Romance: Close Encounters Boxed Set Books 1 thru 6 ( New Adult and College Series Books 1 thru 6)

by Cartwright, C. C.

  His timing couldn’t have been better if he tried I smirk to myself.

  Me: Yes, I remember all too well.

  Grant: No one must be in your panties at the moment if you’re able to text me. I can’t wait to see all of you again. Come over tonight?

  Me: Sorry, I’m tired.

  I slide my phone back in my pocket and go searching for my roommates. Knowing Deena, she’s upstairs in someone’s room by now. I spot Kara and Lexi in the backyard and they look like they’re ready to leave.

  “Did you get yourself another souvenir?” Kara asks with a hint of sarcasm to her voice.

  “No,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “Where’s Deena?”

  “First guess doesn’t count,” Lexi answers.

  “Just as I suspected….” From the looks of things so far, Deena is going to win this bet hands down.

  FOUR

  ~CLARISSA~

  Monday morning Jason and I arrive for English at the same time and we walk in together. I haven’t seen him since their party.

  “Were you too hungover to come to class Friday?”

  “I couldn’t get out of bed,” he sighs. I wonder if the reason he couldn’t get out of bed was because someone was in it with him.

  “Were you hungover?”

  “Big time,” he replies.

  “You Sigma Chi’s sure know how to throw a party. It was fun,” I offer.

  “But you and your roommates left kind of early. Well, one of your roommates stayed awhile,” he remarks raising his eyebrows.

  “Oh yeah, Deena. She’s the party girl out of the bunch,” I say, a little embarrassed.

  “She sure is,” he says as we get in the door of the classroom. Professor Montgomery is already there and sitting at his desk. We take our usual seats towards the back to allow Professor Montgomery’s fan club their front row seats. At the end of class he reminds us that our paper is due on Friday.

  “Will you help me out and read over my rough draft? I need you to tell me what you think of what I’ve got so far. I have to get better than a ‘C’ from Professor Montgomery. Maybe if I sprouted some breasts I would be able to get an ‘A’ from him,” Jason laughs. I’m mortified by that comment. Does he know something? My face feels hot and I know I must be blushing beet red right now as I look down at my desk and squirm in my seat. Once Jason notices my discomfort he tries to back pedal.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that’s why you’re getting an ‘A’, just meant if I was a girl he may grade easier…” he trails off, making this even more awkward.

  “Okay, I’ll be at Doheny Library after classes today around 3:00. I usually sit downstairs to the right,” I say, trying to change the subject away from my breasts.

  “Sounds good, I’ll be there,” he replies, giving me his disarming smile. As I walk out of class Grant stares me down like he isn’t happy about something. I can only guess what it might be as I keep walking out the door.

  *****

  I love Doheny Library. It’s a beautiful neoclassical brick building from the outside and once you step inside there are grandiose staircases leading up to the main level or down to the lower level. The intricately designed ceilings are at least two stories high. I head down the stairs to the lower level where it is quieter and cozier, but a little cool. I find a vacant big wood table towards the back and settle in opening my laptop to continue working on my English paper.

  “Hey Clarissa,” Jason says, walking up and taking the seat across from me.

  “Hi Jason,” I greet him with a smile. He actually is really cute and has a killer smile. I glance at his bicep’s bulge when he heaves his heavy backpack onto the table.

  “Are you working on your paper?” he asks, nodding towards my laptop.

  “Yes, I’m about half way done,” I reply.

  “Here is my very rough draft, let me know what you think,” he says, handing me his paper. I take his paper and start reading it over, feeling a little self-conscious as he watches me expectantly.

  “Do you have other stuff to work on?” I ask, I don’t like him staring at me.

  “Oh yeah, I’ve got to study for a bio quiz I have tomorrow,” he says and then he starts digging around in his backpack. Honestly, how these guys get through school is a wonder. But I guess it doesn’t really matter all that much for someone like Jason Bancroft, whose grandfather is worth millions. I’m surprised they don’t have a building on campus named after them.

