Vengeful Heart: Fighting Heart Erotic Bad Boy Romance Series Book 3 by Nicole Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page A

the corridor I noticed how quiet it was. The corridor was on the first floor, a small thoroughfare of claret and red, sealed off from the rest of the building by double doors on each side. The business of the day had been concluded. There were no more scheduled seminars or meetings now, and if they were sensible most lecturers would already be drinking across the street at the Loampit Inn or gone home to visit their wives. Wives , I wondered for a split second… then I remembered I had seen no wedding ring on Ridgley’s hand. But what about girlfriends? I wondered.  I waved at Amanda who had left me outside the double doors. I made a cheesy grin because it was hard to smile. I still couldn’t 100% trust her and I wondered if she was going to run to Brandon to tell him everything. And at the same time I really didn’t think so. She needed me now. I gave her hope.
     
    I hesitantly knocked at the door of E12c. I looked myself over, flattened down my smart black skirt, and pulled my blouse down nice and snug over my breasts. I had dressed more maturely than normal. I was aiming for classy, sexy hopefully. Time would tell.  The Prof opened the door and gestured for me to come in with a flourish and a foxy smile of shining white teeth. His room was far tidier than Cantor’s and he had a desk lamp producing low light, and an iPod dock producing some quiet classical music. Either the Prof was relaxing after a day’s work or he was trying to create an ambience. The thought had my stomach fluttering, and my abdomen tingling all over again. I hadn’t stopped tingling all day at the thought of him.
    “Step into my office. Thanks for coming Ashley.”
    “Thanks for seeing me,” I said.
    He smiled at me and pointed to a soft seat near his desk. He didn’t take the desk seat. He sat down opposite me in another soft chair. His eyes momentarily roamed across my body, taking in my attire, and then he settled back. I studied his face. Just what made him so attractive? Was it his age and authority? He was around forty, but in very good condition, athletic and toned, but more than that, he had a fine face and with deep dark eyes and a bright white smile. I think his smile won most of all. When he smiled in a lecture, half the class melted. Now he was in front of me I was already swooning inside.
    “How did you manage to get away from Brandon?” he asked.
    “Amanda is covering for me. We said we were studying, and we were until five minutes ago.”
    “I’m sorry you have to lie about this. You shouldn’t have to do that.”
    “I know. I’m twenty-three years old. A grown woman. I should be free to do what I want to do.”
    “Absolutely.” I hoped he picked up my hints about being a grown woman . I couldn’t have hinted anymore if I tried.
    “So, I intend to bring your situation up with Mr Cantor and arrange a meeting with the Dean…”
    “Really? I’m not so sure about the Dean…”
    “He has a duty to protect you… as do I,” said Ridgley.
    “Brandon thinks the Dean is under his influence.”
    “I think Brandon Lynes has delusions of grandeur,” said Ridgley, laughing. He was fidgeting, twisting a ring over and over on his little finger. Yet at the same time he seemed so calm.
    “Oh, I’d agree with that. Brandon is totally delusional. But that’s what makes him dangerous, Mr Ridgley. And that’s why I have to play along with him until I’m totally safe.”
    “You must call me Tom.”
    “Tom, then.” I smiled. “I feel so odd calling you Tom. You’re Professor Ridgley!”
    “I know. But then, this is not an academic situation, is it?”
    I smiled and let my eyes linger on his a little too long. I gambled.
    “Isn’t it?”
    His lips formed a reluctant grin. I saw a new sparkle in his eyes.
    “No. This is about your welfare.”
    “Yes. It’s good to know you care about my welfare…”
    “Yes. Yes, I do. And I’m going to see that you get the result you need. The college must help you to safety