Kiss Me Gentle, Professor Carney

On a rainy day, in the backseat of the black Bentley.

The lights in the car dimly illuminated a pair of fair, slender legs wrapped around a man’s waist.

Soft murmurs filled the air, laden with intimacy.

Serena Dawson bit her lips, arching her body, her gaze pleading, longing for the man to give her some relief.

He complied with her wish.

"Mmm!" Serena cried out in pain.

"First time?"

Serena felt the heat in her body subside slightly, replaced by a growing emptiness. Her legs tightened uncontrollably, and she turned her face away, responding softly.

He kissed the corner of her eye.

"Relax."

The temperature inside the car soared.

She almost lost consciousness, but she could feel what was going on.

Serena gazed at the trembling starry sky above, suppressing the faint whimper between her lips, feeling absurdity wash over her.

Two months ago, she had attended the Moshire University alumni gathering with Jaylen Black, while Brenton Carney, an eminent alumnus and former professor at their university, had praised that they were a perfect match.

Now, Jaylen was cheating and about to marry into a wealthy family.

And here Serena was, lying beneath Brenton, allowing him to have his way.

The Carney family held unrivaled power in Ebora City. Brenton, once not the heir apparent, had unexpectedly abandoned academia for business and taken over the Boarco Group under the Carney family, making him one of the most sought-after figures in Ebora City.

This man presented himself as a paragon of virtue in public, yet behaved like a different person in private.

Serena almost thought she was going to die in his car.

After it was over, she clutched her clothes tightly, slumping in the back.

After a rustle of movement, she turned to look, the dim light in the car shifting. Her vision was blurry, but she was still able to outline the man’s composed appearance.

He lit a cigarette and asked her, "You’ve been drugged?"

He had noticed.

Serena hugged her clothes and sat up, hiding her face with her hair, mumbling a response.

"A colleague?"

Brenton’s tone remained steady. Serena clenched her hands and felt nauseous.

Jaylen had hooked up with Samantha Jackson, and Serena had broken up with him.

But Jaylen pestered Serena. His sister, Abbie Black, worried he would miss out on the chance to marry into wealth, so she had Serena kidnapped, intending to send her to bed with a business partner.

If Serena hadn’t summoned the strength to escape the room and encounter Brenton, she would likely have been toyed with by the notorious Eric Copeland and later be photographed.

Serena didn’t answer Brenton. After a while, she said, "Prof. Carney, thank you."

Thank you?

A flicker of interest passed through Brenton’s eyes.

He nodded slightly. "It was nothing."

For some reason, Serena felt there was more to his words.

She couldn’t help but close her legs.

Having already lost her dignity, she gritted her teeth and dressed quickly in front of him. After finishing, she didn’t dare to look at him.

"Can we just forget about tonight?" Serena asked.

Brenton raised an eyebrow, glancing at her face.

So, she wanted to distance herself from him.

He found it somewhat amusing. Was she afraid he would cling to her?

He wasn’t one to indulge in lust, and tonight’s unexpected encounter was only because he had learned of Georgia Carter’s marriage, which had rattled his composure.

Plus...

His gaze traced Serena’s face. The flush of her cheeks, still tinted with sweat, exuded a remarkable allure.

"Tidy yourself up. I’ll take you home,” said Brenton.

That should suffice as his agreement.

Serena breathed a sigh of relief.

As the car drove towards her apartment, Brenton handed her a business card.

It was gold embossed, quite refined.

Brenton said, "Feel free to call if you need anything."

Serena declined, "No, thank you. I won’t bother you."

She seemed to be avoiding him, but Brenton wasn’t offended.

After all, it was merely politeness.

To ignore her after the act would be contrary to his principles as a professor.

Serena closed the door.

The black Bentley slowly vanished into the night.

Exhausted and uncomfortable, Serena struggled downstairs.

Just as she was about to enter her building, someone stepped out of the parked police car nearby.

"Are you Serena Dawson?" asked the police officer.

Serena paused, a sense of foreboding creeping over her.

The police officer presented his badge and said with a rehearsed tone, "You need to come with us. Mr. Black has filed a report accusing you of embezzlement."

Serena spent three hours at the police station before being temporarily released.

Dragging herself home, she received a call from Jaylen as soon as she sat down.

Grinding her teeth in frustration, she answered quickly.

"Jaylen, we’ve broken up. Do you have to ruin me?"

He himself instructed her to transfer the 800 thousand dollars.

Jaylen anticipated her anger and calmly said, "Serena, you shouldn’t have mentioned breaking up."

"If I didn’t mention it, would you still be with Miss Jackson?" Serena mocked.

Jaylen felt no shame. "Samantha and I are getting engaged next month, but I don’t love her. Wait for me for three years, and I’ll divorce her and marry you."

Serena wanted to laugh at that. "And how do you plan to support me for these three years?"

"I’ll send you abroad for studies."

He was shameless!

He was about to marry into a wealthy family, and he wanted to use that money to support his "mistress"!

It was unbelievable.

Serena scoffed, "But I’ve already been with someone else."

There was a pause on the other end, and then Jaylen’s voice grew stern. He didn’t believe her.

"Don’t joke like that with me. It won’t end well for you."

Serena took a deep breath, gritting her teeth. "What do you want?"