  As I read through Jason’s paper it actually is pretty well-written. The topic is supposed to be about an event or experience that had a profound effect on you and how it has shaped your life so far. He chose to write about the year his cross country team made it to the State Finals and won the title.

  “Jason, I actually like what you’ve written so far. It’s a good, solid paper,” I remark, handing it back to him.

  “Really? That’s a relief. If you think it’s good then maybe Professor Montgomery will think so too,” he says with a hopeful sigh. I’m not sure how to take his comment. It’s innocent enough and I’m probably being paranoid thinking he knows or can sense something between me and our Professor. We’re going to have to be even more careful.

  “What is your paper on?” Jason inquires.

  “First love,” I reply blushing a little.

  “Interesting… can I read it?” Jason asks with a mischievous grin playing across his face.

  “I would rather not share,” I say coyly.

  “Is it juicy?”

  “I’m trying to keep it rated PG.”

  “How old were you at the time of this ‘first love’?” he presses.

  “Senior in High School,” I reply.

  “Hmm, then it’s probably not rated PG,” he teases raising an eyebrow at me.

  “Perhaps,” I say with a knowing smile.

  “And you’re going to let Professor Montgomery read it? Man you will definitely get an ‘A’ on your paper. You’re a smart girl, I could tell the first time I met you,” Jason compliments me and I must admit, I eat it up. By now it’s almost five o’clock and my stomach is growling. I didn’t have lunch today.

  “Are you hungry? Do you want to grab some dinner?” Jason asks.

  “Sure, I’m starved; I didn’t have time to eat lunch today.” We pack up our books and walk out together.

  We walk over to the food court and decide to try the new Bar-B-Que place for dinner. Jason insists on paying since I helped review his paper and I let him. We get our food and find a table.

  “So, how’s it going with the guy you’re seeing,” Jason asks.

  “Good,” I reply, tucking my hair behind my ear, a nervous habit of mine.

  “Is he a freshman too?” he presses.

  “Yes,” is all I can offer as the lies continue. I desperately need to change the subject I think to myself as I look off into the distance.

  “Hey Clarissa, I’m sorry. Too nosy?” he apologizes.

  “What? Oh, no,” I stutter out. “So, what are you up to this weekend?” I ask him, changing the subject off of me.

  “Probably just going to kick it with some friends at our family’s beach house. You should come hang out with us sometime. We have a house on the water in Laguna,” he says.

  “Where in Laguna? I grew up in Corona Del Mar,” I ask.

  “Emerald Bay.” Emerald Bay is an exclusive guarded enclave of homes along the coast in Laguna Beach. It figures the Bancroft family would have a home there. Heck, Warren Buffet does.

  “We have some family friends who live there. They have a great firework show on the fourth of July,” I share with Jason. We’re just about finished eating when I get a text from Grant.

  Grant: Will you come over tonight?

  I see it light up on my phone that’s lying face up on the table. I pick it up to read it and then I place it face down on the table. Jason looks at me curiously and then back at my phone, but he doesn’t say anything. Boy, am I paranoid.

  “I better get going,” I say. />
  “I’ll ride you home since its getting dark,” Jason offers and I accept. You can never be too careful around here.

  “Ok. Thanks.” What a sweet guy he is.

  We ride up to my building and he watches me walk in.

  “Goodnight, see you in class tomorrow,” he says.

  “Goodnight, thanks for seeing me home,” I say smiling back at him.

  “Anytime, Clarissa,” he says as he rides off back towards The Row.

  “Hi guys,” I say when I walk into my apartment and Lexi and Deena are sitting at the dining table doing homework.

  “Hi Clarissa, where have you been?” Lexi asks.

  “At the library and then I grabbed some dinner on campus,” I reply as I plop down on the sofa and toss my backpack on the coffee table. I pull out my phone to text Grant back.

  Clarissa: Sorry, I’ve got an English paper to finish. I have this hard ass Professor, he’s hard to please.

  Grant: I can think of something that would please him immensely and guarantee you an A+ on that paper.

