Seducing the Professor Read online

  Seeing her in her cleaned up state shook him to the core and triggered his lust instantaneously. Something he made no effort to hide … in fact wanted her to witness.

  Her flaring eyes and flushed cheeks were proof that she was just as affected as he was. Lord knows the kiss they shared seared every single nerve in his body. If she did not have the sense to pull away when she did, he would have buried him inside her so deep, she would not have known what hit her!

  Soon … she would know! Of that he had no doubt in his mind. Blondie was the one to end his months of celibacy!

  He took his time getting dressed and strolled into his study nearly an hour later. He stood in the door and his eyes caressed the perfect ass presented to him. Alexandra was bent over looking at a small carving of a black stallion on a side table in one corner.

  The rounded curves of her hips were enticing and her long legs in the skinny jeans were well shaped and very inviting. She straightened and planted her hands on her hips and threw her hair back over her shoulders. The dark blond tresses shimmered in the rays of the sun that filtered through the window.

  She turned around and stiffened. His eyebrows rose where he leaned against the doorframe this time. His gaze slowly scorched downward over her body and she felt the tingle of her breasts as his eyes hesitated there a tad too long. The smile on his lips told her they just shriveled up in tight nubs and he appreciated her obvious reaction to his gaze.

  Paul had to swallow hard. This woman was absolutely sin and temptation in one hot body. She would burn any man to a cinder without even lifting a finger. Her face was exquisite. Perfectly heart shaped, almond rounded eyes with eyebrows shaped naturally and enhanced by long black eyelashes. A small nose perked cheekily over her full cupid pouty lips. Her skin even over the distance, satiny smooth and soft. Her shiny dark blond hair framed a swan’s neck, elegant and smooth, perfect for a man’s lips.

  His hands itched to shape her bountiful firm breasts that strained against the tee-shirt, now hard and pointy from his heated gaze. She was tall, but had perfect curves everywhere with a decanter shaped waist.

  “Beware the drooling, buster!”

  He chuckled at her annoyed expletive and pushed away from the doorframe, ambling closer. Her eyes narrowed, but she refused to be intimidated and stood her ground. His respect for her grew exponentially.

  “It seems to me you like it in jail, Blondie. First you trespassed in the middle of the night …”

  “It was not in the middle of the night!”

  “… then you trespass into my home first thing in the morning.”

  “The door was open.”

  His eyebrows rose again. “Here in Kentucky one knocks on a door, even if it is open. You … deliberately did not. Makes me wonder why. Do you thrive on danger, Blondie?”

  “I have a name. Look … I apologize for last night and for walking into your house unannounced, but you had no call to have me thrown into jail!”

  “Of course I did. You are unknown to me. You skulked around my prized thoroughbred, dirty as the pigs down in the peg.”

  She blundered angrily.

  “You could have at least offered me the opportunity to explain!”

  “Yeah, I guess I could have. I am curious though, she who has a name … what urged you to enter my house uninvited this morning as well?”

  She blushed and shrugged. “I figured you locked me up once already … and I was annoyed, angry and ready for a fight.”

  “Instead you rather did some serious drooling yourself.”

  He laughed as the flush on her face intensified. He stalked even closer and she retreated step for step until she bumped into the desk.

  “Look, this is ridiculous. I am here to do a job and I would like … to … start … do … stop! What are you doing!”

  She shrieked when his one hand curved boldly around her one breast and caressed it, watching the budding nipple tightening even more under his ministrations. His eyes lifted to hers as he flicked his thumb back and forth over the extended nipple. She gasped and her eyes flared.

  “Just making sure we are on the same wavelength, Blondie.”

  He turned around and strolled lazily towards the door, calling over his shoulder.

  “For both our sakes, we better get out of here. We can talk at the stables. Don’t drool too long, Blondie. I have work to do.”

  She gasped at his amusement on her frozen state. She took deep breaths, amazed at the heat that shot through her body at the slight touch of his hands to settle painfully in her core.

  Oh Lord, I am in trouble! Mom … I am afraid I am about to really bring disgrace to the family this time!

  Alexandra was very conscious of the steely grey eyes on her with every step she took in his direction. She simmered with anger and annoyance at herself for allowing him to have such an obvious effect on her. Now he would think he had the upper hand! She stuffed her hands into her jean pockets and lengthened her strides.

  He leaned against one of the wooden beams of an exercise circle pen where one of the thoroughbreds were taken through some training steps. Her eyes caught the ripple of the horses’ flank muscles and she was entranced. He was absolutely magnificent! Much like the man watching her instead of him! She speared a glance at him and drew a deep breath. Lord the man was handsome! His dark hair was cut short and suited his chiseled face to perfection. The aquiline nose he sported complemented his prominent cheekbones. His basalt jaw and Spartan shoulders spoke of strength. He possessed a latent, leonine power and when she watched him walk away it was with purpose and authority. He had a magnetism that drew her to him without any effort from his side. She caught his eye and fumed. They sparkled with mirth.

  “Just say the word, Blondie … I’m ready if you are.”

