Excerpt of Creep by Jennifer Hillier

A trio of students still lingered in the lecture hall, chattering loudly in one of the aisles. Hesitating, Sheila walked toward Ethan, her insides tight.

She couldn't put it off any longer. It was time.

"Professor Tao," Ethan said as she approached. His light gray eyes crawled over her face, missing nothing. "Great lecture today. Very engaging. Even learned something new, though of course I took this class as an undergrad. You have such a refreshing take on classic theories."

Always the terrific bullshitter. He usually got away with it because of his good looks and cocky demeanor. But today, the very sound of his voice made her want to throw up.

"We need to talk." Her voice was low. She was hyperaware of the three students still chatting about twenty feet away in the otherwise empty hall.

"Oh?" He continued to study her. "About anything in particular?"

"You know exactly what this is about."

"Let me guess. Leanne Armstrong tattled on me." He finally broke eye contact to glance at his watch. "Can this wait?"

Unbelievable. He knew damn well this wasn't about Leanne. Fine, he wanted to play it that way, so be it.

"No, it can't." Her voice was still quiet, but she spoke with authority. "Whatever the hell's going on between us, you still work for me, and you still need to do your job."

Ethan laughed, and the sound echoed in the large auditorium. He didn't care who might be listening. "You're ballsy. I always liked that about you. Always so professional."

"Ethan—"

"So why don't you do my job as well? From now on, I'll redirect all student concerns to you. You can handle that, can't you?" He cocked his head to one side. "I know how much you care about your students, Dr. Tao. You'd never let them down. Especially me."

The three students still chatting in the lecture hall were watching them, perplexed looks on their faces. Sheila didn't think they could hear anything from where they were standing, but there was no way to know.

Ethan leaned in closer and she could smell his cinnamon breath. "I watched our video again last night, Sheila, and I am this close to making you famous. Go ahead. Push me."