Page 7 of Hawk and the Cougar

“I know better than to sleep with my professors.” Emma slumped in her chair. “I’m quitting the class.”

Liz’s heart twisted. “No way. He said you were a talented student. He doesn’t want to lose you.”

Emma eyed her doubtfully. “He said that?”

“He did.”

“You’re making that up so I won’t be mad at you.”

“Emma Louise Williams, you know I wouldn’t lie.”

She snorted through a stuffy nose. “I thought I knew you wouldn’t accuse my professor of—”

“Emma!” Liz pinned her daughter with a hard stare. “Tell me something, young lady.”

Emma groaned.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me. I’m sorry. I screwed up, I admit it, but don’t act like I went off half-cocked without good cause.”

Em’s mouth fell open. “Good cause? He’s my professor. He’s old.”

“You’re telling me you never noticed how gorgeous he is?” Liz demanded.

Emma’s gaze sharpened. “You think he’s gorgeous?”

“I’m old, not blind.”

Emma rolled her eyes again. “Forty-four isn’t old.”

“You just said he was old. I’m ancient compared to him.”

“He’s old for me. Not you.”

Liz blinked. “What?”

A knowing look entered her daughter’s eyes. “What made you think we had a thing?”

Heat flooded Liz’s cheeks. “Don’t change the subject.”

“You first, Mom. You made this mess.”

Liz started to argue, but she was right. “I heard you on the phone.”

“Eavesdropping and butting into my business,” Emma said. “Where does it end, young lady?”

Liz narrowed her eyes. “Don’t get carried away. From my end, the conversation sounded pretty incriminating. Talk of how gorgeous he is and what a great relationship you have.”

“We do, as professor and student. He’s an amazing teacher.”

“I’m so sorry, Em, but you can’t fully blame me. You were talking about how good he is in bed.” Emma’s mouth twisted into a disgusted look, and Liz added, “You said he was perfect.”

“Perfect for you.”

Liz stared. “For me? What? He’s got to be at least fifteen years younger than me.”

“Twelve.”

“And the difference is…?”

Emma rose. “In your mind.”