Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 86510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Mariah Sandusky.” I hold out my hand.
“Thank you, Regina,” he says to the receptionist.
Regina nods, leaves, closes the door behind her.
“Mary…” he says.
I snap my hand back and turn toward the door. “We don’t have to do this.”
“Wait—you want to finish your degree, right?”
“I think I can probably find another college.”
“Don’t be silly.” He sits down at his desk, taps on his computer. “Are you working full-time?”
“Yeah.”
“We have lots of night programs available. Or you could take advantage of our extensive online programs as well.” He reaches under his desk and then sets a few brightly colored pamphlets in front of me.
I take a seat as he gestures, fidgeting with my hands.
“This doesn’t have to be awkward, Mary.”
Too late.
He’s still as good-looking as I remember. Tall, with sandy-blond hair and blue eyes. But those eyes I once found so mesmerizing are nothing compared Ronan’s.
I was young, innocent, and naive, and I fell in love with a professor—a professor who introduced me to my submissive side.
Is he still in the lifestyle? I’ve never seen him at Black Rose Underground. If I had, I probably would’ve found another club.
“Do you have your transcript with you?”
“It’s online. But I—”
“As I recall, you were an excellent student, Mary. It’s a shame you couldn’t finish school.”
“My father died. You know the story.”
He presses his lips together for a second. “Yes, I remember. Still, a shame. You left without so much as a word.”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“Something could’ve been worked out. We could’ve found you a scholarship.”
Do I have to spell it out for him?
“I had to leave, Lucas. You and I both know why.”
He narrows his gaze. “I believe that’s the first time you’ve used my name.”
He’s right, of course, and my cheeks warm. In the past, I referred to him only as sir.
“I’m no longer your submissive, Lucas. I’ll refer to you as I like.”
“Five years…” He stares at me. “You’re still as beautiful as you always were.”
“I’m here to discuss registering at the university.”
“Of course you are.” A snakelike grin crawls across his face. “You could’ve done all of this online, you know. I think you knew I was an admissions counselor here, and that’s why you came in.”
This time I do let my jaw drop.
Is he fucking serious?
“Don’t feign surprise, Mary. You and I both know what’s going on here.”
I rise then. “This meeting is over.”
He stands and grabs my wrist from across the desk. “Don’t go. We have a lot to talk about.”
I yank my wrist away from him. “Don’t touch me again, Lucas. And unless the thing we need to talk about is my registering for classes, I assure you we have nothing to discuss.”
“Don’t you ever wonder what might’ve happened between us?”
“Nothing would’ve happened. You made it quite clear. We were Dominant and submissive, and that was it. If I hadn’t left? We would no longer be in any kind of relationship.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Think what you want, Lucas. This meeting is over.”
I leave the room, taking care not to slam the door, though I want to.
I whisk by the reception desk.
“Everything okay?” the woman says.
“Actually, no. I will not be enrolling in classes here.”
She opens her mouth and says a few words, but I don’t listen. I leave the building and the campus as quickly as I can.
…
On my way to the subway station, I stop at a coffeehouse. What I really need is a drink, but it’s way too early for that. I walk in, get in the line, which is about four people deep, and open my purse to grab my phone. My hand brushes against the talisman from Yvette.
I pull it out, let it sit in my palm. It’s light. I feel like I’m holding nothing. But inside the little silk packet is rose petals, peppermint, and rose quartz.
The mint and floral scent infuses me with energy.
Yvette seems to think Ronan needs more. I sure want more.
But I don’t think he does.
I’m staring at the talisman when the person behind me says, “Excuse me, ma’am. It’s your turn.”
Startled, I drop the talisman. The stranger behind me picks it up and hands it back to me.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“May I help you?” the cashier asks.
“I’d like a vanilla latte, please.”
She grabs a cup, but then I have a change of heart. “Wait a minute. No. Café au lait. Do you have coffee with chicory?”
“Coffee with what?”
“Never mind, just café au lait.”
She blinks. “I’m not sure what that is.”
“Make her a regular latte,” the gentleman behind me says. “Just coffee and steamed milk. That’ll be close.”
The cashier looks at me with her eyebrows raised.
“Sure, that’s fine,” I say.
“Caffè latte is the Italian version of a café au lait,” the man says.
“Is it? I had never really heard of café au lait until I went to New Orleans recently.”