by S. M. Shade
“Yeah, she’s sure,” Serena says, “Look at that smile.”
My face heats as all three of them stare at me. “Listen, Layton isn’t my teacher anymore, but for now, I don’t want to advertise that we’re seeing each other. We aren’t breaking any laws, but he’d lose his job. Not to mention having a reputation for sleeping with students would guarantee he wouldn’t teach again.”
They’re quick to agree. After Remee questions me to make sure I have condoms in case he doesn’t, I escape outside where my Rideshare waits.
I’m grateful the driver isn’t talkative because I can barely keep a thought in my head. When he lets me out at Layton’s house, a hyper black lab bounds up to me, tail wagging like crazy. He’s young, still a puppy, and I giggle as he licks my fingers when I offer my hand for him to sniff.
“Well, hi. What’s your name?” I ask, crouching to pet the wiggling mass of dark fur.
“Midnight. He doesn’t recognize it yet.” Layton stands over me, his arms crossed over his chest, a lazy smile on his face. The flutters in my stomach instantly spring to life.
“You just got him?”
“Recently, yeah. He’s housebroken but he’s a terror otherwise. Like trying to rein in a toddler.”
When I get to my feet, he hugs me, then plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Why didn’t you ride your scooter?”
“I have to get it registered and plated tomorrow.”
His arm wraps around me as we walk toward his front steps. “I would’ve come to get you.”
“I know.” His house is a cute bungalow with a stone porch and well kept lawn that Midnight is doing his best to destroy by digging. Layton whistles, calling him over.
“I thought we could take a walk before dinner. County Park is just around the corner.”
“That sounds great.” Midnight leaps around us from the second he hears the word walk. “I think you have his vote.”
I follow him inside to get Midnight’s leash. His rooms are cozy but not small. A dark colored couch with matching love seat takes up a good amount of the living room, sitting opposite a massive TV.
Layton clips the leash on Midnight’s collar, then heads into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of water.
“Are you still trying to rehydrate me?” I tease when he hands it to me.
“It’s a long walk. There’s a water fountain at the park, but I’ve watched too many kids practically make out with the faucet to ever want to drink from it. So, we can share.”
“Gross.” His eyebrows jump up, and I add. “The fountain, not the sharing. I’m willing to share. Happy to share, I mean. You’ve had your tongue in my mouth it’s not like I’d be disgusted by drinking after you.” I’m doing it again. Shut up.
He never seems put off by my rambling the way Stanley was. It always embarrassed him, but Layton seems amused. Leaning down, he kisses the spot right behind my ear that sends chills across my skin.
“I’m glad you don’t find my tongue disgusting. There’s so much more of you I want to taste.”
The room ramps up like twenty degrees. All I can picture is Layton’s head between my legs, his hair tickling my thighs…
“Kelly?” I look up into twinkling blue eyes. He knows what he’s done to me. “Did I lose you? Are you okay?”
“Yes!” Jesus, Kelly, volume. Don’t yell at him. “I mean, yes, I’m okay. You didn’t lose me.”
With a deep chuckle, he grabs my hand, takes Midnight’s leash in the other, and we head out the door.
It’s the first time I’ve been to County Park and it’s impressive. On one end is a copse of woods with natural hiking trails. A large pond on the opposite side is enclosed by a paved walking path. Ducks float on the water, and an occasional fish breaks the surface with a splash.
“Woods or path?” Layton asks.
“Woods.” His hand still in mine, we head down the trail. Midnight wants to stop to sniff and explore everything, and I don’t blame him. “It smells so good here.”
“Hmm,” Layton agrees. “Wet pines and earth. I love it. Do you like getting out in nature?”
“I haven’t done that a lot. I grew up in a suburb, in a neighborhood where the lawns were kept so perfect they looked fake, but you weren’t allowed to walk on them. We did go camping once when I was about twelve at a state park. Trey and I loved it, but we ended up leaving early because Dad had to work. Plus, Mom hated it. She said she didn’t understand why people would want to pretend to be homeless.”
