Page 68 of One Hot Rumor

"I know. It's okay, do what you need to do."

We say goodbye, and I turn to Nick. He's still sitting beside me, though he now wears a concerned look.

"Is something wrong?" he asks.

"Yeah. That was the dean. Somebody saw us together looking lovey-dovey, and he has no choice but to report me to the ethics committee."

"This is my fault. I shouldn't have pursued you and—"

"No, Nick, this is not your fault. I kissed you first, and I ripped your shirt open and begged you to screw me. Besides, things might not be as bad as they seem."

"I don't want to be responsible for you losing your job."

"Let's not panic right off the bat. We should wait and see what happens."

"All right. We'll wait."

That night, we sleep together—just sleep. Nick holds me in his arms until morning, then we get up and get back to living our lives. Whatever the ethics committee decides, I know our relationship will survive it.

A few days later, I'm called into the dean's office. It's judgment day.

The meeting doesn't go as badly as I'd expected.

I'm in my office—sitting at my desk staring, at the lesson plans I'd crafted yesterday—when Nick strides through the door.

He halts in front of my desk, looking more serious than I've ever seen him before. "What did they do to you?"

"Nothing much. They decided what I did wasn't grounds for dismissal, though I will be on administrative leave for the rest of the summer session. What about you?"

"I've been expelled."

A wave of cold floods through me. "Expelled? They can't do that. Why would they punish you more harshly than me?"

"You have a long history of being a valuable member of the faculty who has a spotless record. I'm a new student who's been the object of a nasty rumor. Of course they'd keep you, and I'm glad they did." He sighs and rubs his jaw, and I notice the dark circles under his eyes. "My student visa has been revoked, which means I have to go home."

"What?" I spring out of my chair. "We'll fight this. You will get to finish your degree."

"No, I won't."

"Then I'm going with you."

He comes around the desk to take my hands in his. "You have a life here, Siobhan. Don't make a rash decision because I have to leave. Take your time. Think about what you really want and then decide."

I know what I want, but he doesn't give me the chance to say it.

Nick Hunter walks out of my office and out of my life.

Oh, like hell he will.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Nick

Yesterday, I walked away from the only woman I've ever loved. Am I a complete idiot? Clearly, the answer is yes. I told her to take her time and think about things, about us. She wanted to come home with me, but I couldn't let her do that on the spur of the moment. Siobhan needs to consider all the ramifications before she commits to moving to another country for me.

But I wanted to beg her to do that. Right away, not in…however long it might take for her to think about it.

I arrived home late yesterday, UK time, and my family and friends immediately announced that I need to be cheered up. They've organized a backyard party at my house in Cockshire. Since I've never paid much attention to my backyard, all the barmy people who love me brought everything we need for this party—outdoor furniture, a barbecue grill, and of course, beer.