Love in Education: De La Fuente Book Seven Page 9

  I don’t miss the look on her face as she watches me tug up my shorts and jeans up, and shove everything away so that I’m presentable.

  “You do realize that they’re going to know exactly what we’ve been doing in the garden.” She smirks. “Well, not exactly, because they’ll think we’ve had a quick fuck.”

  I groan. “You need to stop saying words like that. It’s damn hot coming out of your mouth.”

  “Hmm,” her fingers crawl up my chest, “I’d rather you be coming in my mouth.”

  “Fuck!” I curse and crush my mouth over hers to shut her up. The whole damn package of Andie Foster turns me on.

  A throat being cleared slowly penetrates through the fog that my heads been in since I first saw Andie on her knees. It’s only when it’s cleared again, more loudly than before, that I move my lips away from hers.

  Over Andie’s shoulder is Dante, the former priest. I find it really difficult to imagine him wearing a collar—not with how heated his eyes get when his wife is around. His daughter Emma is three months old and the man is absolutely besotted with his family, which is the way it should be—the way that I want it to be with Andie.

  “Diego’s looking for you, Andie,” Dante offers. “Rae’s about to open her gifts and wants you there.”

  “Oh crap! I forgot.” Andie quickly kisses my cheek and heads off toward the house.

  “The women go nuts when there’s a baby on the way,” he comments.

  I let out a relieved laugh that nothing is going to be mentioned about him finding me with my tongue down Andie’s throat. “My sister has the habit of complaining that she’ll be married and have ten kids by the time I get married.”

  “How old is your sister?”

  “Thirty and single.” I pause. “At least she was. She’s kind of a serial dater and has told me on numerous occasions that she’ll stop when she meets the one.” I fall in beside Dante as he starts moving toward the house. “I think she’d run the opposite direction, so it would have to be a strong man to catch her.”

  “Hmm.” Dante looks off into the distance. “A good woman can bring a strong man to his knees...I spent years running from my feelings for Emelia, and in the end we’re together anyway. So all those years wasted.”

  “Do you truly believe that they’re wasted years though? Didn’t those years apart give you both a better understanding for the future? Help mature you both?”

  Dante considers my words and when his face lights, I know that I’ve lost him to the woman who is currently moving toward him. Maybe not completely when he says, “Perhaps you’re correct, Professor. But I do know that I can’t live without Emelia...I have a feeling that you feel that way about Andie.”

  “She’s a beautiful intelligent woman who has me tied in knots. Not even the threat of losing my job diminishes that.”

  After he takes his wife into his arms and after he’s planted a kiss to her lips, he adds, “Don’t let her get away.”

  “Not planning on it.”

  “Not planning on what?” Aiden asks, joining the tail end of our conversation.

  Dante laughs. “I’ll let you explain, I want five minutes alone with my wife.”

  Aiden stands next to me, watching them walk away. “Andie keeps glancing at the patio doors. I’m presuming she’s waiting for you.”

  I glance in the direction he said and feel my heart beat harder.

  “I don’t know if Andie has told you anything about me, but I’ve been friends with her mom for a long a time, since Andie was in high school. She means the world to me—”

  “Say no more,” I interrupt. “My intentions are honorable.” I laugh and run my hands through my hair. “I feel like a broken record, but I get it. I get that she has a lot of people who care about her here, and I respect that. But at the end of the day what happens between Andie and I, is between us.”

  Aiden nods. “For the record, you don’t need to say anything as it’s written all over your face.” He grins. “If you’re going to be around us, you need to practice your poker face...and watch Diego and Kasey because they cheat.”

  “Good to know.”

  “I’m heading out now with Sarah, she really isn’t feeling too well. But it was nice to meet you, after hearing about you for so long.” Aiden offers his hand.

  I shake. “Thanks. I’ll see you again, and tell your wife that I hope she’s soon able to enjoy her pregnancy.”