"Come to me, and I’ll arrange for you to go abroad,” Jaylen said.

"You’re dreaming!" Serena shouted.

Jaylen remained calm, reminding her, "Serena, if I don’t withdraw the case, you’ll have to find the whereabouts of the money to prove your innocence. Don’t blame me for not warning you. 800 thousand dollars could land you ten years in jail. Once you’re inside, who will take care of Jodie, your grandma?"

If Serena had the strength, she would have cursed him over the phone!

She really had been out of her mind to fall in love with him.

"I’ll wait for you to come to me,” Jaylen said and hung up.

Serena was exhausted.

Her phone kept vibrating.

It was a message from Abbie.

Abbie said, "You didn’t accompany Eric? How dare you run away! If you dare to tell my brother about tonight, you’re done for. Which man did you sleep with?"

Serena felt sick and immediately blocked her.

...

Brenton was quite skilled, and Serena woke up the next day feeling sore all over.

But she couldn’t rest. Her classmate Isabel Thompson had pulled some strings for her. They were also alumni. The person was named Lorenzo Malone, and his father was reportedly influential in the legal field. She hoped he could help expedite the recovery of the money.

In the restaurant, Serena had been waiting for over an hour.

During this time, Lorenzo had avoided discussing business matters and instead reminisced about campus memories she barely remembered. Serena had to endure it and wait for the right moment to bring up the topic.

Just as she was growing impatient, she glanced up and saw a man approaching.

Brenton, dressed in a black suit and carrying a coat, exuded sophistication. His face was incredibly handsome, with deep features that didn’t seem intimidating but naturally emanated an aristocratic air.

He was followed by a few assistants, with elite men chatting beside him, indicating there was a business meeting.

Serena recalled their encounter in the car last night, and her heart raced. She intended to lower her head, but Brenton seemed to have already spotted her. Meeting his gaze, she reluctantly nodded in acknowledgment.

Brenton didn’t respond to her and was escorted by everyone to the best seat by the window, shielded by four folding screens for privacy.

Only after confirming he couldn’t see her did Serena breathe a sigh of relief.

Brenton took his seat by the window.

Although everyone praised him, he remained polite, occasionally glancing outside.

Last night’s hurried encounter now became clear under the lights.

Serena was wearing a long dress, her waist delicately defined. Her tied-up hair adorned with only one hairpin enhanced her delicate features, giving her an allure.

The man sitting across from her was rather average-looking, but his expression was lively as he boasted, attempting to get closer to her several times.

Brenton glanced at him briefly before retracting his gaze.

After a long while, Lorenzo finally noticed Serena’s flushed face.

Thinking it was the right time, he placed his hand on Serena’s back of the hand.

Startled, Serena pulled her hand back. "What are you doing?"

"Serena, be my girlfriend? I know you need something from me, and I assure you that I’ll take care of it for you."

As Lorenzo spoke, he attempted to reach for her again.

Serena was infuriated. "I’m sorry, but you’ve misunderstood. I’m not here for a blind date," Serena said, picking up her bag and preparing to leave. "I’ve settled the bill. Enjoy your meal..."

Lorenzo stopped her, feeling incredulous. "Serena! Are you refusing me?"

Several people around them glanced over, making Serena even more embarrassed.

She tried to signal Lorenzo to keep his voice down, but instead, he grew furious.

"What kind of pretense is this? Do you think you’re still the campus beauty from the Management Department? You let Jaylen play with you for three years, and he dumped you. You should be grateful that I’m even interested in you!"

Serena turned pale.

She didn’t want to argue further and attempted to skirt around him from the other side.

But their movements were too abrupt, and they knocked over the tablecloth, sending dishes tumbling over her dress.

The commotion attracted the attention of the waitstaff.

Lorenzo wasn’t willing to back down and grabbed Serena.

Serena struggled to free herself, but she stumbled backward several steps until her back collided with a chest, barely stopping her.

The man caught her, his hold just firm enough.

The manager hurried over, seeing Brenton present and standing on Serena’s side, he asked someone to take Lorenzo out.

Lorenzo continued to protest.

Serena felt utterly embarrassed, especially in front of Brenton.

Brenton lightly patted her arm.

"Go upstairs first and change your clothes,” Brenton said.

Serena wanted to refuse, but seeing people still watching, she could only nod and follow him out.

The restaurant’s upstairs was in one of the city’s top five-star hotels, and it seemed Brenton had a regular room here.

Having experienced what happened last night, Serena was nervous as she followed him upstairs.

Once inside the suite, she hesitated.

Brenton stood in the living room, looking her way.

His gaze was calm and deep, and after a moment, he said, "There’s a bathroom inside. You can use it freely."

Serena felt the sticky residue on her clothes, probably from the soup soaking into the fabric.

Standing on the luxurious carpet, Serena felt like she was sullying it, especially with Brenton watching her.

She awkwardly nodded and, with high heels clacking, made her way to the bathroom.

Closing the door, she avoided the conspicuous gaze and breathed a sigh of relief.

But the next second, she froze in place whens she looked herself in the mirror.

The elegant dress was intact from the waist up, but the lower half, soaked through by soup, now clung tightly to her abdomen, outlining her figure with remarkable clarity. It almost looked like she wasn’t wearing anything...