by Claire Adams
"Put it on me?" She moved up into my lap, and I worked to get it on her, taking more time than necessary to keep her where she was.
"It looks beautiful on you, but anything you wear does." I pulled her to me and kissed her mouth softly several times. "Can you stay with me tonight?"
"Of course." She move back down on the floor and handed me a box. "This one is just a practical gift. I found it, and it reminded me of you."
I opened it and found a box of my favorite cologne. Lifting it to my nose, I breathed in deeply. "I love this stuff. You like it, too?"
"I like you." She smiled and handed me an envelope. "Open it, and I'll explain once you do."
"Okay." I took a shaky breath, not caring about the gifts, but the conversation to come. I was getting mixed signals left and right and honestly didn't know what to think about whether she planned to stay in Aspen or not. She hadn't mentioned getting back to any friends or a new apartment or anything, but she hadn't mentioned staying, either.
I unfolded a white sheet of paper and let my eyes scan over it, trying to focus on the gift and not the different points in my head that I planned to give her to convince her to stay with me.
"It's the old Vanning Place. I don't know if you know where it is, but my father said..."
"Wait. What?" I pulled the page up to my face and scanned it, realizing that it was a deed to half the property. "Oh my God, Chloe...whose is this?"
She moved up to hover in front of me and pointed to the owner’s name.
Finn J. Warner.
"What? I don't understand." I tugged the paper down as my heart sped up. "You're giving me half of the Vanning Mansion?"
"Yes." She sat back on her heels looking quite satisfied with herself.
"Who has the other half?" I moved down to my knees in front of her, trying to be careful of my cast, but not really giving a shit about it.
She slid her hands over my chest and clasped them behind my head. "I do."
My heart almost stopped in my chest. I had to look like an idiot, but I was shocked into silence. She had half of the mansion and I had half, too...
"So, you're staying here with me?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"Yes, baby. If you'll have me."
I leaned in and kissed her with every ounce of fear and worry, every drop of love and desire I had for her. We tumbled over, and I rolled on top of her, pinning her to the ground and making love to her mouth as the realization over what she'd given me rolled through me in consuming waves.
She was staying, she wanted to be mine, and she had purchased the mansion I wanted to build my dreams on since I was a boy.
I broke the kiss and closed my eyes, panting softly above her lips. "This can't be happening."
"It is, baby. My father gave me the money for my clothing line, but I'm going to invest it in refurbishing the mansion. Let's build the lodge you want and open a new resort here together."
"Chloe." I stared into her eyes. "Baby, that money is for you, and you have dreams that aren't here in Colorado."
"Things change. I realized when you rolled your damn self down that mountain that all I wanted was a chance at something great with you. If that's here, then it's here. My dreams have shifted. I just need you to say yes. To me. To us. To this."
"Hell yes to all of it. I'm blown away." I moved back down to kiss her again and didn't stop until my father pushed at my butt with his foot.
"Breakfast is ready, and I'm pretty sure I taught you better than to drag some pretty girl to the floor and make out with her." My dad pushed at my butt again, and I grinned up at him.
"She likes it. Ask her." I moved back a little.
"I love it. I love him." Chloe smiled and pulled me back down, showing my old man a thing or two.
He was never going to believe what this woman had done for me. Hell, I couldn't believe it.
I was ready to give up every dream I'd had for the last twenty-seven years to see hers come true, and she turned the tables on me. She worked magic deep inside of me and repaired parts of me that I didn't think would heal. There would be a day not too far in the future that I would ask her to be my bride, and then we'd start a family together.
"I love you so crazy much, you incredible woman." I ran my hand through her hair and smiled down at her.
"How about you show me just how much tonight in that big comfy bed of yours."
"Oh, I plan to. Let's eat these pancakes and get out of here. I ain't had nearly enough of you."
She smirked, and I growled.
"Don't even say it," I mumbled against her perfect mouth.
"I ain't." She pulled me back down and stifled my laughter with her soft tongue and long, hot kiss.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Chloe
The last year had been magical. Living with Finn in his small cabin was perfect for us starting out. It forced us close when we got tense with each other and left little room for anything but hot make-up sex. Our fathers had finally had their long sit-down talk and worked through the madness from their younger years. Over the course of the year, they became friends again and started meeting for coffee every Friday morning.
Finn and I saved up some money and bought Milly and Clark a trip to Florida for a week during the summer—the hope was that they would find something in each other that could turn into romance. It worked. They were married a month ago in a small family wedding, and my dad was Clark's groomsman.
Parker started taking free lessons from Finn on his snowboard, and I finally let the two of them goad me into learning how to do it, too. I snuck away for an hour each afternoon for two months to figure out how to get really good at the sport. They figured I was looking at new patterns for the designs my father and I were working on. When we got our first full snow, I pulled out my tricks and memorized the shocked looks on their faces at seeing just how good I'd gotten.
