Devon's Discipline (2 page)

Don’t you have another class more important than me and my life?

“Forgive me if I’m wrong, but you don’t sound very convincing. I’m offering—”

“I don’t care about anything you have to say.” Devon shrugged his hands off. “I told you I’m an adult. You didn’t seem to hear me.”

“When you are here in my classroom, you will speak respectful words to me. Are we clear?”

Devon opened her mouth to tell him off when she found herself lost in the violet swirls of his eyes. She tried to think of a good comeback when his hand shot out and closed her mouth.

“I expect respectful words. Are we clear?” Matthews had a firm grip on her chin, and she nodded without breaking eye contact. “Good.”

Devon felt her heart pound against her chest as she stared at him. The rational part of her brain argued she could simply pull away, but a deeper thought wormed into her consciousness. She wanted to do exactly as he said.

“You have other classes to get to. It would help your grades immensely if you actually went to them.” He released his hold but didn’t move away.

“I’m going to most of them,” she grumbled and slid her sunglasses back on.
How the hell does he know I’m not going?

“Try going to all of them.” His tone dripped with authority and turned her on, though she hated to admit it.

“Is there a prize if I do?”

“Yeah, it’s called passing the semester.”

“Are you serious about getting together to discuss some of the topics we’re covering?”

“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”

“Do you have time tomorrow?”

“If I move around a meeting I would, but a few minutes ago you stated you could care less about what I have to say.” Matthews cocked his head to the side, and she felt a rush of heat come over her face.

“I don’t want to talk about me, but I would like to get as many different perspectives as I can, especially since the subject of our final project is unknown.” She straightened and found herself pressed dangerously close to his body. “My classes are done by two.”

“Can you get to The Bookworm by two-thirty? It’s quiet there and it’s just up the road.” A smirk was playing on his lips, and Devon wondered what thoughts flitted through his mind.

“Sure, and I’m sorry about before. I’ve been having a really tough time with things lately.” She took several small backwards steps until they had distance between them.

“I accept your apology and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Matthews returned to sit at his desk. “You should go or you’ll be late to your next class.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to miss it.” Devon retreated up the stairs and rolled her eyes. Each professor had asked for her daily schedule and he seemed to have memorized hers. “Bye.” She swore she heard him laugh as she reached the door, but when she glanced back she saw him involved with a stack of papers.

Why the hell did I ask him to meet with me? What am I doing?

* * *

“I can’t do this… I can’t…” Devon paced in front of the main campus building where her last class had been held. It was the day after her promise to meet up with Professor Matthews and she had ten minutes to get to the tiny cafe. Her stomach felt tied up in knots.
Why did I act like such a brat and then ask him to talk? Oh my gods, he re-arranged his morning, but I don’t want to go anymore! Why am I so nervous?
Finally, after another five wasted minutes of agonizing, she hurried to the location and went inside.

“I found a table over by the window unless you want to sit outside.” Matthews stood up from the small couch near the door and gestured towards the large picture window across the room.

“No, by the window is great.” Devon forced her feet to move and could not help but watch the way his jeans hugged the curve of his ass perfectly.
He’s my professor. What am I thinking?

“You said you only dabble in the craft? Did you ever seek out anyone else?” He pulled her chair out and she sat hesitantly, then scooted it in.

“Uh…” She set her book bag on the floor and looked up. Devon felt like a rocket scientist caught in a game of Simon Says.
Why can’t I think of anything to say?

“There used to be a campus group some years back—before the path became accepted by others.”

“I can do some spells, but really only for my protection. I’ve also asked for guidance from a certain god or goddess if I’m indecisive about something.” Devon played with her necklace as the waitress approached.

“Can I get you something?” The cute blond smiled broadly at Matthews and didn’t acknowledge her at all.

“I’ll have a tall vanilla latte with double light whipped cream, caramel syrup on top, and chocolate syrup on the bottom,” Devon smiled sweetly.

