The Virgin Diaries: The Complete Series

by Lauren Landish

  Ari looks at me questioningly. “I thought you said you were doing better in his class. Are you freaking about the final?”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to lie, just tell her that the test is stressing me out. But I know Ari, and I was right when I told Connor that of anyone, she’d be the person I could trust most with this. But is it too dangerous to spill, especially not knowing what he has planned? Maybe being quiet about the whole thing is for the best, at least for now.

  But I need support, and Ari is my best friend. I trust her. “No, not the final. I’m ready for that. It’s . . . it’s . . .”

  She smiles encouragingly. “Spit it out. I’m here for you, no matter what. Maybe I can help.”

  “I’ve been seeing him. Professor Daniels—Connor—romantically.”

  Her eyes widen, “Holy shit, Daisy! You’re fucking your math professor? Do you know how much trouble you could get into, how much trouble he could get into? Oh, my God, did he pressure you into this? That cocky fucker, I’ll kill him.” She’s ranting, already in my defense like the true friend I knew she would be.

  I place my hand on hers. “No, it’s not like that. We’re in love. I love him, Ari. And he loves me.”

  Her eyes search mine. “For real? You’re in love with him? And he’s in love with you?” Her voice is disbelieving, like I’m some silly school girl caught up in a fantasy.

  “Ari, we’re in love.” She must see the truth now, because she gasps.

  “Holy shit, Daisy,” she repeats, seemingly her main response to this news. “That’s . . . good? I mean, I guess. If you’re both into it. But how? What now? I don’t know what to say.” We both stare at each other for a moment, my confession weighing the air down between us.

  “Wait . . . if you’re in love, then why the tears? What’s wrong?” Ari asks, always astute.

  “There’s a girl in my class—”

  “Mother fucker, I’ll kill him,” Ari interrupts.

  “No, no, he’s not . . . it’s not like that. We’re serious. He wouldn’t do that. But this girl, she found out about us. And now . . .”

  I give Ari the whole sordid story, from our initial flirtations to last night’s text, explaining about Sabrina and the blackmail. Ari’s face shows her every emotion, from excitement and sweet awwws to fury and homicidal mania.

  “That bitch! How dare she? So, what are you going to do?” she asks.

  “I don’t know. Connor said he’d take care of it, but he hasn’t filled me in on the plan beyond that he’s picking me up for dinner at the Golden Wok.” My frustration at the whole situation hides the deeper, darker fear at my core. “Ari, what if it’s not okay? What if this gets out and ruins his career? I’ll never forgive myself.”

  She smiles. “Chica, that right there tells me all I need to know. You’re not worried for yourself. All you’ve talked about is him, how this will hurt him, and how you’ll do anything he wants to make this right. If he feels even a bit of the same way, you two are going to be fine. It might not be the same fantasy future you’d imagined, but you’ll be okay. I promise.”

  Her simple words, the innocent belief that it’s going to work out, reassure me more than I would’ve imagined, giving me peace in a way I didn’t realize I needed. I nod. “Thanks, Ari. I love you, girl.”

  She grins, wiping at the tracks of tears down my face. “No problem. That’s what friends are for. Just remember this for my next crisis when I come crying to you, okay?”

  I smile, the tight stretch of my face reminding me that smiles have been in short supply the last few days with all this drama. It feels good, more like myself. “Deal. Maybe come to me before the shit hits the fan though?”

  Ari winks and my phone dings. “That’s Connor, telling me that he’s here. He’s meeting me down the block because he’s being extra-cautious.” I sigh, wishing I could just walk down the steps and get into my boyfriend’s car like any other regular woman.

  “Go get him, girl. And go smack that bitch for me or I’ll have to do it for you. Ugh . . . some people,” Ari rants, rolling her eyes.

  The Golden Wok is one of those places that becomes an institution around just about every college campus in America. It was first a local hangout for the counterculture and hippie movements before somehow becoming that place where students would meet up. Cheap food, friendly service, and a convenient location right outside the main gates of campus certainly helped, and when the original owner passed on, his son took over.

