by BJ Harvey
When the room grows quiet, I look at my watch to see it’s go-time.
Lifting my head, I take Bry’s advice and let my gaze roam the room, finding a few eager freshmen to focus on as I introduce myself.
“Good afternoon and welcome to your worst nightmare.” That earns a few gasps. I laugh and put them out of their misery. “Just kidding. I’m Jaxon Cook, and I’m going to be introducing you to photogra—” I make the mistake of looking toward the back of the room, meeting the same dazzling amber eyes I’d last seen up close and very personal on Saturday night. I lose my train of thought for a second, and stutter. I look away, shaking my head from side to side to clear my brain. “Sorry, I’m going to be introducing you to photography and everything it encompasses for the next ten weeks.” That earns me a few sighs of relief, a couple of grins, and one or two smirks from a group who I can already pick as the cocky guys.
I glance back at Ronnie for just a second, searching for any sign of surprise or shock, still rattled by the fact she’s here, and it appears she’s a student in this class. She stares at me; if anything, she looks a little guilty if the glimpse of her trepidation is anything to go by.
How is it possible that she’s here in my class and isn’t as stunned as I am? Now is not the time to contemplate it though, because I have an employee handbook on my makeshift-nightstand at the pink house with a very clear policy on fraternization—a policy that does not allow for any kind of relationship, physical or otherwise, between faculty members and students.
I put it out of my mind for the sake of getting through this class and not making a fool out of myself. My eyes do drift her way a few times during the lesson, but never for more than a passing glance.
At no stage does she act differently or with any familiarity to me so—in turn—I take her lead and just get on with my job. It’s what I’m being paid to do after all. Besides, I have a plan to track her down later and find out exactly what the hell the little minx is playing at.
“I’ll hand out your first assignment next week. As I explained, there are two individual assignments, and then your portfolio submission, which acts as your final. Can whoever has the sign-in sheet bring it to the front when you leave. Otherwise, that’s it for today. I hope I haven’t scared you off.” That earns me a collective chuckle from the class. “And I’ll see you all next week. Come armed with your camera and a healthy dose of creativity.”
The quiet room erupts with the sound of scraping chairs and low voices as everyone stands and grabs their bags from the floor. I quickly locate Ronnie, intending to track her and call her over for something, but a rather eager-looking male blocks my view and stops right in front of me.
“Sir, do you have a minute to discuss which camera we should bring?”
I nod, giving him my full attention. Unfortunately, this means I lose sight of Ronnie.
Fifteen minutes and three more students later, I’m free for the day, but the woman who holds the answers to a lot of unanswered questions is nowhere to be found.
It’s only when I’m packing up my papers that I spot the sign-in sheet. Out of curiosity, I run my finger down the list of names, wondering how I could’ve missed Ronnie’s name when I checked earlier today.
Then I see it: Veronica Nelson. I didn’t make the connection before now.
All of a sudden, I’m not frustrated that I missed my chance to talk to her today, because now I have her last name, and I’m a firm believer in ‘have information, get things done.’
She can try and avoid me for as long as she likes. Good things come to those who wait. I can be patient.
Besides, rules are made to be broken, lines are meant to be blurred, and innocent stalking is only fun if the other person knows you’re doing it. Suddenly, I’m really looking forward to cracking the nut that is Ronnie, piece by piece, until she lets me in.
First step… a little group project for the next class. Isn’t it a shame we have an uneven number of people, and someone will have to be paired with Veronica Nelson?
Playing is only fun if it’s dirty, and it just so happens I like Ronnie’s kind of dirty a whole damn lot. So if playing dirty gets me legitimate time with her, then that’s what I’m going to do.
Ronnie
“How was it?” My sister Gillian asks through the speakers of my car. With Jax distracted by freshmen students with questions, I escaped unscathed from the room before he could track me down and interrogate me. I may have some sexy teacher fantasies in my arsenal but ambushing him by appearing in his first class on his first day does not exactly set a good impression.
“It was good. Next week, we’ve got to bring our cameras, so we’ll start actually getting into the practical side of things.”
“And how was Professor Cook?” she asks, a teasing lilt in her voice. Where normally I tell both April and Gilly everything to do with my life, for obvious and complicated reasons, Gilly is the only one who I’ve told about being enamored with Jaxon Cook. Twelve months is a long time for a man to keep my attention, having established a reputation for being a serial monogamist with my relationships averaging four to six months in the past.
But there’s just something about Jax that has me hooked without him even knowing it. We’ve been like two blind sharks circling each other but neither one of us willing to strike first.
“He was definitely surprised to see me,” I say.
“Surely he would’ve checked the list of students before starting.”
“Funny thing about that… he knows me as Ronnie and I’m not sure he even knows my last name. So, when the sign-up sheet was passed around, I had a bit of a laugh when I was listed as Veronica.”
“How can a man who has a habit of photographing you every chance he gets, and eyeing you up like a juicy piece of steak the rest of the time, not know your full name?”
“I can only assume he hasn’t wanted to ask obvious questions and get the obvious grilling in return.”
