by Lacey Legend
“So, I need to talk to you about a job,” Jared said, “as in, would you like one?”
“What?” Paul gasped, “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. Coach Smith was really impressed with the tips you gave me and I explained how you had a lot more to offer. So, the job’s yours if you want it.”
“Of course I do!” Paul exclaimed. “Thank you so much!”
“You deserve it,” Jared clapped him on the shoulder, “just thank me by helping us win some games.”
“Absolutely!” Paul agreed.
The group followed Jared onto the field where players from both teams were milling about as if waiting for something. A.J. thought it peculiar but kept quiet and followed Jared to mid field.
“Okay guys, I’ve got the field for the next few hours and all of these guys,” he gestured toward the remaining players, “have decided they want nothing more than to hang out with you. We were trying to figure out something fun to do and thought you might be up for some football practice, what do you think?”
“YES!” The kids screamed and cheered. Players ran over with kid-sized footballs and began working with kids and families, even Jaida joined in.
“I was afraid you weren’t going to come.” Jared appeared at A.J.’s side.
“I almost didn’t,” A.J. admitted.
“What did you think?” Jared asked, watching the action on the field.
“About what?” A.J. asked coyly.
“The trade,” Jared said evenly as he studied her. “You look different.”
“You are different,” A.J. deflected.
“You would know better than anybody,” Jared stated. He took her hand. “I did this to be near you. I know things got messed up when I left but I meant every word I said in that letter.” Jared exhaled and pulled her into his arms. He looked into her eyes, his voice husky. “Dammit, Alexis, I want to be with you. I want you. I left everything because you changed me and now I’m asking you to be with me.”
A.J. couldn’t breathe. The air around her felt thin and the world spun around her. She thought she might pass out but he squeezed her lightly and the world went right again.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. Say you love me. Say you’re happy I’m here,” Jared suggested
“I’m pregnant,” A.J. blurted.
Jared’s face changed several times. He opened and closed his mouth at least half a dozen times before he composed himself enough to answer and when he did, it was not with words. Jared slanted his mouth over A.J.’s and let her know everything he felt better than words ever could have.
He released her and whispered in her ear, “Come with me.” Jared tugged her toward the tunnel.
“What about Jaida?” A.J. looked over her shoulder for her sister. “I have to let her know.”
“She’s fine, trust me,” Jared promised.
“I don’t know.” A.J. tugged back but Jared wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her into the shadows.
“Come with me, I promise it will be worth it.” Jared pushed open a door and pulled her in after him. He yanked the door shut and locked it.
“This is somebody’s office!” A.J. exclaimed as the light flipped on and she grasped her surroundings.
“Yep, it’s gonna be Paul’s but right now it’s just a private room,” Jared pointed out, “a private room with a rather comfortable couch.”
“How did you know about this?” A.J. accused.
“I have friends in high places who thought we could use some private time to talk,” Jared looked mischievous, “or do other things.”
He was on her before she could react, his hands roving over her body, lips kissing her jaw, her neck. Jared pulled her jersey off revealing the snug cami and bra struggling to contain her noticeably larger breasts.
He gasped. “Holy shit, have I missed you.”
Jared buried his face in her cleavage, groaning his approval as he worked at her jeans until they fell to her ankles.
A.J.’s hands found his head, wrapped her fingers in his curls as she pulled him closer. Jared pushed the hem of her cami up to expose her stomach. He peppered kisses along her abdomen to the very edge of her bikini line before hooking his thumbs in the sides and shimmying them down her legs. Jared traced his fingers up her legs, strategically kissing along her inner thigh and back up the length of her body, pausing at her now glistening mound. He growled low in his throat at the realization that she was ready for him.
Jared maneuvered A.J. to the couch and slipped out of his shorts. He covered her body with his, shifting slightly to offset his weight. Jared traced the line of her jaw and ran the pad of his thumb across her lips. He pressed his arousal against her thigh, close enough to tease them both. Her scent seemed stronger, sweeter than before.
He moved her into position, and looked into her eyes as he pushed inside of her. He watched her face change as he entered her, filling her slowly until he was fully encased inside her. Jared had not forgotten how A.J. felt, yet he shuddered with need as her juices flowed down his shaft. A.J. moaned and wrapped her arms about his shoulders, pulling him into her. She called his name as he bucked and rolled, struggling to gain leverage to drive further into her, to feel every inch of her body, every curve and valley. All Jared could think or feel revolved around A.J. until he exploded inside her, pulling her closer and burying his face into her neck, breathless and spent. Jared kissed his way up her neck and back to her mouth, tugging at her lower lip before brushing his lips lightly across the tip of her nose.
