Read Bad Professor (An Alpha Male Bad Boy Romance) for Free Online

office?" Ford asked. "It's got everything I need: a
desk, a couple of chairs, and I even have a little couch."
    I
looked at the sagging couch and opted for an old, wooden chair. "You have
like five things on your shelves," I said.
    He
scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "I'm still moving in. I work at
home a lot." His gray eyes turned from smoke to metal. "And it
doesn't matter how much time we have to debate, I'm not changing your
grade."
    I
scooted to the edge of my chair as he sat down next to me. "You docked me
for using flowery language. The assignment was to describe artwork."
    "Precisely,"
he sighed. "The focus needed to stay on the artwork, not on your clever
turns of phrase. The reader is not supposed to notice you as an author, but as
the organizer of clear facts."
    I
sprang up. "Your rubric is unduly harsh. It's your responsibility to nurture
my abilities and teach me new skills, not crush my spirit."
      Ford's pupils dilated and twinkled as he
smiled. "You don't look very crushed to me."
    I
forced my hands off my hips and stopped leaning over him. "I don't
understand why journalism has to be so impersonal."
    He
sat up and stopped himself from taking my hand. Ford crossed his arms over his
chest and nodded for me to sit down again. "Journalism isn't impersonal;
in fact, the best writers of any genre keep the focus on the topic."
    I
sank back into the hard chair. "How?"
    "A
good way to learn is to write about something outside of your comfort zone. That
way it's a new experience for both you and the reader and you can learn how to
present it that way." Ford grinned. "What can you try that you've
never done before?"
    I
was distracted by his lips, by wondering how soft his black stubble would feel
under the palm of my hand. I had never secluded myself in an attic office with
an undeniably attractive man before. Leaning closer to catch the lingering
smell of his soap would definitely be out of my comfort zone.
    I
shook the temptation off and reminded myself we were separated by the Landsman
College Honor Code. "I don't know, but if I find something and write an
article about it, will that raise my grade?"
    "Sure,
extra credit for breaking out of your shell." He held out a hand to shake.
    His
fingers were strong, his grip sure, and I had to say something to break the
electric spell of his touch. "Have you been talking to my father? Because
someone should tell him he might not actually like it if I start bending the
rules."
    "He
might not, but I bet I will," Ford said. Then he broke our handshake and
stood up to hold the door open. He cleared his throat. "Good luck, Ms.
Dunkirk."
    "Thanks,
professor."

 
 
 
 
    #
    " All I'm saying is that it seems counterintuitive to
bring me along while you go out of your comfort zone. An old friend is like a
security blanket; everyone knows that." Lexi craned her neck to look up at
the elaborate ropes course that stretched far off into the tree tops.
    "I'll
owe you, Lex. Home-cooked meals at the dean's house for a week," I said. "And
maybe we don't actually have to get hoisted up there. Maybe I can just
interview people and create the story that way."
    "The
new article that's going to erase that D+?" Lexi shook her head. "I
really don't think a few points on your GPA is worth getting killed over."
    "Alright,
students, remember this trip to the ropes course is sponsored by Landsman
College. As long as you participate, you represent our school, so let's show
them how brave they make 'em up on the hill." Ford appeared from behind
the Landsman College bus.
    "Oh,
now I get it," Lexi nudged me in the ribs. "Professor Hotness is
chaperoning. Why didn't you say this was about more than extra credit?"
    I
rubbed my side and glowered at her mischievous smile. "I had no idea he
was chaperoning this trip. Of all the crappy luck—"
    "Partner
up," Ford called.
    "Excuse
me, Lexi? Do you remember me from Biology class? I'm Ethan." A handsome
student with sandy-blond hair smiled down at