by Anthology
Chapter 8
When I arrived, Emma was in the classroom with Connor.
Alone.
They were both at his desk, Emma standing and Connor sitting in his chair working his jaw and twisting a pen in his hand. He was obviously unhappy. They both looked at me as I walked in and closed the door.
“Hi, Vida.” Emma smirked. “I guess I should go and leave the two of you alone.”
“Emma, there will be none of that nonsense in my classroom. Please leave now,” Connor ordered in a low voice, standing up.
“Watch how you talk to me, Mr. Tomlinson. I’ve seen the two of you together. I get it. We all want to get those good grades to get into the best colleges. I surely don’t want Vida to lose her dreams by having to stay here and continue to watch her dad whore around. Right, Vida?”
I slapped her hard across the face, snapping her head to the side with my hand.
“You fucking bitch!” she screamed, holding her cheek. “You’re all going down! I won’t stop until I’ve ruined your lives!” She pushed past me and scrambled out of the classroom, still holding her face.
Connor dropped back in his chair, his head in his hands. I stood where I was, trembling. What had I done?
He lifted his head, his blue eyes icy, all tenderness gone. “I need this job …”
“Connor, I’m sorry…”
“I was going to handle it … all of it. I was going to handle it, Vida. Nothing was going to jeopardize my career or your dreams. I don’t blame you. Actually, I’m damn proud that you did that.” He sucked in a breath. “But it has changed things …”
I timidly reached for him, knowing the door isn’t locked. If we got caught, it would ruin us both. But as he gathered me in his lap and buried his head in my chest, I lost my thoughts.
"It's over again for us, isn't it? I'm losing you again,” I cried.
"No," he murmured, lifting his head and angling it back to look in my eyes. "For now we have to stay away from each other until you graduate. Things will start to get tricky after today."
"This is all my fault. Seven long months without you, I can’t—“
“Shh, we'll stay away from each other at school,” he smoothed my hair away from my face, “but I'll find a way see you after school."
My despair lifted as I kissed him deeply. He slowly pulled away, grabbing his phone off the desk and checking the time. "V, I'll have to see you later. We’re running out of time."
I stood. "See you later.” I blew him a kiss before walking out the door. I spotted the principal walking towards me, and he nodded as he passed. I turned my head to watch as he stopped at Connor’s door and walked inside.
I started to shiver with fear and panic.
“Hey, I knew I’d find you here,” Amber said as she came around to stand in front of me. “Are you okay?” She frowned.
I closed my eyes and shook my head no.
‘What happened?”
I wish I could tell you.
“Nothing, it’s fine. Let’s get to class, we’re late.” I pulled her hand, walking away from Connor’s door.
Please be okay…
Chapter 9
The day was long and dragging. All I wanted was to see Connor again. As we finally walked into Connor’s class, we were welcomed with the words FIELD TRIP across the board.
Connor stood at the podium with his messenger bag across his body. He ignored us as Amber and I took our seat, but smiled at the other students as they arrived to class.
Emma was the last to walk through the door. She headed straight to our desk. “Have you tried out your new ID yet?” she whispered to Amber.
Amber glanced at me before answering. “I did. I got beer at the fair.”
“Nice.” Emma grinned and looked at me. “Do you want to buy one?” I blinked and narrowed my eyes. “Well, I take that as a no.”
“Emma, please go to your desk. I have an announcement to make,” Connor ordered.
She rolled her eyes. “Talk to you guys later.” She walked back to her seat.
Connor turned to the board and wrote down the address of the art gallery. “Write down the address. I’ll see you all there.”
***
As we entered the massive art gallery, Connor turned around and walked backward as he addressed us.
"I want you guys to experience art at its finest. Fall in love and appreciate every piece.” Connor looked to each student, holding my gaze for a beat longer than the others. "Before the end of the semester, I hope to teach each one of you to enjoy the simple things of life. Now go explore, and come back to me with any questions."
We scattered and I made it a point to walk the opposite way of Connor. Amber walked toward the sculpted arts and I sauntered toward the painting section.
As I stood studying a painting, Emma walked up to me. "You're a bitch," she hissed. "Don't think for a second I’ve forgotten what you did to me. But lucky you, Mr. Tomlinson is sprung on your vagina."
I glared at her. “You're just like your mom," I deadpanned before walking to the next painting.
She followed. "If I can't get you directly, I’ll hurt you through Mr. Tomlinson.”
I turned to face her, my blood boiling. "I can slap you again right now. Is that what you want?" I retorted. "Look, go live your life, be happy. Don't live a miserable life like your mom."
She took a step back, looking as if I'd just slapped her. "We were happy until your dad came into my mom's life, into our lives. I will always hate you all for what he put my mom through." And with that, she turned and walked away.
Connor walked over to me. "You should go home," he whispered. "I'll go over around five." He walked to the other side of the room.
I walked toward the next room, my mind a mess as I looked for Amber. I found her sitting with Tanner, a boy with long brown hair and skater clothes. He was flirting with her and I watched as she shoved him playfully.
