already in the classroom when I arrive. Alyssa is holding court in the back with Megan, Kendal, and some other girl I haven’t seen before, and her blonde hair flashes in the light as she whips her head around to stare at me.
Ugh.
Since they’re in the back, I choose a desk up at the front, just to make sure I’m out of their way. I don’t want to get busted by the teacher for being in the middle of a fight I didn’t even start.
Not that I start fights.
I just finish them.
But today, I don’t want any trouble, so I studiously ignore Alyssa and her cronies as I plop into a seat right in the front row.
I know that’s a mistake the moment the professor walks in. My gaze lands on him as he settles in behind his desk, and my stomach feels like it’s doing backflips.
Because I know this professor.
I really know this professor.
Roman is none other than my bar alley hookup, Tall, Dark, and Handsome.
He looks even hotter than I remembered, wearing a suit in what’s probably an attempt to intimidate the fuck out of his students—not like he needs the help—and also possibly because he’s on the younger side for a professor and wants to make sure we all listen to him and respect him despite that. Which is totally fine and understandable, except that his charcoal gray suit and dark blue tie make him look good enough to fucking eat. They highlight the strong lines of his body and muscles I’ve run my hands over, and suddenly all I can think about is how badly I want that tie wrapped around my wrists while he bends me over a desk.
Oh God, it’s gonna be a long semester.
Roman looks over the crowd of assembled students, sees me—and his eyes widen.
Yeah, this must be a shock for him too. Especially since classes have already started. Any unpleasant “oops, I accidentally fucked my future student” surprises should’ve happened last week, not now that he’s already been teaching everyone for several days.
I stubbornly look him in the eye, keeping a placid expression fixed on my face. I’m willing to pretend it never happened if he is, and I’m more than ready to brush the whole thing aside. It’s not like we had a torrid affair that went on all summer. We fucked once, in the back of an alley of all places, and there sure weren’t rose petals falling from the sky.
Just an orgasm that curled my toes and set a new bar for men everywhere.
“Right,” Roman says, still staring at me. I make a mental note never to play poker with the guy, because his expression is completely unreadable. Then he shakes his head slightly and blinks before looking out over the other students. “I see we’re all here, with a new addition.” He glances down at a sheet of paper on his desk, searching for something. When he finds it, he reads the words slowly. “Elliot Sinclair. Everyone, please make sure you help her feel welcome.”
Fuck. I grimace and glare at him, although he’s no longer focused on me. Thanks for the call-out, buddy, I really needed that.
Another student scuttles in, making a beeline for the open desk next to me.
“Raul, so glad you could join us,” Roman says.
The poor kid looks horribly embarrassed, blushing. He’s on the thin side, probably a few years younger than me—which makes him young for an Unpredictable, I guess—and he seems kind of skittish. He doesn’t say a word as he throws himself into the seat beside me, sinking down like he’s trying to make himself disappear.
In spite of myself, I feel bad for the guy. I lean over and whisper, “Hey, at least you’re not a week late.” Then I hike both thumbs toward myself.
Raul smiles bashfully. He has slightly large front teeth, dark blond hair, and a smattering of freckles across his nose. “Thanks.”
I nod. I’m not really looking to make friends here, but with three roommates who clearly already hate my guts, I figure… why not be a little friendly and make sure fewer people on campus actively hate me?
Besides, Raul kind of reminds me of Maddy. There’s something really vulnerable about him that brings out the big sister feelings in me.
Cam was right—the Magical Control class is really interesting and seems like it’ll be helpful when it comes to getting a handle on my insane new magic. I just wish it had a different professor because, I’ll be