“Uh… what?” The blond started as if she hadn’t seen her. “I’m sorry, honey, what do you want?”

“Coffee in a big cup with sugar and half and half and lots of whipped cream.” Devon simplified the order since she’d only made it sound complicated to get the woman’s attention, as the waitress had seemed fixated on Matthews. He didn’t seem amused at her joke.

“I’ll have a tall mocha with an extra shot.” He patted the girl’s hand and she ran off to fill the order. Matthews brought his focus back to Devon. “You didn’t give her a chance.”

“She got all mesmerized.” She clamped her hand over her mouth as her choice of words made her sound strangely jealous.
What is my problem?

“Oh? You think I’d have let her leave without taking your order? Or maybe I’d have just let her stare at me all day?” Matthews laughed as a wave of heat washed over her. “I’m sorry. It’s just something I’m used to.”

“You’re used to gorgeous blonds falling into your lap?” Embarrassed and irritated, Devon shot to her feet. “I’ve got to go.”

“Sit down. I’m not sure why you are on edge right now, but your drink will be out in a minute.” He pointed at the space across from him.

“I don’t know why you want to talk to me anyway.” She jutted her chin out, intending to leave right way, when he reached up, tugged her toward him, and planted her on his knee.

“You asked me if I had time today.” He leaned to whisper in her ear. “Now I want you to stand up, brush off your attitude, and go back to the other side of the table before you draw more attention.”

“I don’t have to listen to you.” Devon stiffened as he shifted to allow her to stand. “I’m sure you have more important things to do anyway.”

“No, you don’t have to. But if you really wanted to leave, you would already be out the door.” Matthews nodded to the chair she had vacated. “I moved up a meeting to be here, so this is my priority.”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, then did as he requested, though her thoughts ran wild.
Why did he pull me onto his lap? Why am I so turned on?

“The other day you said supernatural creatures are important to you, but you seem less than enthusiastic about your religion.”

“My best friend is a werewolf.” Devon ran her hands over the lip of the table to keep her hands busy.

“Sounds like a low budget, made-for-television movie.” Matthews slid her drink over to her and took a sip of his as she looked up.

“Thank you.” She inhaled the sweet scent, then sipped happily. She hadn’t seen the waitress come back and wondered why she had gotten so irritated with her earlier. “Lucy told me back when the two of us were in high school. I’ve done what I can to be supportive of her.”

“Has she faced discrimination, or does she hide who she is?”

“I’ve never thought about it. Lucy has always been open with me, but the only time I can remember involved another werewolf. When we were freshmen, this girl got all up in her face. This kid in our class went missing and this other girl said Lucy should try to track him, unless he had become her dinner.”

“I remember reading about that in the local paper. He ran off to Vegas with his girlfriend to elope and scared his whole family. I guess the girl just wanted to rile your friend.”

“It’s not a good idea to get Lucy worked up ‘cause she has a short fuse. I don’t think she means to get angry, but when she has to force herself to play human all the time, it drains her energy.” Devon took a long sip of coffee. “I found out later the girl was also a wolf, but I never knew why she picked on Lucy.”

“It could be for any number of reasons. Werewolves are usually concerned with protecting their own, unless there is more to the story?”

“Of course, since there are always three sides to every story. One side, the other side, and the truth in the middle.” She titled forward in her chair. “Why did you yank me onto your lap before?”

“I really wanted to bend you over it to correct your behavior, but this is a public place.” Matthews gave a small shrug. “You threw a fit for no reason after I shuffled around my schedule, and I do not appreciate that.”

Devon took another sip, then snorted her coffee as the mental image of herself prone across his thighs flitted through her mind. She set the mug down as she relearned how to breathe and recovered from the burning sensation in her nose. Tears welled over her eyes as well and she wiped at them furiously.

“Are you all right?”

“Mm-hmm.” She dabbed the napkin to her nose and mouth, then reached for another to clean up the mess. “Uh, you said what?”

