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Leaning forward on my cane, I give the man a tight hug. “Thank you so much. No one’s ever taken care of me like this before.”
He seems startled, straightening his coat when I release him, but I notice a hint of a smile on his formal lips as he nods and quickly leaves me alone. I carefully walk over and light a few candles, turn on the gas log in the fireplace, then I take a minute to change into a silky black dress with spaghetti straps. It ends at the top of my thighs, and of course, no underwear.
At least my injury doesn’t cause pain. It causes my leg not to respond properly, but when I painted my toenails red this afternoon, I was able to wiggle all of them, which made me as happy as when I got my black belt.
I’m just pulling a chunky cardigan over my shoulders when the door opens, and the heavy thud of boots running up the stairs sends my heart flying. Until he appears, and I lose my breath all over again, just like that first day in class.
He doesn’t stop until he’s with me, pulling me into his arms and kissing the side of my neck. “I’m pretty sure this day couldn’t have been any longer.”
My eyes slide closed as my fingers curl in his shirt, and I inhale deeply his clean citrus scent. Turning my face, I kiss his lips. “I had the opposite experience. This silly cane makes everything take twice as long.”
He steps back, holding out my arms and running his eyes from my lips, slowly over my breasts and down to my bare feet in a hot caress. “You look great, although I can’t get over you with this thing.”
“Check it out.” I hold it up, lifting the brass cover off the top of the polished cherry wood. “It has a watch on the end. Although if I had to use one on a permanent basis, I’d want something more elaborate. A bear claw… or a hand holding my hand.”
“I’m the only one who holds your hand.” He steps closer, wrapping his arm around my waist again.
“So possessive, professor,” I tease. “Come look at this.” Holding his arm and the cane, I do my best to lead him to the kitchen table. “Hana and Norris packed dinner for us!”
“Are you hungry?” Wrinkling my nose, I nod, and he laughs. “Then I’d better feed you.”
Plates are served, wine poured, and we’re sitting across from each other like an actual couple on a date—something we’ve never done.
“I’m glad you stopped fighting me about living here.” Dirk takes a sip of wine, watching me over the candles.
Sliding my right foot under the table, I tickle my toes under his pants leg. “I’ll fight you. Just give me three to six more weeks.”
Heat fills his gaze, and he nods. “I’m looking forward to it. In the meantime, I’m taking care of you.”
“I’ve never been taken care of before, professor.”
He places his fork beside his plate, leaning back to take a long sip of wine. “You are now.”
“Tell me about class.” I take another bite of the buttery potatoes.
“Class was pretty quiet. I covered a surprising amount of material, almost like I wasn’t distracted by anything… or anyone.”
“Are you saying there were no flirtatious female students?”
“Maybe a few, but I wasn’t interested.”
“What about your friend Sharon?”
“Sharon got a boyfriend over fall break. Some guy from her hometown, which leads me to believe he was always waiting in the wings.”
“I’m very happy for her.”
Dirk grins at me as he shoves a slice of chicken into his mouth. “Either way, she’s almost finished with her dissertation, so she’ll be graduating in May.”
“I wish her well. She should move far, far away.” I take a long sip of wine, feeling happily full of a delicious dinner.
“And Evan?” Dirk’s tone turns dark, and a thrill races to my core.
Grasping the cane, I carefully rise from my chair and make my way around to straddle his lap. “Evan meant nothing. He was only a tool.”
“You bet he was.”
I exhale a laugh, lifting his glasses off his eyes and placing them on the table.