Layton throws his head back, laughing. “She literally missed the forest for the trees.”
“I’d like to try more outdoor stuff. I know how to ski, but I’m not a huge fan of the cold. I’m a good swimmer, but I’ve never swam in a lake or river, just pools.”
“Now I know where to take you on our next date.”
“Camping?”
“I was thinking of swimming at the lake, but I like your idea better.”
The thought of sitting by a campfire with Layton, then crawling in a tent to cuddle up with him is thrilling.
“What do you like to do? Outside of teaching, piano, and crashing birthday parties?”
His palm slaps my ass lightly. “I was invited.”
“Yeah, my judgement isn’t great when I’m drunk.”
“Which is why we still had clothes on in the morning.” His words pierce my lower stomach with a feeling that’s not familiar but also not unpleasant.
The mischievous grin on his face shows he got the reaction from me he was hoping for. “I like camping and hiking. It’s good to get away like that sometimes.”
I know what he means. Even here in a park where I know there are other people just out of earshot, the way the trees seem to tuck close around us, cutting us off from the world, feels cozy and peaceful.
“What do you enjoy? Other than piano and kissing your unsuspecting teacher.”
“Unsuspecting,” I scoff. “Like you had no idea.”
Midnight tugs him off the path a little to explore, and I follow. “I was trying to be professional.”
“Glad that’s over.”
A bird is startled out of a nearby tree at the sound of his laughter. A sunbeam finds its way through the canopy and casts his face in a pattern of light and shadow. It’s like a painting. I swear, I could look at this man all day. “Me too.”
“Right now, I guess I like trying new things. Before, I spent most of my spare time at the mall, shopping, or going to the movies.”
“Before?”
We walk out of the woods, and head toward the pond. “Before I moved. The last few months have been a huge change for me. I moved out of my parents’ place and onto Violent Circle. My parents were…strict to say the least. They had expectations I wasn’t willing to follow.” I’d rather not get too much more into it and the fact I’m disowned. “What’s your family like?” He slings his arm around my neck as we sit down on a bench alongside the pond. Midnight curls up on the grass and falls asleep by his feet. “I’ve already been asked by my roommate if you have a brother.”
“No brothers or sisters,” he laughs. “My parents retired and moved to Ireland when I was in college.”
“Do you get to see them often?”
“I’ve visited a few times, but we keep in touch through video chat mostly. We were never close. I was always closer to my grandmother and spent weekends with her as a kid. It wasn’t a hardship on any of us when they moved. Ireland was their dream.” Eyes that match the deep blue sky almost perfectly land on mine. “What’s your dream, Kelly?”
Does anyone else find that question hard to answer?
“I guess I don’t know yet. My life was pretty planned out for me. It’s only recently that I realized I didn’t have to follow that path, the one my parents drew. I’m still trying to figure things out. I honestly have no idea what I want to do or be.”
That’s my main worry most days, that I have no plan, no list to follow, and the anxiety must be present in my voice.
H
e shifts in his seat, turning toward me. “You’re young. You have plenty of time to explore. A lot of people don’t settle on what they want to do, and you may have multiple careers in your life. You don’t have to have everything figured out at twenty.” There’s a pause before he adds, “Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course.”
“I’m getting ready to change careers. This is my last semester teaching. I’ll still be using my economics degree, but in a different field.”
His words shock me. He seems so put together, competent…adult. “No shit?” I love the way he laughs, with so much abandon, his head thrown back.
“No shit.”
I move closer to him, until our bodies touch, and he pulls me against his side. “Well, if you’re still adjusting at your advanced age, I guess I’ll be all right.”
His fingertips press into my ribs, tickling me. “Watch it, young’un.”
“Young’un,” I giggle, squirming away from his hand. “Are you from the deep south?”