“I mentioned a change in your perspective.” Matthews handed her another napkin. “You seem to be headed down a bad path, and I would hate to watch you follow it.”

“Then close your eyes and forget about me and my choices.” Devon threw down her napkin and crossed her arms over her chest. He had a point, but it only pissed her off.
I don’t need his help!

Matthews rose to his feet to pay the bill then returned. “I thought you wanted to talk about other things.”

“I don’t know. Let’s pretend this didn’t happen. Just forget me and move on.” Devon gasped as he set his palms flat against the table on either side of her and caught her eyes in his.

“This conversation isn’t over. Do not disrespect me again or I will handle the situation immediately.” He bent in closer. “Do you understand what I mean?”

“No. You’ve made all these odd comments about my attitude and correction, but I’m completely confused. What are you saying?” Devon swallowed hard as the purple sheen in his eyes darkened.

“I believe that physical consequences in response to bad choices help to alter future ones. If you continue this behavior around me, I will spank you.”

“Whatever.” She ducked under his arm and stood up. “Thank you for the coffee. I apologize for interrupting your day. Good-bye.”

She rushed out the door before he had a chance to reply. She figured he would be annoyed but had no intention of a follow through. Her panties gave away her real feelings as she felt wetness pool in between her thighs.
Damn it!
He had turned her on with his threat of punishment and she’d had no idea how to react.
Could he really mean what he’d said?

Devon stormed down the road turned the corner. “How dare he say I’m making bad choices when he doesn’t even know me?” she grumbled to herself. “I don’t even want to pretend I know what he meant by saying he will spank me!” She cursed under her breath, irritated at her choice to take the long way home when she saw a figure propped up against a lamppost. Devon got closer and realized Professor Matthews stood there with something in his hand.

“Did you know I went home this way?”

“Sort of. You forgot your bag so I took a short cut to get it back to you.” He held the cross-body pack out to her along with a small card.

“Um… thanks.”
Gods, I am mortified!
Devon accepted them and slipped the bag over her head.

“If you find yourself stuck somewhere, give me a call. I’ll see you in class.” He moved past her and headed up the road.

“I’ll think about it. See you.” Devon looked down at the card and saw he’d written down his office and cell phone numbers. She tucked the card in her back pocket, then hurried home.

How could I have been so rude?

* * *

As days passed by, Devon continued to escape into her own little world. Her friends tried to help, but she isolated herself from them.

Last night she’d been bar hopping, had gotten behind the wheel instead of calling a cab, and she’d been in an accident. It left her car totaled and her leg had been broken in several places.

Devon had contemplated calling Professor Matthews but had decided against it. He had his own life and after her horrible behavior, she didn’t want to ask for anything from him.

The rest of the night blurred in her memory—probably because they had doped her up with pain killers. She recalled the nurses being overly kind to her which seemed odd since she could have caused someone else to get hurt in her bad judgment.
I must have ‘orphan’ tattooed on my file.

But one thing bothered her more than the injury. She had called up Lucy and had begged her to come to the hospital, but her friend had refused. Her heart hurt as much as the bruises did, but she continued to hope an explanation existed for Lucy’s decision. Then for some crazy reason a cab had brought her home for free. Not standard by any means.

Devon struggled to maneuver the crutches up the hallway towards the classroom, her foot yelling in pain with each movement.
I’m so stupid; I should have taken that other pain pill!
She cursed mentally as she entered the room as quietly as possible. She was late to her Supernatural exam and had been unable to reach Matthews to explain the situation. The steps appeared too steep to descend with crutches.
How the hell am I going to manage this?

“Ms. Dawson, it’s so nice of you to join us for this exam. I saved a seat for you, right here.” Matthews smacked the top of the desk in front of him.

“I wrapped my car around a tree last night and broke my leg. Then I waited in the emergency room for four hours, got doped up with a ton of medication, and didn’t get home until after five a.m.” The icky sweetness of her tone could give all her classmates cavities.