Covet the Curves: a Romance Collections Anthology

by Morgan, Nicole

  “That’s okay. I have some bottled water in the mini-fridge in my room. I’ll survive until after next hour.” He glanced at the floor and then back up at her. “You look lovely in that shade of pink. I think the green stones in your necklace make your eyes sparkle.” He pressed his lips together before he turned on his heel and exited the lounge.

  Dinah exhaled. Audibly.

  “Did you hear that? Ohmygod. He likes you!” Mara continued to ramble on in the softest whisper she could muster. Which wasn’t very quiet.

  “Mara? You know I love you, right?”

  “I do. What’s up?” she asked as a crease formed between her eyebrows.

  “I wish you wouldn’t make such a big deal out of what Mr. DeSalvo said. It’s not like I could do anything about it, anyway.” Dinah opened the door to the lounge and slipped into the hallway with Mara close at her heels.

  “Why not?” Mara asked when they were walking shoulder-to-shoulder. “Oh, that’s right. You’re a martyr and you think you can’t have a life because you have Faith. Well, let me tell you, you aren’t doing her any favors by sitting around doting on her. Being at her beck and call.”

  “It’s not like that. I’m just…protective.” Dinah and Faith were constantly together when school wasn’t in session—when Faith wasn’t on a trip for drama Dinah wasn’t able to chaperone.

  “I get that. But you’re not happy, are you?” Mara stopped her in the hallway and faced her. “Really, Dinah. Every weekend Faith is gone, you mope around. It’s like you’ve built your life around her and now that she has a life of her own—without you—it seems like you’re lost. Start doing stuff with other people. Put yourself out there. It doesn’t have to be romantic, but what if it turns out to be?” Mara searched Dinah’s eyes. “You deserve to be happy, too.”

  “I’ll think about it. In the meantime, don’t meddle.” Dinah looked sharply at Mara. “I mean it.”

  The glint in Mara’s eyes dimmed a smidge. “You sure know how to spoil a girl’s fun. I’m off!” She waved her arm in a grandiose sweep and floated down the hallway with her Boho skirt rippling and the long sweater she wore flapping at her sides as her Birkenstocks slapped against her heels.

  Dinah managed to make it into her classroom just before the bell rang as her students quieted and settled in their seats. “I’ve got coffee. Let’s get busy talking about ancient Greece.”

  * * *

  You look lovely in that shade of pink. I think the green stones in your necklace make your eyes sparkle. “How lame,” Arlan muttered under his breath as he stared at the dark grout surrounding the darker ceramic tile as he moved swiftly down the hallway toward his lab.

  “Hey, Mr. DeSalvo!”

  Arlan picked his head up, scanning the hallway.

  A bulky guy with hair as dark as a raven’s wing crossed the hallway in three long strides. Thomas Stebbins, the king of the football team’s defense, smiled broadly as he adjusted his stride to match Arlan’s. “I know we’re early in the school year, but I am really struggling with chemistry. Do you think you could recommend a tutor or find time for me when I don’t have football commitments?”

  Arlan glanced at the high school senior’s profile. Classic good-looks, great hair, and charm for days. “I suppose I could make sure I carve out some time in the mornings—before school starts—to work with you.”

  The man-boy clapped him on the back. “Mr. DeSalvo, sir, thank you so much. Can I come in tomorrow morning and we can figure out where I screwed up my homework?”

  Standing outside his classroom door, Arlan said, “I suppose I can make that happen. I’m usually here by seven. See you then?”

  Thomas’ jaw dropped. “S-seven? In the morning? Gee, Mr. DeSalvo, school doesn’t even start until eight. I don’t even get up until quarter after seven…”

  The panic that swept across the boy’s face made a gleeful chortle bubble up from Arlan’s diaphragm, but he managed to contain it. “Gotcha! I was kidding. I’m not even back from my run until you get up. See me at lunch or right after school and we’ll work out a time. I’m sure your coach would understand if you were late to practice a couple times a week so you remained eligible to play.”

