Free Seducing Professor Coyle by Darien Cox

clinging to his beard as he entertained a group of students with some story or other. The students looked rapt, but Peter suspected it was feigned. They were the top of their class, each of them, and knew which old ass to kiss in case they needed a recommendation in the future.
    Bored, he ordered a second glass of wine from the bartender, then made his way toward the goldfish pond, spotting Karen Sullivan, another literary teacher who he liked. He was nearly past the food tables when he stopped short, just as Benjamin LeClair, approaching from the opposite direction, did the same. They nearly bumped into each other.
    Benjamin took a step back, looking as frightened as Peter felt. Peter couldn’t seem to find his voice. Benjamin let out a nervous chuckle, then cleared his throat. “Dr. Coyle,” he said. “Um, hi.”
    “What are you doing here?” The words left Peter’s mouth before he could think about them, and came out harsh and accusatory. His heart pounded, a sweat breaking out on the back of his neck.
    Benjamin looked amazing in beige slacks and a peach cotton shirt that showed off his athletic physique. He appeared stunned by Peter’s words. “I...ah...”
    “Answer me,” Peter said. “ What are you doing here?”
    “I’m a guest,” he said.
    Peter tried to slow his heartbeat, but the shock of seeing Benjamin had thrown him, he couldn’t think straight. Here he is again , his mind taunted. What a coincidence . “Have you been following me?”
    Benjamin’s jaw dropped. He took a step back. “What? No!”
    At that moment, Tammy Albert, head of Information Sciences stepped up and wrapped an arm around Peter. “Dr. Coyle, nice to see someone else under the age of ninety. Maybe this party won’t be so boring after all. You’ve met Ben LeClair?”
    Peter struggled to speak, his eyes locked onto Benjamin’s as the realization hit. He wanted to shoot himself. Benjamin was here as a guest. And Peter had just made a fool of himself.
    “We’ve met,” Benjamin said, coming to his rescue, a brilliant smile on his handsome face. “I’ve got Dr. Coyle for Interpreting Literature this semester.”
    “Yes,” Peter said, clearing his throat. “I know Benjamin.”
    His green eyes met Peter’s. “Please. Call me Ben.”
    “Great!” Tammy said. “Let’s all go do a shot of Dean Yarboro’s liquor.”
    Peter blinked at her. “You’re kidding, right?”
    “What? He’s of legal age, aren’t you, Ben?”
    Ben’s gaze flicked to Tammy, then back to Peter. He wrung his hands, seeming nervous, and Peter couldn’t blame him after the exchange they’d just had. “I’m twenty-three,” he said. “I can do a shot.”
    Tammy moved over beside Ben, linking her arm through his. “Peter, did Ben tell you he’s my best student? He’s kind of a genius, but don’t tell him that. It’ll go to his head, and he’s too pretty as it is, don’t you think?”
    Peter swallowed hard, not daring to meet the boy’s eyes.
    “Careful, Dr. Albert,” Ben said, his tone teasing. “I’ll sue you for sexual harassment.”
    “Well you’d better wait until I retire so I have some money to give you,” she said. “Right, Peter?”
    Peter forced a chuckle. “Right.”
    “How ’bout that shot?” Ben said. He glanced at Peter. “I know I could use it.”
    Tammy fanned her arm toward the bar. “After you, Peter.”
    “I’ll be with you in a minute, I need to talk to someone,” Peter said. He walked away before they could protest, heading down to the goldfish pond to catch his breath. Stupid stupid stupid . He’d been so shocked to see the student, his first thought was that he was there for him . Following him. Stalking him.
    But Benjamin wasn’t a stalker. He was invited by one of the department heads. He was a good student, apparently, with no bad intent. And Peter was humiliated anew. He supposed he’d have to apologize for his reaction, but he couldn’t bear it right now. And he certainly didn’t want to