Chapter Seven
Friday, start of October
Lucia rolled over and stared up at the ceiling.
Eighteen.
She couldn’t believe she’d made it.
Legally an adult now.
Eighteen years old.
Pushing her hair off her face, she kept her gaze on the ceiling, waiting to see what would happen. She felt a little different. It was kind of surreal and not easy for her to place what she was feeling exactly.
Getting older was a rite of passage.
Her parents had said it would bring a lot of changes, but she’d already been dealing with them when she was fifteen and they had their first convention abroad. It was the first time she was home all on her own. That had been a weird experience for her.
There was a knock at her door, and she sat up.
“Come in,” she said.
Her parents had started knocking when her dad walked in on her to discover her completely naked and fighting with a bra. She’d then walked in on her parents making out in the bathroom, which was why an en-suite bathroom was installed for her, and knocking was a rule within the Deen household.
Both of her parents entered, and she smiled. They were still dressed in pajamas, which was strange for the two of them.
“Morning,” she said, looking between the two of them.
“Happy Birthday, sweetheart,” they said.
She squealed as they dived on the bed and began raining kisses all over her face and tickling her.
Neither of them had done this since she was a kid, and having it now seemed kind of strange to her.
She loved it though, laughing as they tickled her, until they all collapsed on the bed.
“Eighteen, wow, I feel old,” her mother said.
She giggled. “It’s not that old.”
“I feel it right now. I never thought this day would come.”
“Neither did I. I remember when you took your first steps, and said my name,” her father said.
“Let’s not forget blowing out the candles on her first cake, crawling, potty training.”
“That is just gross now,” Lucia said. “Yes, I’ve come a long way. I use the bathroom now. I call you both Mom and Dad, and I even walk to school and back on my own.”
“Not now you don’t,” her father said.
“What?”
He held up the keys.
“You got me a car?”
“We wanted it to be a surprise for you. We felt you were too young to have a car,” her mother said.
“Wait, I thought you didn’t want me to have a car because of my weight?” Lucia sat up, taking the keys from her dad before he changed his mind.
“That was part of a reason I made up,” Patricia said. “It wasn’t entirely true.” Her mother kissed her cheek. “I know we’re not the best parents in the world. I only want what’s best for you. We both do,” she said.
“We’d talked about making the car your present for your eighteenth. You’ll be going to college soon, and we wanted you to get used to having the car. You’ve proven to us more than once that you’re a lot older than your years.”
“Your report cards are excellent,” Patricia said. “We read them, and we are really sorry we didn’t get to make it.”
“It’s fine.”
“I hate it,” Bill said. “Even your school doesn’t expect us to turn up.”
“I don’t care, because right now I’m eighteen and I can drive.” She climbed off the bed. She ran to her father, kissing his cheek, then to her mother. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Tonight, we’re going out. We’re taking you to dinner,” her father said.
She winced and looked at her mother.
“It’s not a vegan place.” She held her hands up. “I know. I cannot stand another vegetable. Burgers, greasy food, the works, I’m ready for it.”
“Yes.” Lucia smiled, and looked at her parents. “Can I get ready for school? I want to go and pick Marie up.”
“Sure, sure,” Bill said. He moved toward her, kissing her head. “Drive safe.”
“I will.”
Patricia pulled her in for a hug. “I don’t like that you’re growing up, but I know it’s happening. You’re a wonderful daughter.”
She held her mother tightly against her. “I love you both as well.”
Lucia waited for them both to go, and quickly changed into a pair of jeans, a shirt, and she even pulled her hair up into a bun, having it off the back of her neck.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she felt … amazing, strong.
“You’re not going to be that sad, miserable person. Not again. It’s your life, Lucia. Make of it what you will.” She smiled, feeling a little silly that she was talking to herself.
Running downstairs, she grabbed a slice of toast, shouting bye to her parents. The car had a massive bow around it, and she loved it. It was a four-wheel drive, shiny, black, and just what she loved.
Climbing behind the wheel, she pulled out of the driveway and made her way toward Marie’s home.
