Page 130 of The Professor's Wife

I watched his face, waiting for that look.

When it came, relief moved through me.

That was what I wanted.

Not for myself.

For him.

I wanted him to come home and see everything he could ever need waiting for him. His dinner. His house. His wife.

He looked at me with glazed eyes. “I want inside that little pussy tonight.”

“Have I ever said no?”

He let out a soft groan. “That’s what I love, Daisy. You never say no.”

He kissed me hard. I knew what kind of mood he would be in later. The kind that would have me brace myself and remember everything he liked. Where to put my hands. When to make noise. How to keep up with him when he stopped being gentle.

I never minded.

Not really.

By then, I understood that loving Oliver meant anticipating him. Giving him what he wanted before he ever had to ask.

When he pulled away, his eyes moved over me with satisfaction.

“Perfect,” he whispered.

The word settled warmly inside me.

We sat down and talked. He told me about his day. I watched him, envying his interactions with students at the very school I spent so much of my time in. It felt like a good time todiscuss going back to school. I wanted to know his opinion, but when I opened my mouth to ask, I felt nervous.

If he said no, I might cry, and if I cried, the mood would sour.

I didn’t want to ruin our evening because of my silly reactions.

When he asked about my day, I smiled softly and said, “I did some reading in my nook. I worked on food and washed laundry. I spent time with Rowe after I picked him up from school. Then I waited for you.”

That was largely what I did.

I waited for him.

I wouldn’t admit the extent of that. It would make me look pathetic next to his day.

“I’ll be doing a reading at the theatre this weekend,” he said next.

“Oh? What’s the occasion?”

“The philosophy club puts together a big function in the middle of the school year. They’ve been asking me to read my latest book for a very long time now.”

“You didn’t before?”

“I usually reserve my readings for when I’m on tour. I speak at their events, but it’s mainly to inspire the future generation of thinkers about the importance of philosophy. They view me as a mentor, and it’s a longtime pursuit of mine to mold the perfect student.”

I nodded, smiling widely. “That’s amazing, Oliver. You’re gifted with this wonderful ability to weave words together. They’re going to love it. They’re going to love you.”

He returned my smile. “I want you to be there with me.”