  The color drained from Thomas’ face.

  “Ha ha ha. Kidding. We’ll figure out a time. Now, go to class so you’re not late.”

  With a nod, Thomas jogged off and rounded the corner, heading into the math wing.

  Maybe he can give me pointers so I can actually talk to Dinah instead of constantly putting my foot in my mouth. Arlan had seen girls draping themselves all over Thomas, but the boy never seemed to have a girlfriend. He was friends with everyone, it seemed. On second thought, maybe Thomas wasn’t the best choice for a teenaged mentor for him.

  Sighing, he walked into his classroom and slid the chipped green mug across his desk. Maybe Dinah will be after more coffee after this hour. He daydreamed for a minute as he automatically logged into his computer and pulled up the slideshow previewing the types of chemical reactions.

  Dinah drifted across the wooded landscape wrapped in a forest green cloak. Her eyes glowed in the haze of the setting sun slipping into Lake Michigan….

  The bell announcing the beginning of the class period startled him from the vision—the same one from the recurring dream he’d been having ever since he’d met the curvaceous history teacher. He’d been touring the building with the principal, Jannae Brown, when Dinah had jogged from her classroom shouting, “Mara, get down here and finish what you started!” The apples of her cheeks were pinked—likely due to the head—but her smile lit up the dark hallway in the English wing.

  Ms. Brown had cleared her throat and Dinah had stopped in her tracks. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize there were others in the building today. Mara and I are working on bulletin boards—rather, Mara is starting them with an epic vision and leaving me to muck them up.” She smiled shyly, then reached out her right hand to Arlan. “I’m Dinah James, and I promise I don’t run in the hallways when there are students here.”

  Arlan took the proffered appendage and wrapped his fingers gently around her soft skin. It had been like time had frozen and his gaze fixed on Dinah, taking in her features and committing them to memory.

  Clearing her throat again, Ms. Brown had said, “Ms. James teaches history and has a daughter in eleventh grade attending Zephyr High.” Addressing the flustered history educator, the principal said, “Mr. DeSalvo will be filling our high school chemistry vacancy. He’s also certified to teach theater arts and math, so I’m sure you’ll eventually cross paths.”

  “I—I’m sure you’ll love it here, Mr. DeSalvo—”

  “Arlan. Call me Arlan when class isn’t in session.”

  She beamed. “I’d like that. Let me know if you have any questions or need to find anything around here. I know the low-down.” Dinah seemed to relax and extracted her hand from his. “I’ll let you finish your tour.” She stepped away from them and addressed Ms. Brown. “If you see Mara, let her know it’d be great if she came down here. I could use her help.”

  “Certainly. Don’t work too long today—we’ve got all next week to get things done,” the administrator said.

  “Oh, I’m going to make some coffee—I’ve got a few hours before Faith returns from a camping trip with the Timmons’.”

  “It was nice meeting you, Dinah. Enjoy your day, and thanks for the offer—I’m sure I’ll have tons of questions as soon as I get my bearings.”

  He’d walked away with Ms. Brown, continuing the tour of the facility. They’d ended up in his classroom—a chemistry lab outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. But, even the new and shiny glassware and storeroom full of cool chemicals couldn’t keep him focused on chemistry and his new position.

  “I think you have everything you need, Arlan. Keys to your classroom and the storage room, computer access, and your assigned laptop is on the desk over there.” Ms. Brown inclined her head away from him. “Feel free to settle in, and
let us know if we can help you with anything. I’ll see you officially next week. Welcome to Zephyr.” She spun on her heel and purposefully strode from the classroom.

  Even the excitement of finally finding a teaching position was no match for Dinah James and her capri-length jeans topped with a Bon Jovi T-shirt.

  “Mr. DeSalvo? Can I use the bathroom?” Faith James’ voice asked.

  He blinked several times before she came into view. “Oh, uh, certainly. Take a pass.” He gestured toward the large pink chemical representation of caffeine hanging from one of the double bonds on a hook near the door.