“It’s not like you’re related to any of them.”
“They’re a pretty tight bunch, remember? Jamie is very protective of April and—in turn—me. For all I know, he warned Jax off me.”
“Fat lot of good that did,” she says, making us both giggle.
“Did he say anything about it? Or Saturday when you—”
“Nope and nope. I ran out of class while he was talking to other students and rang you as soon as I got out of the parking garage.”
“So, you chickened out again.”
“I prefer to call it self-preservation.”
“Bullshit,” she says, coughing like she’s not calling me out.
Should I have told him I was his student at the party a few days ago? Yes, but in my defense, I talked about school, and then he did his typical disappearing act like always. Then later on, when he met me in the guest room of my best friend’s house, we didn’t use words to communicate with each other.
After his mom, me hiding in the bathroom and avoiding him, then him running off without another word, it’s not like I had the chance. I couldn’t just walk up this morning and say, “By the way, sorry for Saturday night, and oh, I’m one of your students now.”
I have every intention of explaining my little freak out the other night—just not today. Maybe next week. That’ll give him enough time to not yell at me for being stupid enough to sleep with my professor…
It wasn’t stupid for me. It was spectacular, stupendous, and set the benchmark for all future orgasms.
I sigh loudly, and Gilly’s laugh fills the air. “Babe, you’re your own worst enemy sometimes. You should’ve asked him out when you first caught him taking photos of you. It probably would’ve been a good idea to talk to him before jumping his bones at April’s engagement party, and you definitely should’ve tried to catch him before class to tell him you’re now officially one of his students.”
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing,” I reply dryly, knowing she’s right but stubborn enough not to admit it.
“Or
clear thinking. Same thing, I suppose.”
“Smart-ass,” I say back.
“With age comes wisdom. I know you love me and my smart-ass ways.”
“Sometimes… it’s a hard life being the baby sister of the perfect first child,” I tease.
“Speaking of being the perfect first child, the parents have requested your presence for dinner next week. I said I’d check you didn’t have urgent assignments due.”
“I love how you already tried to give them an excuse on my behalf.”
“You forget, I’ve known you all your life. You’ve hated our parents’ formal dinners for as long as you’ve been able to talk.”
“The food is always good; the company, apart from you, not so much.”
“Ah well. Tell me what excuse to give and I’ll pass on your apologies.”
“Love you, Gilly.”
“Love you too, Ronnie.”
“Now go home, call April, get Jaxon’s phone number, and talk to the man. It’ll be a hell of a lot easier if you explain it rather than him hunting you down.”
“Him tracking me down sounds like fun.”
“God help the man. You’re like a perky puppy that can’t be caught.”
“Or a cynical cat who wants a guy to do the chasing.”
“And what happens when he catches you?”
“He already did on Saturday. But usually, that’s when the fun begins,” I reply, a grin on my face.
“Keep me updated. But I’ll warn you, non-fraternization policies are rife these days, so you might want to check there isn’t one in play at your institution.”
“Already checked and covered off. Did you forget I’m a former lawyer, too?”
“Hard to forget when Dad brings up your betrayal daily.”
I laugh dryly, his barbs not even touching me anymore. It wasn’t a betrayal; it was a simple decision between leading the life I wanted and the one I was born into. “More like escaping from a life of torture.”
“Was it so bad?”
“For my self-worth, dignity, and sanity? Absolutely.”
“Yeah… anyway, there’s no way I’d let you come back now. I’ve seen your design work; you’re wasted in law.”
“I’m glad someone in my family thinks so.”
“I’ll always have your back, babe. Which is why you have to talk to Jax.”
“Yeah… I will… sometime…”
“Just think, the sooner you hash things out, the sooner you can get more life-altering orgasms from him.”
“That’s if he’ll even touch me again. Just my luck, he won’t come near me until summer break.”
“You think he’s got that much will power? If the sex was that good, I doubt either of you will be able to stay away.”
“I guess I’ll soon find out. Talk soon. Love you, Gilly bear.”
“Love you too, Ronnie bear,” she says, smiling at our lifelong nicknames for one another. “Make sure you talk to him,” she says, in her best big-sister-knows-best voice.
“Yeah, yeah. I will.”
“Good. Then you can give me a full report afterward.
“I—”
“Byeee,” she says before hanging up on me.
Driving along the freeway, I see April and Jamie’s off-ramp coming up. Making a snap decision, I indicate and shift lanes before turning off.
I bring up April’s cell number on the car’s display screen and push send, listening as the call tries to connect.
“Hello, Aunty Ronnie. How are you?” my godson, Axel, says, answering the phone.
“Hello, Axel Williams. I’m good. How about you?”
“I’m good. I’m trying to talk Jamie into taking me to the beach this weekend.”
“It’s January, baby cakes. It’s a bit cold.”
“That’s okay. I’m big and strong, and so is Jamie. We can handle it.”
“Axel, baby, have you heard of what cold water does to boys?”
“What does it do?”
“It makes you shrink.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, sounding puzzled. I bite my lip to stop myself from giggling.
