by Mariano, Sam
“We’ll take it,” he announces, not bothering to let her finish.
My tummy swirls with excitement, but I try to keep my hopes tempered. I hold onto Cal’s hand until I can’t anymore because he has to take out his wallet, then I just stand there and try not to think of anything at all, lest my mind conjure romantic fantasies that probably won’t happen.
Once we’re checked in, Cal takes our room key and a pamphlet. He places a firm hand at the small of my back and escorts me over to a staircase.
My heart is doing somersaults by the time we get to the top of the landing. Cal walks beside me until we get to the room that’s ours, then he unlocks it and pushes the door open. This time he walks in first, probably so he can get the lay of the land. I wander in behind him, closing the door and looking around, a little in awe.
Probably because of the town festival, the room is decked out in holiday cheer. It doesn’t even look like a hotel room, more like a cozy, luxurious studio apartment.
Ahead of us is a black couch in front of a television. There’s a fireplace along the wall, and in the corner by the window there’s a lit Christmas tree with red ribbons tied on some of the branches, but no ornaments. Even though the main lights weren’t on when we came inside, the room wasn’t dark given the glow of the Christmas lights.
To the right of the living area setup, the king size bed is made up with thick, warm-looking blankets and lots of fluffy pillows. There’s a bench at the foot of the bed, a chair along the wall, and then an arch leading to an impressively long hallway. A leather ottoman in the middle of the hall draws the eye. It’s easy to imagine naughty things taking place there—a naked woman with her ass in the air and her partner behind her, ready to thrust into her.
I swallow, looking beyond the ottoman. There’s an enormous bathtub at the end of the hall, so I know that must be the bathroom.
“This is really nice,” I remark as I start to unbutton my coat.
Cal doesn’t say anything, just peels off his damp coat and finds a closet to hang it up in.
A smile curving my lips, I peel my coat off and go over to join him. “Do you have a thing about hanging coats up? You’re always so proper when it comes to this.”
He shrugs, grabbing a second hanger and draping my coat over it. “I wouldn’t say I have a thing about it.”
“I usually just throw mine on a chair,” I inform him.
Nodding to the chair where I already dropped my purse, he remarks dryly, “Yes, I can see that.”
Once I have my coat off, I excuse myself to the restroom. The bathroom is really strange, like a main chamber where the gigantic bath tub is, then other doors off to the left and right.
I go right first, but when I open the door, it leads to a large shower room with tiled walls. There’s a rain shower head, a standard head, and attachments on the wall. A marble bench offers seating, and the shower is big enough to comfortably fit four or five people.
I back out of the shower chamber and try the next door. It’s a closet, and inside I find fluffy white bath robes and newly packaged slippers.
I close that door and wander over to the bath tub. I drag the palm of my hand along the cool ceramic, eyeing up the attachments on a rack behind the faucet.
There’s something quietly sensual about this suite, like it was built for languorous pleasure. I can imagine soaking in this tub, Cal sitting on the wooden stool in front of it, taking in the sight of my naked body as I bathe. I can even imagine him taking it further, grabbing the attachment with the sprayer and aiming it between my legs, the force of the water hitting the most sensitive parts of my body, leaving me desperate and breathless—making me come while he watches without ever even touching me.
My teeth sink into my lower lip, but I force myself to move away from the tub and open the last door, which leads to the actual toilet.
When I get back to the main room, Cal is on the phone. He’s frowning, his voice irritated—arguing with someone?
My eyes widen as it hits me all of a sudden: oh my God, I completely forgot about Percy!
Hastening to the chair where I left my purse, I open it and dig my phone out. Sure enough, there are several text messages and one phone call from the guy I unintentionally stood up.
I swipe the screen and quickly text back a vehement apology. I type as quickly as I can, explaining what happened but leaving Cal out of it. I refer to my club’s faculty advisor as my companion on the trip and send a wall of text, littered with apologies.
