Bearly Passing: Saylor and Ryan Read Free Page B

sighed, running a hand across his face.
    "I knew this would happen eventually. I was careless, I shouldn't have been out the same night I assigned the class to do field work. It was foolish."
    "The class won't care!" Saylor said. "We love you! We don't mind."
    Professor Paulson dropped his hand and quirked an eyebrow at her. Saylor felt heat rush to her cheeks.
    "You're a great teacher," she said, hoping he didn't misinterpret her words. Unfortunately, from the smirk on his face, he clearly had.
    "Thank you," he said, leaning back. He wore a charcoal sweater today, no tie, white dress shirt underneath. The sleeves were rolled up, exposing tan, muscular forearms. Saylor licked her lips, remembering his soaking wet, naked body last night. She wondered if his skin was as soft and warm as it looked.
    "I appreciate you keeping quiet about this," he continued, "but I am sorry you have to bear this secret. Officially, the university has no problem with shifters on staff. Unofficially, there is no way they would be ready to accept me. Even if I was tenured – and that's decades off – they would try to find some way to oust me."
    "Do you really think so?" Saylor asked, "I thought our campus was a bit more progressive than that."
    "You students, of course," he smiled at her and Saylor couldn't help but smile back. "The dean isn't as accepting, I'm afraid. I could make a case against him if this got out, but that would take a lot of time and resources."
    "You never know," said Saylor, "you might become the poster boy for diversity here at NMU."
    He rolled back his head and let out a roar of laughter. Saylor laughed with him, her light giggle meeting his deep voice in harmony. When he finished laughing, Ryan ran a hand through his hair and grinned at her. He was so boyish, sharp cheekbones, chiseled jaw, brilliant smile. He was like a lumberjack on an ad for men's deodorant.
    "That would be too good," he said, still chuckling, "My job would be secure if that happened. But I thank you for your secrecy in this matter."
    Saylor sat for a moment. That's it? That's all he was going to do?
    "I also had a question about the assignment," Saylor blurted, before she knew quite what she was saying. "With all the excitement last night, I, uh, I didn't see all the constellations on the list. I got turned around in the woods, and I don't have any friends in class to go with me."
    The Ryan nodded, "I know, with big lectures it's hard to make friends. So many people, but no one wants to talk to each other. I had the same problem."
    "Do you think you could help me?" Saylor asked.
    The professor smirked at her again. "You mean go with you?"
    Saylor blushed, was that what she meant?
    "Yes," she said. "You clearly know the woods better than me, and the material, I was hoping... unless that crosses boundaries... or..."
    "I'll help you," he said, his voice low. "It's field work, not a date."
    His gaze was intense, pulling at her. When he said "date," Saylor could have sworn she heard extra emphasis on the word. Like she was supposed to read between the lines. Was it a date? Had she asked him out?  
    "Great," said Saylor, cursing her lack of eloquence around the professor. She knew so many words and all she could think to say was "great?"
    "Should I meet you here?" she asked, gesturing vaguely around his office.
    Professor Paulson nodded, "Sure, that'll work. Let's meet at ten, I'll leave the building open for you. It will be dark enough then."
    "Okay," Saylor said, standing up. "I'll see you tonight."
    The professor was already looking at his papers as she walked toward the door. When she turned, she did her best to mimic the way Jasmine walked, moving her hips in a way that drew attention to her toned ass. She was no Kim Kardashian, but she had a tight, round, bubble butt. These jeans looked great on her.
    When she turned the corner, she caught Professor Ryan staring at her over his paperwork. She beamed.

Chapter Six
    " The trick is," said Professor