Chapter 175
**Sara**
The city lights cast long shadows as Tom and I strolled down the sidewalk, his hand occasionally brushing against mine. The night air felt crisp and clean against my skin, and my heart fluttered uncontrollably each time our fingers touched, sending little electric jolts up my arm. I tried to focus on the steady rhythm of our footsteps, but my pulse refused to settle into anything resembling a normal pace.
"How'd the meeting go?" I asked, stealing a glance at his sharp jawline. He'd loosened his tie, and damn if that didn't make him even more attractive.
"Good, actually. Went better than expected." He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up in a way that drove me crazy. "Though Dad's still... being Dad."
A group of drunk college students stumbled past us, laughing about something involving a stolen traffic cone. Tom pulled me closer, his hand settling on my lower back.
"Your MBA's wrapping up in a month," he said, his voice low and intimate. "Have you given any more thought to staying with me?"
I bit my lip, remembering how his apartment felt like heaven – especially his king-sized bed. The silk sheets alone probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Not to mention that rainfall shower that could fit half a football team...
"Tom..." I pulled away slightly, though my body protested the distance. "I told you I need to finish my MBA first."
His fingers traced lazy circles on my back. "And after that?"
"After that, I need to find a job." The words came out breathier than I intended, significantly when his hand dipped lower. "Stop distracting me when I'm trying to be responsible."
"Me? Distracting?" His innocent tone didn't match the devilish glint in his eyes. "I'm just walking."
"Walking doesn't usually involve groping, Professor."
He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. "You weren't complaining about my hands last night."
"That's exactly what I mean! How am I supposed to think straight about career decisions when you keep doing... that?"
"Doing what?" His lips brushed my neck.
"Tom!" I smacked his chest playfully. "I'm serious."
"Alright, alright. I'll behave. For now."
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore how his unbuttoned collar revealed just enough skin to make my mouth water. "Look, I need to find a job first. Then - and only then - will I think about... you know."
"About moving in with the devastatingly handsome professor who rocks your world?"
"Your ego needs its own zip code." But I couldn't help laughing. "And stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're undressing me with your eyes."
His grin widened. "Can't help it. I have an excellent memory."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. Last night's memories flooded back - his hands, his mouth, the way he'd...
"Focus, Sara," I muttered to myself.
"Speaking of jobs..." Tom's voice turned serious. "I could make one phone call. Blackwood Industries is always looking for fresh MBA talent. Corner office, executive track, company car..."
"No." I shook my head firmly. "Absolutely not."
"Why not? The benefits are incredible. Plus, you'd see me in a suit every day." He waggled his eyebrows.
"Because I want to do this on my own. Without any... royal intervention."
"Royal intervention?" He chuckled. "I'm hardly a king."
"Your bathroom is bigger than my entire apartment."
"You're taking the hard route when a perfect express lane is available." His fingers found my waist again. "I just want to make things easier for you."
"Maybe I like things hard." The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Tom's eyes darkened. "Oh, I know exactly how much you like things hard."
"That's not what I meant!" But my body betrayed me, leaning into his touch. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation about my career, and you're turning everything into innuendo."
"You started it with the 'hard' comment."
"Because you twisted my words!" I poked his chest. "I meant the hard route versus your fancy shortcut."
"My fancy shortcut comes with a corner office and a city view."
"And your father breathing down my neck." I traced the edge of his loosened tie. "No thanks."
"Have it your way." His lips brushed my temple. "But don't come crying to me when you're stuck in some windowless cubicle grinding away with the other corporate drones. You know I hate seeing you waste your potential like that."
I pulled away from him, crossing my arms. "Oh, so now I'm wasting my potential? That's rich coming from Mr. 'I-chose-teaching-over-daddy's-billions.'"
"That's different." His jaw tightened.
"How? Because you're a man, and I'm just a silly girl who needs your help?"
Tom's eyes widened. "What? No! That's not-"
"Because last time I checked, you told your father to shove his corporate dreams where the sun doesn't shine." I poked his chest again. "And now you're trying to push me into the same golden cage you escaped from?"
He caught my finger mid-poke. "The situations are completely different."
"Really? Because it sounds exactly the same to me." I tried to pull my hand back, but he held on, pulling me closer instead.
"Fine." His breath tickled my ear. "Try it your way. Beat the pavement, send out resumes, and do whatever makes you happy. But when you're tired of fighting the corporate machine..." His teeth grazed my earlobe. "I'll be here, waiting, with that corner office and that spectacular view."
My knees went weak. "That's not playing fair."
"Who said anything about playing fair?" His lips traced down my neck. "I'm just offering options."
"Options that come with strings attached." But my resolve was crumbling faster than a cookie in milk.
"Maybe." His hand slid under my t-shirt. "But think of all the fun we could have in that corner office."
"Tom!" I gasped as his fingers found bare skin. "We're in public!"
"Just giving you a preview of corporate life." His voice dropped to that dangerous octave that made my toes curl. "Though I suppose if you're dead set on doing this the hard way..."
I groaned. "Okay, fine! If I can't find anything in three months - and I mean really can't find anything - then maybe I'll consider your offer."
"Three months?" He pulled back, eyebrows raised. "That's generous of you."
"Take it or leave it, Professor."
His thumb traced circles on my hip. "And what do I get if you lose this bet?"
"Who said anything about a bet?"
"I did. Just now." His grin turned wicked. "So, what are the stakes?"
I studied his face in the streetlight. His smug grin needed to be knocked down a peg or two.
"Fine. If I get a job within three months - a real job, mind you, not some entry-level coffee-fetching position - then no sex for a month."
Tom's grin vanished. "Wait, what?"
"What's wrong, Professor? Not feeling so confident now?" I stepped closer, running my finger down his chest. "Scared you might lose?"
"A month?" His voice cracked. "That's... that's cruel and unusual punishment."
"Aw, poor baby." I batted my eyelashes. "Can't handle a little abstinence?"
His hands gripped my hips, pulling me flush against him. "And if you lose?"
Heat pooled in my belly at his touch. "If I lose... you get to do whatever you want with me. For a whole weekend."
"Whatever I want?" His pupils dilated.
I swallowed hard, already regretting my bold offer. The way he looked at me—like a predator sizing up its next meal—sent chills down my spine.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
Tom's fingers traced my spine, leaving a fire trail in their wake. "Why do you want to know? I believe your exact words were 'whatever you want.'" His voice dropped to that sinful whisper that made my knees weak. "Or are you already getting cold feet?"
"I'm just... curious about what I'm getting myself into."
"Getting cold feet already?" His teeth grazed my ear. "Because I have quite the imagination. And four months of planning time..."
My breath hitched. "That's not fair. You can't just-"
"Can't just what?" His hand slid lower, dangerously close to territory inappropriate for public viewing. "Paint vivid pictures in that pretty head of yours? Make you squirm thinking about all the possibilities?"
"Tom..." I meant it as a warning, but it was more like a whimper.
"I particularly like the thought of you spread out on my dining room table." His fingers dipped beneath the waistband of my jeans.
"We're in public!" I hissed, even as my body betrayed me by pressing closer.
"Relax, I'm just teasing. But your reaction is... interesting." His hand retreated to safer territory, but the heat in his eyes remained. "I wouldn't actually do anything inappropriate out here. Well, not too inappropriate."
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