As she was driving, she realized there wasn’t going to be a single excuse now for Jack to take her home. Rather than be delighted by that, she felt … sad.
Forcing those thoughts down, she parked outside Marie’s home and honked the horn.
It didn’t take long for Marie to come out.
Winding down her window, she struck a pose for her friend.
“What do you think?”
“I don’t know, did you steal it?” Marie asked, laughing.
“My parents got it me for my birthday. Isn’t that awesome? It’s so pretty, Marie. Don’t you think it’s awesome?” She ran her hand down the side of her car door. It was still new, so no dirt was on the body of the car.
She was so fucking happy right now.
“I can’t believe your parents finally caved,” Marie said.
“I know. They surprised me with it this morning. Also, we’re having dinner later as well. It’s going to be awesome.” Even as she spoke those words, she knew the chance of her parents remembering or even turning up was slim. They hadn’t told her what the name of the restaurant that was booked or the time of their reservation. She knew next to nothing about that.
“I don’t want to sadden you, Lucia.”
“You won’t. It’s my day, and it’s going to be awesome. I refuse to allow anything to get me down, but I get it. You’re just looking out for me.”
Marie hugged her arm and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Happy birthday, how does it feel to be old?”
“Like I can tell you what to do for a change, so buckle up.”
“Seriously?”
“This is my car, and I have my license, and I don’t intend to lose it. Buckle up.”
Marie chuckled as she pulled away from the curb. Lucia was on cloud nine, and there was no way anyone was going to drag her down.
“Have you had sex or something?” Marie asked.
Lucia burst out laughing. “Are you serious right now?”
“You seem different.”
“I do? I feel a little different. I guess growing old has that effect on you. No, I’ve not had sex or anything. I can’t even believe you’d ask that.”
“You never know. It’s not, like, the normal thing to wait for the right guy.”
“I get that, and I’m not waiting for any guy, okay. Everyone is having sex now. I told you when my parents gave me the talk it was so embarrassing.”
“My parents told me if I come home pregnant they’d kill me,” Marie said. “Then of course my mom got all teary-eyed, and Dad caved.”
“Your parents are awesome.”
“Yours are as well.”
“I guess we can agree to disagree on that. My parents are awesome, but at least yours turn up to parent-teacher night. Mine have a reputation for being no-shows.”
“It could be worse,” Marie said.
“How worse?”
“They could have put your ass in foster care.”
“There is that.” She shook her head. “I can’t even believe we’re talking about this right now. I don’t want to hear another sad comment at all. Promise.”
“Promise. I like this. You’ve got attitude.”
Lucia laughed and turned on the music. The drive to school didn’t last very long, but yelling out words to a song that she couldn’t even remember the title of felt so good.
Parking her car in Marie’s usual spot, she climbed out, beeping it shut.
“Wait, I have your present,” Marie said.
Tucking some of her hair that had escaped, Lucia leaned against the car as Marie pulled out her present.
Opening it up, she smiled as soon as she saw the picture frame. It had the two of them at the beach, and it was one that she really loved. It had been a hard day at home, and rather than mope around, Marie had driven them to the nearest ocean to allow her to stand at the edge and the waves lap at her feet.
She’d loved it as they ate ice cream, and just relaxed.
“This is awesome, Marie, thank you.”
“And this.”
This was a smaller box. Handing the picture frame back to her friend, she opened it up. It was two severed hearts with the words Best Friends.
“This is beautiful.”
Putting the picture frame in the car, she grabbed one necklace and slid it around Marie’s neck, and then her friend did the same to her.
“Best friends forever and always,” Marie said.
Hooking her arm into her friend’s, they entered the school. They went to Marie’s locker first.
“I’m thinking we need to do a Mark Ruffalo marathon,” Marie said.
“You can pick whichever actor you want. You’re the movie buff, not me.”
“We’ve not done it, and I totally watched one of his movies the other night and it was fantastic.”
“Then we’ll do a marathon. Shall I come over to your place? My parents are home this weekend.” She knew that Marie didn’t get along with her mom. It always worked best to keep Pat and Marie away from one another.