“No, I grew up here. It’s what my grandmother always called me. Any kid, really.” We watch for a few minutes as a group of ducks come ashore, shaking water off their backs. “What do your parents think of you choosing your own path?”
He confided in me. I suppose I shouldn’t be hesitant to do the same. “They don’t talk to me, or my brother. My father has tried everything he can to make things harder on me, hoping I’ll fail and come crawling back to them and Stanley—my ex. That’s why I don’t have a car. Dad kept it in his name so he could take it back when I crossed him.” My jaw hardens as anger at the thought spears through me. “But that’s not going to happen. I’m not going back.”
“What a dick,” Layton exclaims, and I see instant regret on his face. I’m glad I’m not the only one that spews things out without meaning to.
My chest shakes, and I wipe the tears of laughter out of my eyes. “He is. He absolutely is a dick. He doesn’t see my brother or my baby nephew, because Trey left first. I think he’s the most pissed because Trey has done well. Very well on his own. If he can do it, I can do it.”
Soft lips land on mine in a kiss that makes heat curl up in my stomach. When we pull back, I’m looking into those intense eyes. “You’re already doing it.”
Easy for him to say. He has no idea how horribly school is going or how much I despise every second of it, but I love that he sees me that way. That he has confidence in me.
We spend the next hour walking the path around the pond, talking about anything and everything. I learn so much more about him. About his friends and his plans to be a freelance consultant. I have no idea what they actually do, but working for yourself, having that ultimate control over your life and career sounds amazing. He sounds passionate when he talks about it, and I’m not sure why that’s such a turn on.
We find we have a lot of things in common as well. We both love dogs, have similar taste in music and love to go to concerts and music festivals. The more I learn about him, the more I want to know, and he seems just as interested in me. Our attraction to each other was just that, attraction, but it’s growing so quickly into something more. At least, it is for me.
Dinner was wonderful. Layton claims he’s not much of a cook but the grilled steaks and potatoes he made tell a different story. After dinner on the back patio, we move inside to watch a movie.
“Before I forget again, I have something for you. Two things, actually,” he says, sitting down beside me. “For your birthday.” He holds out a small, thin, white box.
My heart swells in my chest. “You got me a present?”
“Of course, open it.” His enthusiasm is almost as adorable as the anxious look on his face as he waits to see what I think of the delicate silver bracelet made of links that look like piano keys.
“It’s beautiful!” I hug him hard, and he pulls me into his lap. Taking my arm, he fastens the bracelet around my wrist. He brushes his fingers up my arm then presses a soft kiss on my lips, and I swear I’m just a big puddle of goo.
“Happy birthday, Kelly.”
“I love it,” I breathe, snuggling against him.
“This is from my grandmother. She asked me to give it to you last time I was there.” The envelope in his hand contains a card which carries a typical birthday message, but it’s the slightly crooked handwriting at the bottom that makes me grin.
Happy Birthday, Kelly. I hope you have a wonderful day. And don’t give up on my stubborn grandson. He ain’t the brightest sometimes. Might take him a minute to see what’s right in front of him.
Melina has made little comments, trying to hint that she thinks we’re together, and I just smile and brush it off. It’s good to know she’ll approve if things work out.
“What does it say?”
I close the card before he can read it. “Just happy birthday and have a wonderful day. And she got me a gift card! That’s so sweet of her, isn’t it?”
“She likes you.”
Layton turns on a movie, but I’m struggling to pay attention to it. All I can focus on is him. For a man who ran like hell the first time I kissed him, he’s very affectionate. I could stay like this forever, just cuddled up on his lap. My nerves have been so on edge with the thought of what we’ll be doing tonight. All it took was some time in his arms to calm my anxiety. I trust him.
The movie ends, and I know it’s time. My heartbeat triples as he softly kisses on my neck and murmurs, “Do you want to move to the bedroom?”