Cal ends his phone call and sighs, raking a hand through his hair and then looking back at me. “Well, that was the auto repair shop.”
“Is your car done?”
“No. And it’s not going to be done tonight. Apparently, the shop is closing up early so everyone can make it home safely before the roads get too bad.”
Eyes widening, I ask, “What does that mean?”
“It means we’re stuck here. Or, I am, at least. You’re going to have to call your mom.”
If he’s stuck here, I want to be stuck with him. After last night, I can’t bring myself to say that, though. “And tell her what? To come get me?”
Cal shrugs. “If you want to.”
His wording causes my heart to flip over. “Is there an alternative?”
Flicking a glance out the window at the falling snow, he suggests, “You could tell her the roads aren’t safe, and ask if it’s okay for you to stay the night here. Tell her there’s an inn with two rooms left and your faculty advisor is willing to pay to put you up for the night since we’re hearing it’s not safe to drive home.”
Is he suggesting what I think he’s suggesting? Spending the night together?
“I don’t know if she’ll believe that. I mean, usually she would, but tonight I had a—” I halt awkwardly, then say, “I had plans with someone, and… um…” I stop again, realizing I can’t really say anything more. “I don’t know, she might—I’ll just have to call her.”
Cal’s eyebrows rise a little every time I stumble, so by the time I finish stammering, they’re quite high on his forehead, but he doesn’t remark on my awkwardness.
“Excuse me,” I say, taking my phone out into the hall for some privacy.
I really, really want to stay the night with Cal at this romantic inn, so before I call my mom, I go over what I’ll say and things she could potentially say back to prepare myself. I feel like I’m studying for the most important pop quiz of my life, but when I finally make the call, I’m shaky and afraid she’ll shoot me down.
Mom answers on the second ring. “Hey, babe. How’s the date going?”
I frown, momentarily thrown. “What?”
“Sorry I didn’t make it home to see you off. I ended up having to stay at the office a little late, and since you said you wouldn’t be home long enough to even eat with me, I just sent Adeline home and ordered take-out. Are you guys still at the theater? It’s really starting to come down out there; he’d better be careful driving you home.”
“That’s actually what I’m calling about. I didn’t make it home for my date. I ended up having to cancel.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Well, remember I told you how Miss Styles and I had the appointment to take the toy drive collection to the fire department today? After that we had to drive to Marymount to pick up another donation, but we must have driven over something on the road—however it happened, when we went to leave the bookstore, we realized we had a flat. So, we had to take the car to this local auto shop to try to get it patched or replaced or whatever so we could drive home, but now… we’re kinda snowed in. The auto shop closed early because of the roads, they said we can get the car back in the morning. The inn here in town has two rooms left, and… well, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to get home safely tonight. I figured it would be fine with you, obviously you would rather me be safe a couple towns over than out on these roads, but before my teacher pays for the rooms, I just wanted to call and make sure.”
“You said you’re in Marymount?” she asks, sounding a little distracted. “Let me see.”
I wait anxiously for her to say more.
Sighing, she says, “That’s not too far. I guess I could leave now and try to come get you before it gets worse.”
“I know, but Mom, the roads. I don’t want to risk you getting in an accident when I’m perfectly safe where I am.”
“I know, but I feel weird about you having a slumber party with your teacher.”
“It’s not like that. We’ll have separate rooms. I’ll probably end up doing homework, maybe doing a little reading. I just don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to be on these roads tonight. I know you could technically come get me, but that makes me really nervous. Can I just stay the night? It’s not a big deal, tomorrow is Saturday anyway, and by the time we get the car, the plows should have had a chance to clear the snow and salt the roads.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Mom says. “I feel weird making your teacher pay for your room, though. Why don’t you use your emergency credit card?”
“I’ll ask. It’s okay if I stay, though?”
“Yeah. I mean, it doesn’t seem like there’s a safe alternative. Do you have your phone charger with you?”