  “Thank you, sir.” She quickly crossed the room, taking the model with her.

  “Okay, folks. Let’s get started. Today, we’re going to talk about reactions.”

  After he’d made it through several slides and given the students a task, he crossed the room and took a bottle of water from the mini-fridge on the floor behind his desk. He brought the bottle to his lips and relished the cold water in his parched mouth.

  Dinah always made him parched. It was like she drew every ounce of moisture from him—or evaporated it away—whenever he saw or thought about her.

  “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. DeSalvo,” Dinah said as she walked in the room carrying a full carafe of coffee. “Just wanted to make sure you got some of this.” She smiled and reached for his mug.

  Arlan beat her to it. “Thank you. Here,” —he reached for the pot—“let me.”

  Their fingers brushed as he slid his around the handle and that same pull surged through his arm—the one he’d become addicted to since the first time he’d met her. It was damn hard to hide a boner in front of a class full of high school students—especially when he needed to move around the room to assist students with the paragraph he’d asked them to write about either endothermic or exothermic reactions.

  She smiled.

  He filled his cup and set the pot on his desk. “You really didn’t have to do this, but thank you.”

  Dinah shrugged. “Not a big deal. I snuck out for another cup and thought I’d share for a change.” Taking the container, she said, “Gotta get back. See you at lunch?”

  Arlan nodded. “Definitely. I’ll need more coffee by then.”

  She laughed as she palmed the handle for the carafe. “Don’t blow anything up.”

  He shook his head. “Not a chance. Yet.” Arlan watched Dinah sigh and the roll of her hips as she sashayed out the door and down the hall.

  “Mr. DeSalvo? Do you have a thing for Faith’s mom?”

  He didn’t know who said it, but Arlan froze. Ice crept up his chest and snaked up his neck and over his scalp. When he turned and looked around the room, Faith’s head was on the desk and most of the classroom had a shocked expression.

  “Ms. James is a colleague. Nothing more.” At this time.

  Hopefully that would change—and soon.

  Chapter Two

  “We are not having this discussion, Faith. It’s really none of your business.”

  “The hell it isn’t. Mom, you have no idea what it’s like having a parent work at the school you go to.” Faith shoved her plate of spaghetti squash with marinara toward the center of the table. “And you didn’t have to sit in class watching adults flirt over coffee.”

  Leaning a generous hip against the counter, Dinah sighed. “Nothing is going on, and I’m not flirting with him. Just…leave it alone, okay?”

  “Mara says you have a thing for him. In what reality is a twenty-five-year-old guy going to date an over-forty woman?” Faith stood and took her plate into the kitchen, scraped the remains of her dinner into the trash, and rinsed her plate.

  Finally, she turned toward Dinah. “He’s hot, mom. Think about it. You’re probably not his type, anyway. He runs five miles every morning. Every junior and senior girl—and most of the gay guys—know the route he takes.” The teen rolled her eyes and launched herself at her mother, wrapping her arms around her waist. “I don’t want to see you get hurt, Mumma. Boys are stupid—you keep telling me that. And, Mr. DeSalvo isn’t much older than the seniors.” Faith gave her mom a tight squeeze before loosening her grip and dropping her arms, playing nonchalant—as though she hadn’t just let her mom know she cared.

  About the Author

  Deelylah Mullin has been penning tales since she could hold a pen. Er, crayon. After a wonderful experience in Fourth Grade Writers’ Club, she continued to pursue creative endeavors.

  Throughout her academic career, creative writing was always a focus. As well as music. There’s gotta be a reason she got a bachelor’s degree in music, right?

  While she has always written, her stories have evolved over time. When she was young, she was inspired by Madeline L’Engle and moved on to Stephen King and Robin Cook. Today, her stories are full of romance and a happily-ever-after. Even if they may be slightly weird, creepy, or sappy sweet along the way.