  He grins. “I like you.”

  Aiden disappears from view so I slowly walk back to the house while imagining what it would be like to be a permanent part of this family. I find that I can’t imagine not being.

  Entering through the opened glass doors, I spot Andie sitting beside her mom and the minute her eyes find mine across the room, everything else fades, and her smile at seeing me is one I’ll never forget.

  15

  Andie

  I hate the fact that we’re back in Denver and that in thirty minutes I’ll be taking a class. It was nice being home with Sawyer and being able to just be with him. Now everything is back to normal and we’re arriving at College separately and trying our best not to find ourselves alone together. It’s difficult because all I want is for him to kiss me good luck before I stand at the front of the auditorium in front of a double class.

  My nerves are always close to the surface anyway but with the stress of wanting one thing but having to accept another is getting to me. I think when I was getting my things together after breakfast that Sawyer could tell I was about to crack because he left me alone even though I sensed him wanting to hold me, to say something.

  I know that I need to calm down so sitting behind the desk, I slowly look around the currently empty room and practice the breathing exercises that Violet suggested. It’s a slow inhale and then an equally slow exhale. I do this over until I feel the butterflies starting to settle in my stomach and the panic slowly subsides.

  I’m not usually this freaked, but then again I’ve never given a class with so many people expected to attend either.

  I can do this!

  Glancing at my cell, I swipe the screen and opening up my messages, my finger hovers over Sawyer’s name. I know why he’s left me alone, but I’m not sure that I want that. I hesitate and then go for it.

  Me: I need you :/

  I see the hovering dots as he responds.

  Sawyer: Turn around.

  I smile and turning, he’s standing a few feet away with a wry expression on his handsome face.

  “It’s killed me staying away from you.” He moves closer. “But the last thing I wanted was to set you off when I could clearly see that you were hanging on by a thread.”

  I tilt my head to the side and smile. “You know me well. My anxiety got the better of me, but I think I’m calmer now. My medication has kicked in, and I just needed to see you before the students started arriving to make it through the class.”

  He moves closer and his fingers twitch to reach out to me, which I want him so desperately to do, but know that we can’t...we really can’t. Ignoring the right of wrong of this, I reach forward and taking his hand, I bring it up to my face.

  He inhales and caresses my face with the palm of his hand as I lean into his touch. “You make me believe that anything is possible,” he whispers.

  We’re now so close together than even a piece of paper wouldn’t fit.

  “Just having you here with me, makes me believe that I can do anything.”

  He shakes his head. “You, Andie, are the strongest woman I know. You can do anything that you set your mind to. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise my beautiful girl.”

  Tears hover on my lashes at his words and seeing them, he wipes them away with his thumbs. “Have I given you something else to think about?”

  “Yes...about how much I love you.” Smiling, I lean forward and force myself to only give him a light kiss on his lips. “Lots more of those later, Professor Lawrence.” The smile he gives me reaches his eyes, just as th
e door at the back of the auditorium crashes open.

  Sawyer quickly sits behind the desk so of course my gaze immediately goes to his groin. I smirk when I see the bulge that he rearranges before getting to his feet again. “Are you okay if I head to my office?”

  I’m tempted to ask him to stay, but I can see that he needs a few minutes to calm down, so I answer, “I’ll be fine now.” I blow him a kiss out of view of the filling room.

  “My office when you’ve finished here, Ms. Foster.” He moves slightly closer, and whispers, “You sure that you’re alright?”

  “I’m fine now...really,” I reassure with a wink, and turn away before I give in to temptation and wrap my arms around him.

  “Professor Lawrence, may I have word?”

  Hearing those words out of her mouth grates on my nerves and causes my hands to twitch. I tell myself not to look behind me, but it’s difficult as hell to ignore the Professor Long.

  Sawyer is a nice guy and I know that he’ll be plastering a smile on his face as he walks toward the woman. I do trust him, but I don’t trust her one bit. She wants what’s mine and there isn’t a damn thing I can publicly do about it.

