NOVEL NEXT Chapter 98: Unspoken Agreement
Alex made his way through the thinning crowd, his mind a whirlwind of relief and pent-up emotions.
The events of the day weighed heavily on him, but so too did the memory of Tisha's parting words and the brush of her hand on his sleeve.
He found himself drawn to her office, a magnetic pull that he couldn't resist.
As he approached the door, he paused, taking a deep breath to compose himself. Then, with a tentative knock, he announced his presence.
"Come in." Tisha's voice drifted through the thick wood, a sultry invitation.
He pushed the door open. The last rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows across the office.
Tisha sat at her desk, half in light, half in shadow, her gaze smoldering with an unspoken promise.
"Took you long enough," Tisha teased as she rose. Her eyes glimmered with mischief, though her voice was thick with relief. "Do you know how hard it was to sit there, pretending to be composed, when all I wanted was this?"
She stopped before him, close enough that he could feel the heat radiating off her body, could catch the intoxicating scent of her perfume.
Alex leaned a little closer, his smile playful but assured.
"Looks like the coast is clear," he said softly, eyes glinting. "So… who's stopping you now?"
Tisha's smile was slow and wicked, her eyes glinting with a predatory light.
"Is that so?"
With that, she surged forward, closing the remaing distance between them in an instant.
Her lips crashed against his in a fiery kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer.
Alex groaned, his hands coming up to span her waist, to pull her flush against him.
A soft sound of approval escaped her throat as her tongue tangled with his, exploring with a daring, deliberate rhythm.
She tasted of wine, temptation, and a forbidden sweetness that set his senses aflame.
Alex's hands slid down to cup the generous swell of Tisha's breasts, his fingers sinking into the supple flesh.
He kneaded the soft globes, feeling them overflow his hands like ripe fruit.
She arched into his touch, a low moan escaping her lips as he massaged her breasts.
"Mmmm, Alex," she purred, breaking the kiss to nuzzle into the crook of his neck. "That feels so good."
The air between them lingered thick with desire for a moment longer, and then Alex blinked, the reality of where they were hitting him.
He took a small step back, giving both of them space. Tisha, sensing it, drew back as well, her chest rising and falling a little faster than usual, but her fiery spark settling into something more playful.
He ran a hand through his hair, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you… for being there. Today… I don't know what I would have done without you."
Tisha tilted her head, her grin teasing, eyes glinting with mischief. "Hmm, am I not deserving of a reward then?"
Before he could answer, her fingers traced lazy circles over his chest, the touch light and deliberate.
"How about you… be mine for tonight?" she murmured, her voice soft but commanding, carrying that same intoxicating mix of mischief and challenge.
Alex's smile widened, a knowing glint in his eyes. The game, it seemed, was far from over.
***
A sharp knock on the office door interrupted the charged moment between Alex and Tisha. Both of them froze, the intimate atmosphere shattered like glass.
Alex moved to the door, his hand lingering on the handle for a moment before opening it.
Miranda stood in the doorway, her green eyes immediately taking in the scene.
Tisha sat behind her desk, a telltale blush still creeping across her cheeks despite her attempt to appear composed.
Miranda's expression remained neutral, but Alex caught the subtle arch of one eyebrow.
"Dr. Whitman," Alex said, stepping back to allow her entry.
"Miranda!" Tisha stood quickly, relief and warmth flooding her voice. "I was hoping you'd come by."
Miranda stepped into the office, her presence immediately commanding the space.
"Tisha texted me after the hearing. She was concerned about how you'd be handling the aftermath." Her voice carried the same cool authority Alex remembered from their first meeting... measured, intelligent, with an undercurrent of steel.
Miranda moved toward Tisha's desk, her gaze softening slightly. "We've been friends for over a decade. I know how these high-profile cases affect her, especially when she has to testify against colleagues."
She glanced meaningfully at Alex. "Tisha takes her professional responsibilities seriously, but she also cares deeply about her students. Today put her in a difficult position."
Alex watched the interaction between the two women, noting the genuine affection beneath Miranda's typically controlled exterior.
"Dr. Whitman," Alex began, his voice steady but warm.
"Thank you... for your defense today… Without it, we wouldn't have stood a chance."
"I would have been expelled yesterday. Mike and Danny too. We wouldn't have stood a chance against Pierce and Marcus's influence."
Miranda turned toward him, her green eyes studying his face with that same penetrating intelligence he remembered. "You don't need to thank me for doing my job, Mr. Hale."
"No," Alex said firmly. "I'm thanking you for caring about the truth when it would have been easier to go along with the system. You didn't just defend us... you dismantled their entire conspiracy piece by piece."
"The evidence spoke for itself, Mr. Hale. I simply ensured it was heard clearly."
Miranda's expression remained composed, but something flickered in her eyes... approval, perhaps even respect.
Her voice carried that same cool precision, but Alex detected something warmer underneath. "Though I will say this... you and your friends showed remarkable composure throughout the process. Many students would have crumbled under that pressure."
She glanced between Alex and Tisha, her lawyer's instincts clearly picking up on the undercurrent between them. "I trust you'll continue to demonstrate that same good judgment in all your future... decisions."
The subtle warning was unmistakable, delivered with the same authority that had dominated the hearing room.
Tisha cleared her throat, her professional demeanor reasserting itself. "Alex, perhaps you should return to your friends. They're probably wondering where you are."
Miranda nodded approvingly. "Wise advice. Today was a victory, but campus attention will be intense for the next few days. Best to keep a low profile until things settle."
Alex understood the dismissal but felt compelled to try once more. "Dr. Whitman, if there's ever anything I can do to repay you..."
"Succeed academically," Miranda interrupted, her voice carrying finality. "Graduate with honors. Prove that our faith in you was justified. That's all the repayment I require."
Alex nodded, ready to leave, his mind still racing with gratitude and relief. He moved toward the door, the office finally feeling calm after the storm of the day.
Just as his hand touched the handle, Miranda's voice stopped him, firm yet measured.
"Wait, Mr. Hale," she said, her green eyes locking onto his with that same piercing focus. "Are you sure… you can keep your promise if I ask you something?"
Alex paused, turning back slightly, meeting her gaze steadily. "I'll try my best… if I can."
Miranda's lips curved into a faint, almost secretive smile. "Good. Then I'll ask… when the time comes."
With that, she returned to her desk, the subtle weight of unspoken instructions lingering in the air.
Alex stepped out, closing the door behind him, a new sense of purpose settling over him.