Blessed by Ann Mayburn Read Free Book Online Page A

get on with her day, which meant reviewing materials for her religious studies for her religious studies class even though she’d read the same page about nine times now without remembering a single word. Being hungover sucked, but being hungover and having to go to a class that she really needed to pay attention sucked even more.
    She glanced at her watch and decided to take a break. It was forty minutes until class started, and her muzzy brain didn't understand a word about the prehistoric earth goddesses. At least she had the yummy eye candy that was Professor Klemenson to distract her, though she didn’t know if that was a good thing. Just like every other female student on campus, she’d been nearly obsessed with him since she’d seen him yesterday. He’d been the last thing on her mind when she went to sleep and the first thing when she woke up. She was afraid she’d drool all over herself in class today and wondered what he’d be wearing. In a perfect world he’d be naked, but she didn’t think she’d be that lucky. She stared at the book in her lap, not seeing a single word as various very naughty images came to mind of all the ways she’d like to see Professor Klemenson naked.
    Something tickled at her senses, a feeling of warmth from her right that made her look up. Her breath caught in her throat as she noticed Professor Klemenson setting his laptop on a bench not too far from her tree. She blinked hard, wondering if she was hallucinating, but the image of him remained solid and her heart raced as she realized he was really here.
    Well, there went any chance she had of studying. Her brain and body were once again totally focused on the breathtakingly handsome man no more than a dozen steps away from her. He looked even more amazing than she’d remembered, if that was even possible. The sun caught the red highlights in his brown hair and accented the angle of his sharp cheekbones. He removed his jacket and set it on the bench while her hormones went into overdrive. Underneath, he wore a form-fitting white shirt, which showed off the impressive muscles of his arms and the glint of a thick gold band on his wrist. He must work out because his body was big and tight all over. Dark glasses hid his eyes, and he didn't seem to notice her admiring him as he sat on the bench and began typing.
    She adjusted the book on her lap, turning slightly to the side so she could peek at the professor from beneath her sunglasses. Gods, he was hot, and every once in a while, the wind shifted and brought the scent of his cologne to her. It made her want to rub her cheek against his chest like a cat and purr.
    Good lord, girlie, keep your pants on. You need to worry more about passing this class and less about that yummy-amazing-too-old-for-you-and-doesn't-know-you-exist man. She blew a strand of hair off her forehead with a sigh.
    “That's right, woman-child, you should be brushing up on your Greek mythology rather than ogling a man like some drunken harlot,” said a sharp and high-pitched voice from above her head.
    Eliana gasped and looked up in the direction that the voice came from. A quick scan of branches revealed a little gray owl. No one else. Had someone spiked her drink last night?
    Looking around to make sure no one was watching her talk to a tree, she whispered, “Who's there?”
    “I am here to see you, woman-child. You're looking at me right now. I'm a messenger of my goddess sent to evaluate you.” The owl turned its head to look at her and hopped down a branch.
    She shrieked and scrambled back from the tree, falling on her butt. Two times falling on her ass in fewer than twenty-four hours must be a record. Her thoughts fled as she stared at the talking bird, a scream caught in her throat.
    The owl managed to look confused as it turned its head toward her. “What's the matter with you? Why are you creating such a public spectacle?” Hopping onto another lower limb, the owl snapped its yellow beak in