CHAPTER 6 Kyler

　　I had been distracted most of the day, but thankfully it didn’t seem to come across in my classes after Paisley’s class this morning. I was still trying to get my head around all of this! If I knew she would end up being my student, I wouldn’t have let things happen between us, but how could I know? She was the last person I expected to see, and to make it worse. She looks damn good in her tight jeans and an oversized tee. It was different from what she had on at the weekend but just as sexy. The moment my eyes fell on her, I got the familiar feeling from the weekend. Those sexual feelings again! And our night together came flooding back.

　　I should not have said the things I did to her in my classroom. That was inappropriate, especially now since I am officially her professor. I can’t go there because it would fuck everything up! I hope she backs off too! If she doesn’t, then I may break.

　　I was glad it was my lunch break because I needed the fresh air and some time to clear my head. I head to the coffee shop that is part of the university, getting myself a coffee, fries and a tuna and cheese panini. I walk around, finding somewhere to sit. Most of the students were out for lunch. I could have joined the other professors for lunch, but I wanted to be alone this afternoon.

　　I smile and look around. I have missed this place. It is different now since I am on the faculty and not a student. It felt like a lifetime ago since I was a student, even though it wasn’t. A couple of my students passed, saying hello as they did, which I appreciated—they could have chosen to ignore me.

　　I turned my attention to my lunch, only managing to get one bite before I heard a familiar laugh, taking my attention away from my food. I look up and see Paisley and Isla, but they weren’t alone. They were standing with a group of guys, guys who were clearly flirting. Paisley is resting against a tree and looks like she is flirting back with one of them.

　　I know I shouldn’t be watching, but I couldn’t help it. She seems to be enjoying it. Why shouldn’t she? She is young and single. Paisley must have felt a pair of eyes on her because she looked up and made eye contact with me.

　　I watch a familiar smirk creep onto her lips as she gave me a wave. I offer an awkward smile and a wave back. Then quickly turn away from her and get back to my food.

　　I will have to get used to her being around. But, it isn’t like I have a choice. Maybe having lunch inside would have been a better idea. Instead, I kept my head down, not wanting to look up.

　　Suddenly I see a hand come across the front of me, someone taking one of my fries. What the hell? My head shot up, and next to me is Paisley, popping a fry into her mouth and laughing. How did I not see her coming over here? Was I that lost in my head??

　　“Hey!” she grins, “Um, hello,” I reply, confused.

　　Why is she over here, rather than with her friend and those guys??

　　“You looked lonely sitting here on your lonesome, Professor Reeves.”?

　　Her calling me that sounds strange; not even a couple of days ago, she was screaming my first name.

　　No, Kyler, do not go there, not again!?

　　I can’t let my mind wander that way again.

　　“I am fine, thanks. You should get back to your friends,” “Nope! Those guys are jackasses! I don’t need another one of them.”

　　Paisley stole another fry from me.

　　“Are you enjoying my lunch?” I chuckle, “Yes, these chips are delicious, sorry, fries as you call them,” she giggles.

　　She was sweet, a side of her I have not had the pleasure of seeing yet, but I don’t know if I should trust it.

　　“Have you not had lunch?” I laugh.

　　“I have, but still hungry,” she shrugs, “Why are you sitting out here, rather than with the other professors?”

　　“I need air and time to think,” I state, “And here, you have them if you are still hungry because you are going to end up stealing them anyway.”

　　“No, it is okay, thanks though,” she replies, “Is that time to think because of me?”?

　　I don’t know why she was asking that. She knows the answer. I nod anyway, and she smirks for a split second but then stops.

　　“What do you think?” I ask, “I think so. Sorry about that.”?

　　She was saying sorry, but she didn’t look the part. I am not surprised, though. I couldn’t help but laugh. In return, Paisley gave me her best innocent look.

　　“Yeah, that won’t work on me because I know how innocent you are not,” “Mmm, yes you do,”?

　　There was a seductiveness to her tone when she spoke.

　　“Paisley, please don’t.”?

　　Paisley got to her feet, stealing a few more fries, or should I call them chips now since I am in Scotland??

　　“See you soon, Professor Reeves,” she winks and saunters off.

　　I watch her as she makes her way back over to Isla and those guys, and they all head away. I groan, tossing my lunch in the bin. All of a sudden, I wasn’t hungry anymore.