Finn made love to me that night so passionately that I thought I might never recover from it. Where my wish list included a man who had a knack for fashion, I'm thinking his was finding a woman that could snowboard. I worked harder to get even better at it after that.
My father met someone at Clark and Milly's wedding that they all went to school with, and he'd been dating her for the last three weeks. She was sweet and reminded me a little too much of Mom, but I've kept my thoughts to myself on it.
The lodge that my father purchased for me to fix up is fully functional, the doors having opened in late October. Parker works in the ski shop, and I spend most of my days working on various designs for the clothing store that's nestled into the side of it. Finn's in love with the place and spends more time there than he does with me. I'm not jealous… Well, maybe a little.
It was Christmas once again, but unlike last year, this year, we were all healthy and happy. At Finn’s request, we invited everyone to the lodge for a big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. We had to wait until after the seven o'clock church service, which his father dragged us all to, but afterward, we piled up in various vehicles and drove back to the lodge.
"Everyone around the table together? It's going to be great. I’m excited." I squeezed Finn’s thigh and pressed my lips against his arm.
"Me, too, baby." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tugged me in tighter.
We still had the old truck, namely because he wouldn't part with it. I think he enjoyed the fact that I could sit right against him and not more than one person could fit on the other side of me.
"I had the kitchen prepare a bunch of different stuff, just in case everyone had different traditions." I moved to my side of the truck as we pulled up to the lodge.
"It's going to be great, Chloe. Go on up there, and I'll meet you shortly. I want to see if anyone needs help with bags or anything."
I nodded and got out of the car, jogging up the stairs and letting the beauty of the Christmas lights against the large snowy mountains take my breath away. I'd learned to love Colorado—not the cold, but
the serenity and beauty it offered. I had loads of jackets and various sweaters that I'd designed with functionality in mind, but not forgetting about fashion. They sold like crazy, but the best part was wearing them myself and enjoying a ride down the slopes with my man in them, too.
The smell of pumpkin pie and roasted meat filled my senses when I walked into the main hall, and I paused to look around. It was odd to see the place empty, but Finn was quite serious about not booking anyone for the days right around Christmas. He wanted it to be all about us. He promised that next year we could open it up to the public, but for this first year, he wanted just family and friends.
I agreed readily, and I was glad I did. Warmth enveloped me and strong emotions washed over me. My life was nothing like I'd expected and yet so much better than I could ever imagine.
"Chloe..." Finn called to me, and I turned as he walked through the large ornate doors I'd just come through. Everyone piled in behind him, and my heart skipped a beat.
"What, baby?" I stood in stony silence, feeling like something was upon me, but not knowing what.
"I wanted our family and friends to be here tonight for a special reason." He smiled and moved to stand in front of me, taking my hands and leaning down to brush his lips past mine.
"What reason is that?"
"When we first met, I was a different man. A man I didn't at all want to be, but I didn't know how to move past it. I had such big dreams, and yet I left them tucked behind a reality that tore me down and left me barren. When you showed up...the first day I met you..." he paused as his eyes filled with tears.
Mine did, too. "When I almost busted my head on the ski lift?"
He laughed with thick emotion in his throat. "Yes. You changed everything. You helped me find myself, making me want to be a better man, if nothing else, then for you. I owe you everything, Chloe. I want to build our house together and make it a home with babies that drive you nuts and rule the place. I want to hold you as we grow older and continue to make plans together that go as far out as we can see."
I pressed my hands to my mouth, pushing back the soft cry that beat against my teeth as he dropped to one knee in front of me and lifted a beautiful diamond ring up toward me.
"Will you be mine forever, baby? Will you marry me?"
"Of course, I will. Yes." I got on my knees with him and knocked him over with a hug that turned into a long kiss.
"Oh, God. Get a room!" Parker yelled, and everyone erupted in laughter, reminding me that life was so much bigger than we sometimes let it be. It was about friends and family, dreams and love.
It was about me and Finn.
The waves and the snow.
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BAD PROFESSOR
By Claire Adams
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 Claire Adams
Chapter One
Clarity
I heard my heels clicking fast across the foyer floor. The next song came over the living room speakers, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Addictive rhythms ran through the crowd and grabbed hold of both faculty and students. Other than the occasional tapping toe and slight bounce of the head, it was hard to see, but the party hit the right tone.
Maybe ‘party’ wasn't the right word. There was plaid tweed, too many khakis, and a wide array of sweaters. It was definitely an official Landsman College sanctioned gathering. The Dean of Students tried every year to introduce the Honor Council nominees to the faculty in a fun way. This year, fueled by a joke list of movies he was told to watch over the summer, Dean Dunkirk had announced a house party.
Students snuck beers or spiked lemonades in the prerequisite red plastic cups, while faculty drank aged wine or fine spirits out of the same style cup. The music was a mash-up of classic acoustic guitar rock and toned-down student favorites. I had even moved some of the furniture aside and made hang-out spots with over-sized throw pillows. Ping pong was a big draw on the back, three-season porch. Mason jars of tea lights added a simple elegance, and the food was easy, grill-inspired finger foods.
