricity.
"Really? This is all stuff I'm not even sure about, so hearing you like it is a huge weight off my shoulders. I can fix it." She leans forward, pointing to an area that she has circled in red. "You didn't think this portion was reaching too much? I was really unsure about it..."
I also lean closer to get a better look at the paper she's holding, and we're basically touching at all available points, side by side. This close, I can see Noelle is affected by me like I am her. She licks her lips and inhales shakily each time we touch for a prolonged moment. When she looks up at me, it's with such sweet, needy innocence that it almost zaps the remaining shreds of my control.
Damn it...this job isn't worth letting this opportunity pass me by. There’s something about Noelle that just calls to me, and I don't have any intentions of letting her go without exploring just what this connection is. Danny will just have to understand. He can get a part-time job or something.
"It could be more concise, but it's a good passage," I tell her. "Sometimes we just need to strip things down a little, you know? Make them bare..."
My voice is so rough that I barely recognize it, and I swear she makes an almost inaudible whimper at my words. I turn, ready to give in and cup her face in my hands, to press my lips to hers–
There’s another knock at the door—this time, louder and more demanding. Whoever it is doesn't wait for me to ask them inside but just turns the knob and walks in like he owns the place. When I see who it is, the arrogant attitude makes perfect sense.
"Hey Dad, I just wanted to know if I could borrow–" Danny freezes, looking at Noelle with confusion. "Baby, what are you doing here?"
Noelle shoots across the couch, as far away from me as she can get, and turns her chin up stubbornly as she looks at my son. "I'm not your baby. We're over, remember?"
"Yeah, whatever. That doesn't explain why you're in my Dad's office after hours."
"Danny," I snap. "I'm at work, and I don't appreciate you barging in."
"A private matter?" he sputters. "Alone with my girlfriend?"