Unprofessional Bad Boys - Boxed Set (Contemporary Romance) Read online

  Thomas spins his chair around and greets me with a warm, seductive smile. “Hailey. How nice of you to come.”

  He puts so much emphasis on that last word that it makes me quiver in place.

  I swallow away the nerves and walk inside.

  He picks up a pencil and starts to play with it, casually flipping it between two fingers, his eyes completely focused on me. I struggle not to blush from his blatant stare as I stand in front of his desk, waiting for him to tell me how I broke the rules.

  “So … you’re finally here,” he muses, as if he wants to rub it in.

  I cock my head and take a deep breath, but I don’t respond.

  “What made you come?”

  Again, that emphasis … it’s as if he wants me to think about other dirtier things. “You told me to come.”

  “Yes. Where you should’ve been for about an hour or two. Class is over now. You missed it.”

  “Guess so. Sorry.” I shrug.

  “No, you’re not,” he says, narrowing his eyes. “And still, you came back. Why?”

  I rub my lips together. “I don’t know.”

  “You … wanted to come back.”

  “Not really.”

  “Yes, you did. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have. The power of persuasion.” He smirks. “You came back because I told you to.” He leans back in his chair, one leg over the other.

  “I came back because I know I should’ve been here.”

  “But you only came back after I told you to. You felt like you needed to listen to me.”

  I frown. “Where are you going with this?”

  He smiles and then scoots back his chair and gets up. “Nowhere.”

  God, he’s playing me. Again.

  “Okay, just give it to me straight,” I say.

  “Oh, I will …” he muses, placing the pencil on the desk.

  “What do you want from me? No games.”

  “I’m not playing games. If I were, you’d know.” He circles around his desk, inching closer to me.

  I don’t even dare blink; afraid he’ll be right behind me and pounce me on the desk.

  I’m not afraid of him or what he can do. I’m afraid of my own resistance because I have none when it comes to him.

  “You skipped class today. Again,” he says. “I told you not to do that. So why did you? Do you like getting under my skin?”

  He paces behind me while I keep staring ahead, not wanting to look at him … Because every time I do, I feel weak in the knees.

  “Do you dislike my classes? Think you can’t learn anything? Or are you just not interested?”

  “None of those.”

  “Then what?”

  It’s almost as if he’s genuinely curious. Like he really cares what I think.

  But why would he … he’s my professor, and I’m his student. That’s all, right?

  Because he said that’s all we were … or all we should be.

  And professors don’t care about their student’s interest the way he cares about mine.

  I’m almost inclined to answer him, but when I think back to this morning, I remember the car and the woman who drove him to work. I can’t help but wonder …

  “This morning … I saw you step out of a car. A woman was driving.”

  “Oh …” He smiles briefly as I turn my head. “So that’s what this is all about.”

  I don’t say a word. I’m not going to reveal my feelings to him.

  Suddenly, I feel his fingers on my neck again, and his lips are so close to my ear I stop breathing for a second. “You’re jealous.”

  “I’m not,” I retort.

  “It’s okay … You don’t have to worry about her,” he whispers in my ear.

  His fingers snake down my neck, my shoulders, and my entire back, leaving goose bumps everywhere until they rest on my waist. His body towers behind me, and I can’t help but lean back into his grasp as he holds me.

  “But you broke my rules, Hailey. You didn’t come to class, even when I told you to. Do you understand what that means?”

  I nod slowly. Not because I know what it means, but because I want to know.

  “I’m going to teach you my rules,” he whispers, and his tongue briefly darts out to lick my earlobe, sending waves of heat down my body.

  Then he steps back, leaving the air thick with desire.

  Before I can glance over my shoulder, his commanding voice takes over.

  “Bend over.”

  I hesitate.

  Three seconds.

  That’s all it takes for me to actually go through with it.

  My body leans over on its own while my brain shouts at me. What am I doing? Why am I doing this?