“I’ve missed you,” he told her. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too.” A.J. nodded, eyes brimming with tears. “But I thought you went back to your old life and I was afraid you’d hate me when you found out and…”
“Stop,” Jared said firmly. “I’m happy, I promise you that I am not even a little upset with you. I meant every word I said. I’m coming here to be with you. I want you, us, a family. And if that means now then it means now.
You are mine, Alexis Thompson, and I’m not letting go again.”
Epilogue
“Hurry up, Alex!” Jaida hollered.
A.J. ambled awkwardly down the stairs. “I’m coming. It takes a little longer these days.”
“You should have just gone with the first outfit instead of changing three times,” Jaida chastised. “We’re gonna be late.”
“No, we’re not,” A.J. assured her.
“Who changes clothes three times to go to the hospital?” Jaida grumbled as they stepped out of the house and headed for the car.
“Somebody who knows the media is likely to be there and doesn’t want to look like a beached whale like she did last time,” A.J. bit back. “Are you sure you can handle Jack while we’re in delivery?”
“I’m not an invalid,” Jaida snapped. “Besides, Rick and Marie are on their way and they’re picking up Jared’s parents on the way.”
“Would you two quit fighting and get in the car?” Jared yelled out the driver’s side window of the SUV. “Jack wants to know when his baby brother is going to leave Mommy’s tummy.”
The backseat window slid down and a curly-haired boy in a Nashville Cougars jersey peered out. “C’mon, Mommy. Hurry.”
“I’m coming, baby, hold your horses.” A.J. grinned at her little boy as she hobbled around the car to the passenger side and climbed in as best she could. “We should have gotten the mini-van.”
“No,” Jared said firmly as Jaida closed the door behind A.J. and got into the front seat.
“When you retire, I’m getting a damn mini-van,” A.J. barked as another contraction rolled through her core and she fought to breathe through it.
“Awwwww, Mommy said a bad word,” Jack scolded from his car seat.
“Mommy’s gonna say a lot of bad words today, Jack,” Jared teased as he backed out of their driveway. “You should have heard her when you came out of her tummy, she said more bad words than all of
Daddy’s team during a football game.”
A.J.’s hand flashed fast as whip and slapped his arm. “Don’t you say that to our son!”
“What? It’s true!” Jared laughed.
“I’ll remember that next time you want to have S-E-X.” A.J. spelled the last word. “Not that we’re ever doing that again after this.” She pointed toward her swollen abdomen.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” Jared rolled his eyes. “Your resolve lasted up until Dr. Chancellor cleared you for action. But please, if it makes you feel better, hold to that resolve.”
“You guys are so cute it makes me want to vomit,” Jaida interjected.
“Speaking of cute,” Jared began, “how are things going with Drew?”
Jaida flushed. “He’s meeting us at the hospital, too.”
“I see,” Jared teased, “so I need to be having the talk with him then?”
Jaida looked at him, horrified. “NO!”
“Just kidding, J, just kidding.” Jared nudged her. “That’s A.J.’s job. You might want to wait a few weeks though.”
“Har har, you’re just so funny,” A.J. hissed from the back seat as another contraction rocked her. “We need to get there sooner than later.”
“If you hadn’t changed clothes so many times…” Jaida trailed off as A.J. pinched her lightly on the arm. “Yeah, I’ll wait a few weeks before bring Drew back around. I forgot how testy she gets.”
“I hate you both,” A.J. snarled.
“But I love you,” Jared sang back to her. “I love you so much it changed me.”
“Well, crap,” A.J. sniffled from the back seat, “now I’m crying. Stupid hormones.”
“Convinced yet?” Jared asked.
“Yes,” A.J. said before the next contraction left her breathless.
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MR. JAMES
A FORBIDDEN ROMANCE By..
LACEY LEGEND
Summary
Catalina Marshall could not take her eyes off of her Professor Connor James. To her, Mr James was far too young and way too good-looking to already be a teacher. He was the dream catch of every woman on campus and she would have given anything to have had a piece of him, even if just for one night.
But she knew it was wrong. He knew it was wrong. Teacher-Student relationships are forbidden and would put his career and her graduation both in great jeopardy.
However, the fact it was forbidden just made it even more hot.
And the truth was that nothing was ever going to stop Catalina and Mr James from eventually giving into their burning desires.
They would both just have to deal with the consequences later...
Chapter1
The massive dome of a clear blue sky arced over the college campus; the endless deep blue atmosphere was only shrouded by intermittent wisps of feathery white clouds that drifted overhead, in no hurry to go anywhere. Closer to the earth, rows of trees, fat and full with summer leaves beginning to blush at their tips, shaded the October sunshine, soaking up the golden rays before they could reach the ground.