“Sure, we can do it at my place.”
“Excellent.”
“What you got right now?” Lucia asked.
“I’ve got art class.”
“That’s opposite of my locker. I’ve got math. You go. I’ll head to my locker and meet up with you for lunch.”
“It’s your birthday. We should have gone to your locker first.”
Lucia laughed. “Stop being such an oddball. I’m fine to walk to my locker regardless of the day.” She hugged her friend before heading back toward her own locker.
Hooking her bag over her shoulder, she pulled it around and opened it up. She took out the two English books, trading them for the math ones.
Lost in her own little world, she let out a gasp as a hand suddenly appeared near her locker.
“Well, hello there,” Connor said.
This was, like, the fifth time in one week that he’d decided to be nasty and nice to her. She didn’t buy any of it. It was like he wanted to use her or he thought she was an easy target to sleep with. She wasn’t interested in anything to do with Connor. He creeped her out, even when he was trying to be nice.
Jack’s warning also echoed around her head, and she wasn’t about to ignore him.
“What will it take for you to leave me alone?” she asked.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, stroking her cheek. “A little birdy told me it was your birthday today. Happy birthday, Lucia.”
“Cut the crap, Connor. Seriously, right now. It’s boring. You don’t like me. You never have. I don’t like you either. What’s the joke?” she asked. Closing her locker, she placed her hands on her hips, glaring at him.
Being the butt of a joke wasn’t a new thing for her.
It was quite an old and dated one, and she wasn’t interested in that happening now, or ever again. Lifting her dress up was the last straw.
“No joke. I want you to go out with me. Like I said, you be nice to me, and I can make life easier for you. All you got to do is give in.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, you spent most of our school years from kindergarten to now making my life a misery. Not going to happen.” She spun on her heel about to leave, but he was in front of her, stopping her from going. The look in his eye let her know the bad Connor was back.
“That was a mistake, fat bitch.”
Tilting her head to the side, she stared at him. “Get out of my way, please,” she said.
“Come on, we can have some fun together. Give me a shot and I’ll let you pass.” He leaned against the locker, and she went to walk around him, but he stopped her.
Licking her lips, she stared at him.
That twisted feeling in her gut wouldn’t go away. She didn’t like this, not one bit. For the most part she had always seen him as harmless, but right now he seemed anything but.
“Hey, Connor, I missed you,” Rachel said, running her hands up the front of his chest. With him distracted by his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Lucia left them to it, not wanting to get involved with that drama.
Rachel didn’t like her, just as she wasn’t a big fan of hers either.
Instead of heading to math, she went to the toilet. Gripping the counter, she closed her eyes, and took several deep breaths.
She had never been nervous before. Her heart raced, and it wasn’t a good feeling. Jack’s warning echoed through her mind, and she couldn’t help but wonder why now? Why was Connor taking an interest? She didn’t want his interest, no matter what. He was the most popular guy in school, but she didn’t like him.
“You better stay away from Connor,” Rachel said, entering the bathroom.
Lucia looked up and stared at the queen bee in Beyer Hill High School. They had never gotten along.
“I have no intention of having anything to do with him.”
“Really? You think I don’t notice he’s sniffing around you. I don’t know why. Screwing you is like fucking a cow.” Every now and then she’d sniffle and rub her nose.
“Wow,” Lucia said. She wasn’t going to be brought down by Rachel.
Her mood was too damn good right now to allow Rachel to affect her.
“Is that it? Warning me away from Connor?”
“I saw the way you looked at him. You wanted him, just like all the bitches and sluts here want him. He’s mine.”
“You mean in self-defense class? Are you real right now? I didn’t look at him like anything other than the disgusting pig that he is.” She was tired of being pushed around. “No,” she said, stepping closer to Rachel. “This is not happening. You are not spoiling today. I don’t want your boyfriend, Rachel. He gives me the creeps. I’ve never wanted him, and if you think for a second that it’s to get at you or to be part of your little crowd, you’re very much mistaken. I’ve got my friend, and I’m happy to just have one because at least I know she’s not stabbing me in the back.”