Oh, shit. “No, my spare is in my car at the school. I can see if there’s a store open in walking distance, maybe I can buy one. If not and my phone dies, just don’t worry. We’re at the inn now so we’re totally safe. We’re going to get something to eat and warm up, then we’ll head to our rooms. It’s been a long day; I’m actually tired already, so I’ll probably fall asleep early tonight.”
“All right. Well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. If your phone dies, ask someone who works there to use the phone.”
I sigh. “I know, Mom.”
We talk for a few more minutes, but she doesn’t seem suspicious of my story. I feel bad about lying to her, but the feeling dissipates as I walk back into the room I’ll be sharing with Cal tonight. In its place, butterflies, as I imagine sharing a bed with the man I can’t resist.
“What’d she say?” he asks.
A nervous smile playing around my lips, I tell him, “We can spend the night together.”
Chapter Fourteen
Noelle
Cal’s gaze moves over my body as I stand just inside the room, my clothing askew from him pawing at me in the sleigh, my cheeks flushed in the wake of the announcement that I’m able to stay the night with him.
“All right,” he says evenly, his gaze lifting to mine. “Well, I’m not gallant enough to sleep on the couch, so…”
Biting back a smile, I roll my eyes. “I wouldn’t ask you to. The bed is plenty big enough for both of us.”
I try to sound casual despite the way my heart is racing. The bed is big enough, but the mere thought of it makes my head spin. Lying inches away from my teacher, from his hard cock, from the body that caged mine beneath it just last night... how am I going to be able to resist the temptation that is Callan McLaren?
"There are robes in the bathroom. I'm going to get changed," I tell him, motioning to the hallway. "Feel free to get comfortable."
“Wait,” he says and I turn back to him. “I thought you were hungry? Maybe we should go eat before you change?”
As much as I’d like to have dinner with him, I know I wouldn’t be able to eat a thing right now. My stomach is too knotted up with nerves and anticipation, my mind too firmly fixed on the fact that we’re sharing a bed tonight.
“I think I’m more tired than hungry,” I tell him. “If it’s all the same to you, I can wait for breakfast.”
At the mention of breakfast, my mind drifts back to the crazy reality that I’ll be spending the night with him tonight and my cheeks warm.
“All right,” he says, watching me with his intense gaze. “Whatever you want.”
For some reason, that makes my cheeks burn even hotter.
I turn and make my way down the long hall again, but I’m so aware of him in the adjoining room this time. There are sliding wooden doors to separate the room from the bathroom, but I feel awkward as I pull them closed, as if the action suggests Cal would peek in at me otherwise.
I try to distract myself as I strip off my school uniform and change into the robe, but the thought of lying next to my gorgeous teacher all night in nothing but this bathrobe and a pair of panties is enough to raise goosebumps all over my skin. The belt could come untied, I could roll out of it while I sleep…
He could take it off me before it even comes to that.
When I get back to the room, the lights have been turned off except for the Christmas tree and the lamps on the nightstands on either side of the bed.
Cal is already in bed.
My heart races at the sight of him. The covers are settled around his waist so I can see his bare chest and strong shoulders. For a moment, I have doubts that I even possess the physical ability to walk over there and join him in that bed.
“You coming?”
His low baritone spurs me into action and I cross the room, absently tightening the belt on my bathrobe. I pull back the blankets on my side of the bed and climb in, doing my best not to look at him, but it’s so hard.
I burrow into the bed, the sheets cool against my skin. I shiver a little before pulling the covers up all the way to my neck.
Cal looks over at me. “Are you cold?”
“A little bit.” Trying to lighten up since I feel so awkward and nervous, I joke, “Wanna warm me up?”
I expect him to maybe roll his eyes at me or pick an excuse off the long list of reasons he can’t do that, but instead he extends his right arm, inviting me to curl up against him. My heart slams forward in my chest, my whole body suffused with a sudden wave of heat. I scoot across the bed despite that, too enticed by the prospect of cuddling with Mr. McLaren.
