Chapter 11 I Spy

Motherfucker!

What was she doing with the professor? She was his slave. He had promised his leader they would have her. And he would be the one to break her in.

No matter what, he would do anything to get his target. He had never failed to deliver the goods before. Luck was always on his side.

It's time to learn more about her.

He watched the professor got out of his sports car and opened the passenger side, assisting his student from it. They exchanged a few words and the girl kissed the professor's cheek affectionately.

Fucking slut!

-I'd make sure to flog you until you beg me to stop.- His hands clenched at his sides, he stared at the couple's interaction. He had to be careful though, he knew the man Sinclair Yuan was with and he had to make sure he was not caught. Viscount Redington was not a man to be crossed. If his student was a one-night stand then she won't mean much for the new lord. It was so common in their world, he was not so surprised anymore. But caution was rearing inside his head.

Muscled blondie had to know what's what before he acted.

_________________

Sinclair

-How long could this last?-

Two, three months? Four?

-As long as he wants me.-

Sinclair had come to terms. When they parted, she would only bring the best moments of him. Memories to last her a lifetime.

Last night and early this morning had been an example. A willing pupil, she had let him guide her. To please him gave her satisfaction, too. He had done so with her several times, it was fair she reciprocated.

Sinclair had enjoyed it. Her first taste of him. In the early hours of the morning, she had become a wanton. Damn! Not a good time to remember. She was on her way to her first subject of the day and she knew her face was flaming.

"Hi," startled she looked up. -Oh. Didn't notice him. What's his name?-

"Paul." He said, grinning widely. "Hello, cutie."

"Um, hi." She answered then her steps lengthened.

"You didn't remember my name. I'm crushed." His hand went to his chest like he was really hurting and he smiled charmingly once more trying to coax a reaction from her.

"I'm sorry. I was preoccupied." She stated blandly. And that's the truth.

-How to get rid of this frat boy?-

"I can tell." He said dryly. "There's a cafeteria nearby, care to join me later?"

Shit! "I can't. I work at the library after Trigo." Glad she had an excuse, she continued to ignore him while he walked by her side.

"We have Trigo together, remember?"

-As if she'd forget.- "Yes. I know."

" Let's sit together. Come on." He reached to grab her hand but she stepped back. An instinctive reaction brought by her past. Only Nicholas had breached her fears. She was alarmed all of a sudden. His cheerful smile faltered. "I'm sorry. I should have asked you first." He actually blushed.

His sincere apology surprised her, caught her off guard. Stopping, she looked at him and observe. Was she being too harsh to judge him? Maybe he really wanted to be friends. " I...it's okay. But I am not comfortable with you touching me."

"Sure. It's my fault anyway." He smiled once more. "Come on. Hurry up or we'll be late."

Taking a deep breath, Sinclair nodded and followed Paul. This time she lowered her defenses and gave him a soft smile in return.

***

The smell of books had always relaxed her. Of the three jobs, she had maintained to keep, manning the library was her favorite.

Free to indulge her senses, free to access expensive books she needed for her studies. When she had enough money, she would love to build her mini-library. The thought made her smile.

"Your face lit up when you smile." Startled, she turned around and found him holding a cup of take-out coffee from the nearby cafe. " Since you didn't want to go with me, I thought to bring the cafe to you. Here," And he handed her a bag of warm croissants.

Paul.

"Thank you but you didn't have to do this." She hesitated. She didn't want to offend him however, she also didn't want him to think she was leading him on. She can only offer friendship, nothing more.

He ignored her protests and placed the beverage on her table. "I want to get to know you, Sinclair." He admitted. His voice was gentle.

Her face flamed. "Of course. We can be friends."

Paul grew serious and he stared at her intently. "I'll take it. I won't lose hope though."

How could she tell him she was currently dating Nicholas? Her revelation could ruin everything she had worked for. She and Paul might be friends but she didn't trust him. There was just something about him that made her wary. "I'm with someone," she admitted.

"Is it serious?"

-Were they serious?- She was. Nicholas though... "I think we are." She nodded.

