Scandalous by Tilly Bagshawe Read Free Book Online

Sasha’s dreams. Of course, it was the astrophysics course that really excited her: the formation of stars and planets, observational cosmology, evolution of galaxies, active galactic nuclei. Sasha had been obsessed withspace before she knew how to say the word. She felt incredibly lucky that her own director of studies at St. Michael’s, Professor Dexter, was an astrophysicist himself. Not to mention a wonderful teacher and mentor.
    Sasha’s respect and admiration for Professor Dexter had grown exponentially since their first drink together in freshers week. Not only was he clearly an
amazing
physicist, but he really went the extra mile to nurture and encourage his students. He was constantly offering Sasha extra help with her assignments. When she began her first solo research project, into astrophysical plasmas, he even took time out of his weekend to come around to her rooms and check her work. How many professors did that? Of course, he was probably only too glad to get out of the house for a while, poor man. Over the past few weeks Professor Dexter—Theo—had opened his heart to Sasha about his unhappy marriage. His wife’s drinking problem and affairs had clearly wreaked a terrible emotional toll. But he was loyal to a fault, putting up with her blind rages. Bipolar could do terrible things to a person. Sasha felt that, on some unspoken level, she and Professor Dexter had become friends. Their twice-weekly supervisions were the highlight of her week.
    By contrast, one of the hardest parts of Sasha’s week was her regular Sunday night phone call to Will. Every week she looked forward to hearing his voice. And every week they seemed to run out of things to say to each other almost immediately. It had gotten to the point where Sasha had taken to writing bullet point lists before each call, pieces of news she could tell him, questions she could ask to keep things going. Twice he’d promised to come up and visit her, and twice he’d canceled because of rugby.
    “I do miss you, babe. But I can’t let the lads down. Maybe you could come back to Sussex for a weekend? We’re playing Saracens’ Second Fifteen on Sunday, there’s gonna be a huge party at High Rocks afterwards.”
    “I can’t, darling. Not this weekend. I’ve got so much work to do,” said Sasha. Then she felt guilty all week because she’d lied to him, and she didn’t know why.
What’s happening to us?

    At last, one Saturday in late November, Will made it up to Cambridge. Sasha met him at the station, wrapped up in so many layers of sweaters and scarves he almost didn’t recognize her.
    “Christ on a bike, it’s cold up here.” He shivered, hugging her tightly on the platform. “This
wind
. It’s like bloody Siberia.” Dressed in his favorite Diesel jeans and Tonbridge rugby shirt under a cool leather bomber jacket, he looked even more handsome than Sasha remembered him. He smelled of Givenchy aftershave and mouthwash, and his arms felt so strong and wonderful around her.
What an idiot I’ve been
, thought Sasha.
He’s perfect. Everything’s going to be fine.
    In the taxi, he reached under Sasha’s duffel coat and put a cold hand on her thigh.
    “I can’t wait to unwrap you, my darling. Have you missed me?”
    “Of course I have,” said Sasha, adding guiltily, “there’s been so much to do here, that’s all, work and finding my way around and stuff. I can’t wait to show you St. Michael’s. Isn’t Cambridge beautiful?”
    They were driving down Trumpington Street, in the heart of the old university district, but Will wasn’t interested in sightseeing.
    “Mmmm,” he yawned. “You’re not on your period, are you?”
    Sasha blushed. “No!”
    “Good.” Will’s hand crept higher. “I’m sorry to be blunt, but this is the longest time I’ve gone without sex since I was, like, twelve. The only part of St. Michael’s I’m interested in is your bedroom.”
    Don’t be annoyed
, Sasha told herself.
He’s trying to