  “Lower. Facedown on the desk.”

  I don’t know why, but I listen.

  With my head and tits on the desk, I suck in a breath, awaiting the next move.

  I’m insane. Lost my fucking mind.

  His hand gently pets my back, gliding down until he’s on my ass … where he grasps me firmly, squeezing tight. I hiss, biting my lip. Memories of our night together resurface, my panties getting wet with just his touch.

  “You tempt me too much, Hailey …” he murmurs with a deliciously low voice.

  His hand skims down my skirt and roughly shoves it up, pulling it over my back.

  I freeze.

  What the fuck.

  What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck?

  I shiver as his hand travels over my panties and across my ass, and my heart beat shoots through the roof. This is crazy. We’re in a room that can’t be locked. Anyone could come in at any time. Anyone could see us.

  And still, I don’t stop him.

  I don’t say no.

  And I don’t want to.

  But then his hand comes down on my ass.

  Hard.

  “You make me do bad … bad things, Hailey.”

  Again.

  I slam my lips together to prevent any sound from spilling out.

  His hand is rough and ruthless as it spanks my ass again and again.

  One after the other until both my cheeks zing with red-hot pain.

  My body bucks against the table each time his hand strikes my ass. It hurts, but not enough to make me cry. Enough to make my legs shake with desire, though.

  It’s sick, completely twisted, yet I still don’t want to tell him to stop.

  Maybe I just don’t want to give him the satisfaction of winning our argument. Or maybe I’m willing to take whatever he’s willing to give.

  “You have such a nice ass …” he says softly, rubbing my painful ass with his flat hand. Every movement makes me twitch with excitement. “It should be cherished. Especially when red. Has anyone ever told you that before?”

  I shake my head.

  He fists my hair and pulls my head back enough for me to gasp. “Answer when I ask you a question.”

  “No,” I say.

  “It’s Sir for you, Hailey.” He grabs my ass again, this time even harder than before. “Say it again.”

  “No, Sir.”

  I moan out loud when he smacks me again.

  “Good girl.” I can almost hear the smile in his voice.

  I expect him to spank me some more, but his fingers are so gentle on my skin that it makes me relax. My muscles unwind from all the tension, but my pussy is thumping so hard I can feel it through my entire body.

  When his hand disappears, I’m left struggling to breathe.

  After a while, I look back over my shoulder.

  He’s not even there anymore. He’s standing at another table, gathering pieces of paper and putting them in a stack.

  Confused, I stand up again and pull my skirt back down. He doesn’t look at me, which surprises me, after what he just did.

  Jesus Christ.

  I can’t even think about it straight.

  What just happened here?

  I step back slowly, trying not to make a sound. As I turn, my eyes search the room, hoping
I don’t find anyone who has been sneaking a peek. Luckily, I don’t see anything but a door, to which I immediately start to walk.

  Right before I open the door, his voice booms once more through the room, reminding me who’s in charge. “I’ll see you Monday, Hailey. Don’t be late.”

  Chapter 8

  Hailey

  “Cheers!” Lesley taps my cup with hers and then sips on her drink.

  I smile at her but don’t immediately drink.

  Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate to chug the alcohol, but I’m really not in the mood right now. The party is fine. Actually, it’s amazing. Lots of lights, loud music, people shouting and singing along. The mood is perfect, and on a Sunday night, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

  But I’ve been feeling awkward in my own skin ever since that meeting with Thomas. No matter what I do, I can’t get into it. Whether it’s partying, going someplace, or even talking with Lesley. Nothing can take my mind off him, which makes me confused.

  I shouldn’t be having these thoughts, let alone these feelings.

  But fuck me … did it feel right when he had his hands all over me.

  Am I supposed to want my professor?

  Fuck, no.

  And he’s definitely not supposed to spank his student.

  So many things are wrong with this, on so many different levels, and still, I can’t stop thinking about it. Even now, it makes me blush. I don’t blush. Ever.