  Clarissa: Very tempting, but I really do have homework I need to get done with no distractions. And you sitting next to me would definitely be a distraction.

  Grant: Ok, then plan on Friday night with me.

  Clarissa: I will.

  Grant: Sweet dreams.

  “Who are you texting with that mischievous grin on your face, is it that guy from High School?” Deena asks.

  “Maybe,” is all I say as I slide my phone back into the pocket of my jeans.

  “You’re a coy one, aren’t you?” Deena teases with a laugh.

  “To protect the innocent my Close Encounters shall remain nameless. I already told this to Kara and Lexi,” I state boldly. All Deena does is laugh at me, but I’m totally serious; you know I have my reasons.

  FIVE

  ~CLARISSA~

  “The depth of heart and soul you put into this paper shines through. Your First Love paper gives me remarkable insight into your soul Clarissa. You have laid yourself bare in this paper. It was a passionate coming of age story for you wasn’t it?” Professor Montgomery questions. We’re sitting next to each other on the sofa in his living room and he has just finished reading my First Love paper.

  “Yes it was, it had a profound effect on me and still does,” I admit honestly.

  “Do you ever see him anymore?” Grant asks.

  “He texts me once in a while, but he goes to Pepperdine,” I reply.

  “Still trying to hold on to a part of you, I’m sure.”

  “He will always have a special place in my heart. I suppose your first love always does. We tried to get back together after we broke up, but we both knew it was over,” I say wistfully.

  “You’re a heartbreaker, you broke his heart,” Grant says in all seriousness.

  “Stop it, I did not,” I reply, defending myself.

  “Miss Clarkson, as a man I could read between the lines of your eloquent paper,” he teases with a sad smile. I was thinking of meeting up with my ex and being with him for one of my Close Encounters, but I may lose my courage, plus it may give him false hopes of us ever getting back together. Not to mention my growing attachment to my sexy Professor.

  “Tell me about your first love, Professor,” I inquire gently.

  “There’s not much to tell,” he says guardedly.

  “What do you mean? Do you mean to tell me you’ve never been in love?” I ask curiously. The man is twenty-seven, after all.

  “Possibly.” He remains guarded.

  “These walls you’ve put up around yourself, are you one of those men that doesn’t do ‘love’?” I ask, actually feeling sorry for him. His answer is a kiss, a hot passionate kiss that I surrender to. This kiss is all it takes to heat me up and want more of him. I want him naked and on top of me as I lie back on the sofa and pull him with me. My hand goes to find his growing arousal as he presses it into my belly. Can you say that I’m hot for the teacher? Just like all of the other girls in my class. I feel lucky to have been the chosen one, althoughfor how long I have no idea.

  “Let’s eat first,” he says, pulling away from the kiss.

  “I have an appetite for you, Professor.” I taunt him.

  “You are a naughty girl, Miss Clarkson.”

  “You’re the one who has made me this wanton,” I say in all seriousness. He climbs off me and stands up.

  “Come on,” he says, reaching for my hand and pulling me up and off the sofa.

  “Dinner’s almost ready,” he says, walking us into the kitchen. He pours me a glass of wine and I take a seat on the barstool in the kitchen. I love watching him cook for me. It’s an immense turn on, what can I say? I get to admire his hot body.

  “Clarissa, you are a very talented writer. What are you thinking of majoring in?” Grant asks.

  “I don’t know, English or maybe Journalism. I’ve always been passionate about writing. For as long as I can remember I’ve been writing short stories.”

  “I bet you were an adorable little girl,” he says from behind me, wrapping his arms around me and nuzzling into my neck. A warm smile spreads across my lips. Grant makes me feel happy; I love being with him. He has a vulnerable side to him that he rarely shows the outside world.

  “I bet you were an adorable blond-haired and blue-eyed little boy,” I say affectionately. He kisses me deeply as I run my hand across his chest.

  “Dinner’s ready,” he announces pulling away from the kiss.

  “Let’s eat here,” he says placing my plate in front of me as he takes a seat next to me.

