An Idea
Tamara POV
With my breath lodged in my throat, I dropped my gaze to my sketchpad. I remembered every angle of his body, having known him for so long. But over the last ten years, Matt had grown into a beautiful, muscular beast with every muscle crafted perfectly.
As I sketched, heat built in my chest. There was an electric tension between us whenever I looked at him. My traitorous body wanted to touch him so badly, that I stifled a whimper, clenching my thighs. I think I wet my panties.
His nostrils flared and his expressions darkened. My eyes dropped to his pants where I saw a bulge forming. My lips parted in a rough exhale as I found myself craving to touch him. And then, just as u thought I was about to break, I heard a voice I hadn’t expected.
“Matt”
I froze, snapping my head. Tulip stood at the doorway with her eyes zeroed in on Matt.
Matt’s reaction was immediate. He stood straighter, his smile gone as he was taken aback by her presence.
Tulip’s presence shattered the moment between us. I took a deep breath in, wanting to remove the feeling of chest tightening.
“Professor Tulip,” Matt said in a guarded voice.
Tulip stared at his body for far too long, and I couldn’t help but get burned in this uncalled–for jealousy. Her gaze flickered to me and a faint smirk curled her lips. She walked past the students, walked past me like I wasn’t even there as she headed straight for Matt. She went to stand in front of him almost possessively. Matt clenched his jaw and wore his shirt.
“How may I help you, Professor?” he asked, his voice barely restraining his anger.
It hurt so much to see them together, that I looked down at my sketch of Matt. It was a mess. I couldn’t finish it. The energy was gone. The connection that had been there was now broken, replaced by something cold and bitter. Tulip had ruined it. But again, it wasn’t like I wanted to be with Matt. I reminded myself of the whole plan of my life. To be normal, and seek new love. Or maybe not.
Professor Rivers‘ voice broke through the air. “How can I help you, Professor Tulip?” she asked with hesitation.
With a knowing smile, Tulip looked at Matt, and then turned to Rivers. “Matt is also my student, Professor Rivers, and I have to talk about something very important to him.”
Rivers looked flustered. She nodded reluctantly. “Matt, you can talk to her but please take this conversation out.” Then she turned her eyes to Tulip. “But I don’t like this interruption, Professor Tulip. My class hours are limited.”
“I’m sorry, Professor Rivers,” she replied. “I’ll be careful next time.”
I watched them leave. Matt glanced at me, giving me a look that said that he would be back in a minute. Not that I cared.
As soon as they walked out, I couldn’t help but focus on their conversation with my hypersensitive ears even as Professor Rivers talked about the theory.
“Matt, there’s something important I need to talk to you about,” Tulip said. “It’s something that can’t be avoided and you have to come to my office.”
Matt’s irritation flared up. He lowered his voice, and muttered, “I don’t have time for your games. So what is it, Professor Tulip?” He emphasized the word professor.
Her voice hardened. “It’s regarding your project for Herbology. You missed your last assignment, and you know the Dean’s rule. Two strikes and you are out. If you don’t come to my office to discuss it, I’ll have to report you.”
My stomach sank. Matt had missed his assignment? A failed report could cost him much more than just grades. He could lose his seat in the college.
“Fine,” he snapped, his voice low. “I’ll come!”
Tulip giggled. “See you after this class, Matt. I have a lot to discuss with you. Make sure you are free for at least two hours.” “But I have the history class next!” he hissed.
“I don’t care,” she replied. “Be there!” With that she turned and walked down the corridor, her heels clicking on the floor. Why did it feel like she was harassing him? Or was I overthinking?
When Matt returned, he resumed his position as the model. However, I felt the weight of the tension in the air. Finally, the class was over after an unbearable fifteen minutes in which I couldn’t help thinking about Tulip and how she forced Matt to meet her in an hour. It felt like the world had paused. My hands shook out of anger as I packed my things. But I knew that the emotions storming inside me weren’t real. They were there because of the bloody mate bond. I felt so suffocated that I needed to breathe. I grabbed my things and walked quickly toward the door, feeling Matt’s burning gaze on me.
An Idea
“Tammy!” he shouted as he came after me.
I picked up my pace, frustration boiling in my chest.
“Tamara, wait!” His voice reached me, but I didn’t slow down. I had to get away from him, from everything.
He caught up with me. “Tammy, what happened, baby?” he asked, grabbing my upper arm.
“Nothing!” I snapped, and jerked away. “You should go to Professor Tulip!” Saying that I just ran away from there, hating that those words harmed me more than him. I really had to reject him before my world turned upside down.
I skipped the history class and went to the cafeteria instead, feeling the sharp stirfg of tears that I refused to let fall. I pulled out my phone, calling Bradley.
“Hey!” he exclaimed.
“I’m at the cafeteria. Can you come?”
There was a small pause. “I have a better idea. Come to the woods behind the economics building. That place is secluded.” He understood me more than anyone else. I was sure he sensed my gloom.
I was there in minutes, and when I saw him approaching, I felt better instantly. He saw my face and stopped dead in his tracks, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?” he asked with concern.
“It’s nothing…” I muttered. “I just wanted to see you.”
“Come on, Tam,” he said, sitting next to me on the fallen log. “You look like you’ve lost everything.”
I clenched my jaw, wondering whether to tell him or not. I closed my eyes. “It’s Tulip,” I whispered. “She’s our professor for herbology.”
Bradley’s eyes widened in surprise. “What the fuck? Tulip Montana?”
I nodded slowly. I further explained to him as to what happened, and he was stunned. “She’s a fucking manipulative bitch!”
I swallowed. “What do I do?” I wanted to help Matt, but not because he was my mate. Because he was my friend. That’s all. Nothing more than that. I was only trying to do my duty here.
“I have an idea,” Brad said with a twinkle in his eyes.