  Fuck me. I’ve really lost it this time.

  “You okay?” Lesley asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about tomorrow.”

  “What’s tomorrow when you have today?” She bites her lip as she grabs my hand and pulls me back into the crowd. “C’mon, let’s dance.”

  “I haven’t finished my drink,” I say, quickly taking a sip.

  “Drink it while we dance, I don’t care. Just have fun and enjoy yourself. You obviously need it. You’ve been so tense lately.”

  “Tell me about it,” I say, taking another sip as we walk to the middle of the dance floor.

  “Something’s up with you,” she says. “You’re still hiding shit, aren’t you?”

  I shrug and shake my head. “Nah. You’re delusional.”

  “Right.” She smiles. “I’m gonna pull it out of you one day. Just wait.”

  “Sure, you will,” I say, taking the last sip. “But first … let’s party!” I shout out loud, and the crowd goes along, then I throw my cup in the air and spin.

  Like two crazy chicks, we dance, not giving a shit what anyone thinks of our wacky moves. I’m just doing my thing, shaking my hips, bobbing to the beat, and enjoying the music. I’m drifting away into my own wonderland where everything is perfect and tomorrow is a long way to go. I don’t wanna be anywhere but here—far, far away from reality and the homework I was supposed to do.

  But somehow, that single thought pulls me right back into the moment. In my head, I still hear his voice, pushing me not to disappoint him.

  Goddammit.

  “Hey, I’m gonna grab another drink. Want one too?” Lesley asks.

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  She leaves and I continue to sway my hips in the air, not giving a shit who’s watching. Some dude dances beside me, and I don’t mind, as long as he doesn’t touch me. I’m game for talking, but no personal details, only fun things. If they ask me for a name, I don’t give them any. They call me the redhead or ‘that girl with the nose piercing,’ which is fine by me.

  As long as they don’t get too close, I’m good.

  After a while, I start to wonder where Lesley’s at. She’s probably getting smashed somewhere. I should probably stop her because she’s bad when it comes to alcohol. Pretty much the same as I am. We drink until we’re laughing our asses off, and then we go home.

  Except I can’t fucking see her anywhere. Frowning, I search for her until I find her near the minibar, taking a beer from a dude I don’t even recognize, let alone know.

  I make my way over there, watching her from afar. They’re talking, but another guy steps in and holds out his phone to her. She laughs as he shows her something, but there’s no smile on my face. The dude who handed her the beer casually hovers his fingers over the tip of the bottle.

  I hurry my pace when I see her bring the bottle to her lips.

  “Les, don’t!” I yell, but it’s already too late. She’s already drunk the beer and the guys beside her disappear into the crowds. Fuck.

  “What’s wrong with—” Lesley shouts back as I rip the bottle away from her hand.

  “It’s spiked.”

  Her eyes widen. “What?”

  “C’mon, we’re outta here.” I grab her hand and pull her with me through the room, carefully checking for anyone who will stop us. I know why they gave this to her, and I’m not letting them get their hands on her again. I’d fucking kill them myself if they ever touch her.

  “Oh, god …” she mumbles, and she stumbles behind me.

  I barely manage to hold her up. “Don’t fall,” I say. “Let’s get home quickly.”

  “I don’t feel so good.”

  “I know, but you gotta hold on.” I put my arm under her shoulder and pull her with me, eyeing the boys in the room. One of them gazes straight back at me, and I just know it was him. I can tell from the way he looks, and for a second, I actually contemplate going over to him and smacking the ever-living shit out of him. However, I can’t leave her alone, not even for a minute, so I give him a big middle finger from across the room and drag Lesley out.

  “Whe-ere are w-we going?” Lesley stutters, her face droopy.

  “Home,” I say, pulling her across the parking lot.

  “Home where?”

  “Our dorm.”

  “Oh … right.” She giggles out loud.

