Chapter 59
**Sara**
I felt excitement and dread as he saved my number in his phone. What had I just gotten myself into?
"There," Tom said, pocketing his phone. "Was that so hard?"
"Don't look so pleased with yourself. It's just a phone number, not the keys to Fort Knox."
"Oh, but it feels like I've just cracked the code to something far more valuable," he teased.
"Yeah, well, don't get any ideas," I warned, sounding stern despite the butterflies in my stomach. "This doesn't change anything between us. We're still professor and student, nothing more."
Tom's grin widened. "Of course, of course. Strictly professional."
"I mean it," I insisted. "Don't you dare call or text me. This number is for emergencies only."
"Emergencies, huh?" He raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly constitutes an emergency in your book?"
"I don't know," I sputtered. "Like, if the building's on fire or something."
"Ah, I see. So if I wake up in the middle of the night, consumed by thoughts of you, that doesn't count as an emergency?"
I felt my cheeks flush. "Absolutely not."
"Even if I'm tossing and turning, unable to sleep because I can't stop thinking about our night together?"
"Tom!" I hissed, glancing around nervously. "That is completely inappropriate!"
"I'm just teasing, Sara. But seriously, you can't expect me not to use this number at all. What's the point of having it if I can't contact you?"
"The point is that you shouldn't have it in the first place," I retorted. "This was a mistake. I should never have given it to you."
"Oh, come on," Tom cajoled. "Don't be like that. I promise I'll be good."
"Somehow, I doubt that," I muttered.
"You wound me, Miss Parker," he said, clutching his chest in mock pain. "I'll have you know I can be a perfect gentleman when the situation calls for it."
"This situation definitely calls for it," I said firmly. "In fact, maybe I should just take your phone and delete my number right now."
I reached for his pocket, but he danced away, laughing. "Not a chance. This number is mine now, and I intend to treasure it."
"You're impossible," I groaned.
"Impossibly charming, you mean?"
"No, just impossible. Period."
"You know, the more you tell me not to use this number, the more tempted I am to do exactly that."
"Don't you dare," I warned.
"Oh, I dare," he shot back. "In fact, I might just send you a text tonight. You know, to make sure the number works."
"If you do that, I swear I'll report you to the university," I threatened, only half-joking.
Tom's eyebrows shot up. "Oh really? You'd rat me out just for sending a harmless text?"
"It wouldn't be harmless," I insisted. "It would be harassment."
"Harassment?" He laughed. "Come on, Sara. Don't you think that's a bit dramatic?"
"Not at all," I said. "You're my professor. Any non-academic communication between us is inappropriate."
"Even if I just want to say goodnight?"
"Especially if you just want to say goodnight!"
Tom leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What if I want to say more than just goodnight?"
I felt my breath catch in my throat. "That... that would definitely be grounds for a complaint."
"Would it now?" He smirked. "Maybe I like living dangerously."
"You wouldn't," I said, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.
"Wouldn't I?" Tom's eyes gleamed with challenge. "Maybe you should file that complaint right now, just to be safe."
"Maybe I will," I shot back.
"Go ahead," he dared. "I double dare you."
I stood there, mouth agape, staring at Tom's smug face. The audacity of this man! A double dare? What were we, twelve?
"Really? A double dare? That's your strategy here?"
He shrugged, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. "Hey, if it works, it works."
"It doesn't. I'm not some rebellious teenager you can goad into doing something stupid."
"Aren't you, though?" He raised an eyebrow. "I mean, you did give me your number..."
"That was a moment of weakness," I huffed. "One I'm already regretting."
But I knew it wasn't entirely true even as I said it. As much as I hated to admit it, a part of me was thrilled at the idea of Tom having my number. A part that I was secretly hoping he would use.
"Look," I said, trying to sound firm. "I'm not going to file a complaint."
"Oh?" His eyes lit up. "And why's that?"
I fumbled for a response. "Because... because it would be a waste of time. And paperwork. So much paperwork."
"Uh-huh," he said, clearly not buying it. "I'm sure that's the only reason."
"It is!" I insisted, my cheeks burning. "It has nothing to do with liking you or anything ridiculous like that."
"Of course not," he agreed, far too quickly. "Perish the thought."
We stood there for a moment, locked in a staring contest. Finally, I broke.
"Fine," I sighed. "You want to use the number so badly? Go ahead. Call me tonight."
His eyebrows shot up. "Really?"
"Yes, really. But," I held up a finger, "only so I can warn you about appropriate student-teacher boundaries."
"A warning, huh?" He grinned. "Sounds... exciting."
"It won't be," I assured him. "It'll be very stern and professional."
"I'm sure it will be," he said, but his tone suggested he thought otherwise.
"I mean it, Tom. This isn't a game."
"Oh, I know," he said, his voice dropping low. "I'm taking this very seriously."
A shiver ran down my spine at his words. "Good. You should."
"I am," he insisted. "In fact, I can't wait for this... warning."
"You'll have to," I said, trying to regain some control over the situation. "I have classes now."
"That's fine," he said, checking his watch. "I'll call you at, say, 8 PM?"
"Fine," I agreed, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.
"It's a date," he said with a wink.
"It is not a date!" I hissed. "It's a... a disciplinary phone call."
"Whatever you say, Sara," he laughed. "I'll be waiting with bated breath."
As he walked away, I called after him, "Don't get too excited! It's going to be very boring and professional!"
He just waved over his shoulder, still chuckling.
I watched him go, my heart racing. What had I just agreed to? A phone call with my incredibly attractive, completely off-limits professor? This was a disaster waiting to happen.
But as I headed to my next class, I couldn't shake the tiny spark of excitement in my chest. Tonight was undoubtedly going to be... interesting.
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