My heart hammered against my chest. Of course. The words I’d been desperate to hear for months and instead of relief, I felt renewed dread.
“That’s terrific.”
“It is.” She smiled a genuine smile. “This must be a huge relief to you.”
“Yes.” Tension pounded at my temples.
“This is a huge deal. I’m very proud of you, Dr. Rutledge.”
I swallowed a sour taste back down my throat.
“He mentioned a contingency in your research—that the money will be deposited in December after the conclusion of a social experiment?” Her voice lifted in question. Her own concerns flashed on her face. It’s all just a little too good to be true, wasn’t it?
“Yes. I’m confident that the research will prove conclusive. My assistant has been extremely helpful.”
Images of Suzie dancing flashed into my mind. Of her quirked mouth and teasing eyes.
“Is this assistant a grad student?”
“No. She’s not a student of the university at all.”
Dean Lucero thought this information over, gently tapping the elbow of her sweater.
“Well, it all sounds very exciting. You keep doing what you’re doing and everybody wins. This is a great boost to this department’s reputation, as well as your own. I had a good feeling about you when we brought you aboard.”
“Thank you.”
I fought to keep my face blank. What could I do now? How could I stop when I was so close? But Suzie…what did she want?
She patted the back of the chair as though she wanted to say more but gave a curt nod.
Once the door was closed, I dropped my head to the desk.
* * *
I took Jack’s advice and came home after the discussion with Dean Lucero. I was too distracted and worried to fill out any more grant proposals anyway. I hoped Suzie would be out for the rest of the day. She’d been enjoying the company of new acquaintances lately. From what I gathered from our bits of conversation, it was some sort of intellectual society with shared interests where they discussed world news and volunteered their time. Everything and anything to help elevate the mind, that’s what I’d said. I was happy to see she took my advice and found a better group of people to hang around with.
I walked into the den after setting down my stuff on the hall tree. Suzie bent over in front of me and smacked her ass loudly.
My mouth fell open. All my chairs had been moved to the front room and were occupied with a group of women writhing around in spandex as hip hop blared from the speakers.
“There you go. Really work it.” She snapped up and her hair flipped out all around her. A whiff of her sweet scent flew to me. Her back was to the doorway so she couldn’t see me standing there watching helplessly. “Don’t be afraid to get into it. The more turned on you are, the more your partner will feel it.”
What had I done to deserve this? Had I offended the gods? But no, I knew exactly why I was being punished. Suzie moved her hands up her body. The women in the background mimicked her, tossing their hair and rubbing themselves. This would be a good time to go.
I turned on a dime and made for the stairs.
“Ford?” The music quieted. “Hey, wait.”
I cursed my loud walking and turned to her and the ladies. “Hello.” I waved.
They all spoke at once. “Oh, this is your Ford?” “Wow, that’s a shiner.” “He’s a looker.”
I stood still and intently studied a distant point somewhere on the wall behind them all as they waved from their chairs, spread-eagle.
“Ladies, this is Ford. Ford, these are the gals.” Her face was lit up like after she went downstairs to practice on the pole. Like she was lit up from the inside out. “Ford hurt his lovely face saving my life. And I told you. You weren’t allowed to say anything about it.”
“I know, but damn.” This came from the redhead who came to stand next to her. She appraised me with arms crossed, like my mere existence had already offended her. “Thank you for protecting her.”