“Hey, I don't feel too good. Can we go home?" I asked as I reach them.
She looked guilty, as if I’d caught her doing something bad. She blinked. "Yeah, sure. Did Mr. Tomlinson say it was okay?"
I nodded.
Disappointment crossed Tanner's face as she stood. “I’ll see you later.” She smiled.
We left the museum and headed home.
Chapter 10
I got home and changed into sleeping shorts and a tank top. I looked around the kitchen and living room to see if anything needed to be put away before Connor arrived.
Food.
Shit.
What would Connor eat? I lived on sandwiches and fast food when Dad was away. I opened the fridge, shocked to find a fully stocked fridge.
Thank you, Dad.
Connor might want a nice dinner. I slapped my forehead with my hand. I had ten minutes to learn how to cook.
I opened the drawer to find my mom's keepsake box that contained all her famous recipes and tenderly ran my fingers over the top. Her dream was always to teach me how to cook so we could spend dinner time cooking together. I kissed the tip of my fingers and then tapped the top of the box before lifting the lid. I shuffled through the note cards, trying to find the easiest one. I decided on baked chicken and picked up the note card to read closely.
Easy enough.
I opened the fridge again and pulled outthe wrapped plate of chicken. I set it on the counter and proceeded to open the drawers for spices, when I spotted a white Lexus pulling into the driveway. I turned slowly, waiting for the driver to get out of the car. Connor stepped out and I blew out a breath as I watched him walk to the door. He let himself in.
"V?"
"I'm here in the kitchen."
He walked in and looked at me. "Hi."
He took my breath away. "Hi."
He glanced over my shoulder. "Cooking?"
"I'm going to try.”
"I can help. I'm a pretty decent cook."
"Your mom teach you?"
“Yes, and then I took over. She doesn't have to cook
anymore ..." Connor suddenly stopped talking, swallowing as if he’d said too much. He had secrets and that was okay. When the time was right, he’d share them all with me.
I hoped.
Connor rolled up his green and blue plaid dress shirt and took off his dark blue tie, hanging it over a chair. "Let me work my magic. You sit and watch me." He lifted me up and set me down on the counter far away from the chicken.
I smiled. "My dad doesn't allow me to be on the counter. He’s kind of a neat freak."
Connor smirked. "Oh, really. Should I punish you after I'm done cooking?"
"Hey, you put me here." I laughed. "Come here before you get dirty. I want a kiss."
"You're on time out until it's time for me to deliver your punishment."
I watched as he pulled out seasoning from the cabinets, then opened the fridge and pulled out bell peppers. ”What if I don't want to wait?”
He set the bell peppers on the counter and opened up the chicken. "Be a good girl and wait, my love."
I stopped protesting, watching every sexy bend, stretch and flex as he cooked.
When he was done, he grabbed my face and captured my lips with sweet, gingerly kisses. So worth the wait. I moaned softly and scooted to the edge, wrapping my legs around him and crossing my ankles.
He pulled away gently and lifted me up, holding my butt as he carried me to the couch. "I used the recipe on the counter," he told me as he set me down. "It sounded good when I read it."
"My mom would be so proud of you,” I said, hanging on to his neck.
"And kill me afterwards for hanging out with her underage daughter,” he teased.
"Yep."
He laughed, then looked up to the ceiling. "I promise to be on my best behavior."
"She would've fallen in love with you."
Connor caressed my cheek with the pad of his thumb and pulled me to him. He leaned back and I fell on top of him. "I want to hold you until dinner is ready."
I hope dinner is never ready, I thought as I buried myself in his chest.
Chapter 11
I moaned as Connor fed me the last bite of chicken.
"I'll clean up. Go relax on the couch."
I finished chewing and arched forward to kiss him on his nose. We both smiled at each other for a couple of beats, then Connor stood and started to clear the table.
"Go relax."
I get up and do as he ordered, falling onto the couch. I closed my eyes and listened to Connor clean. After several minutes, he lifted me off the couch and carried me to my room, setting me down on the bed. He rolled me to the side, hugging me from behind.
"Dinner was amazing. Your mom had a gift."
"It was. Her dream was to own her own restaurant,” I agreed with tears in my eyes.
"I'll cook another one of her recipes soon," he murmured against my neck.
"I have the house for the whole week,” I admitted softly, tilting my head back to get closer to his lips.
Connor's arms stiffened around me. "Does he leave you often?"
“Yes," I said honestly, and instantly regretted telling the truth.
Connor's anger heated his body. I rolled over to face him.
"We don't have a choice. It’s his only job, his only way to provide."
"I don't understand your dad's reasoning." His gaze fell to my pink gemstone earring as he rubbed a finger over it. I watched his expression for a brief moment as he played with my ear.
The excitement of him touching me never got old.
