Learning the Hard Way Read Online Free PDF

‘but’ coming.” He widened his stance as though he needed to brace himself for bad news.
    “However,” she cleared her throat, “it’s not appropriate for a professor to date her students.”
    Troy wouldn’t beg. He could tell she needed a bit of prompting to force her into action. “It wouldn’t be a date. It’s just—”
    She cut him off. “No, thank you, Mr. Whitten.”
    He offered a smile to let her know her decision hadn’t bothered him. He patted his pocket where he stashed her card. “Thanks again for the information. I appreciate it. And I sincerely hope you weren’t offended by the offer. I really just wanted coffee and to talk.”
    “And that’s fine. Just know that I’m only available to my students in class, in my office or by e-mail. That’s it.” To make her statement sound definitive, she held up her hand like a traffic cop.
    Troy bowed his head. “Duly noted.” When he turned, he nearly ran into an older gentleman with white hair styled in a bad comb-over.
    “Excuse me.” He steadied himself by putting a hand on Troy’s shoulder. “Am I interrupting? I want to talk to you about something important.”
    The man must have been important. Professor Kushnell picked up a black sweater from her chair and put it on. Why hadn’t she done that before during their conversation? The thought of that had Troy smiling. He would go home and imagine the scenes he could have with her.
    “No, sir. He was just leaving.” She stared at him. “See you next week.”
    Troy gave her a sloppy salute. “See you later.”
    He had to hand it to her. Despite being the sexiest woman he had seen in years, she did stick to her guns as far as her expectations. She probably would be a great ethics professor. Too bad he would never find out what she would be like as a girlfriend, a lover, or a play bottom.
    For now, he would have to admire her teaching skills. In his imagination, he would be teaching her a thing or two. The way he ended it with Meredith, a good imaginary relationship might be what he needed. Less drama.
     
    * * * *
     
    First Ava had a surprise visit from one of her new students and now an impromptu meeting from the current head of her department. What kind of bad luck did she have to get these people visiting her on her off day?
    Ava wrapped the sweater tight over her chest and wished in her head that it had been long enough to cover her shorts. Who knew that a prominent detective would venture out in short shorts like these? Or maybe Ava’s butt had more cushion, as the kids would say, than Dina’s. To explore that theory, Ava started to crane her head back, but stopped when Dr. Wunderlund spoke.
    As though the trek from his office on the other side of the sixth floor exhausted him, he removed one of her packed boxes from the chair across from her desk and plopped himself in it, raising dust in the air. She would have to remember to remind the cleaning staff to dust her furniture as well.
    “Whew. What a day.” The rotund man retrieved a graying handkerchief from his front shirt pocket and dabbed his forehead.
    “It has been quite a morning.” Now that Dr. Wunderlund had seated himself, Ava felt comfortable enough to sit down. She crossed her legs out of habit, then pulled herself close to her desk to hide her lower half just in case her shorts rode up higher and exposed her business.
    Her colleague glanced at her packed boxes around his feet. “Going somewhere?”
    “Um, no. Just tidying up, packing the spring semester material before summer school starts. You know how that is.” Ava noticed her fingers drummed on her desk. She pushed her hands flat to keep them still.
    “Good. I would hate to see you go. You’re one of the best in this department.” He smiled his normal smile that showed off all of his gums and none of his short teeth.
    “That’s encouraging, sir.”
    “It should be. I’m sure you’ve heard that after this upcoming term, I’m going to retire.”
    Ava