AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I preferred to keep a low profile for a reason. That’s why I went by Elle. As soon as people found out I was the Giselle Roche, they jumped to the conclusion that I was a snobby, spoiled rich girl, skating through life on Daddy’s money.
I knew I came from a privileged background, opening doors that other people would never have access to as long as they lived. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows behind the scenes either. At this rate, I would be disowned and disinherited by the time I was twenty-five. Attracting attention to myself was the last thing I wanted right now.
“Makes sense,” I replied. “There are rules about these things.”
Stonebridge returned to the table with a tray that contained two cups of coffee, creamer, and a sugar bowl.
“We both know nothing happened,” he said. “But rumors tend to get out of hand in the mouths of college students.”
I froze mid-chew. Wait a second. If nothing happened between us…how did I end up here, in the professor’s house? Eating breakfast with him? Goddamn it, I wish I could remember something—anything—about last night.
Stonebridge sipped his coffee, looking calm, serene, and implacable. I clenched my fork so tightly that I couldn’t believe the metal didn’t bend under the force of my grip.
“Right,” I said after a long pause.
Fuck, this was awkward. And confusing.
“Look, Professor.” I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet. “I should be heading back to campus.”
Stonebridge’s gaze followed my movements even though he didn’t budge an inch. Pinned with his unwavering stare and steady dark brown eyes made me feel like I was practically naked, instead of swimming in masculine clothes—his clothes, smelling of his cologne.
We both know nothing happened.
Did I believe him? Was he lying?
Before I could come to a conclusion, Stonebridge spoke.
“You don’t remember much, do you?”
The air punched out of me and I sagged with defeat.
“No. Just drinking, dancing, music so loud that I’m surprised I didn’t rupture my ear drums.”
He hummed with a nod of agreement.
“And then you stumbled into me.”
I rubbed my forehead with a grimace. A vague memory took shape in the back of my mind—cold pavement, vomiting into the street, the weight and warmth of the professor’s coat draped around my body.
“I called you Professor Hot Stuff,” I said with a groan.
“Yes, you did.”
“Oh, God.”
“I took you back to your dorm, but you were asleep,” Stonebridge said. “I brought you back here and set you up in my guest room. Alone. I offered to call your sister, but you didn’t seem keen on that idea.”
Nausea rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. If Helene had seen me last night, she would run straight to my father like the tattle-tale she is. I would never hear the end of it.
“So…” I hedged. “Nothing happened. Really.”
“And my recommendation still stands,” Stonebridge replied. “It should stay between us. Otherwise, people will draw conclusions and make accusations. You don’t need that hassle.”
I nodded, torn between disappointment that I hadn’t slept with my professor after all, and relief I hadn’t crossed that line at least. Then again, I still embarrassed myself with this whole fiasco in the first place.
A heartbeat of unbearable silence filled the room. I wanted nothing more than to disappear off the face of the planet.
Stonebridge’s phone buzzed from somewhere on the counter.