"He didn’t trust anyone to babysit me. I was safer with him. And I was safe. I’d watch TV in the living room while he worked. The only woman who had someone at the house was your mom and she kept you a secret from my dad. So did I. I didn’t want to lose you,” I whispered, taking his hand and bringing it near my chest. "Do you remember the day when my dad finally found out about you?"
"How could I not remember?” he said softly.
"We didn't see each other for a year—“
"A year of hell because my mom missed your dad like crazy, and I went crazy from missing you."
"I went crazy too.” I smiled sadly, thinking back to those days. "He missed your mom like crazy, you know. I think he loved her. I think he still does.”
Connor sighed. "Please don't tell him about me, or about us still being here. It's very important that he doesn't find out."
"I promise." I palmed his cheek. “But I wanna ask why. Why you guys left. I have this feeling that it wasn't because of Emma's mom."
"It wasn't."
I grabbed his face with both hands. "She fell in love with him, didn't she?"
"Yes and then ..." Connor stopped talking and pressed his lips in a hard line. "Tonight is about you and me. I don't want to think about anything else."
"Okay," I agreed, pulling him in until I could feel his warm breath on my lips.
"I want to kiss you everywhere, every inch of your skin tonight," he breathed. "You're beauty dots, are they everywhere?" He inched closer.
"Yes."
“I'll kiss each and every one.”
I swallowed nervously, licking my lips.
"But if you're not ready, I'll only kiss where you're comfortable and hold you till morning."
I bit down on my bottom lip, angry at myself, but I wasn’t ready for Connor to see me intimately. "Hold me?"
"Yes, baby. I'll hold you forever."
I rolled over and pulled his arm around me, snuggling close to him.
"If you fall asleep, sweet dreams, sweetheart..."
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the beautifulness of us together.
Chapter 12
The sun shined brightly as Connor snored quietly. I smiled, thinking of last night.
Right before I’d fallen asleep, Connor whispered, "Every second that I was away from you, I wanted to come back and take you away from here, from this life, from all the secrets we’ve had to keep. I want you to wake up happy and to go to sleep happy, and not have to carry the pain you're carrying. I love you."
I love you too, Connor.
I felt him starting to stir. ”It's time to wake up," he whispered softly against my neck. "Time to get ready for school, sleeping beauty."
I smiled and rolled over to see his gorgeous morning face, wrapping my leg around him. He smiled back with tired eyes.
"Good morning."
"Good morning to you," I whispered, gazing down to where he pressed against my lower belly.
"Sorry, it happens every morning,” he apologized with a lopsided grin. He tried to slide away from me, but I stopped him, pressing my heel into his butt and holding him in place.
"No, don't leave."
"Hmmm," he breathed. "I'm trying to be a gentleman, but you're making it very hard. Don't stop me or I might just convince you to let me have my way with you." He kissed my nose and gently unhooked my leg from him.
I stuck my bottom lip out in protest and he shook his head at my pouty face. I watched as he walked out of my room toward the bathroom, then I stretched and rolled out of bed. I left Connor alone to do his business, heading to my dad's bathroom to get ready.
***
I met Amber in the cafeteria for breakfast. I grabbed my food and headed over to the table where she was sitting with Elizabeth. They smiled as I sat down.
"Elizabeth was just talking about how much she wants to get into Mr. Tomlinson's pants." Amber raised her eyebrows.
"Hey, I'm a girl who knows what she wants. He's going to be mine."
"It's always the quiet ones." Amber laughed. "I didn't know you had these thoughts in you."
"He's a man. He won’t say no for long. They never do."
A chill ran through me. Her words had struck me like a punch to the gut.
“Hey, are you okay?” Amber reached for my arm.
I stood. ”I'm fine. I'll see you in first period."
I left my food and walked out of the cafeteria, heading directly for Connor's class. As I walked down the hall, the principal wal
ked towards me, Connor at his side. My mind swam with messy thoughts.
Holy shit.
Connor looked identical to the principal. Every feature on his face, his hair and the way he walked …
Identical.
Connor's dad?
I stopped and waited for them to pass me, but they stopped in front of me instead. Connor’s eyes were filled with pain and remorse. "I'm sorry, V."
The principal looked at me with hard set eyes, working his jaw the same way Connor always did when he was angry. And then everything came crashing down as the words I never wanted to hear fell from his lips, “Miss Wakefield, I’ll be in contact with you.”
Connor closed his eyes in agony and shook his head as he stepped around me. I turned to watch them walk away.
We don’t have to go through this. We can run away now, Connor. Please, I silently begged.
Connor turned around and the look in his eyes told me this was goodbye.
I was broken.
Author’s note
The full story to, The Life Plan, will be out early 2015. Please follow my Facebook page for updates and my progress. Link is located after my author biography.
Thank you for reading!
Phalla
Phalla S. Rios lives in California with her husband, a daughter and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write while drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time, she is usually at the movies or looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie. Her novels are Not at First and the sequel, Always at First. She is currently writing the last book to her series, Forever at First.
You can reach her by email and Twitter:
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The Teacher’s Pet
By Niquel
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