I don’t know where to put my arms and hands, and he must like watching me flail in discomfort because he doesn’t guide me, merely watches with a smirk while I figure it out. I finally settle with one arm tucked beneath me and the other tentatively resting over his muscled abdomen.
I’m on fire now. He probably thinks I was lying about being cold just to get close to him, but the flush of embarrassment has done the job. My humiliation deepens when I shift around to get comfortable and end up dropping my hand low enough that I feel the waistband of his underwear.
“Sorry,” I say quickly, darting a look up at him.
If he was affected, I can’t tell. He’s on his phone, using his thumb to scroll, as if he can’t be bothered by the teenager snuggling him.
Jerk.
Then Mr. Jerkface further mortifies me. “How sorry? Drop your hand a little lower and show me.”
I can tell by his tone—and the fact that he’s still on his phone—that he’s only joking, but his words still do something to me. My mind follows the path he sent me down, imagining reaching under the blanket and feeling around for the outline of his cock. Rubbing him through his underwear until he has such a hard-on, he can’t focus on his stupid phone anymore.
Holy fuck, I'm not going to survive tonight, am I?
Seeing how embarrassed I am, he grins wickedly, then goes back to ignoring me.
Infuriating man.
I try to ignore him, too, but it’s impossible. My thigh is brushing his and just being this close to him has me so aroused. All I can think about are ways to get his attention without being obvious.
He’s so fucking hot and cold. One moment he’s kissing me like he wants me, the next he's pretending like sleeping nearly naked in the same bed is nothing to him.
I don't buy it. I refuse to believe this situation isn't doing the same thing to both of us. My body is crying out for him, my mind trying to convince me to scoot my knee just a little bit closer, to move my hand and feel every hard inch of him beneath my fingertips.
I do my best to swallow my feelings and banish the thoughts, to be as blasé as he is about this, t
o ignore him the way he’s ignoring me.
It doesn’t work, though. My frustration only grows and grows until finally I can’t take it anymore and I snap, “Can you at least turn off the light? I can’t fall asleep like this.”
Glancing away from his phone, Cal looks at me and cocks an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, you must have me confused with your maid. Feel free to turn it off yourself.”
Sighing, I push the duvet off and roll away from him, turning my own lamp off. It’s still too bright in here with his light on, and since I was curled up facing him, his lamp was the one that was bothering me, anyway.
Since he told me to do it myself, an idea occurs to me and I decide to go for it. I climb back onto the bed on my knees, but rather than settle back in, I crawl over toward his side of the bed.
Cal finally looks up from his phone, his blue eyes trained on me. “What are you doing?”
“Turning off the light,” I say sweetly, right before straddling him.
The long, fluffy white robe adequately covers most of my body, but my pussy is pressed against him now, only barely covered by my scanty pink underwear. His already hard cock prods me and tells on him as I reach for the lamp.
I knew I wasn’t alone in my arousal.
Before I can turn it off, his hand catches my wrist in a firm grasp that steals my attention. Our eyes meet, my heart skipping a beat as his bore into mine.
"Leave it on," he demands, dropping his phone and catching my other wrist with his now free hand.
Trying to keep my voice even and unaffected, I ask, “Why?”
His answer isn’t at all what I expect. "Because I want to look at you."
My heart flutters at his pronouncement, then he follows it up by releasing my wrists and reaching for the belt of my robe. He unties it slowly, giving me a chance to object if I want to, but I don’t. I can scarcely breathe, but I want to see where this goes, so I don’t stop him as he pulls my robe apart and pushes it off me.
I’m completely exposed now. The cool air hits my bare breasts and sends a chill dancing down my spine. I don’t feel as brave or confident straddling him now that I’m naked except for my panties. Even though his gaze is appreciative as it moves over me, I can’t help replaying his words from last night and wondering if he finds me lacking.