  The sensual drawl ground on her nerves and she snapped irritably.

  “Dream on, Buster! My name is Alexandra Simpson. I am from ADC and …”

  “You’re the Professor from ADC?”

  She drew herself upright and pushed her shoulders back.

  “Is that a problem?”

  His eyes crinkled and he shook his head slowly, his wicked eyes burning a slow sweep down her body once again.

  “None whatsoever.”

  “Would you stop that!”

  He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Well prof, you surely pack a punch on a guy, that’s for sure. You should be used to being ogled at with a siren’s body like yours.”

  “Which did not seem to be an issue last night! Why is it all of a sudden this morning?

  “Ahhh … sour grapes, Blondie? Did you expect me to fall at your feet, stinky and filthy as you were?”

  “Look, I have apologized and admittedly should not have gone straight to your stables, but enough already! I am here to offer assistance. If you do not need it anymore, just say the word and I am out of here!”

  “Tsk, tsk. You should save those passions for when we’re naked, Blondie.”

  He laughed at her indignant gasp, then harder still when she spun around and stomped towards the rental car.

  “Go to blazes you jerk! I am out of here!”

  She got into the car, started it and took off with a screech of tires. Animal Disease Centre could send someone else to deal with this libertine! She has had it.

  Paul kept chuckling and shook his head, watching the rental car speeding off. Relatively sure she was going to instruct her boss to send someone else. Unfortunately for her … that was not what he had in mind.

  He withdrew his cell phone from his pocket and scrolled to the number he was looking for. His smile was wicked when he dialed the number.

  “Wade, its Paul. Yes, she did, but there is this slight problem. I have a suspicion your professor is going to insist she be replaced.”

  “Damn Paul! What have you done now?”

  “Nothing … yet. But let’s just say, I have a very strong desire to keep your professor close for a long while.”

  The
re was dead silence on the other side of the line and Paul smiled. He knew what was coming. Wade knew him from when they were kids and understood him better than anyone.

  “Let me get this straight. You … Paul Shuttle is on the verge of pursuing a woman … not a woman pursuing you … you her? As in you are going to be the hunter … not the hunted?”

  “Yeah okay Wade. Don’t overkill the issue!”

  “No wait … this is just too good to be true! Are you telling me you’ve met your match at long last, my friend? That you have met the one woman that triggered your … mating instinct?”

  He chuckled and Wade joined in. His gamble paid off to decide on Alexandra for this project. Apart from being the best qualified for the job, he had thought since the day he interviewed her that she would be a perfect match for his best friend.

  “Very well, Paul. I’ll make sure she understands she has to complete the project.”

  “One more thing. I think it would be easier and most definitely more sensible for her to stay at the Ranch while she is doing the research.”

  Wade just shook his head. On one hand he felt sorry for Alexandra. She did not stand a chance against Paul Shuttle’s charm. He winced when his phone rang and the id caller indicated it was her.

  “Alexa, how is the town of Richmond this morning?”

  “Very unpleasant to say the least!”

  “Weird … most people like the openness of the country there. Have you settled in as yet?”

  “That is why I am calling, Wade. I don’t believe I am the right person for this project. I think Peter or Dotty would be much better.”

  “Hmm … well that is unfortunate. They have been deployed just this morning to Virginia. What is the problem? Maybe it is something I can assist with?”

  “Ahum … no, nothing major.”

  “I am sorry, Alexa. The whole of Kentucky is in uproar about what is happening at the Silver Star. You are the best we have, which is why I elected you for the job in the first place. I would be very disappointed if you were to withdraw. It would not do our reputation well at all.”

  “I am sorry and you are right. I’ll be fine.”

  “Oh and one more thing. I have reviewed the case file and feel it would be better served if you resided at the ranch during the research. I’ve already spoken to the owner and he seems quite taken with the idea. Says he’ll make sure the master suite is readied for you immediately.”

  Alexandra nearly swallowed her tongue and gagged on her own spit. She coughed to clear her throat.

  “Alexa? Are you okay?”

  “Yes, but I really don’t see the necessity of staying at the Ranch. It is not that far from town.”

  “Maybe not, but you should be on hand should there be any problems with any of the horses.”

  She sighed heavily and sank down on the floor next to the bed. All the forces were against her! It seemed she was fated to be forced into that libertine’s presence whether she wanted to or not!

  Alexandra was relieved that Paul was not at the Ranch house when she arrived back there an hour later. The housekeeper met her at the door and called to one of the ranch hands to assist with her luggage.

  “I am glad you will be staying here, little miss. It is not safe for a woman to travel at night. With what has been going on here, there are always problems at night. And Paulie asked me to put you in the connecting masters’ bedroom.”

  She chatted non-stop all the way up the stairs and down the passage right to the end. It was a beautiful spacious room in white, silver and greys. There was a massive en-suite interlinked bathroom. She walked back into the room and opened the door next to the bathroom. She took a deep breath.

  “Whose room is this?”

  “Oh, that is Paulie’s room. This way, he would have peace of mind that you are safe at night.”

  Really! Do you really believe that drivel! There is no way I am staying in a room next to his!