I stand up with my hand in his, intending to pull him to his feet and toward the bedroom when I see it.
No.
It’s the only word in my mind and of course it spills out of my mouth. No. Just no.
I can’t be seeing this.
This isn’t happening.
The carpet needs to rise up in a giant wave and cover me because this is too humiliating.
“Kelly?” he says, looking up at me with concern. Before he can ask what’s wrong, he notices the large red stain on his light blue jeans. It matches the one on the crotch and ass of my shorts.
I got my period.
On him.
I fucking bled on him.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry! I didn’t…it isn’t time for…fuck!” The words come out frantic and scrambled. He calls my name when I turn and hurry down the hall, but I can’t look back at him. My bag is in his bedroom, and luckily I always have a couple of tampons for emergencies like this. Well, not exactly like this. There’s being caught off guard and then there’s the universe reaching out with a giant middle finger. This is the latter.
I’ve never been so embarrassed. This wasn’t the blood I was supposed to have to worry about tonight. A week early. Isn’t it bad enough that women have to cramp and bleed every month without worrying about an unplanned massacre demolishing our clothes?
Arms wrap around me from behind, hugging me, just as I gather up a change of clothes. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal. There are towels and washcloths in the bathroom if you want a shower. We’ll throw your clothes in the wash.”
“That’s okay. I’m going to change and head home.” And try to pretend this night never happened.
He spins me around to face him and cups my face. My cheeks ignite as I’m forced to look in his eyes. “Don’t leave.”
My body is apparently unaware of what a traitorous bitch my uterus has become because I have a sudden urge to get him naked. Damn it. I’m mortified and horny and disappointed. What a mess. “Layton, I may as well go. We can’t…do anything now.”
His brows dip and a frown creases his mouth. “Do you think that’s the only reason I invited you here?”
“No, but—”
“Sex isn’t ever a requirement for me to spend time with you, Kelly. I like being with you.” God, he’s so sweet. I never had a chance.
“I really like being with you too.”
“Then don’t look so sad.”
Sighing, I link my arms around his neck. “I really wante
d to sleep with you, though.”
His laugh brings a smile to my face like it always does. “I’m still down if you are.” He runs his fingers through my hair when I shake my head. I definitely don’t want that to be my first experience. “It’s not like we won’t have another chance. Say you’ll stay tonight.”
“Okay. I’ll go shower.”
I’m wrapped in a hug. “Good.”
The warm water is comforting and as embarrassing as that was, I can’t help but laugh now that I’m alone. Because for fuck’s sake, who has stuff like this happen to them? Only I could end up bleeding on a guy’s hard-on before it ever leaves his pants.
Despite how sweet he was about the whole thing, it’s so difficult to come back out of the bathroom. This is one of those times I’d love to have one of those magic wishes common in the books I read, so maybe I could open this door and find my bedroom on the other side. Or just turn back time and get a do-over on the whole night. Who am I kidding, if I ever got some magic genie to give me wishes, they’d all be of the Monkey’s Paw variety.
“Are you okay in there?” Layton asks from just outside the door, and my time to stall is up.
“I’m fine.” I gather my soiled clothes and step into the hall. “Just point me toward your washing machine.”
Midnight follows us down the hall, jumping at our ankles to get some attention while Layton leads me to the laundry room. His jeans are already in the machine. “Um…you might want to use some stain remover on your jeans or—”
“Already done.” He hands me the stain remover spray. I washed most of the blood out in the sink so it’s probably not necessary, but I use it anyway.
After adding detergent and turning the machine on, he drops a kiss on my forehead. “Problem solved. Do you need some ibuprofen or anything?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Let’s go to bed, then.”
The sexy panty and bra set I planned to wear get traded for a pair of cotton shorts and a loose tank top. I’m glad I don’t have cramps. Just before I moved, I had a birth control implant put in. They warned me it could mess up my periods for a while, but it hasn’t happened before. Fantastic timing.