Everything was perfect, and I searched for something to do. I imagined being a full-blown journalist and swept the collegiate crowd again in search of headlines. As I smiled and mingled, I wrote leads in my head.
Cut from the same cloth, student and coach wore the same sweater.
Endless summer, English professor returns from California vacation and continues her taste for Napa wines.
"Is that her bored smile?" Jasmine asked the petite girl beside her.
"I can't tell; I think it's pasted on." Lexi's short brown curls bounced as she tipped her head, studied Clarity, and flipped to the other side.
"Very funny. Where have you two been?" I asked my best friends.
"A little pre-party with some football players." Jasmine's tall, willowy figure shuddered with delight. "Looks like it's going to be a good season."
I couldn't fault my friends, but I focused on the house party. "You were supposed to be here helping me."
Jasmine tossed her blonde hair. "Like you needed us. Everyone's having an honorably great time. More importantly, have you decided what you're doing for Thanksgiving break? I vote we stay on campus and enjoy some of the real parties. No offense, Clarity."
I laughed, "None taken. I'm sticking around for break so I can get a head start on some of my journalism classes. Intermediate News Reporting is going to be a big step up."
Lexi rolled on her tip toes to nudge Jasmine in the ribs. "We heard the one to look forward to is Multi-Media Production and Storytelling."
"Oh yeah," Jasmine's eyes sparkled. "The, uh, syllabus looks really, really good."
"Maybe that's why she's going to stay on campus with us during break," Lexi said. "You know, so she can attend her professor's office hours."
"Are you saying the professor is supposed to be hot?" I asked. "You know that little fantasy doesn't work for me. The Dean of Students is my father, remember?"
"All we're saying is take some good notes for us. We want to hear every detail," Jasmine grinned.
I rolled my eyes. "We're past junior high, right? Last time I checked, we were juniors in college."
Lexi collapsed against my arm and giggled harder. "Hey, we can't all be fulfilled by careers alone."
"Speaking of fulfillment, you should have seen the new quarterback," Jasmine said.
I sighed as I saw a guest empty a wine bottle. "Look, I've got to go restock the bar. Are you going to stick around for a while? Please?"
"Ooh, she wants to hear about the quarterback," Lexi winked. "I guess we can stick around for a while."
"You have to, Lex; you're nominated for Honor Council," I reminded her.
"Oh, shit, that's right."
Jasmine dropped to the sofa in a new fit of giggles and dragged Lexi down with her. I took a quick spin through the dining room to see if anyone needed anything. Conversations were relaxed, red plastic cups were full, the silver trays of food were still over half full, and everyone was engaged.
The tall, brunette economics professor broke from her department friends and strode across the dining room. She paused near the back hall, under the stairs, and then turned around as if she had forgotten something. The other female professors fluttered when she returned, and their heads bent together to discuss something.
One of the French professors watched with a frown as his wife took the long way to the bathroom by going through the back hall. I could tell from a few other glances that some gossip centered under the stairs. I clipped across the hardwood floor for a better vantage point.
When I
turned around, the room kept spinning. The man standing half in the shadows leaned against the built-in dresser under the stairs and stood out from the Landsman College crowd. Long legs in dark denim stretched down to artfully scuffed Italian boots. His crisp, white shirt stood out under a charcoal sport coat. A thick brush of dark stubble covered his square jaw, and black, glossy hair rioted on his head despite the short cut.
He smiled, and his metallic gray eyes touched me like a live wire. I hoped the jolt wasn't noticeable, but his smile widened and fried my circuits.
Alright—I see what the fuss is all about. I forced myself to turn back to the diminishing bar. There, I busied myself with unloading full bottles of wine from a box hidden in a corner cabinet of the dining room.
It was impossible to ignore the electric hum of him behind me. I caught myself glancing back under the stairs. He wasn't talking to anybody, but seemed content observing. Then, his magnetic eyes touched me again.
Now I have to go talk to him, I prodded myself. I have to ask if he needs anything; that way he'll think I'm attentive, not attracted to him.
I determined the voltage that played along my skin had to do with not eating enough while playing hostess. It was not the direct effect of watching his white button-up shirt shift over a tanned chest.
"Can I get you anything?" I asked the sinfully handsome man.
He leaned farther back and scrubbed a hand over his chin as he looked at me. "How about your name? I'm Ford."
The texture of his voice played a line of shivers down my back. "Nice to meet you, Ford. I'm Clarity."
One thick, black eyebrow raised, his lips curved in appreciation. "Just what I need."
"I'm heading to the bar; I'll bring you back a drink.” I fought off a rising blush.
I left before he could say anything. I'd seen his empty glass and decided to take a chance. For some reason, I wanted an excuse to pull myself together and talk to him again.
Jasmine's arm caught me around the kitchen door and hauled me inside. "Who was that you were talking to?" she asked.
