by Alexa Riley
The fact that she paid me no attention every time I tried to talk to her was a blow to my ego. It wasn’t that I thought I was good-looking or any better than other men. It was the fact that this woman was clearly my future wife, and she wasn’t even willing to look me in the eyes. Every time I tried to bring up something personal, she’d change the subject to Scott. Now I love the kid, don’t get me wrong, but I was starting to get jealous of the way she smiled at him.
I was about to enroll in her class if she didn’t agree to go on a date with me, so today I decided to pull out all the stops. I told Scott that he should forget something in class so I could sneak back in, and the little dude helped me out. I wasn’t waiting on her to agree to anything with me. I was past that point and ready to make demands. So after I told her about dinner, I got out of there. No sense in giving her time to wiggle out of it. The only thing I want to see her wiggling out of are her clothes.
Her dark curls and thick-framed glasses gave me aches all up and down my body. My dirty teacher fantasy has come to life in front of me, and I want to rip away her button-up collared shirts and let those big tits of hers bounce on my face. I want her to ride me while I suck her nipples.
“Jack!” Scott shouts, and I shake my head. Clearly that wasn’t the first time he’d said my name.
“What are you dressing up as for the party tomorrow?” he asks, and I smile.
“It’s a surprise. I’ll let your mom pick you up tomorrow, but I’ll see you at the dance. ’Night, Kim,” I say over my shoulder, giving Scott a high five and heading out.
Raven should be home by now, so I can leave.
When I bought the building downtown and redesigned it, I’d imagined selling off the units below me. I am on the top floor, and the floors below have tremendous real estate value. I’d see Raven that first day and decided I needed to do some homework. I waited around a few times and overheard that she was looking for a place to stay. I made sure that an email boasting new property, for lease and close to the school, was sent to her. I made it seem like it was being rented until a buyer came along. I even had an agent meet her to explain the details. I never had any intention of selling the place, not while she is in it, at least. But I knew that having her close would help me sleep at night. Especially knowing that one day I’d be able to get her on my floor.
I hop in my car and make the drive across town to my building. I park in the garage and take the private elevator up. Instead of going to the penthouse, I stop on the lobby level to speak with Joshua. He’s the evening guard, and as he sees me approach, he stands and smiles.
“Hello, Mr. Bates. Everything is well this evening.” He hands over a clipboard with a couple of signatures, and points to the one on the bottom. “Miss Treat has brought in one guest. I’d be happy to pull the cameras if you’d like to view the visitor.”
I shake my head, seeing the name. “That won’t be necessary, Joshua. Thank you. Say hello to Sandy for me. Have a nice night.”
“Will do. You as well, sir.”
I’m sure Joshua knows what I’m up to. Since Raven moved in, I’ve been checking security regularly, along with any visitors that might be entering. So far, she’s only had a couple of food deliveries, which Joshua was kind enough to intercept and deliver personally. He received a hefty bonus for his efforts and plans to take his wife to Hawaii for their anniversary. Worth every penny.
I step onto the elevator, and as much as I want to go to her floor, I don’t. I hit the button for mine and take it all the way up. When I get inside, I go to my office and check the feed. Joshua isn’t aware that I have my own cameras in place, and I click back through until I find the spot at which she enters. I watch as she and her co-worker get on the elevator, then I flip to the next camera outside her door to watch her make it inside safely. I had to fight myself from sneaking cameras inside, because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to control myself if I saw much more.
After I watch the tape three more times, I go over to the couch in my office and stretch out. I smile to myself, thinking that this time tomorrow, I’ll be alone with her, and then she’ll have no choice but to fall in love with me.
All I need is a moment alone, then she’ll see what I do. She’ll feel the undeniable force pulling us together, and then we can stop pretending. Raven Treat is going to know that there is no world without me, just as I have no world without her.
Chapter Three
Raven
“I still can’t get over this place,” Apple says as she takes another sip from her wine glass.
We’re already well into the second bottle we picked up on the way back to my place, and the takeout containers are long empty. My whole body is buzzing at this point, making me feel warm. Some of my fears about tomorrow drop away for a moment.
I look around the condo and couldn’t agree more with her. This whole building is amazing, and it’s going to suck when I have to leave it. I know I’ll never again be able to afford something as beautiful as this on a teacher’s salary, but I’d never give up teaching to live somewhere fancy. That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy this place while it lasts. It’s a taste of a life I never thought I could experience.
I grew up in foster care after losing my grandmother, who raised me. I was ten years old when she passed, and she was all I ever had. I remember my mother stopping by here and there when I was little, but it’s more a blur, and I often wonder if the memories are real. They didn’t hurt, but can something really hurt you if you didn’t know it? I don’t remember missing her or thinking she’d come back to get me when my grandma died. In fact, I never really thought of her at all.
Losing my grandma was hard. She wasn’t the most nurturing, but she was always there for me. I got lucky, though—crazy lucky, in fact—when I landed in the foster system and went to live with Aunt K and Uncle C as we all called them.