  If anything, that’s what I needed to forget all about my anxiety and to concentrate on the woman who needs to get a life...and not with my guy.

  With the auditorium now filled, it’s difficult to hear what’s being said other than a few mumbles. I quickly glance behind and watch as they disappear through the door. Sawyer quickly looks in my direction and winks so briefly that I barely catch it.

  Smiling at the class, I quickly place the microphone over my head and start the class on the History of Shakespeare. It’s a topic that I know inside out and even when I’m freaking out on the inside, I’m still able to teach the class, which I do now.

  The hour goes quickly once I clear my mind and the students really enjoy the five-second quiz. The quiz is something that one of my high school teachers used to do and we all used to find it fun. Basically, I shout out a question that’s been referred to during the lesson and they have five seconds to give me an answer. Sometimes I slip in something that doesn’t apply; music, films, food, cities, and the list goes on.

  I love doing the interactive part because it takes a huge focus off me directly and puts it back on them. There are a few students who always sink in their seats when I announce five-seconds so knowing how that feels, I leave them be. I shouldn’t, but I can’t bring myself to call on them.

  By the time the students trickle out of class, I’m in need of a cool drink, which I’d forgotten to pack this morning.

  Collecting my notes together and making sure nothing is being left behind, I glance up and see Jeremy staring at me from the seat at the front of the room.

  I’m surprised. “You’ve been absent.”

  “Home for a long weekend,” he drawls. “Like you, huh?”

  I tip my head to the side and watch him wondering what he’s referring to, even though I have a sick feeling that I know.

  Collecting my purse, I move down the few steps and sit next to him. “My mom had a baby shower, so yeah I went home. It was a good weekend.”

  “I bet it was,” he hisses, looking away. “Did Professor Lawrence have a good time as well?” He laughs. “Of course he did.” Jeremy turns and glares on his last words.

  My heart sinks and I feel sick that he’s seen me with Sawyer. “Where?” I whisper the question.

  “The airport.”

  I frown because we’d stayed apart at the airport here, just to be safe.

  “I saw him first and was about to go and talk to him when I realized that his gaze was focused on someone at Starbucks. You.” He pauses. “I’ve noticed him watching you a few times, and I’ve noticed you watching him, so I decided to keep my presence unknown and wait.” Jeremy turns to face me. “You purchased two drinks and when you turned you walked directly to him and passed him a drink. Oh, it looked all innocent, but the looks you gave each other weren’t.”

  I face away and push my panic down, and ask, “What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing.”

  My eyes snap up to his. “Really?” I frown.

  He offers me a sad smile. “He’s the reason why you kept turning me down.” He shakes his head. “I saw it that night you finally agreed to go out for dinner with me, but I told myself that I was being stupid.”

  “I feel sick that I led you on by accepting that night. The thing is that I do really like you, but, my heart has belonged to Sawyer since I met him...I’m sorry Jeremy. Really I am.”

  He sighs heavily. “I’m sorry too.” Getting to his feet, he leaves the room and silence descends.

  Wondering whether or not I should tell Sawyer about Jeremy, I slowly make my way to his office and hear voices within.

  Sawyer sounds resigned as though he’s had enough of the conversation that’s currently taking place. I find that I’m hesitant about entering his office, and when I hear, “You’ll be fired if anyone finds out that you’re fucking the students,” I’m so glad that I didn’t barge in.

  I feel all the blood rushing around in my head as I lean against the wall beside his slightly open door.

  “Professor Long,” Sawyer snarls. “I have never fucked a student. You must be pretty desperate to insinuate something like that instead of concentrating on your own life.”

  “I’m not blind, and unless—” her words are cut off with the slamming of the door. It sends my mind spinning.

  Does she know about me? Is she blackmailing him to do something?

