Read Reservation (Preservation Series) for Free Online

I whispered harshly, yanking my jacket from her grip.
    She inched forward. “I know you like control,” she said, her voice confident, “and that when I came to your office for the first time, you were desperate for it. I could see it in your eyes. You were just waiting for someone to unleash that side of you, the side that needed to hold the reins. I know that something or someone controlled you at one point in time.” She tilted her head to the side. “And how did that work out for you?”
    “I’m not having this conversation with you.” I darted around her and picked up a fierce stride across the classroom, my eyes glued to the exit. I’d never told her a word about my history with Jamie. Her instincts were too close for comfort.
    Her words stopped me just before I reached the door. I willed my feet to keep moving, but something held me in place, rooting me to the floor.
    “You need control, Ryan. And I give that to you by giving you freedom.” Her heels clacked lightly as she strolled toward me. I could feel her emerald eyes slicing into the back of my head. “Exclusive, committed relationships deprive you of that, and you know it. They didn’t suit you then, they don’t suit you now, and they never will. Embrace who you are, don’t reject it. The struggle to be something you’re not is too exhausting.”
    I slowly pivoted around, finding that familiar wicked glint in her eyes. Adjusting the grip on my briefcase, I breathed deeply. “You’re wrong. People do change, if they want to. And I want to. I’m no longer interested in what you have to offer. So the next time you step foot in my classroom like this, I won’t hesitate to—”
    “To what, call campus security?” She threw her head back and laughed. “ Please. I’ve already been scolded for being caught in the act with you on campus. You think I care what a few security officers will do? It won’t hurt my grades, if that’s what you’re thinking. And if I recall, you almost lost your job over that little incident. You really think crying to campus security about me will do a damn thing?”
    Her mischievous smile only made me glare at her harder, furious that she was right. Even though the school’s fraternization policy didn’t completely prohibit student-teacher relations, it definitely frowned up them, especially when those relations were happening right here, on their campus. Administration wanted any and all fraternization to happen off campus, if it had to happen at all. My reputation with the dean had certainly been less than spotless since being busted with Miss Mercer, and reporting something as petty as this would only make me look worse. It didn’t matter that this was my last semester at the university. I wanted to leave with at least a shred of dignity intact.
    “I want you to leave me alone, Amy. Are we clear?”
    “Okay, keep telling yourself that, Mr. Campbell.” She placed her hands on her hips, that naughty smile still curling her lips. “When this monogamous affair of yours starts going south, though—and there’s no doubt in my mind it will—just remember how much you loved bending me over in that locker room. Remember the control I gave you.” She slinked forward and let her ass brush against me as she squeezed by, sliding a glance over her shoulder. “No rings, no rules, no expectations. Just the way you like it.” With a wink, she was gone, and I was left staring at the classroom door, my appetite for lunch suddenly gone. It was clear to me then, what this new path of mine required. What it was all about. It was more than a road to redemption, more than righting my wrongs with Kate.
    It was about burning and building bridges. And Amy was one bridge I needed to burn to the ground.
    ***
    “Hey, Sam. Damn, it’s good to see you. Been a long time.” I tossed my blazer across the counter and sank down in the chair, my fingers moving to unbutton my shirt. I’d blown off lunch after Amy nixed my appetite and