by Parker, Ali
He grimaced. “Ouch. That’s harsh. It seems a little ridiculous considering everyone is adults. Can’t adults make their own decisions?”
“Technically I suppose they can, but it opens the door to some very tricky situations. The student that reported the last married professor had some pretty serious accusations. I just prefer not to find myself in that situation.”
“I get it, it’s cool,” he said.
I got the feeling it wasn’t exactly cool. “I am sorry for being so cold to you.”
“Leila, it’s okay. We’re here now. Please tell me you’ll stay the night.”
I smiled, leaning forward to kiss his nose. “I would love to stay the night.”
“Good, now get that sweet ass up and let’s get under these blankets.”
I giggled like a schoolgirl. I was kind of a bashful person, especially when I was nude, but with him, I felt totally comfortable. He didn’t mind the curves. Hell, he seemed to be turned on by the extra pounds I carried around my middle.
I slid under the covers, resting my head on his chest. His arm wrapped around me, holding me close as he kissed the top of my head. “Did I tell you Happy New Year?” he asked.
I sighed in total contentment. “I think you did much better than tell me, you showed me. This was by far the best ringing in of a new year I’ve ever had.”
He chuckled, rubbing my arm. “Good to know. Now, I hate to be a fuddy-duddy, but I’m barely keeping my eyes open here.”
“Go to sleep. I’m not far behind you.”
I closed my eyes, letting myself enjoy a moment I knew couldn’t happen again.
Or could it? Did I dare step over the line?
Chapter 30
Christopher
I woke with a start. I was not used to having a woman in my bed. There was a split second of alarm before I went through a series of emotions as I surfaced into the conscious world. For a fleeting second, I thought it was Carlie. As I awoke further, I knew it wasn’t. I hadn’t been that drunk the night before. I knew Carlie was gone. I knew I had taken Leila home and I knew I had enjoyed every minute with her.
I turned my head and looked at the sea of blonde hair draped over my pillow and resting on my bare shoulder. A smile spread across my face. I reached up, running my fingers through the silky length. I had no regrets. I was happy to have her in my bed. I wouldn’t mind waking up to her beside me again.
I very carefully got out of bed, pulling on my underwear and then some sweats before quietly leaving the room. I made my way down the hall and knocked on Olin’s door. When there wasn’t an answer, I pushed it open, finding an empty bed. Part of me was relieved I wouldn’t have to explain the woman in my bed. Part of me was a little worried.
I headed back into my room, fished my phone out of my pocket and checked for a message. There was one from Olin, letting me know he’d be home sometime in the morning. I had expected as much. I quickly texted him back and told him I would see him soon.
“Hey,” I heard Leila’s voice behind me.
I turned around. “Hey, sorry, did I wake you?”
She sighed, rolling over and flopping her arm to the side. A pretty smile on her face. “Not really. What time is it?”
“Eight,” I told her.
“Damn, you’re an early bird.”
I chuckled. “I don’t think eight is so early.”
“When you go to bed at one it is,” she complained.
“I can let you sleep a little longer,” I told her, fighting the urge to crawl back into bed with her.
She sighed. “No. I’m up. I’m a little surprised I slept as late as I did.”
“Are you hungry?”
She sat up, holding the sheet over her breasts. Her hair was a little mussed and there were some dark smudges under her eyes. She looked beautiful. “I should probably get home. I need to make sure Kami didn’t get herself into trouble.”
“I’ll take you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she said. “I’ll call an Uber.”
“I’d like to. Please, let me be the good guy and take you home.”
Her face lit up. “Okay. It will save me from a walk of shame.”
I laughed. “I would hate to subject you to that.”
“Thank you. Trust me, it isn’t fun.”
“Oh? Is the walk of shame something you do often?”
She threw a pillow at me. “Ass!”
I laughed, tossing it back on the bed. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. You look very beautiful doing the walk of shame.”
“Thanks. I don’t feel especially beautiful at the moment.”
“You are. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“That would be nice. Can I use your bathroom?”
“Of course. I’ll give you some privacy. When you’re ready, hang a right at the bottom of the stairs. I’ll be there with coffee and toast.”
“That sounds perfect, thank you.”
I left the room, closing the door behind me and headed for the kitchen to make the coffee. As much as I had enjoyed my night with her, I had a feeling she was going to be sticking to her guns. I was prepared to offer her a relationship on the down-low. It felt a little juvenile and a lot dirty, like I was her dirty little secret, but I liked her enough to keep it private.
Possibly. Maybe.
I had to decide if it was my pride that was preventing me from wanting to be with her in a secret relationship or something else. Something like my late wife. It was a lot to process and I didn’t want to muddle through all the emotions and feelings unless I had to. I would wait to see where Leila was at in terms of a relationship before I opened that can of worms. Some things were best left tucked in a nice little box.
“That smells amazing,” she said coming into the kitchen already dressed.