“I’m going to stop by in about five minutes. How about you wait until I get there and then ask Jamie what happens?”
“Okay…” he says slowly, like he doesn’t believe me. “I think you’re lying. Jamie is so big and so are his brothers, and I bet they’ve been to the beach in January.”
“Next time we have a BBQ and all the boys are there, we should ask them, too.”
“Okay,” he says, sounding bubbly. “Are you coming for dinner? Mommy is making tortellini.”
“That’s sounds yum. I’d love to have some if your Mom says it’s okay.” It’s also what happens at the beach in January, I don’t say. “Okay. See you soon, Ax.”
“I’ll wait outside for you,” the little charmer says.
“Maybe wait until I arrive, baby.”
“Alright.” Then he hangs up on me.
I realize my mistake as soon as I turn into April and Jamie’s small cul-de-sac because sitting at the curb outside their house is Jax’s motorcycle, and standing on the front porch, both bundled up in coats and scarves, are Axel and the man I didn’t think would be here.
Is this what karma feels like?
Axel is waving his gloved hands at me before I’m even out of the car. I park behind the motorbike and get out, making my way to the sidewalk.
“Aunt Ronnie,” Axel says, waving excitedly. He jumps down the stairs one by one before running toward me, crashing into my legs when I reach the end of the path.
“Hey, baby. How are you?”
He looks up at me, his beaming smile worth any awkwardness that’s bound to come with Jax.
I meet his knowing gaze. “Hey, Jax.”
“Hello, Veronica,” he says, his eyes crinkling, his expression matching the amusement in his tone. “Fancy seeing you again.” The slight smirk curving his lips spells trouble and my stomach flips at the payback that might be heading my way.
Deciding to fake it until I make it, I grin as Axel leads me up the stairs and through the front door, Jax following behind us.
“How was your day?” I ask, hedging my bets. Part of me wants to push him, see whether he just comes out and says something. He doesn’t disappoint.
“It was enlightening. I had my first photography class at Bry’s university.”
“Really? That’s funny; so did I.”
His eyes glitter with amusement, and somehow I know he’s going to try and get me alone. Note to self: keep Ax close.
Unfortunately, Axel lets go of my hand and runs ahead, leaving me alone with Jax in the entryway.
I take my coat off and hang it on a spare hook, Jax doing the same beside me. I turn to walk down the hallway, but his fingers wrapped around my bicep stop me in my tracks. He brings his body flush to mine, his chest to my back. I don’t even try to hide the shudder traveling through me at his touch.
“Did you like the class?” he asks.
“Yes,” I reply breathlessly. I can’t help it. His heat causes my brain to misfire. All I can think about is Saturday night and the feel of his naked skin sliding against mine.
His mouth is right by my ear now. My body feels ready to explode with the need to do a hell of a lot more than just touch him. “How was the teacher?”
“Extremely fuckable.” I turn my head to meet his now heat-filled eyes.
“And did you know I was your professor on Saturday night when you seduced me?”
My lips twitch. “I think the seduction was totally mutual.”
“Touché,” he says, lowering his mouth to the apex of my neck, his lips softly brushing against my skin. “But you still didn’t answer my question.”
I turn around and look up, locking my eyes with his deep brown ones, trying—and failing—not to get lost in them. I’ve seen them guarded. I’ve seen them intrigued. I’ve seen them roll back in his head as he poured himself into me, and right now, if it was a
t all possible, that’s exactly how I’d want to see them again.
As if he can hear my thoughts, his gaze drifts down to my lips just as I bite my teeth into them. A wry smile quirks his mouth as he stares at me once more.
“We could both get into a lot of trouble if we follow this path,” he says.
“What path?”
“The one that leads you right back to my bed. Only this time, I wouldn’t let you lock yourself in the bathroom again.”
I tilt my head to the side and smirk. “I was accused of being a sex fiend.”
“You can be my sex fiend in secret. No interruptions allowed. Especially not from my mother.”
We stand there just watching each other. Letting the words and imagery sink in.
“Just so you know,” I say quietly, seeing April come toward us, “I submitted a statement advising the college that I had an existing relationship with my professor. So any trouble we may or may not get in to will have nothing to do with any policy you think we might be breaching… although, the thought of a secret rendezvous…”
He nods, his eyes flashing. I can’t tell whether he’s impressed or turned on, or which one I want it to be. Is it possible to be impressively turned on? Or turned on impressively? Regardless, it seems anything Jax does when he’s turned on is impressive.
“What are you, a lawyer or something?” he says, his smile widening. I swear I get a little starry-eyed; that look of his making my knees weak. This man is dangerous, and knowing just how good he looks and feels beneath those clothes is making it hard to think straight.
“Or something,” I say with a sly grin. I lift my hand up, walking my fingers up his chest. “Do you want to play lawyer/client one day? I’m sure we can have fun with a little interrogation…”
A low groan escapes his throat. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and I swear my vagina moans too. “We’ll be talking about this when we leave,” he growls, low and deep and orgasm-inducing.
“We leave? We can’t leave together. Nobody knows what happened on Saturday except you, me, and—”