  The Wok is a student place, and it’s packed as we walk in. Sabrina isn’t here, but we take a four-seater table anyway, sitting across from one another and waiting as seven o’clock comes and goes. “Do you think she’s screwing with us?” I ask. “Just jerking us around?”

  “I bet you know a lot about that particular subject,” Sabrina says, approaching out of the crowd of students that just walked in. She sits down, smirking triumphantly. “I have to say, I didn’t think you would show. I thought I was pushing it with the hundred, but I thought I might as well go balls-out, so to speak.” She gives me a little wink, like I’m supposed to laugh at her dirty joke, as if any of this is funny.

  “I can’t believe you’re doing this,” I growl, and Sabrina laughs. “I thought you were nice, but this is wrong, so fucking wrong.” I shake my head, still bewildered at how we even ended up in this shitty situation.

  “Nice? I’m not the one pretending to be Miss Goody Two-Shoes while fucking my professor. Seriously, I gotta give you some props. You took that dick like a pro. Way better skills than I’d expect from a math nerd.” Her voice is harder than I’ve ever heard, any hint of sweetness dissipating in her catty judgment.

  I flush and sputter. “How did I ever think you were a friend?”

  “Probably too fuck-drunk to realize what was right in front of your face,” she says, shrugging. “Then again, you spent most of the semester ogling Prof here, too lost in his dick to notice anything. I can’t believe you were ever passing. Now I know why.”

  “She earned her grades,” Connor says in a low voice. “Every single one of them.” I know it’s true, but I can see that Sabrina doesn’t believe him for a second.

  But now she’s got Connor in her sights and she dismisses our little back and forth, locking her eyes on him. “All those damn brains, and still not enough to understand that sometimes, that just doesn’t fucking matter,” Sabrina says, growing very serious. “Let’s talk business.”

  “So, what’s the plan?” Connor asks casually.

  Sabrina falters a little. I think she expected him to be more rattled than he is. Honestly, I expected him to be more aggressive too, but I’m trusting this is step one of . . . something. “Well, first, those grades of mine . . . yeah, you’re going to do what you need to bring them up. I understand you can’t make it obvious, but you’re smart. Make it work. I’ll need an A in your class as the final grade. Understand?”

  “Done,” Connor says. “And the money?”

  She shrugs, as if blackmail isn’t a big deal. “Why not? Those pics seemed worth something, and college is fucking expensive. This little exchange”—she points between me, Connor, and herself— “is going to pay for my degree, oh, plus my scholarship, of course. That’ll keep me on track with an A in your class.” She smirks, like she can already count the money.

  Connor nods, summarizing. “So, let me get this straight . . . you want one hundred thousand dollars and an A you didn’t earn, and you’ll keep your mouth shut and delete the pictures of Daisy and me? That about right?”

  Sabrina grins a sweet smile and nods, looking nothing like the evil bitch she is. If anyone looked over here, they’d probably think me and her were besties who happened to run into a professor on a Thursday night pre-final hang-out. “Yes sir, that’s the deal. Take it or I’ll go to the dean. I think he’d be real interested in what’s been happening between you two.” The threat is implicit.

  I’m confused, looking between Connor and Sabrina, trying to figure out what h
e has planned because this seems oddly casual. I don’t know that I’d expected him to rage or yell, but something doesn’t seem right.

  And then I see it, the cocky arrogance Connor is known for. His shit-eating grin tells me that this is exactly what he planned, whatever this is. He winks at me, and my heart races, desperate to see what he’s going to do.

  “You know, Sabrina, you really should have thought this through better. Then again, you’ve shown yourself to be a pretty poor student.”

  “Who the fuck cares?” Sabrina replies, a little rattled. “Give me the money and you get the pictures. You realize you two were so into it you never even locked the door? Amateurs. I had a feeling what was going on, so I quietly opened the door and slid my phone through.”

  “Speaking of amateurs, the first rule of blackmail is to have information that your victim doesn’t want to share. I’m damn proud to be with this woman.”