“There’s a cup. Go ahead and help yourself.” I buttered the toast and put a couple of slices on a plate before pushing it towards her. “Here you go. Breakfast of champions.”
“Thank you. You sure know how to treat a lady.”
We both laughed. “I do try. Help yourself to more coffee if you’d like. I’m going to change and then we’ll get you home.”
“Take your time. This coffee is amazing.”
“I take my coffee very seriously,” I told her.
“A man after my own heart. Do you ever try some of the gourmet flavored coffee?”
I wrinkled my nose. “No. I’m old school. I like it plain and black.”
She grinned. “Me too. Although, this is the season for pumpkin spice and I do enjoy a little flavored creamer.”
“Oh, you’re one of those,” I said with a groan.
She laughed. “I am so one of those. I take it you are not?”
I shook my head. “No. Definitely not. You will not find pumpkin spice anything in this house.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I left her in the kitchen and jogged upstairs. It only took a few minutes for me to get dressed. I realized I wasn’t quite ready to have Olin meet Leila and was kind of rushing her departure. I didn’t want him coming home and finding a woman in the kitchen. There would be questions and I wouldn’t have the answers. I wasn’t quite ready to cross that bridge.
When I returned to the kitchen, Leila was out on the patio, cupping both hands around the cup. I smiled at the scene. I imagined I looked the exact same way every morning. The warmth of the cup went a long way to warding off the chill of the morning. I opened the door and joined her inhaling the fresh air.
“It is so nice out here,” she said with a reverent tone. “I love this view.”
I nodded. “I agree. I love it out here in the morning. I usually get up early just so I can be out here and watch the sunrise. I could never do this in Minnesota.”
She laughed. “I imagine you would freeze within minutes.”
“Seconds,” I quipped. “Hell, the coffee would freeze before I could get it down.”
She looked me up and down. “You got dressed
fast. I’m ready when you are,” she said.
I opened the door and gestured for her to go in first. We left our cups on the counter and headed out the door to my truck.
“I think I should tell you a little more about me,” I started after we got in the truck and headed to her house
“If you’re going to tell me you’re well-off, I kind of figured that out,” she said with a small laugh.
I grinned. “Yes, I suppose I am, but that’s not all.”
“If you tell me you’re married, you can let me out right here.”
“Not married. Widowed, with a sixteen-year-old son.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
“Yes, oh. I should have probably told you earlier, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up.”
“What’s his name?”
“Olin.”
“Was he there this morning?” she asked. “Or last night?”
“No. He went out with a girl he met, and I let him stay out. He was supposed to be staying with some friends.”
“You mean his girlfriend,” she teased.
I grimaced. “Most likely, but I didn’t press. Things have been a little rocky between us and I was hoping to gain some favor if I showed I trusted him. I’m happy he told me about the girl at all and he actually asked to stay out instead of just staying out and making me worry to death.”
“How long has your wife been gone?” she asked softly.
“A year.”
I waited for the inevitable question. It was natural for her to ask how she died. It was the question I dreaded.
“Is that what brought you here to Texas?” she asked.
I nodded. “We needed a fresh start. I had my eye on this place for a while. I had planned on waiting until after Olin graduated to make the move, but he started having some trouble in school. I figured I may as well get out while he was still able to leave the state.”
She laughed. “I understand.”
“I understand if this scares you off,” I said.
She reached across the center console and touched my hand. “It doesn’t scare me off. I like the idea that you’re a father. It makes you even more attractive than you already are.”
I smiled. “Thank you. I hear a but in there.”
She sighed. “I like you. I do, but there’s a lot at stake for me.”
“Is there? Why does anyone need to know?”
“I don’t suppose they do, but what happens if someone finds out? I feel like I’m asking you for a lot. I don’t like the idea of hiding.”
I nodded with understanding. “Okay.”
“I want to think about it,” she whispered.
“Think about what?”
“You. Us. I’m sorry. I know I’m confusing. I just have to figure stuff out. I know you must think I’m a lunatic.”
I shook my head. “Not at all. You’ve got a lot more to lose than I do. I’m not pressuring you. I got the message loud and clear the first time.”
She groaned. “No. Oh god. I’m so sorry. I feel terrible about that. I didn’t want to send mixed messages. I’m really usually not so wishy-washy. It’s just, well, shit.”
I laughed. “Shit?”
“Sorry, that wasn’t very ladylike. I just hate that I’m so indecisive. I like you, I really do, but I like my job as well.”
“I am not pressuring you,” I told her. I wasn’t sure I was ready to be all in. I wondered if it would be easier if she stuck with her original decision to stay away from me.
“Take a left here,” she instructed. “My house is the second on the right.”
I slowly pulled to a stop in front of a small house that was probably at least a hundred years old. It was cute and rustic. I loved the appeal of the neighborhood. In my career in real estate, I had rarely seen a neighborhood left untouched. Technology and time always invaded. Not on this street.
“Nice place,” I said.
“Thank you. It’s a work in progress. I think it will always be a work in progress.”