Two retired married teachers who could never have children of their own. They always had at least six children in their care. When one left, another would come to live with us. They were wonderful to all of us. And while they were loving, they were also realistic with us.
They gave us the tools to succeed in life. Every night when we got home from school, we had dinner together. Then we went back to studying after a little playtime. They told us the only way to get somewhere in life is to work hard. They were determined all of us would not only get into college, but would get scholarships to help us as well.
But even with all the studying, there was still time for laughter and some love. Even though I haven’t seen some of my foster brothers and sisters in a long time, we still send emails and call. Others got busy with life, but we understood there would always be a bond that held us together.
I felt like every time someone left the nest, it sent them far away from the home Aunt K and Uncle C had made for us. Though it was a nice place and I know they loved us, it was never really our home. It was a holding place. A safe place that taught and prepared us for the world, and I’d always be grateful to them. Grateful for what they gave us and how they opened their home to all of us.
“All the furniture came with it,” I admit. If it hadn’t, we’d be sitting on the floor with only a small love seat and mini fridge. That’s all I have from college. It’s the only furniture that I actually own. God, I really hope no one takes this place out from under me, because I need more time to save for the move. Not only for a deposit, but furniture as well.
“Maybe I shouldn’t be drinking on this sofa.” Apple pauses, her wine glass halfway to her mouth. I push my glasses up my nose and grab my own glass.
“I’m a klutz. I know stains come out easy on these sofas already.”
She laughs and takes a big gulp of her wine. I do the same before picking up my phone. Biting my lip, I debate doing what I’ve been thinking about doing since I got home.
“Maybe we can Google him a little.”
Apple’s eyes light up. “You just said we shouldn’t!” She puts her glass down on the table
. “And what do you mean a little? What’s a little Google?”
“I don’t know. I changed my mind.” I put his name in the search engine. “A little is a look at the images, not clicking the links or anything.” I don’t know why, but this makes it seem like it isn’t so bad.
“You sure you wanna do that?”
I look over at Apple, my finger hovering over the search button, all ready to go. This was her idea to begin with.
“Why? Do you know something?” I feel a tight ball form in my stomach like I’m about to lose something I never had. Maybe I don’t want to see. Or maybe it’s better to know.
A smile spreads on her face, making some of the tightness fade.
“Search. You’ll either fall more for him or…” She trails off, but I’m already hitting search and scrolling through pictures of him. There are photos of him at events, and a number of articles have been written about him over the past year.
In many of the photos, he’s with his mother or his sister. In the other photos, he’s alone. I can’t stop myself and I click an article that talks about him losing his mother to breast cancer and how he donated a whole new wing to the local hospital, dedicated to cancer research.
“Jesus, he’s even more perfect than I already thought.” For some reason this makes it worse. I don’t know what I thought I would find. Maybe something that showed some flaw. Or that maybe he was out with a different woman every night. But none of that was there.
“And that’s what I meant. You’re going to talk yourself out of dating him because of that.”
“Can you not date someone because they’re too perfect? Is that a thing?” I ask, moving to pick up my wine glass to take another drink. Instead, I hit the glass and spill my wine all over my Harley Quinn shirt and yoga pants.
“Oh my God. I bet I’m going to do that if I go on a date with him.” I point to the wine on my shirt, making Apple snort.
“Why do you think all the single teachers are always talking about him? He’s like a freaking unicorn no one can catch. Not even for a fast fuck.” Apple wiggles her eyebrows.
I get up and go into the kitchen, trying to clean myself up. Apple appears moments later.
“Listen,” she says, putting her hand on her hip. “Don’t freak yourself out. Look at the facts. He’s never seen out with a woman, and now he’s asking you to go out on a very public date. Not only that, everyone has been whispering about how he’s always looking at you. Something he’s never done with anyone else. Just you. All this shows me is he really wants you. This isn’t a game. He’s more than into you.” She takes a step closer, handing me my refilled glass of wine. “And after what I’ve seen today, that date will be happening one way or another. Drink your wine and let’s think on what kickass Halloween costume you’re going to wear tomorrow.”
I take a big gulp, knowing she’s right. I could tell today Jack is going to have me. It’s just a matter of how long it will take.
Chapter Four
Jack
I walk into the school gym and look around, searching for her. This day has felt like an eternity, and I know I can’t wait another second to get my eyes on her. Touch her. Finally know how soft her lips are.
The room has been transformed into a Halloween mansion, complete with people who have been hired to perform tricks. The school goes over the top every year, but always raises a lot of money for charity with the event. Looking around the space, I see students, parents, and teachers playing games and dancing.
Scott tugs on my hand and points, and I follow his line of sight. Kim and Eric come up on his other side, and they see our exchange.
“Come on, Scott. Let’s go see if your dad will buy us some cotton candy.” Kim winks at me and they all step away. Scott is full-out grinning. He’s been my little wingman through all of this.