  “These chicken enchiladas are sooo good, you are a fabulous chef!”

  “I don’t know about that, coming from someone who has been eating mostly campus food lately,” he quips.

  “The food on campus is pretty good. I ate at the new Bar-B-Que place last night.”

  “Who were you with?” Grant asks and I wonder if I should lie.

  “Jason Bancroft.” I can’t lie. Grant’s face goes stone cold and he doesn’t say anything.

  “He just wanted me to look over his paper,” I say, trying to explain.

  “I bet he did.”

  “Are you jealous? We’re just friends, I told him I was seeing someone,” I admit.

  “Really, and what did he say?”

  “He asked if the guy I’m seeing goes to school here,” I reply.

  “What was your answer?” Grant clips out.

  “I couldn’t think fast enough and said sort of and then he assumed he was a part-time student and I left it at that. You know, we have to be more careful. I don’t think you should talk to me at all in class,” I caution.

  “Why, do you think he suspects anything?”

  “I’m probably just being paranoid, but he said he thought if he grew breasts then maybe he would get an ‘A’ from you. I just about died of humiliation when he said that,” I cry out.

  “That dirty frat boy, he won’t be getting an ‘A’ from me,” Grant says with a clenched jaw.

  “Grant, you can’t let his comment affect the way you grade him. I read his paper and I thought it was good,” I say, trying to defend Jason. I should have never said a word.

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” he says turning all ‘Professor’ on me. Grant is even sexier when he turns all jealous lover on me. He leans over and lays a passion-filled kiss on my lips.

  “Come, I’m ready for dessert,” he whispers in my ear.

  “I was ready for dessert the minute I arrived,” I say, kissing his neck, sucking lightly and breathing in the sensual scent he wears. I would love to give him a hickey and see it on his neck tomorrows in class, I think wickedly. He takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom of sin. I can’t get enough of him. I find myself thinking naughty thoughts about him throughout my days. He has become a major distraction. I need to focus more on my studies.

  I undress slowly for him as he watches me and his breathing becomes labored.

  “Clarissa, you’r
e so damn sexy. I find myself thinking about you night and day,” he says, running his hands through my hair as he kisses me hard. I reach down and start to take off his pants and then he pulls his shirt over his head. My hand wraps around his rigid shaft and I stroke him.

  “You’re killing me you know,” he says looking down at me. We crawl into bed and I want his hands on me, touching me as only he can. His touch sends shivers of pleasure through my entire being. His skilled fingers know just the right pressure to stroke the sensitive nub between my folds to leave me begging for him. It scares me how addictive sex is with him. How much longer until he discards me and moves on? I can’t stop to wonder, I’m heady with lust for this man and I can’t control it. He’s stoking the fire between my legs as his tongue is caressing my nipple. I want to cry F*** Me already, but I fight the urge.

  “Professor, I’m so wet and ready for you, please…” I find myself begging.

  “Please what, Miss Clarkson?” he taunts.

  “I want you inside me, filling me, please…” I’ve never had to beg before.

  “Is this what you want?” he teases, rubbing his crown along my slick fold.

  “Yes,” I say breathlessly as I thrust my hips at him, trying to get him to slide into me, so lost in my desire I almost forget protection. But thankfully he doesn’t forget as he moves away to reach into his nightstand drawer. Once he is sheathed I part my legs for him as he rolls on top of me and slides his glorious hardness deep into me.

  “Ahhhh, yes, yes, yes…” I moan out as he thrusts all the way in and out again.

  “You feel amazing,” he breathes into my ear. “I’ve thought about sinking into you all day, even when I saw you walk into class this morning…”

  “Me too,” is all I can pant out as I get lost in my desire for him. I wrap my legs around his hips and I roll my hips into him as he pumps into me over and over. God, he feels so good. After we come together he rolls off me and onto his back as he struggles to catch his breath.

  “You are addictive, Professor,” I gasp.

  “The same can be said about you Miss Clarkson,” he murmurs. His words send another tingle down between my legs.