  Connor stands up, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. “Everyone!” he calls out, his voice ringing through the restaurant. Almost everything stops, people wondering what the commotion is about. “Everyone, if you don’t know me, I’m Professor Connor Daniels, Math department. And this is Daisy Phillips, my girlfriend.”

  He pulls me against him, kissing me hard before anyone can react. I resist for half a moment, startled more than anything else, before I melt into his kiss, my hands coming up to pull on the back of his neck, deepening the kiss as our tongues twist and writhe around each other. Distantly, I hear the restaurant cheering, hoots of ‘get some, dude’ and vague woohoos surrounding us.

  “Connor,” I whisper when our lips part. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Though most of the students here probably don’t realize what they just saw, there’s bound to be a few who recognize me as a fellow student and put two and two together that this isn’t exactly okay.

  “Never been surer,” he replies, stroking my cheek. “Eliminate the variables and solve for what’s left. And there was only one variable that counted—you. I love you, Daisy Phillips. I love you, heart and soul.”

  “I love you too,” I repeat, a tear trickling from my right eye. “But what about . . .” I look to Sabrina.

  She looks shell-shocked, and I can see the anger turning her face red as she sneers. “Soooo touching, but you know that this will end you, right?”

  Connor smirks and tells her, “Maybe, but for you, here’s what you get. Zero. Zilch. Not a goddamn fucking thing. I went to the dean and told him everything. He’d like to talk with you about your conduct. Sure, I could be out of a job, but you see, Miss Bowen, blackmail is against the law, and blackmailing a professor for better grades? That’s grounds for expulsion too.”

  Sabrina stutters, “W–what? No!” She looks around wildly as her plan blows up in her face, but I’ve got to give her credit, she recovers quickly. “I’ll deny it. I have no idea what Professor Daniels is talking about, Dean Michaels.” She raises her voice, mimicking the innocent tone she thinks will work on the dean. Partnered with the batting lashes and sweet smile, I’ll admit that it’s a good sell.

  Connor laughs and looks past her. “Hey, Nick . . . you get all that?”

  A guy I’ve never seen stands up. “Yep, CD. Got every last word and faux innocent gesture.”

  “Thanks, man. Can you forward that on to Dean Michaels and send me a copy? He’s expecting it.” I watch as the guy, obviously a friend of Connor’s, taps on his phone and then holds out a thumbs-up sign. Connor turns to Sabrina. “Dean Michaels is expecting you too. Eight A.M. tomorrow morning, Miss Bowen.”

  And then he takes my hand, leading me out and leaving Sabrina fuming as she yells after us, “I hope you get fired!”

  Connor doesn’t even react, though the reality is that still could happen. But it feels good to be out in the open, not a dirty little secret but proud to be by my man’s side, claiming him and being claimed by him publicly.

  There are a few cheers as we leave, but I don’t really care. All I care about is the look in Connor’s eyes . . . because that’s the only thing that counts.

  Connor

  It’s a beautiful summer day, and normally, I’d be resentful that I’m having to work. But considering all the other ways Dean Michaels could have punished me, I guess teaching summer term isn’t all that bad. He’d definitely hinted at worse, but luckily, the TED Talk people finally got around to asking me to present, a huge boon for both me and the university, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Though I’d lost my shot at tenure, at least for the time being, I’m happy to still have my job. Even if I could’ve found a better-paying position in the private sector, I like what I do.

  Besides, there are benefits. The summer teaching load isn’t all that heavy, and it’s given Daisy and me time to be together. At least when she’s not in class too.

  Rolling over in bed, I give Daisy a soft kiss. “Good morning, love.”

  Daisy stretches and yawns, her natural beauty only enhanced by the messy hair and bare face. I feel like a lucky bastard for seeing her like this, fresh from sleeping in my arms all night. “Good morning. What time is it?”

  “Seven thirty,” I reply, burying my head in the curve of her neck and kissing the soft skin there gently. “Too late to do what I want with you right now . . . but today’s the last day of class.”

