It’s like with my mom. I’m laser-focused on achieving my goals for both of our benefit. And with Kate, I’m all in on knowing her, winning her, and making her mine.
So I sit in the campus medical center, trying to ignore my mounting concern for Kate — and my fear that she doesn’t want me like I want her. This woman is magnetic and I cannot walk away from her without trying to claim her heart as my own.
Kate
When the doctor leaves the exam room to finish up my paperwork, I check my messages and email. There’s no word from my boss yet, but the group text I share with Amelia, Emmy, and Hattie is active.
Hattie was the last one to text.
How’s your first day, teach?
I groan and type back. I’m at campus medical. I hit my head. It’s not a concussion, but the semester isn’t exactly off to a great start.
A moment later, Emmy’s message appears on my screen. Omg what?!
Amelia’s text pops up a moment later. I thought you were teaching poli sci, not wrestling. What happened?
I quickly reply, grateful for the Tylenol the nurse had popped in with a little while ago. My alarm didn’t go off, so I was running late and rushing and not being careful. I basically clobbered myself and another guy. I’m okay, though, promise.
You were late? Even in writing Hattie sounds incredulous.
I tap back my reply. I know. Believe me, I know.
I’m coming to pick you up, she texts.
No, it’s fine. The guy I knocked over is here. Thinking of Harry waiting for me out in the lobby makes my heart beat a little faster. I smile to myself.
The group message is quiet for a moment. Then all three of my friends text at once.
Oooh a guy? ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Wait what? Do tell!
Well that’s one way to get a man. :D
I snort at my friends’ replies. Normally I’d tell them to not get their panties in a twist.
Except this time, there’s a guy worth getting excited about. A guy that I am excited about.
I hear footsteps approaching the other side of the door. Gotta go, the doc’s coming back. I’ll fill you in later. I send my reply then stash my phone back in my bag as the door opens.
A few minutes later, I’m pushing through the door into the waiting room, armed with my discharge papers and a strict recommendation to get rest, stay hydrated, and keep taking Tylenol.
Harry leaps to his feet when he sees me and is at my side a moment later. His gaze roves my body as if checking for further injuries. “How are you holding up?” His voice is rich with genuine concern, and I melt at his caring.
“I’m okay. It was just a bump, Not a concussion.”
Harry heaves a relieved sigh. “I’m so glad to hear that. I was really worried for a bit there.”
“It’s okay. I feel way better, and look — I can walk like a real person again!” I hold my arms out and execute a very slow but steady twirl.
He rewards me with a grin. “Very nice, very nice.” His eyes are traveling my form again, and I get the distinct impression that this time it’s for his own enjoyment. “I like what I see.”
“All hail Tylenol, the vanquisher of headaches.” I cringe a little. “Sorry for all these medieval references. Cheesy, huh?”
“Not cheesy. Topical. After all, you were a damsel in distress for a while there.”
Without thinking, I step closer to him so that my chest almost brushes his. “And you were my knight in shining armor.”
He moves as if to put his arms around me, then hesitates, frowning as if he’s not sure what to do. After a moment, he reaches out with a careful hand and tucks my hair behind my ear. “M’lady,” he murmurs.
And that’s it.
That’s the moment that I decide — I’m all his.
I throw my free arm around him, the other still clutching my bundle of papers for the class that I never made it to. I drink in his aroma of oranges and soap, savoring his scent.
He steps into my touch, clasping my body to his. His arms are strong around me, making me feel as safe as I do aroused. I’m not the only one — I can feel his hardness pressing into my thigh, and it stokes my own internal fires.
The sound of a throat clearing pops the rosy bubble that ensconces Harry and I. Glancing to one side, I see the receptionist staring pointedly at us.
“Oh. Um, sorry. Do I need to check out?” I ask, red-faced.
She shakes her head. “You’re all set.”
“Thank you,” I say. Taking Harry’s hand in mine, I hurriedly tug him out the door into the September sunshine. He knits his fingers with mine. Once we’re outside, he doesn’t let go.
“I expect you’ll be going home to rest then?” Harry says. Do I detect an edge of disappointment in his voice?
“Doctor’s recommendation. But,” I grin, “he also said I could get up to my regular hijinks as I see fit.”
Harry cocks his head at me, confused by the contradiction between what I’m saying and how I’m saying it. “Okay . . .”
“I wouldn’t mind some company. To help me celebrate my non-concussed state.” I pause, suddenly stricken as I take in the students trekking across campus to and from class. “But no, I’m sorry, you have class, I shouldn’t assume —“
“If you’re asking me to join you, no matter what you’re planning, I’m in.” He steps close, running his hands down my back until they rest just above the curve of my ass. I shiver. “I only had the one class today anyway. And I’ve just met the most wonderful woman.”
I raise my eyebrows, playing along. “Did you now?”
“Yep. She’s stunning. Stubborn as hell. She teaches college courses, so she’s smart too. Basically the total package.”
My cheeks are on fire, lit by his compliments. “She sounds pretty great. Are you sure she’s the real deal?”
He looks me straight in the eyes, stone-cold serious. “I’m positive.”
“And you don’t think it’s weird, pairing up with a teacher at your college?”
“Do you teach business courses?”
I shake my head no.
“That’s all I have left to take. This woman, she’s not my lecturer. Doesn’t even teach in my department. I think we’re safe.” He tightens his grip, pulling me closer so I can feel his erection again. It makes my pussy lips twitch with hunger. “Now, the question is: does this stunning, stubborn, smart woman want me to take her home and celebrate her recovery by thoroughly pleasuring her?” He pops an eyebrow at me. “What do you think?”
My knees are positively weak at how quickly we’ve gone from strangers with chemistry to him boldly stating in plain terms that he wants to fuck me.
I utter a silent apology to Amelia for ever doubting that lust — and maybe even love — at first sight could happen for me. Because it’s happening right now, in the most unlikely of ways.
Thanks to a late alarm and an inconveniently timed — or perhaps perfectly timed, depending on how you look at it — head bump, I’m tucked into the arms of a man that not only turns me on like no other but also melts my heart.
“I think,” I say, slowly trailing a finger over Harry’s chest, aching to explore what’s beneath his clothing, “that your stunning, stubborn, smart woman would like that very much.”