　　Fuck! My first instinct when I met Paisley at the weekend was right: she is trouble, and will be trouble for me, even more so now since she is one of my students. Paisley had become forbidden to me, and I don’t know if that will make me step back or make me want her more. I can’t go down that road! That would not end well for anyone!?

　　I finish my coffee and go back inside. My next class starts in twenty minutes, and at least inside, I can hide, and there is a lesser chance of me running into Paisley, again!?

　　***

　　The rest of my day has gone smoothly. I did not run into Paisley again, which was good. And I am glad to be home! I set my things down, grabbing a quick shower. I couldn’t be arsed cooking, so I grab a bowl of cereal and a beer. I loved cooking every night when I was cooking for two, but now that it is only me, I don’t enjoy it.

　　I switch the sports channel on and take a seat on the sofa. This staying alone thing was still a little strange for me. It was getting more manageable, though once you are used to having someone with you, it takes some adjusting. Even if being single is for the best right now.

　　My phone vibrated on the table, and I assumed it was my mom or one of my friends, but I was surprised when I saw the screen. It was a message request from Facebook—my page is private.

　　Paisley!

　　What is she doing? She shouldn’t be messaging me. I should probably not accept it, but before I could stop myself, my finger hit ‘accept’.

　　Paisley Ellis: Hey! I know I shouldn’t have done this, but I wanted to apologize for my behaviour today. I was out of line. You are my professor and are out of bounds now. Yet, I can’t stop myself from being attracted to you. Anyway, that is all. See you in class tomorrow, Kyler. X?

　　I guess it was too bad since she didn’t need to say anything about the attraction part, but I get it. You can’t get over an attraction as we had in the space of a couple of days, even a sexual one. That will take some work. I debated about messaging back. I will because I didn’t want to be rude.

　　Kyler Reeves: Hey, no, it is okay. You don’t need to apologize. I get it! It was only a couple of days ago, and everything is still fresh on our minds. I am not going to lie. The attraction is still there for me also, but no, nothing can happen between us again. I will see you tomorrow, Paisley. X

　　I stare at the screen for ten minutes, delete and re-write the kiss at the end. Then, finally, I left it on the message and hit send. I rest back on the sofa, running my fingers through my hair. I am surprised when my phone rang again.

　　Paisley Ellis: Yes, very fresh indeed! Yes, you have told me that a few times already, ha-ha. I get it, you still want me, but you can’t allow yourself to have me. X?

　　That does not seem like behaving to me! It was true though, a part of me still wanted her! Badly! I would be an idiot of a man if I didn’t still want her, especially after knowing what she could do. Except, I can’t go there again, no matter what! Maybe it is time I start dating again or something. That will be an excellent way to distract my attention away from Paisley. Though, I am not yet ready for dating again. It would seem I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I should admit it. I am royally fucked no matter what!?

　　Kyler Reeves: I need you to be honest with me, Paisley. Are you going to be trouble for me? X

　　I may as well put it out there. I anxiously waited for her to get back to me. She had read it but didn’t seem to be replying. No, she couldn’t do this! I needed to know. The tiny bubbles came up, telling me she was writing back. When it came through: it didn’t say anything. All it had was the little shrugging emoji and a wink!?

　　Great! This is what I need, Paisley coming after me. Yes, it is alright for me to say I will need to fight against the temptation, but there will only be so much I can take before I break.

　　I came to Scotland for not only this job but a fresh start. I wanted to get away from the drama and trouble, yet it would seem I have just walked right into more trouble!?

　　I didn’t even respond to Paisley because there was not much I could say. I groan, frustrated, and toss my phone away! I need a distraction. It was too early for bed, so anything will do.

　　Maybe I had been a shitty person in a different life, and this is Karma coming back at me! No, I was being dramatic! Paisley and I are both adults. We will be fine! That is what I shall keep telling myself anyway until I believe it.

　　Paisley clearly wasn’t going to make it easy for me. I had a strong gut feeling that she had a plan of her own. Surely, she knew if she pursued me, it would end badly for both of us. But then again, for all I know, she could only be messing with me. Argh! I needed answers; either that or I need to calm the hell down and stop acting like a crazy person. This was not me. And Paisley should not be getting under my skin this quickly. It usually takes a lot for a person to do that!?

　　Tomorrow is a new day. I just need to stop thinking and concentrate on my work.