Page 17 of The KING Review

hear that, please

who told you those things?

was it your ex?

I already know I’m overstepping by mentioning her, but it seriously burns my waffles that she made him believe those things about himself.

Professor Daddy:

How do you know about my ex?

Me:

educated guess

I clear my throat, staring down at the phone screen. My mouth twists as I tap out another message, because I really need to know that he’s okay right now.

Me:

hey, uh… I forgot. What do you treat yourself to for a little victory?

I hold my breath as the three dots pop up, knowing I’ve just asked the question that could hand him the kill switch if he wants to take it, and that all he has to do is tell me he gets a big bag of lemon drops.

Professor Daddy:

I let myself message the woman I know I shouldn’t be messaging.

I exhale slowly, not realizing I’d been holding my breath. It’s not lost on me that he said “woman”—not “student”—this time.

Me:

okay, good

I just… wanted to make sure we weren’t getting into uncomfy territory for you

Professor Daddy:

I’m all right, Neve. If I needed to use the safe word, I would just use it. I’ll always be honest with you, you have my word on that.

The breath punches from my lungs. I’m not sure why this message feels so intimate. Maybe because he used my name. Maybe because he gave me his word. Maybe because I can feel the truth and sincerity in it even through my phone.

It feels like a heavy thing as I type my response, trying to imbue the words with as much meaning as possible.

Me:

I’ll always be honest with you too, always

you have my word

Chapter Six

Conflict of Interest

Grant

“Okay, okay, look—” Fia drops herself in the chair opposite me and Cade. “—this is not a coffee date. We’re actually trying to get things done here.”

I watch some kind of look pass across Cade’s face, like he wants to say to his fiancée, “Could’ve fooled me,” but then thinks better of it.