Eva.
“I came here because I have a serious question to ask you.”
“Is that right?” He asks, gently hitching the hem of my skirt until he can see my buck naked ass. “And do you often wear no panties when you want to ask serious questions?”
“Oak, please,” I say, knowing that if I don’t stop him now, I’ll forget why the fuck I was here.
He lets go and takes a step away, allowing me to turn to face him as he pushes a hand through his thick, dark hair. “What is it, Eva?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Is it permitted for pupils to remain at the school during the winter break?”
His brow furrows. “Not usually, no.”
My shoulders dip at his answer.
“Why do you ask?”
I sigh heavily. “I don’t want to go home.”
The corner of his lip twitches upward in an almost smile. “If I remember rightly, you didn’t want to be left here six weeks ago.” His head tilts. “What changed?”
I roll my eyes at him. “If you’re expecting me to say it’s because of you, then you will be disappointed.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Being away from my parents made me realize how much I hate them.”
“Hate is a strong word, Eva.”
I shake my head. “Not for them, it’s not.” I bite my bottom lip. “I can’t think of anything worse than returning home for Christmas.”
Oak sits a little straighter. “Why is that?”
I feel my cheeks heat at the thought of admitting to Oak just how little my parents care about me. “Because they don’t want me there, anyway.”
His brow furrows. “I’m sure that’s not-”
“You don’t know what they’re like.” I shake my head. “The year my brother died, our first Christmas without him. They headed two hours down to my grandmother’s for Christmas, forgetting one insignificant detail.” I pause for effect. “Me.” My throat closes up as I remember how much I cried that Christmas, how badly it hurt.
Oak’s eyes flash with anger. “Did they return for you?”
I laugh at that, only to stop myself from crying. “No. They realized when my grandmother asked where I was, so they rang me and said I’d have to fend for myself for the holidays.” I swallow hard. “I suggested I take a cab, but they said it wasn’t worth it.” A stray tear escapes my eyes, running down my cheek.
Oak looks at me with a strange look in his eyes that I can’t quite determine. “Bastards,” he growls, his fists clenching.
“So, I can’t stay here for the holidays?” I ask, hating how pathetic my voice sounds.
Oak’s jaw is tight as he watches me intently. “You could stay with me,” he murmurs.
My stomach flips, and hope blazes in my heart. “Won’t you be with family?” I ask.
A muscle in his jaw flexes at the mention of family, but he just shakes his head. “No.” He stands from behind his desk and paces the floor. “I’ll be in my cottage for the holidays if you want to join me.” He stops pacing, a wicked look in his eyes. “I can’t think of a better Christmas present than spending the entire break with you naked in my bed,” he almost growls.
My cheeks heat, and my thighs clench at the thought. “Neither can I,” I breathe.
He walks toward me, eyes alight with that dangerous spark. “Stand,” he orders.
I do as he says, standing in front of him.
Oak’s eyes search mine for a moment before he pulls me against him. His lips cover mine as he forces his tongue through my defenses, plundering my mouth with such need it makes my knees weak.
I clutch onto his powerful shoulders, wanting to melt into him.
He stops kissing me, our breathing ragged as he softly murmurs, “Come to mine for dinner tonight.”
I raise a brow. “I’ve got a feeling my friends will notice if I’m not at dinner.”
“Say you aren’t hungry and eat a little.” His grip tightens on my hips painfully. “Tell them you’re going to bed early and be at my cottage by eight.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
Oak smiles and kisses me one more time before breaking away. “Now, get to class.”
I nod and turn around.
Only for Oak to spank my ass playfully, making me yelp. “What was that for?”
He leans back against his desk, arms folded over his chest. “Because I felt like it.”
I shake my head but can’t stop the stupid grin that spreads onto my lips as I head toward his door. “See you later,” I say, walking out into the corridor without a glance back.
The only response I get is a soft growl behind me. One that vibrates right to my core and makes me ache for the man behind me.
It’s going to be a very long afternoon.