  Deelylah has found her own happily-ever-after with Mr. Vampbard. He’s truly her knight in shining armor. Between them, they have six children…who are pretty much all grown up. Joining the brood are an adventurous son-in-law and darling daughter-in-law as well as a grandson and grandkitty.

  Head on over to her website for all the news:

  www.deelylah.com

  And be sure to sign up for her newsletter!

  Taking Chances

  Stephanie Morris

  About the Story

  Four years ago, rodeo star Duncan Tyler left the woman he loved without looking back. Now, with newfound wisdom, he's come to make amends—only to discover the son he didn't know about. Suddenly, something else is more important than riding bulls and winning titles…a chance at fatherhood.

  Zoie Wallace wouldn’t trust Duncan with the dirty dishes filling her sink. After he just up and left town without a word there’s no way she can trust him with their child's heart—or her own. Only Duncan’s not running away again. He wants a second chance, but Zoie doesn’t plan on giving him one. There’s more at stake this time around.

  Chapter One

  Zoie Wallace exhaled heavily as she pressed her hand into the base of her spine and massaged it. Between her feet and her back, she didn’t know which ached more. But it was all worth it. She had a little boy at home who meant everything in the world to her. Everything she did was for him and to make a better life for the two of them.

  Karson hadn’t been planned, but it didn’t mean that she didn’t love him any less. Who she didn’t have any affection for was his father. She and Duncan Tyler had grown up together but it hadn’t been until their junior year in high school that she realized she was attracted to him. The interest hadn’t been one-sided, but she’d been too young to recognize the warning signs of the danger of falling for a man like Duncan. By the time she’d realized she needed to leave him alone, it’d been too late.

  She glanced at the clock again. Only a half hour to go until closing time. Fortunately, she didn’t have much to do before closing the store. Her family owned and ran one of the general stores in town. Technically there were only two, but Three Points population was barely over five-thousand, so that’s all that was needed. Tucson was barely thirty minutes away, so whatever customers couldn’t find in town wasn’t hard to get to.

  After a quick stretch of her lower back, Zoie began making her way up and down the aisles, straighten up a few items. She’d already completed the restocking she’d had to do earlier. Provided no one else came into the store, she wouldn’t have much else to do before she had to lock up and go home.

  Releasing a pent up sigh, she focused on what she was going to make for dinner. Thankfully Karson wasn’t a picky eater, but she’d been putting extra effort into making sure they were both eating well balance meals. After having Karson, she hadn’t dropped all of the weight that she’d gain with him and since then she’d managed to add a little extra back over the past four years. In other words, there was a little more jiggle to her body than she was happy with.

  She had mo
ments when she was conscientious about her weight, but for the most part she was comfortable in her skin. What she wanted to do now was shed some pounds so that she wouldn’t feel so winded running around after a toddler after working a full day. So far it proved to be more difficult than she liked. There were times when she physically felt a lot older than thirty-four-years-old.

  The bell attached to the door jingled, causing her to close her eyes and swallow a groan. Hopefully, whoever it was wouldn’t take long.

  Forcing what she hoped was a welcoming smile on her face, she turned to greet whoever it was. The moment she saw who it was, she froze. The man standing before her was the last person she ever expected it to be. What pissed her off even more was that he looked as handsome as the day he’d left her high and dry.

  Even though she didn’t want to, she took in his broad shoulders, his long subtly muscled body. But it’d always been his eyes that’d drawn her in. Blue as a clear morning sky.

  How in the world was she going to deal with this? It definitely wasn’t how she expected her day to go when she slid out of bed this morning. Suddenly, instinct took over.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked vehemently.

  “Well, I’d hoped to receive a warmer greeting than that,” Duncan replied as he took his hat off and placed it on the counter.

  Zoie slammed the can she’d been about to re-arrange down on the shelf, then stormed across the store. As she neared him she did her best to ignore the pure masculine virility emanating from him. Now was not the time to allow her long neglected libido get her into trouble.