Chapter 35

Sebastian had experienced quite a few bouts of rage in his life, and most of them were completely justifiable. He wasn’t sure whether a smarmy TA hitting on Naomi fell under that umbrella, but he couldn’t deny the fact that he had a nearly overwhelming urge to punch the kid in the face.

Naomi was here with him, for Christ’s sake. And while they hadn’t called it a date, it felt like one. Sebastian couldn’t deny that he wished it was. Whatever was happening between him and Naomi scared the hell out of him, but she was under his skin and he wanted to keep her there. Which meant that Colvin had to go.

Naomi handled the situation well, firmly handing the paper back to him and telling him that it would be inappropriate for her to pursue a relationship with him.

To which the little fucker winked and said he’d wait until he graduated then. He scurried away before Naomi could tell him not to bother—and before Sebastian could throttle him.

Sebastian pulled out his wallet and withdrew enough cash to cover the bill and a conservative tip, though he wanted to stiff the kid. “Ready?” he asked Naomi.

She nodded, but she looked almost timid and Sebastian wasn’t sure if it was because of Colvin’s presumptuousness, his own reaction, or her own discomfort at the situation. Or all three.

They walked toward the door and when they reached it, Sebastian said, “Actually, I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll meet you in the car.”

She looked suspicious, but responded with an “Okay,” and headed outside.

Feelings were rioting through Sebastian, but the only one he could actually identify was anger. It was a deep-burning anger that he couldn’t ignore, even though he knew he should. He headed for the hall Colvin had emerged from with their food earlier and hoped for the best. Though what exactly was for the best in that moment was still to be determined.

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Sebastian waited. Within two minutes, Colvin appeared.

“Professor Blake, did you need something?”

Sebastian straightened to his full height, which he was glad put him at least three inches above Colvin. “Yes, actually. I’m going to need you to keep your distance from Dr. Price.”

Colvin’s eyes narrowed, but in what appeared to be confusion instead of aggression. “Did she ask you to come speak to me?”

Sebastian hesitated for a second, quickly thinking of how to proceed. He didn’t want Colvin to think Naomi couldn’t tell him to fuck off on her own, because she could and would. This was more about Sebastian feeling like a caveman than anything else. “No. In fact, she’d probably be furious with me if she knew this conversation was occurring.”

Colvin looked relieved, and Sebastian wanted to ground that feeling into the dust.

“But she isn’t interested. Of that I can assure you. And I won’t allow some pompous kid to jeopardize her career because he won’t take no for an answer.”

“I’m not doing anything to jeopardize her career. There’s nothing that says we can’t pursue a relationship if we choose.”

“She’s not choosing it. She made it clear she wasn’t interested, and you will respect that.”

Colvin smirked. “With all due respect, sir, this isn’t any of your business. Quite frankly, I’m surprised you’re in here. I would’ve thought this jealousy routine was beneath someone like you.”

“It has nothing to do with my feelings. It has to do with you learning your place.” Sebastian heard the rage seeping into his voice, and he hoped Colvin heard it too.

“And what place is that?” Colvin crossed his arms over his chest, a gesture that made it clear he wasn’t backing down.

Stupid fucker. Sebastian stepped into Colvin’s space, causing the younger man’s eyes to widen slightly as his arms dropped to his sides. “You keep this up, and your place will be nowhere. How hard do you think it would be for someone like me to bury someone like you? Your concentration is in publishing, correct?”

“You have no right. I could have you fired just for threatening me like this.”

“And I could see to it you never even get the chance to be fired, because you’ll never be hired in the first place.” Sebastian stepped back and fiddled with the cuff of his blazer. “Choose your battles carefully, Colvin. That’s a lesson that will serve you well.”

Sebastian turned and walked away from him. “You enjoy the rest of your evening,” he called over his shoulder.

Colvin didn’t reply.

Once outside, he headed toward the car only to find Naomi waiting for him out front. And even though she looked cold and he knew he should hurry and get her to the car, he couldn’t. Because in that moment, with the pinpricks of jealousy still scoring down his spine, he needed to make something crystal fucking clear. So he stomped up to her, cupped her jaw in his hands, and kissed her like he was starving for her. Because he absolutely was.

She returned the kiss with vigor, her hands coming up to grip his jacket and pull him closer as he tilted her head with his hand so he could deepen the kiss. It became a frantic fusion of mouths as Sebastian poured everything he’d ever felt for this confounding woman into it. He expressed his frustration and irritation as well as his affection and admiration.

She seemed to be doing the same as she let her own hunger loose into the kiss. Her fingers drifted up to tangle in his hair as she released a moan that made his cock take notice. Every cell in his body was turned on. He felt electrified, and he never wanted the feeling to stop even though it, of course, had to.

When they finally pulled back, they stayed close, breathing in one another’s air.

It was Naomi who spoke first. “I did not see that coming.”

“Good.” He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips before pulling back. “I hate him.”

“Clearly. Though I may get him to come around more often if it makes you kiss me like that.”

“How about if I kiss you like that without him coming around?”

Her smile hit him straight in the chest. “I’d like that.”

He kissed her once more before pulling back. “Let’s get to the car before we freeze.”

They walked quickly and climbed inside, Sebastian jacking up the heat as high as it would go.

“So tell me about what happened with Colvin. You didn’t do anything he could file a complaint about, did you?” He could hear the concern in her voice, and it made him smile.

“He probably could, but he won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he’d probably like to not be working in that café for the rest of his life.”

He registered Naomi shaking her head in his periphery. “What am I going to do with you?”

And that was the million-dollar question.