In the cool shade of one tree sat an old fashioned bench, made of wood and wrought iron, curled into graceful designs, and harking back to a more genteel era. On the bench sat two friends; a young man by the name of Reggie Brown, who had a strong lean build and a good sized frame. He stood at six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His skin was dark, almost the color of light coffee. He had black hair and dark brown eyes. He had a wide set jaw and a rounded nose over full lips. He was considered good looking among his peers and classmates, though he didn’t make any extra effort to be so; he was most comfortable presenting himself in a casual and natural way.
Beside him, leaning back on the bench and gazing up into the hidden depths of the tree towering over them, looking at the gradually changing leaves, was a young woman. Catalina Marshall was tall as well, though she didn’t reach Reggie’s lofty height. She had long, toned legs, her body just as fit from jogging often, though her feminine curves were generous. She had short, layered ebony hair that almost reached her shoulders and framed her lovely face. Though her mouth was full, it was small. Her nose was straight and narrow, her eyes were wide and framed with thick black lashes. Catalina’s eyes were the most striking aspect of her face; they were almost slate blue, the color of a blue gray stormy sea. Her skin was not as dark as Reggie’s was; she was the color of dark caramel. In her right cheek, there was one dimple that showed itself when she was in a good humor.
There was a sweet and genuine beauty about her; something that could not be bought or added. It was just an inherent trait of hers that was captivating to anyone who took a moment to pay any attention to her, and as a result, she had a good number of friends who loved her dearly, and Reggie was the best of them.
Reggie was talking with her about his engineering classes. She didn’t like engineering much, but anything he did was important to her, so she listened as he explained the goings on in a few of his classes and the projects he was working on at the time.
They met beneath the massive oak every day for lunch, and as they had no classes together, it gave them an opportunity to catch up with one another and spend time together at school. They saw each other outside of school as well, but during their busy weeks, the old oak was the best place for them to catch up and connect with each other.
Reggie was telling Catalina about an internship at an engineering firm that he was hoping to get. He had tried for others but had been unsuccessful, but he felt certain that he was a good candidate for the most recent one that he had applied for and he was certain he would get it. “This is going to be the one, Cat,” he explained, grinning with wide eyes. “It will be the one that jumpstarts my whole life. It’s going to happen this time, I just know it is. Then I can land a good job and start focusing on more serious things in my life.” His voice grew softer and his excited grin became a warm smile as he reached for Catalina’s hand and gazed deeply into her eyes. “There’s so much that I’m hoping for in my future. So much that means everything to me,” he said in a low and earnest voice, holding her hand as his eyes searched hers.
She grinned back at him and gave his hand a little squeeze before pulling hers from his grasp. “I’m sure you’re going to get it. It’s really just a matter of time. You’re a brilliant guy, you’re hard working and dedicated, and there’s nothing that you can’t do. One of these days, one of the firms that you’ve been applying to will see that and bring you on board, and then you’ll be all set. You’ll have everything you want.” Catalina shrugged her shoulders lightly and tipped her head as if it was all already a done deal.
Reggie reached a hand over the back of the bench to touch her shoulder. “Everything I want is almost in reach,” he said, leaning closer to her and lowering his voice. His eyes fell to her lips for a moment and then he raised them back up again and looked into her blue gray eyes.
She hadn’t noticed his glance; she was busy watching a chipmunk as it raced through the fallen colored leaves and darted up the tree. Reggie watched her, rubbing his fingers gently over her shoulder.
“So what’s going on with you? Are still working on that super-secret project that you couldn’t tell me anything about?” he asked her with a smile. She turned to look at him, her stormy eyes bright, and her smile so wide that it showed her dimple.
“Yes! Well, I can finally tell you now, though, so it doesn’t have to be a secret any longer.” She sat up a little straighter on the bench and turned to face him fully. “So Connor and I-”
Reggie frowned and tilted his head. “Connor?”
Catalina laughed a little an
d rolled her eyes slightly. “I mean Mr. James,” she said coyly.
“You mean Professor James?” Reggie corrected her, his eyes narrowed and his face stern.
Catalina shrugged one shoulder. “Well, he’s letting me call him Connor now, and I like that better. So, Connor and I have been working on getting press passes to cover a political rally in Springfield, and we didn’t know if we were going to be able to get them so we could go photograph the event, but he just texted me a little while ago to let me know that we got them and we’re going! I’m so excited! This is my first really big photojournalism shoot! It’s out of town, it’s a big event, and it’s with Connor there to help me… I can’t wait!” she gushed as she raised her shoulders and looked upward to the blue sky with a huge grin on her face.
