Page 74 of Volik

He pulls a towel out of his pocket and uses that to pick up and dry off the screwdriver.

I grimace. “I really am sorry.” For the spill… For the broken door… I don’t get specific.

“Honestly, don’t worry about it.” He turns to face me fully. “You got some, uh, coffee…”

I look down and see that I have some of the dark liquid clinging to my lighter brown sleeve. “Oh. Crap.”

The man reaches out with the towel, like he’s going to dry it off for me.

“Nope!” A deep voice practically shouts the word as one of the unbroken doors is shoved open.

I shriek and stumble back a step, splashing more coffee onto my sweater.

“Apologies, Ms. Novak.”

My eyes snap up to meet the dean’s. And a choked sound leaves my throat.

The dean. Who saw me clinging to Volik while the vampire had a fingertip teasing my vagina.

Gods, let me sink into the earth where I stand.

He just grins at me, then turns to the maintenance guy. “I’m telling you this to save your life. Do not touch that woman.”

The guy’s features scrunch for a moment, then his eyes widen, and the color drains from his face. “Oh. Right. Okay.”

It takes me an extra second to get it. And when I do, my cheeks heat.

Volik.

I move my gaze back to the dean, who seems to be fighting a grin.

That’s… a good sign?

I try for my most normal-looking smile. “Good morning… Sir.” My smile wavers when I don’t know what to call him.

He lets the grin win. “Morning.” Then he tips his head, gesturing to the building. “Your room is all set. Why don’t you go in and clean up before that coffee soaks in?”

“Good idea.” I chuckle, and it sounds as awkward as I feel.

“And maybe… relax?” He’s still grinning.

Relax?

I glance down to where my empty hand is pressed against my chest.

Over my heart that’s still thudding from when the dean startled me.

I drop my hand and take a deep breath. “Will do.”

If our hearts really do beat together, the last thing I want is Volik thinking something is wrong.

The dean pulls the good door open and holds it for me. “Watch your step in there. The floor guys are coming tonight, so it’s a patch job for now.”

“Okay.” My cheeks are probably neon red by this point.

Just chatting with my boss about the floor tiles that broke because of my make-out session.

I mutter out a thanks as I slip into the building and immediately see the patchwork of duct tape on the floor.