  The quick opening of the door, and Sawyer’s sharp, “Get out now,” sends me running down the corridor, and hiding in the closed doorway of another office further down. I sigh in relief when I hear the clacking of her heels heading in the opposite direction than me.

  Giving her five minutes, I poke my head out and seeing the coast is clear, I quickly dash inside of Sawyer’s office and closing the door, rest back against it.

  He looks up and raises his brow clearly puzzled.

  “I, um, may have heard Long.” I lock his door and drop all my things at my feet before moving closer.

  “What was she saying? I missed most of it, but I did catch the part about you never fucking a student.”

  He sighs and reaching out, tugs me onto his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck and sigh when he wraps his around my waist, keeping me securely against him. “She was asking me about you.”

  My heart sinks.

  “When I told her that I’ve never fucked a student, I meant it, Andie.” He sighs against my chest. “When we’re together, no matter how dirty we get, no matter what I say, I’m loving you and I have from the beginning.”

  I rest my chin on the top of his head, which is easy to do in this position and massage his scalp with my fingers. He groans and leans into my touch. “She’s jealous because you won’t give her the time of day. I mean isn’t there some fraternization rules for staff as well?”

  “No, just students.”

  “She’s right though, isn’t she? About you losing your job if they find out about us?”

  He lifts his face and brushes his lips across mine. “I don’t mind finding another job, Andie. My only concern is your record being tarnished because of me.”

  I cup his face in my hands and kiss him. “Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. But I don’t want you to lose your job.”

  He chuckles. “We’re a right pair.”

  Smiling, I ask, “Why did you order me to come to your office after the class.”

  “I didn’t order.”

  “Oh yes you did!” I stand and turning around, I lean over his desk, giving him my ass. I watch him from over my shoulder, and say, “I distinctly heard you say, ‘my office when you’ve finished here, Ms. Foster’. When you use that tone, I always imagine leaning over your desk while you spank my ass.” I give him a cheeky grin while wiggling said ass.

  His eyes are on me and as I watch him, he swallows hard, li
cking his lips. His large hands caress my bottom and desire pools between my thighs.

  “This is dangerous,” he whispers while lifting my skirt. When he finds me bare beneath he gasps and groans, his hands tremble. “Andie . . .”

  “Thought I’d take your mind off Long.”

  “Well it’s working.” He caresses each round cheek, letting his thumbs brush along the crevice between. “I can’t think with your ass in my face.”

  “What do you think every time I call you Professor Lawrence?”

  He groans.

  “I thought so.”

  “I didn’t admit to anything,” he mumbles and then I feel his teeth on my ass. “One taste, then we have to stop.”

  “I think you’ve said that before,” I remind him, but lose all thought when he spreads me wide and shoves his tongue inside of me. I gasp and try grabbing hold of something for purchase.

  “You’re really wet,” he murmurs, a finger slipping between my lips.

  Knock! Knock!

  The hard pounding on his door stills us both and with a curse, Sawyer quickly straightens me out before we both glance at his erection.

  Knock! Knock!

  “You need to get that,” I tell him the obvious.

  “How the fuck can I answer that when I’m harder than a steel fucking rod?” he hisses.

  I grab his face and force him to look at me. “Use the band of your shorts so it’s not obvious, and I’ll slip out when he walks in. Just make sure you tell him to leave the door open.”

  He rolls his eyes but not before I watch as he slips his hand into his pants. I quickly grab my things together and hide behind the door, praying this works and that I don’t get a broken nose, or seen.

  Unlocking the door on my nod, Sawyer ignores me. “Miss. Stewart,” he says, surprised. “Did we have a meeting today?” He blocks the doorway so she can’t come in.

  “No, but I’m struggling with the assignment and thought if you had a few minutes you could go over it with me.” I hear the hopeful note in her voice and smile to myself.

  Sawyer is going to be embarrassed having a student come on to him, but I know before he replies that he’s going to help her whether or not he believes she needs it.