I scan the crowd again and spot the red and black. Of course Raven is Harley Quinn. I smile to myself as I walk over and look her up and down. She’s got on the classic Harley costume. Not the new one from Suicide Squad, but the black and red jester outfit that hugs her lush full curves in all the right places and makes my mouth water. Her hair is down, and the dark curls frame her face. She’s not wearing her glasses, and her eye makeup is heavy. She looks like a nerd's wet dream, and I’m having a hard time walking a straight line to her.
I don’t know how I'm going to keep it together. My guess is I’m not going to be able to. I’ve wanted her for too long, and all this need is pushing forward, finally wanting out, and it’s going to take all my control not to take her on the nearest surface and finally find out just how sweet she really tastes.
She finally sees me and her mouth opens a little in shock before her full lips form a perfect little O. She looks me up and down, and then a smile pulls at her mouth.
“Don’t we make a pair,” I say, opening my arms a little.
I’d spotted a button on one of her bags a few weeks ago that had I love The Joker on it, with a green heart. I knew then exactly what my costume would be. If she loves The Joker, then that’s exactly what I would go as.
I see her cheeks blush as she takes in my dark suit with the neon green tie. I’ve got my hair slicked back and I’m wearing a half-mask that covers my mouth. It shows a menacing smile with scars on either side of the mouth.
“You look scary,” she says, but takes a step towards me. “I didn’t recognize you at first.”
I pull the mask down and let it hang around my neck. “Better?”
She nods and bites her lip. The move is so innocent and sweet, but she looks so naughty in her costume. I take a few steps forward, and she mirrors my move, stepping back farther into the dark corner. Whoever she was talking to earlier has stepped away, and now we have this private area all to ourselves.
There’s a wooden structure that’s been built for the event right beside us, and it’s perfect for what I want. I just need a taste. A small one, I lie to myself. A small anything with her will never do, but I still can’t stop myself. I reach out, taking Raven’s hand and pulling her back behind the structure. It offers us even more privacy, which is what I desperately need with her right now.
“Jack?” She says my name in a questioning tone, but there’s also a hint of excitement there. I can see it in her eyes. I’m starting to see I’ll have to push her a little. She needs it. And from her voice, I think she desires it, too.
Once we are hidden, I press her back softly against the wall and stand in front of her, shielding her from view if anyone happened to walk back here.
“Raven. I’ve wanted you from the second I laid eyes on you. Don’t tell me you don’t feel this pull between us.”
I move my palms to either side of her head, caging her in and not giving her an escape. I want her to know how serious I am about this. I would let her go if I saw even a hint of fear, but there’s none in her eyes. There is only desire filling the depths, and there is no way she doesn’t feel this attraction. It is so thick I can feel it roll between us and bind our souls together.
“But you’re…you. And I’m, well, I’m me.” She shrugs as if that’s some sort of explanation I should understand. Maybe she is right. She is her—all sweet and soft—and I’m a man who works too much and doesn’t know the first thing about having a woman of his own. She’s out of my league, but I’m not a big enough man to step aside. She’s mine and I’m okay with being a selfish bastard to have her.
She dips her chin, and I place my hand gently on her neck, using my thumb to push her chin up. I want her eyes on me when I tell her this.
“Exactly.” I see the glimmer of defeat in her eyes, and I can’t possibly imagine why she’s sad. “Raven, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I can’t go more than two seconds without thinking about you and wanting to know every single detail of your day. And your life. You’re you, and it not only fascinates me, but calls to me like a siren in the night. Any man would be lucky to lick the ground you walk on. But they’ll have to do with disappointment
, because you’re mine.”
“Jack, we don’t even know one another. This is insane.” She’s looking around, but there’s nothing else to see and nowhere else to go. “You can’t come in here and claim me like I’m a prize.”
I smile and brush a curl out of her face. “Oh, but you are, my sweet Raven. And I believe I’ve done just that.”
I lean forward slowly so she knows my intention. I brush my lips gently across hers, a whisper of what’s to come. For three heartbeats, that’s all I do, holding myself still, gently touching my lips to hers. And then a spark ignites, and we cling to each other, kissing like I’ve been away at war for the past ten years and she’s been waiting for me this whole time to come home. I don’t know who moved first, but her body is pressed as tightly to mine as mine is to hers. I push her back against the wall harder, and her legs go around my waist.
She tastes like sweet caramel, and I moan as her tongue comes out to taste mine. I wondered and worried for so long if this connection between us was one-sided, but now I know for sure that it isn’t.
I move my hands down her back to her round ass. I grip each cheek tight and rock her against me. A little moan leaves her this time, and I stop what we’re doing, pressing my forehead to hers, getting myself under control. I don’t want her cumming here.
“Not here. Not like this. I’ve waited for so long to have you in my arms, Raven.”
I take a breath and give her one last kiss before I lower her back to the ground and take her hand, locking her fingers with mine. I pull her from the back of the structure and spot an exit door close by. I walk towards it. Getting her out of here is the only thing on my mind. Teachers turn to look at us, but I ignore them and keep walking.