  “Ehm … Ellie, is it? I don’t think me staying in this room is such a good idea. What would other people say?”

  “Now dearie … don’t worry you pretty little head over such a little thing! This is Kentucky, people are quite open minded here.”

  “Maybe so. But I am from Washington and my mother is extremely conservative. She would have a heart attack if she knew I stayed this close to a man alone in a house!”

  “Oh … of course! I am a mother myself and you are correct! Barry! Come back here. Carry the bags over to the other end of the passage to the earth colored room. Don’t you worry none, dearie. I will make sure Paulie understands.”

  I don’t give a fig if PAULIE understands! If he thought he got an easy bed partner on hand, he had another thing coming!

  She quickly unpacked her bags and stood gazing out to the open field through the windows. Her mind wandered to what brought her to this place. She has always loved animals, but horses were her passion. Growing up she spent all her free time at her Grandfathers small horse breeding farm. She knew she would work with horses one day and no matter how hard her mother tried to drive her in another direction, she qualified in animal science, specializing as an Equine Chiropractor and diseases. She was a fully registered Equine veterinarian, but enjoyed the challenges of research and finding solutions.

  She was brought up in a very strict and conservative house. She worked at the University of Washington heading up the Animal research department where she met Andre Dalton, a professor in History. They were engaged for two years. They only became intimate six months after they got engaged, which was one of the frustrations Alexandra had with their relationship. He was old fashioned and against anything new. He stuck to one sexual position and refused to kiss her below her chest, no matter how she craved more. He never even took her nipples in his mouth. The most he did was stroke them.

  When she tried to explore him below his waist he nearly had a heart attack. That was when she knew he was not for her. She wanted more, she craved the shattering explosion of a climax, stars exploding behind her eyes, as a matter of fact … having the man give her a climax, not have to do it herself after the fact!

  Her mother was horrified. She gave herself to Andre, now she had to marry him. A woman did not share herself and then decide she did not want him anymore. Oh the shame of it! Their family name was in tatters!

  Alexandra smiled wryly. Deciding to leave Washington was the best thing she could have done. The past two years on Orient Point Island away from her parents did her the world of good. She grew into her own person, found her strength and realized she had a wild side that begged to be released. A sensuality she has denied herself for far too long.

  However it has been a difficult two years of hard work to achieve the level of recognition she craved and achieved. She dated, but has not met the man that turned her blood to boil … until the night before when her hands were grasped and tied. When his hands grasped her hips to lift her inside his SUV, she nearly exploded. Faced with his naked rampaging body that morning sealed her fate. Her inner muscles clamped just thinking of his jutting shaft and she groaned when heat slithered down her core to wet her panties.

  She dropped her head in her hands. She better get control over her libido or she is bound to make a fool of herself. Maybe she should just go into town and find herself a sexy guy and have sex with him, to curb the trembling need shimmering inside her.

  Chapter Three

  He rode the stallion with perfect balance. The movement of man and horse harmonious and beautiful to watch. They were an extension of the other. Equal amount of bulging and straining muscle and tone with every rise and fall of the massive horse’s legs.

  He was clearly not a racing horse, he was too big and suited the big man riding him. He rode directly towards her and pulled the reins to halt the stallion in front of her.

  She looked up into the dark soulful eyes of the pitch black horse right in front of her and she smiled. Did he really think to intimidate her with a horse … of all things … her specialty?
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  She cooed softly and the stallion’s ears pricked, he lifted his head and snorted. She spoke to him soothingly and reached out to touch his neck. The muscles trilled beneath her fingers.

  “Hmm … but aren’t you a beauty? So strong and proud. You want a treat, big boy?”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind one at all.”

  Alexandra stiffened and snorted at the irritating man as he got off the horse. She continued to stroke the stallion’s soft nose with her fingertips and giggled when he nuzzled her neck.

  Paul turned to stone. The raspy giggle shot directly to his groin and tightened his already aroused shaft. How the devil could a man be jealous of his own damn horse, nuzzling a woman’s neck!

  “So, Blondie, what brought you back?”

  She ignored him for a further thirty seconds and caressed his stallion’s forehead. He stood there like a puppy being caressed. It looked as if he was about to flop on his back and have her scratch his belly!

  “You are such a softy! David! Come and brush Lancelot down.”

  David came running and pulled a snorting Lancelot to the stable, his tail swishing behind him.

  Alexandra looked at Paul. “Lancelot?”

  “Something wrong with his name?”

  “Figures … giving your horse a medieval name! Suits your attitude perfectly!”

  He chuckled and took another step closer to her, crowding her against the exercise pen. She glowered at him through her lashes.

  “I am waiting, Blondie? What are you doing back here?”

  “You know well enough why I am here! Wade … my boss already spoke to you and let me assure you Paul Shuttle, I do not appreciate being manipulated!”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “No? I suppose it was not your idea then that I move into your house whilst doing the research?”

  “Why Blondie, I was only thinking of your own safety and wellbeing! I could not very well allow you as female to travel late at night on these back roads.”