  “Mmm, I know,” Daisy moans lightly, pressing her ass back against my hard cock. “It was just last night. Don’t you ever get tired?” Her voice is teasing. She already knows the answer but wants me to talk dirty to her. I’m happy to oblige.

  “Of that sweet pussy wrapped around my cock while you scream my name? Never,” I promise. It’s been a few weeks since Daisy moved in, and I’m glad. It just felt natural, after spring semester was over and she was out of the dorms, to have her move in with me. Sure, some people have wondered, but after she turned in a legitimate perfect score on her final from a different professor, none of my colleagues have dared to say a thing. At least, not to my face. Well, except for Nick, of course. He’s given me shit, but all his comments have been friendly teasing. Honestly, I think he’s a little jealous, but that’s okay.

  “So, are you driving me to class?” Daisy asks, turning over to look in my eyes. “You know, to wish me good luck?”

  I laugh softly, shaking my head. “After a whole summer term of blowing Professor Patel’s socks off, you hardly need good luck.”

  Daisy hums, reaching down to take my cock in hand. “Mmm . . . speaking of blowing, I know a Professor I’d rather be blowing.”

  I chuckle, moaning lightly as Daisy kisses down my chest. “And you were wondering if I ever get tired?”

  Pausing, her sweet lips just an inch above my cock, she looks up, giving me the naughty smile that only I get to see. “Well, Professor, you’ve been tutoring me in more than just math . . . and I love every minute of it, but maybe you could critique my new technique?”

  She licks at my head, moaning against my skin and driving me wild. “Fuck, Daisy. I love it too, and I love you.”

  She tries to pull back to say she loves me too. I can see the words in her eyes, but I hold her down, mouth full of my cock. “I know, honey. Now, about that final exam.” I smirk, and her eyes light up, happily playing along.

  Of course, there’s a reason that I wanted Daisy to go to class on her own this morning, and it had nothing to do with campus life. We’ve gotten used to the looks, but as long as Daisy isn’t in my class, nobody can say a damn thing.

  After the dean pulled Sabrina into his office, the investigation was swift considering we had video of her confessing to everything. But she begged forgiveness. The dean was still going to throw her out until Daisy, in a move that surprised me, intervened. My good-hearted girl asked that Sabrina be given another chance . . . if the photos were destroyed. Of course, Sabrina was willing to do that, deleting the file in front of Daisy that very instant. She’s still in school, although her plan for avoiding student debt has certainly backfired and her scholars
hip for next year was revoked. But with no criminal charges filed, she’ll figure out something, I’m sure. As long as it has nothing to do with Daisy and me or anything illegal.

  But that has nothing to do with my little errand for the morning, pressed in between breakfast and getting to the office to prepare for the final I’m giving at noon.

  “It’s a beautiful choice, sir,” the salesperson comments as I slide the string of pearls over my fingers. I can’t help it. The sensation makes my cock stiffen, but I guess that’s to be expected. Daisy’s pearls have been washed, and I did give her that necklace of a different sort as promised . . . but this is something even more significant, a start of an new heirloom, something permanent and meaningful for us. “Is there anything else?”

  “Yes,” I reply, shifting over a little. “I’d like them wrapped in satin, if you have it. And I’d like to add something a little bit special to the package. Would you help me over here?”

  The salesperson sees what I’m looking at and grins. “A fine choice, sir.”

  Daisy

  “I still can’t believe you took summer classes, but I’ll see you soon,” Arianna says in my ear as I bounce out of the student center where I’ve been wasting time until four o’clock, when Connor’s final ends. “Seriously, I know you love the guy, but studying during summer?”

  “You know I’ve been doing more than studying,” I joke, making her laugh. “And the internship . . . how’s that?”

  “Good! I mean, I’m just working as a front desk receptionist right now, but I’m just glad to have my foot in the door,” Ari says, excited. “Hopefully, I can move up to something more hands-on next semester and really start learning. Good part right now, though . . . the eye candy, girl.”

  “Oh?” I ask, excited for her . . . for both the internship she wanted and that she might have her sights on someone. “Anyone in particular?”