Chapter 333

**Sara**

"You know," Tom said thoughtfully, "I didn't realize you were so strategic. I'm impressed."
"I learned from the best," I replied, stretching my legs out on the couch. "Dating a professor has its perks. I'm absorbing all that academic wisdom through osmosis."
"Is that how you think learning works?" Tom chuckled, his face crinkling, making my heart do stupid things.
I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "You know, I've been thinking..."
"Dangerous pastime."
"Haha. I've been thinking I might come to Australia to see you."
Tom's entire face lit up, eyebrows shooting toward his hairline. "What? Seriously?"
"Yeah. I mean, why not? I've never been to Australia before."
"Oh my god, Sara." His excitement was palpable even through the screen. "I can arrange for the private jet right now. How soon can you be ready? Tomorrow morning? Tonight?"
I laughed at his eagerness. "Slow down, Tom. I was thinking more like Friday evening."
"Friday?" His face fell comically. "That's four days away. You're making me wait four entire days?"
"Patience is a virtue," I sang, enjoying his disappointment a little too much.
"You're cruel, Sara. Absolutely cruel." He sighed dramatically. "I was planning to fly back Friday evening anyway."
"Well, now you don't have to. I'll come to you instead." I pulled my knees up to my chest. "Don't you want to show your girlfriend Australia? Take me to see kangaroos, koalas, and whatever else you've got down there?"
"We don't just have kangaroos hopping around downtown Sydney," he said dryly.
"That's exactly what someone hiding kangaroos would say."
Tom rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress his smile. "Fine. Yes, I would love to show you Australia. We could even go on a proper date here."
"Exactly! Our first official date in Australia. How romantic is that?" I batted my eyelashes exaggeratedly.
"Very romantic," he agreed, his voice softening. "We could go to this amazing restaurant overlooking the harbor. The Sydney Opera House all lit up at night is something else."
I raised an eyebrow. "Just a restaurant? That's your big plan for showing me Australia?"
Tom laughed, the sound warm even through my phone speakers. "You want the full itinerary now?"
"If I'm flying halfway around the world, I'm hoping for more than just dinner, fancy as it may be."
His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Well, let's see. First, I'll pick you up at the airport. Then we'll check you into the hotel and maybe a quick nap because you'll be jetlagged as hell."
"How romantic."
"I'm being practical," he countered. "But after that, we could explore the city. Walk around the botanical gardens, take one of those harbor cruises, climb the Harbor Bridge if you're feeling adventurous."
"You want me to climb a bridge? In heels?"
"You'd wear appropriate footwear, smartass." He rolled his eyes. "The view from up there is incredible. Then we'd hit that restaurant I mentioned for dinner, maybe catch a show at the Opera House..."
"Go on," I encouraged, enjoying the way his face lit up as he planned.
"We could drive up the coast on Saturday and find a secluded beach. The water's gorgeous. Then Sunday, we could check out some of the local markets, maybe visit a wildlife sanctuary so you can see your precious kangaroos."
"Now we're talking."
"Basically," he said, his voice dropping lower, "we'd have the entire weekend to do whatever we want. Sleep in late, order room service, explore the city, or..." He paused, his eyes darkening. "Stay in bed all day. Your call."
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "That's quite the sales pitch, Professor."
"I'm just getting started." His smile turned wicked. "Do you have any idea how much I've missed you? How many times I've thought about what I'm going to do when I see you again?"
"Tell me," I said, my voice coming out embarrassingly breathy.
"First, I will kiss you until you can't remember your name. Then I'll peel off every layer of clothing you're wearing, so slowly you'll be begging me to hurry up."
I swallowed hard. "And then?"
"And then I'm going to take you to bed and not let you leave for hours. Maybe days." His voice was practically a growl now. "We'll order room service when we get hungry, but otherwise, it's just going to be you and me and that king-sized bed with the harbor view."
"What about all those tourist activities you just mentioned?" I teased, sounding casual despite the flush spreading across my skin.
"We'll enjoy tourist activities mostly, but we'll have our time in bed," he said with a smirk that was too sexy. "We have plenty of time for sightseeing and for me to make up for a week away from you."
"You've really thought this through."
"I've had nothing but time to think about it. These meetings are mind-numbingly boring."
I laughed, tucking my legs underneath me. "Poor baby. Stuck in luxury hotel rooms, forced to sit through business meetings."
"It's torture," he agreed solemnly. "The only thing keeping me going is the thought of you flying here Friday."
"So I'm your light at the end of the tunnel?"
"You're my everything at the end of the tunnel." The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard.
"Wow," I said, feeling suddenly shy. "That was almost poetic."
"I have my moments." He glanced at something off-screen. "Shit, I need to go."
"What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly concerned.
"Nothing's wrong. It's just that Leo's been texting me for the past five minutes. Apparently, I'm late for a lunch meeting with some investors." Tom ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely annoyed at being interrupted. "I completely lost track of time."
"Talking to me is that distracting, huh?" I teased, feeling a little smug.
"You have no idea." His eyes softened for a moment before he glanced at his phone again. "Leo just sent me another text. All caps this time. He's definitely pissed."
"You should go before he sends a search party."
"I should," Tom agreed but made no move to end the call. "After lunch, I've got meetings until late tonight. I probably won't be able to call again until tomorrow."
I tried not to let my disappointment show. "That's okay. I understand. Go be a fancy businessman and impress everyone with your... business... knowledge."
"My business knowledge?" Tom laughed. "Very specific."
"What can I say? I'm dating you for your looks, not your career expertise."
"Dating, huh?" His smile grew wider. "So we are dating?"
I felt my cheeks heat up. "I mean... aren't we? I just told you I love you, and you said it first, and we're making plans for me to fly to Australia, and—"
"Sara," he interrupted, his voice gentle. "I'm teasing you. Yes, we're dating. Exclusively dating. I'd like to think we've been dating for a while now."
"Right. Good. Just checking." I tried to sound casual but couldn't help the ridiculous grin spreading across my face.
The Professor's Temptation
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