“That’s a good thing,” I told her. “It will keep you busy.”
She groaned. “That’s for sure.”
“I’ll give you a call,” I said automatically.
She looked at me. “I’d like that.”
She opened the door and got out. I watched her walk to the door and let herself inside. I pulled away, my mind mulling everything over. I was ready to move forward. Leila was a great woman. I liked her. I knew she liked me. It was worth pursuing. I would give her a day or two to think things over. If she decided it was okay to pursue a relationship, we could move forward.
At least, I was going to try to move forward. It was one of those things where the mind was willing, but the heart wasn’t quite as sure. Then there was Olin. He said he was okay with me moving on, but the idea and the reality were very different.
It was definitely going to be a tricky road. I had to tread lightly.
Chapter 31
Leila
I took the towel off of my head and used it to wipe the mirror as I stared at my reflection. I took in the green eyes, blonde hair, and the thick shoulders. I didn’t have one of those slender necks with the pronounced collar bones. I stared at myself, wondering what it was that Christopher saw. He had called me beautiful. Several times.
He made me feel beautiful. I changed into a pair of jeans and a clean sweater. I was brushing out my damp hair when I heard a car door. I walked out of the bathroom, checked out the window, and saw Kami standing there wearing the same clothes she had on the night before.
I pulled open the door and put a hand on my hip. “Dirty, dirty, dirty girl. And I’m mad at you.”
“Look who’s dirty,” she said walking in.
“I just got out of the shower.”
“Because you just got home.”
I scowled. “How do you know that?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my god! I was only guessing! I knew it!”
“You didn’t know anything.”
She flopped onto my couch. “How was it?”
“No, I’m mad at you,” I said taking a seat. “You left me there! You didn’t even tell me you were leaving.”
“I saw you and the guy. I did try and get your attention, but you only had eyes for him. I assume that was Christopher?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “It was.”
“He is hot. I can see the attraction.”
“I know.”
“How did it go?” she asked excitedly.
“He lives near that bar, like within walking distance,” I told her.
Her eyes grew big. “No way! Do you know how much those houses cost?”
I shrugged. “I don’t have an exact number, but his house is very nice.”
“So, you stayed at his place?”
“Yes. Since someone left me there, I had to.”
She rolled her eyes. “You could have called a cab. Don’t give me that crap. You were more than happy to go home with him. I did you a favor and you know it.”
I grinned. “It wasn’t terrible.”
“Which house is his?”
I shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you exactly. He’s got his own dock. A beautiful backyard with a great view of the lake. I didn’t really get a great look at the rest of the house. I know it is close to the bar, but not much else.”
“Because you only had eyes for him and when you got there it was straight to his bedroom?” she cooed.
I didn’t deny it. “Basically, yes.”
“Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about him?”
I groaned. “I don’t know. He has a son. And a late wife.”
“Wow. Does that scare you?”
“No, not really. He didn’t exactly open up about the wife and I didn’t ask any questions.”
“How old is the kid? This could be a great way for you to get that family you want without the pregnancy and hormones.”
“His son is sixteen.”
“Oh.”
I la
ughed. “Exactly. Sixteen and damn near grown-up. Not exactly a little guy looking for a mommy.”
“Such a fun stage,” she said sarcastically. “All that teen angst and rebellion.”
I nodded. “I know. Christopher seems to be handling it well, which I think is pretty amazing. That definitely has to say something about him. I mean, a single father raising a teenager cannot be easy. A single mom, dad, or single anyone raising a child would be challenging. He just seems to be so cool and casual, like nothing really bothers him.”
“You’re into him.”
“I like him. I’m not going to deny that. He’s attractive, kind, and so, I don’t know, mature. I don’t feel like he’s the kind of guy who’s going to play games or be dodgy. He has this quiet calm and strength about him that makes everything feel like it’s going to be okay. He’s a great guy.”
“But you’re still hung up on the student thing,” she said.
“I have to be. Even if my job isn’t at risk, I worry what other students will say. I don’t want to get a reputation as the teacher who sleeps with her students. It’s hard enough to be one of the youngest professors on campus without adding in my sex life.”
She held up her hand. “I could understand that if Christopher was twenty or even twenty-five. He isn’t. He’s probably not even on the students’ radar. He’s old. He’s as old as some of their parents. I promise you; no one is looking at him like the average student. No one cares that you are sleeping with the old guy.”
“You’re probably right,” I said. “But it feels weird. For so long I have had this hard and fast rule. It feels very wrong to be second-guessing that. I’ve always played by the rules. This is way outside my comfort zone. Everything I’ve decided was right and wrong is being thrown into question.”
“You aren’t second-guessing banging a twenty-year-old kid on your desk. We both know you would never do that. This is different. He’s different. I saw you last night. I’ve never seen you like that with anyone. He is an eligible man and you are a single woman. You two obviously enjoy one another’s company. Don’t you want to explore that a little more? Don’t you want to find out if he’s the man for you?”
