CHAPTER FIVE

Ava Sterling could not focus.

Every time she opened her books, the words blurred.

Every time she tried to concentrate, all she could see was him—

The way he touched her. The sound of his voice. The way he whispered "Mine" like it meant something more than just possession.

It had been three days since that night behind his desk, and it haunted her in the best and worst ways.

She had touched herself more times than she cared to admit, chasing the high he gave her, but no matter how many times she came, it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t him.

And the worst part?

He was ignoring her.

Dr. Reid wouldn’t meet her eyes in class. He barely acknowledged her presence. He called on everyone but her. It was like she no longer existed — like he had erased the moment they shared and gone back to being the cold, unreachable professor.

But she couldn’t pretend.

And today, she was done waiting.

When class ended, she lingered behind, watching as students filed out, watching him deliberately avoid her.

He didn’t say a word. Didn’t even look her way.

So when he left the lecture hall, she followed.

All the way back to Room 314.

She stood outside the door, heart pounding, and took a deep breath. Then knocked.

There was a pause. A long one.

Then his voice came through, “Come in.”

She opened the door and stepped inside. The office was dim again, that familiar scent of books and tension wrapping around her like smoke.

He was behind his desk, eyes tired, jaw tight.

He didn’t look surprised to see her — just resigned.

“Miss Sterling.”

“Stop calling me that.”

His eyes flicked up.

“Then what would you prefer I call you?”

She stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

“Ava,” she whispered.

“The girl you couldn’t keep your hands off three nights ago.”

Silence.

His jaw clenched. He looked away.

“It was a mistake.”

That stung. More than she expected.

“A mistake?” she echoed, voice softer now.

“Then why haven’t I stopped thinking about it?”

His eyes snapped back to her — and in them, she saw it. The storm. The conflict. The want.

“I’m not like you, Ava,” he said, standing.

“I don’t let desire make my decisions for me.”

“Liar.”

She stepped closer. Close enough to feel his heat.

“You wanted me. You took me. And now you’re pretending it didn’t happen.”

His breath was shallow.

“You’re my student.”

“And you’re my professor.”

They stared at each other — the weight of their choices filling the air between them.

Then she said it — soft but deadly:

“If you regret it so much, tell me to leave.”

He didn’t.

She stepped forward again, until their bodies nearly touched.

“Tell me you don’t want me.”

Still, nothing.

Then, quietly — a whisper:

“I can’t.”

Ava smiled faintly, victory and desperation blending in her chest.

But just as she reached for him, he grabbed her wrist — firm but not harsh.

“This has to stop,” he said, voice tight. “Because if it doesn’t… I won’t stop next time.”

She leaned in close, her lips brushing his ear.

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

Then she quietly moved toward the desk, bending down to place her elbows along the edge of the desk.

"Do you like the view?"

"Stay like this until I tell you to move again." he answered her from behind.

She nodded her head. "Whatever you want."

"Good. Why are your grades slipping?"

The question surprised her, but she answered, "Because, I can't seem to concentrate on my studies anymore."

What was he doing behind her? She could turn her head to see him, but she kept her gaze on the desk as she continued to answer his questions.

"If you want this to happen, you've got to promise they will be an improvement."

"I promise. You know how much I need to get a good grade."

"Hmm... that's true." he replied, "Don't you have a boyfriend?"

"No. I have trust issues." she blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Is that so..?" he asked slowly, and as she started to reply she was startled into silence as a hand slid up her thigh, sneaking beneath her skirt and over her ass before pulling away.

Ava's breath ragged, her pulse increased from his touch.

Fingers slid between her thighs, running along the thin cotton of her panties and a moan escaped her mouth.

Her palms pressed down on the desk, her nails digging into the wood as she felt a rush of heat in her belly.

His hand smoothed over her back, as his fingers continued to torment her. Amelia kept her trembling arms on the desk as something hard pressed against her backside. Andrew's fingers finally moved beneath her panties and pressed inside her, sliding easily along the wet folds. She choked on another cry, trying to hold herself for screaming out in pleasure.

"My office is sound proof, and the door is locked." he murmured, as if noticing her struggles.

His fingers penetrated deeper, inside her, causing her body to quake. Soon, he pulls down her thin cotton panties, and without questioning, Ava steps out of them as they hit the floor.

Dr. Reid pushed his hips against her backside, widening her stance as his fingers continued their exploration. Ava breathing became rough, as he lifted her skirt to bunch at her waist, his bulge thrusting against her backside.

"You're so wet for me." he purred in his deep voice against her neck, as he kept shoving in and out of her hole with his fingers.