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„Yes, that’s exactly what I’ve been hearing,” I say, and we both laugh.
„Well, it was just a postdoc in another department, it’s not like…illegal or something.”
„It’s not?” I implore.
She scoffs. „People are blowing it way out of proportion, as if it matters. I wasn’t in his class, not even his department, like I said.”
„And you weren’t worried that people would find out?”
She shrugs, reaching for her glass of wine. „Not really. I wasn’t shouting it from the rooftops, but I wasn’t stressing over it either. I mean, it didn’t stay a secret, obviously. Even you’ve heard about it. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because I ended things with him.”
„What happened?” I want to know.
Stephanie gazes into her wine glass, a nostalgic twinkle in her eyes. „It just wasn’t working out. I had a feeling he was only seeing me for one reason.”
Our eyes meet and I cast her a puzzled look.
„Fucking,” she elaborates. „He only wanted to fuck, but he never cared about anything I said. He didn’t want to spend time with me outside the bedroom. And believe me, the sex was good, but not that great. I didn’t feel appreciated. We never had a conversation that lasted for more than two sentences, I think.”
„Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” I say.
„Ah, it’s okay. I’m over it. It’s not like I caught feelings for the guy. To be honest, the fact that he’s teaching here was part of the fun for me. The thrill that comes with doing something taboo…there’s just something to it, don’t you think?”
I almost lose my grip on the chopsticks, as my entire body stiffens.
„I-I wouldn’t know about that,” I say, hoping to God that she wasn’t trying to insinuate anything.
„Of course not!” she laughs. „You’re too goody-goody, Claire. I bet your guy is a nerd like you. Or maybe a sweet literature geek?”
I laugh helplessly, trying to appear calm. „I guess you could say that.”
„So, is that still going? Or are you home tonight because things ended?” Stephanie inquires.
I shake my head. „No, he just…he had plans tonight.”
I’m still not sure if that’s true, but I want it to be. I couldn’t stand the thought of things being over between us. But would he really act like such a coward, and ghost me, just because I didn’t agree on something with him right away? It’s hard to believe he would be this way—but it’s not impossible. Maybe he really thought I was someone I’m not.
„Well, if you have nothing else planned tonight, how about a scary movie?” Stephanie suggests as she refills our wine. „I love them, but I can never watch them on my own. And since you’re here…”
She regards me with a cautious look, but her face brightens when I nod. „Sounds great.”
I’m not a fan of scary movies, but it definitely beats moping around in my room, all by myself while I wonder about Aston and his feelings toward me. I’ll find out soon enough whether he’s still interested in me or not—or so I hope.
Chapter 34
Aston
Ever since things between us started, Claire and I have managed to act perfectly normal around each other, and she never tried to draw attention to her sexy self while on campus, and especially not in class.
But today, she’s wearing that dangerously short skirt again, paired with sheer tights and a tight-fitting top, that accentuates her delicious curves. I’m sure she’s wearing a push-up bra, too, because her tits have never looked bigger.
And the way she looks at me…
I knew she was up to something the moment she stepped into the room and placed herself in the middle of the front row while sending me a quick and dangerous wink.
I tried to ignore it, of course, but it’s impossible. And things only get worse, when she gets a tangerine out of her bag and starts peeling it before my eyes. I regret telling my students that it’s okay to have a snack in class, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the lecture. This is a serious disruption, but how am I ever going to admit that in front of the entire class?
I try to look away, but my eyes are magically drawn to the way her fingers dig into the juicy flesh of the fruit, moving awfully slowly and with a sensuous accuracy that is almost hypnotizing.