"If you only think then it's not THAT serious then." He emphasized.

Her brows furrowed. Irritated all of a sudden. Her relationship with the professor was a sore subject for her. Refusing to answer, avoiding his gaze, she opened the brown paper bag and peered inside, "Wow, this smells good. Want some?"

Grinning, Paul shook his head, accepting her changed of the topic. "No. It's all yours, Sinclair."

Nodding her thanks once more, she took a bite of the delicious treat. "Hmmm, yummy...This is one of my favorites..." she almost choked when she glanced behind Paul. -What time is it?- He was early.

Nicholas.

Eyes flashing, his hands clenched on his sides, jaw ticking and he looked almost ready to attack the unsuspecting man standing in front of her, Nicholas walked towards them.

"Professor," she greeted nervously. She felt like wringing her hands. Her new friend Paul turned and an idiot that he was, narrowed his gaze at Nicholas.

"Ms. Yuan, a word please." Not a request. His diction was precise and his deep voice carried in the quiet walls of the library. He stopped beside her and clasped her elbow. Tension in every line of his tall lean body reached her.

Her lover was mad. She knew he was the type of man that could get possessive but she never expected he would show it to the world. Better not to antagonize him further.

Raising her soft brown eyes, she focused on him and nodded.

"Wait. Do you want me to go with you, Sinclair?" Paul's sharp blue eyes never left the professor's. She shook her head no. "Are you sure?" -What the hell was he doing?-

"I want to speak to my girlfriend. This does not concern you. You may leave." He drawled yet his voice sounded menacing. -And what the fuck are you doing, Nicholas?-

Everyone heard the professor. It was impossible not to. Sinclair wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.

By tomorrow, everyone would know she was dating Nicholas. She would lose her scholarship and she'd be done for. All of her hard work would be jeopardized.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Sinclair," Paul said softly, not minding the man beside her, he inclined his head and left.

She nodded absentmindedly, twisted her arm from Nicholas's grasp, gathered her things, and hurriedly left the room, leaving Nicholas on her heels.

People down the long hallway, intrigued, followed her movements, shocked to see the professor following her. Ducking her head, embarrassed, she moved faster but it was too easy for him to catch her since he had longer strides.

"Sinclair," he warned. His hand was firm on her elbow, guiding her somewhere private. She almost bolted when she realized where he was taking her. They turned to a less crowded corridor and stopped at a secured room.

"Not here, Nick." She protested. She would have preferred if they go home and discussed whatever it was that got him so annoyed.

"Yes, here." Producing his keys, he opened the heavy door of his private office and guided her inside, making sure to lock the door behind them.

Halting, not game to face him yet, she took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. She looked around her, even his school office reflected his rich personality. Airy and spacious, couches in deep brown leather, heavy tomes of books on shelves, and a smooth mahogany desk, probably antique completed his domain.

She felt him stir behind her, loathe to be at a disadvantage, she turned to face him and remained standing. Tilting her chin, she narrowed her eyes and blurted out, "He was just a friend."

Nicholas stalked closer, cutting the distance between the two of them. "I think not, sweet. I saw how he was looking at you. How long?"

"How long, what?" her brows furrowed.

"How long have you known him?" His voice was soft. Too cold. Sinclair shivered.

She knew he needed answers but this was so absurd. She had made her stance known to Paul and she knew he respected her wish. "He is just a friend, Nicholas. And he will remain, my friend, until I see fit. You can't tell me what to do. You are not my keeper." As soon as she said the words she regretted them. She didn't mean it, she also felt something odd from the frat boy's overzealous attention towards her but she was so pissed at Nicholas for thinking she would cheat on him.

"Not your keeper. We'll see." The fire in his eyes alarmed her. His face was graven and his body was taut with tension. "Come here."

"No."

"Yes." Nicholas occupied the nearest comfortable sofa and sat gracefully. Limbs elegantly sprawled.

"I have to go." Though she had no idea where to go after this. Maybe back to her old house.

"Not until I show you that I will be keeping you forever. You are mine, Sinclair. Now, come here."

-What did he mean forever? Did she dare find out?-