  “You’re smashed,” I say as I bring her to a bench. “Sit down.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I need to call a cab.”

  “Can’t you drive?”

  “We didn’t come here in my car; we came here in a cab.”

  “Oh, shit. I forgot.” She laughs again. “Sorry.”

  “I know; it’s not your fault.” I sigh while I dial the number.

  When I’m done ordering the cab, I sit down beside her and put my hand on her forehead. “You’re heating up.”

  She puts her head on my shoulder. “I feel like I need to puke.”

  “If you do, don’t throw up on me. Lean that way.” I point at the bush next to her.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I can keep it together. At least ‘til we’re home.”

  I pat her back and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

  I’m fuming. How could that motherfucker drug her? And why did she let it happen? She should’ve known better.

  “I’m sorry, Hailey,” she mutters out of nowhere.

  “Shh …” I say, rubbing her. “It’s okay. I’m just glad I got you outta there before they got their hands on you.”

  “I feel so dizzy. I just know it’s something bad. GHB maybe.”

  I nod. “Want me to call a doctor too?”

  “Nah … I just wanna sleep it off.” She yawns. “I’m so fucking tired all the sudden.”

  “That’s the drugs. You were still dancing only minutes ago.”

  “Fuckers. I should’ve known this would happen. That party was too good to be true.”

  “I know, lots of older guys too. And too much booze, it was suspicious.”

  “Exactly.” She tries to fist bump me but fails, laughing again. “Thanks”—she looks up at me—“for always having my back.”

  “Of course. That’s what friends are for, right?”

  “To stop you from drinking booze.” She puts her arm around me and hugs me. “To stop me from getting pounded in a van by a guy I don’t even know. Or worse.”

  I don’t say anything. I just grab her hand and hold her tight because that’s the only right thing to do.


  “You’re squashing me with your boobs,” she says, coughing.

  I laugh and release her. “Sorry.”

  She turns her head toward me and gloats like a shithead. “The force is strong with these.”

  “Strong, the alcohol smells.” I snigger.

  “Shut up, Yoda.”

  I shrug. “Started it, you did.”

  “Hailey … I am your father.”

  I shove her aside. “Stop.”

  She giggles. “Stop, I cannot.”

  “Nerd.”

  “Says the girl with the red hair and rainbow colored panties.” She laughs at me so hard, she struggles to breathe.

  “I haven’t worn those in years!” I say.

  “Can’t. Forget.” She almost dies from laughter, I swear.

  “Yeah, you’re laughing now. But if you ever fall asleep again, I’m so going to put them on your ass.”

  “You wouldn’t.” She narrows her eyes at me.

  “Oh, I dare …”

  I fucking dare so hard, I think I’m going to do it tonight when she least expects it.

  And then draw a fucking dick on her face too, for good measure.

  The next morning

  I wake up with the salt stuck to my eyes, but I can clearly see the sun shining brightly through the windows. That’s weird … there’s usually not that much sunlight when I wake up for school.

  School.

  Fuck.

  I shoot up from my bed and grab my alarm clock. Which I forgot to set.

  “Fuck!” I yell.

  “Hnmmmggrrr.” Lesley’s moan makes me turn my head, which I shouldn’t have done because there’s a bucket filled with puke next to her bed.

  “Aw, gross,” I mutter as I jump out of bed.

  “What are you doing?” she grumbles.

  “I have class,” I say, scrambling to gather my clothes off the floor, which is also when I notice I’m still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Apparently, I never took off my red dress and jumped straight into bed with it.

  I guess taking care of Lesley really did a number on me.

  I had to hold her hair half the night while she filled the toilet bowl.

  It wasn’t a pretty sight, and I don’t wanna remember. It took up so many hours of my night. I’m just glad we were lucky enough to score a private bathroom so no one else had to witness that. When I finally got her to bed and crawled into my own, I must’ve forgotten to set the alarm.