Finn, Amber - Her Prized Student (Siren Publishing Classic) by Amber Finn Read Free Book Online Page B

outside of office hours, so it pleased her when one took advantage of the extra hours she put in.
    “Come in,” Avery called pleasantly. Her body turned taut with tension when Leslie Preston walked in.
    “Hello, Dr. Jackson,” she said smoothly.
    What can I help you with, Leslie?” Avery got right to the point. Avery still didn’t trust Leslie and her suspicions were aroused.
    Leslie was equally direct. “I believe there is a problem with my grade.”
    “Haven’t we already discussed this?”
    “No, no I don’t think we have. I mean my semester grade. You see, I believe it doesn’t represent my true ability, and I think you should raise it. I am an A writer.”
    Avery was irritated and fed up with the time Leslie was taking from Avery’s work. “Leslie, you are a young girl who expects things to be handed to her without actually working for them. I will not change your grade—period. I will see you in class tomorrow.”
    Avery motioned to the door to indicate the discussion was over, however, it was at that time Leslie sat down and smiled chillingly at Avery.
    Avery raised her eyebrows in question at Leslie.
    “I don’t think I’ve made my point clear enough, Dr. Jackson. You see, you have a problem.”
    “I do? I wasn’t aware that I did.”
    “Oh, yes. Your problem is me. You are engaging in a secret affair with Blake Emory. I’m sure you are both aware that this is against university rules, punishable by dismissal. It would be such a shame to lose you as a faculty member as you have become such a popular professor.”
    Avery’s face went white as a sheet. “You have no idea what you are talking about. Blake and I are colleagues. He has been assigned to my class as my graduate assistant, and as such, we work long hours together. However, those hours are work-related only.”
    “Really? Then how do you explain this little note?”
    She pulled out a sheet of paper with Avery’s handwriting on it.

    Blake—last night was amazing. Can’t wait for tonight—just give me time to change the sheets.

    There was a smiley face followed by her name, clearly written.
    “Now, I’m pretty sure that is in reference to a previous night of sex. And the reason I can be so sure is because I also saw you two going at it in the classroom after class last week. You forgot to pull the shade and lock the door. Imagine my shock and dismay?” Leslie feigned dismay and disappointment as she looked across the desk at Avery.
    “I see. Well, there isn’t really any point in denying it now, is there? How is it you got your hands on this note, anyway?”
    “Oh, didn’t I tell you? I was at Blake’s last night. I went to get some help on my essay, and your note ended up in the middle of my essay pages. It must have happened while we were having sex on the couch because things got pretty hot and wild.”
    Avery’s stomach dropped to the floor, and she felt like she was going to get sick. “I think you’d better leave now, Leslie.”
    Leslie looked stunned. “But,” she stammered, “we haven’t discussed my new grade.”
    Avery looked Leslie straight in the eye and said coolly, “You came to the wrong woman. I won’t be blackmailed.”
    Leslie jumped to her feet. She practically shouted, “If you don’t change my grade, I’ll go to the department chair.”
    “I’ve got news for you, Leslie. Blake is considered an employee of the university as well. He gets a paycheck, so he plays a dual role here. Yes, it is against the rules for me and him to have a relationship because he is a grad student. But it is also against the rules for the two of you to be romantically involved because as a teaching assistant, he receives that paycheck. And you have just revealed to me that the two of you have had sex. That now puts you at risk for dismissal from the school if I go to the dean.”
    Leslie lost all color in her face. “That can’t be true.”
    “Next time, check the university bylaws, Leslie. I suggest you know