Inferno Anthology by Jessica Sorensen, Aleatha Romig, Kailin Gow, Cassia Leo, Lacey Weatherford, Liv Morris, Vi Keeland, Kimberly Knight, Addison Moore, Laurelin Paige

dared.
    Errol grinned. “Right. A plate of mush… bland mush at that.” Clasping his hands together he came around his desk and leaned back, crossing his long legs out in front of him.
    Taryn tried not to imagine the heated moments they’d shared that morning and tried to concentrate on what he said.
    “Today we’re going to look at textures, colors and even shapes as we bring a plate together.”
    Finally able to bring her thoughts to the task at hand, Taryn took notes and managed to be attentive throughout the class. Only when Errol, strolling among the students, came to pass behind her and gently brush his hand along her rear end did she falter.
    She was excited to see she still interested him, but could have slapped him for risking such a move right there in class.
    “Chef King.” The dual supremacy of his name echoed in the air as Taryn called out to him at the end of the lesson. As the class emptied, she made her way to his desk. “I hope you’ll understand how important this all is to me.”
    He sat behind his desk, clasped his hand over his belly and looked up at her. “I would like to think my classes are important to everyone here.”
    “I just want to make it clear.” She set both hands on his desk and leaned forward, hoping to get through to him. “My scholarship here means everything to me.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “I would hate to put it in jeopardy because you insist on playing your silly games.”
    He rose to face her as a wicked grin took hold of his lips. “They didn’t seem that silly this morning.”
    A streak of blush heated her cheeks. At first the responsibility fell on the flash memory of that morning, but she quickly realized it was also the infuriating manner in which he made light of the situation she now found herself in.
    His hand crept along the top of the desk until the tips of his fingers met hers. She recoiled with surprising speed. For a moment she considered her options. She could threaten to move out of his apartment; that was hardly viable. She could threaten to report him. Who would believe he was harassing her ? In anything, they’d accuse her of stalking him.
    Crossing her arms in front of her, she looked at him. “Please, Errol,” she said softly.
    A wistful smile came to his lips and his eyes softened. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything that could ruin your chances of attaining your goals.”
    “I’m glad we understand each other. Thank you.” Before he could say more, she turned and left the room.
    That night, as she waited for him to arrive, she contemplated the situation she’d gotten herself into. Errol King was a handsome, charismatic, if not enigmatic man who thrilled her in ways she never would have imagined.
    Yet, she felt she’d allowed herself to play in a game she couldn’t win.
    Since arriving after school, she’d changed clothes three times; out of her school clothes and into lace panties and a semi-transparent blouse. Too obvious, she argued. He’ll think he’d won. Going to the opposite spectrum, she’d pulled on unflattering sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. Again, too obvious, she thought. He’d think she was deliberately trying to downplay their affair.
    In the end, she opted for her dressy pajamas. Blue and white striped cotton, they were legitimately relaxed enough for a cozy night at home without any hint of sexuality. The message would be clear; their sexual liaison was over.
    She settled in on the sofa, plugged the television to a food channel and opened her French technique book on her lap. The moment she heard the doorknob rattle, however, she looked down at her dowdy pajamas and wondered if this was really the message she wanted to send him. Did she really want it to be over? As the door opened, her skin tingled. As his footsteps approached, her body heated up.
    “Nice try,” he said.
    The sound of his voice, deep, masculine and sensual flowed over her like a velvet hand, soothing her and making her forget