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Sally Hemsworth scoots forward in her seat. “Look, Powers.” She points at the graphs and blueprints. “I know you think it’s been done, but what we—”
“Sally,” I interrupt her. “It has been done—by Stanford last year. I get your disappointment, I really do. But as scientists, you know that we are always racing the clock to be first. Sadly, they got it done first. I can’t dump more of the university’s money into funding this,” I say.
Jenners narrows his eyes at me. “I don’t know why we even thought to bring this to you. You’re not the head dean yet.” He stands.
With a nod, I hand him the blueprints.
“I’m not. Dean Murphy’s office is down the hall to your—”
“Just keep making jokes, Powers, but you think you’re above everything because you lucked out. I work ten times harder. I put my family life on hold and—”
“Dean Jenners, we don’t need to do this.” Sally clears her throat and stands as I lean back in my chair.
This day has been one shit show after another. Starting with Skylar barging into my office minutes after I hung up with Alex, to the president of the university letting me know Jordan’s dad just made an enormous donation to the school, begging me to please rethink my criteria for my team, and that he’d be forever grateful. Now this.
“Fine.” He stuffs papers into his briefcase. “I’d watch my back, Powers. You might need friends someday.”
I cock my head and smile, because if I could fire him, I would. Instead, I turn to Sally.
“How’s George doing?”
“Oh, um, good. He’s actually in Hong Kong right now…”
A light tap on my door distracts us, and Alex comes barging in, then stops, frozen as she stares, horrified. My cock instantly wakes up.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea…” She waves her hand around at Jenners and Sally who simply stare at her in shock.
“Ms. Carter, you’re a few minutes early for your appointment.” I adjust myself in my chair. “But as Dean Jenners and Professor Hemsworth are done, please have a seat.” I smile as Jenners’s face grows redder. Fucking arrogant, jealous dick. It’s not my fault he can’t seem to be first at anything.
“No, I’ll wait outside. I shouldn’t have barged in.” She goes to leave.
“Stay.”
All three of them peer at me.
Sally recovers first. Smiling tightly, she heads toward the door saying over her shoulder, “We will let you get back to work.”
“Send my best to George.” I bring my coffee to my lips and take a drink, not bothering to stand.
“I will be talking to Richard about this,” Jenners mutters. “Don’t think I won’t.” Straightening, he stares at Alex, who looks down and quickly moves out of his way so he can pass, jumping as he slams the door.
“I’m so sorry, I had no idea. I’m mortified.” She points at the door.
With a smile, I stand and step over to lock the door, her fucking coconut scent teasing me. What is it about this one? All day long, my mind kept drifting to her. I’m borderline obsessed.
“Don’t be. Jenners is a bitter man, pissed that I’m going to be head dean, and that I’m ten times smarter than he is.” Reaching for her chin, I tilt her head up. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
Her eyes fill with tears and I clinch my jaw. If anyone hurt her…
“Skylar knows.” She pulls away.
“What?” I hiss, grabbing her arm, forcing her to face me.
“Yeah, she suspects we are sleeping together. She believes in her wacko world that you’re hers and supposedly going to propose—”
“Alex.” I stop her. “Breathe, baby.” My voice sounds calming, and for her sake, I hope it is. She blinks up at me, and I’m lost, sucked into a pool of glistening emeralds.
“Now, calmly tell me what happened.”
