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Because if we got in trouble, it meant we’d be free of this place, free to be together.
But I’d lose everything I’d ever worked for, just like Rhys was afraid of.
I bowed my head and waited, and waited, and waited for whoever had caught us to sound the alarm.
Chapter 26
Rhys
WHITNEY WENT STILL as I caged her in against the wall, covering her with my body. I closed my eyes for a moment. This was it. We’d been caught, and whatever happened next was entirely my fault.
I opened my eyes and looked down at Whitney. She had her eyes squeezed shut and was obviously holding her breath. I gently squeezed her waist, willing her to breathe.
“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a moment as I took in her touch, and scent, and then reluctantly let her go and turned around.
Then my breath came out in a whoosh, and I nearly fell over, having to steady myself with a hand to the wall.
Jessica Lowry peered at the two of us, her brows raised in a mischievous smile.
“Whitney,” I breathed, reaching out to her. “Open your eyes.”
She opened one eye and slumped with relief, but then her cheeks went a fiery red as she stared at her friend, who was standing just out of the shadow of the alcove.
“I was looking all over for you,” Jessica laughed. “I thought you left to go get drinks with the study group, and I came back when you weren’t at the bar!”
“Oh, my goodness!” Whitney covered her face with her hands. “I’ve never been happier to see you.”
Other voices and clacking footsteps cut through the air, and all three of us stilled.
“Someone’s coming,” Jessica said hurriedly, grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the alcove. “Hurry, say something to me. Talk about my exam.”
I cleared my throat and positioned myself in front of the alcove where Whitney was hastily trying to dress.
“I can’t tell you your grade on your final paper until after exams have been posted, Ms. Lowry,” I said loudly, my voice echoing through the hallway. “You have to wait until I post grades, just like everyone else.”
“My dad said he’d buy me a new car if I got an A on my final!” She pouted, stomping her foot.
Had I not been so tightly wound, I would have laughed.
“There’s nothing I can do, and throwing a fit isn’t going to get you what you want.”
A small group of students passed without even looking in our direction.
“I’ll do my best to get your final grade posted by the end of the week. You’ll have everything you need to get your new car by Saturday, if you pass.” I watched the students turn the corner to the hallway leading to the entrance to the building. I heard the massive door open, then shut, and an answering draft of cold air whispered over us, telling us we were alone again. I grabbed Jessica’s arm and yanked her around a corner and away from the alcove. She squeaked in surprise.
“Ms. Lowry,” I said low in my throat, my tone holding more than a hint of warning.
“Don’t even try telling me this isn’t what it looks like,” she snorted, waving me away. “In my opinion, good. You two have been making googly eyes at each other for months now. I’m glad you finally got it out of your system.”
“Googly eyes?” I straightened up, taken aback.
“Painfully obvious, in my humble opinion. You’re fine, I’m not going to tell anyone—”
“This could be very bad for Whitney if anyone finds out, Jessica. She could easily lose her spot in the graduate program and have her credits for this semester—”
“I’m not going to tell anyone,” Jessica said sharply, her eyes narrowing on mine with a suddenly vicious glare. “Okay? But you’re incredibly stupid for thinking this was the best place to carry out your affair. What would have happened if it hadn’t been me stumbling around the halls looking for her?”
I felt my cheeks flush. “You’re right. I know. This won’t happen again.”