She didn’t even give Rachel time to respond as she left the bathroom. She made it just in time to math class, and she refused to think about her confrontations with both Connor and Rachel.
Moving from class to class on auto-pilot, she did her best to avoid going to her locker. Every time she was there, Connor found a reason to be there as well, and bumping into him was far down on her list of things to do today. He kept making her uncomfortable, either saying nasty stuff to her or trying to paw at her.
It was her birthday, and she didn’t want to spoil it.
Marie made her laugh throughout lunch, and she was thankful to her best friend for doing it. She didn’t know what she would have done without her.
She had science with Ms. Bertram after lunch, and her last lesson of the day was of course English.
The perfect end to a rather rocky day. She took a seat in the back as she really didn’t want to seem like a suck-up, and with their encounters of late, she was nervous.
Mr. Parker was writing in his notebook as the class filtered in. When Rachel and Connor entered, she returned her gaze to her book, not wanting to be part of that drama. Rachel sat in the back on the opposite side of the classroom while Connor took the seat in front of her.
“Yo, teach, I think we should all offer Lucia a happy birthday.”
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Her cheeks heated as every single student turned to look at them. This was the last thing she wanted from everyone. Connor was doing this on purpose. Was this his joke? Glancing across at Rachel, she saw the other girl glaring at her.
“It’s your birthday, Lucia?” Mr. Parker asked.
“Yes, it is.” She didn’t look at him but offered a glare at Connor. He’d never done this, and her heart was racing right now.
“Happy Birthday,” he said.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you.”
Connor did the same and made everyone else do it as well.
“Now you’ve got a good reason to eat cake.”
Instead of rising to his bait, Lucia said her thanks to everyone else and was grateful that it was the end of it. She didn’t want to do this again.
Mr. Parker got started on his lesson. They were comparing two different poems now, and of course it was about love.
Poems were always about love, at least the ones that were considered the greats were. He handed out books, placing them in front of each table. When he got to her desk, he held the book out and she took it, her thumb touching his.
She felt the heat, the warmth that flooded her.
This happened to her every single time she touched him or they were close. She couldn’t look away, but they were in a classroom and she forced a smile before glancing back down at her notes.
He kept on talking, telling them to turn to a new page.
She didn’t want anyone else to see how much he affected her.
Taking notes, she made sure to put the titles of the two poems. This lesson flew by way too quickly as the bell seemed to ring the moment she got into the work. She sat for several seconds and watched as some of her peers rushed out. Opening up her bag, she took her time, aware of Connor in front of her. Rachel came over, and Lucia ignored the two of them until they both filtered out and only she was left.
Standing up, she held her keys in her hands and approached his desk.
Mr. Parker, Jack, smiled at her. “Happy Birthday,” he said.
“Thank you. I don’t even know why he’s doing what he’s doing.” She pointed out the door, speaking of Connor.
“I had no idea it was your birthday.”
“Yep, eighteen today, and look.” She held up her car keys. “My parents finally got me a car. I brought Marie to school today.”
He laughed. “Feel good?”
“Yeah, it felt really awesome, actually.” She tilted her head to the side. “It was a good class today.”
“Are you loving poetry yet?”
“I wouldn’t say loving just yet, but I like it. So that’s a step in a different direction for me.”
“Good.”
“Are you doing anything special tonight?” he asked.
“My parents are taking me out to dinner. No more zucchini chips tonight.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“This is if they’ll show, you know. Their track record is not the best at all when it comes to being a no-show.”
“They should. You’re their daughter.”
“You always know what to say to me.”
“If they knew what was good for them, they’d show up for everything. You’re a good person, Lucia. Don’t ever doubt that.”
He stood up, and she watched as he moved toward the white board, using the board wiper to completely clear the ink marks he’d made.
It had been a good class, but right now, she didn’t want to go. Marie would be waiting for her.
“Mr. Parker,” she said. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t even think straight as he turned around.
Just do it.
“What’s up, Lucia?” he asked.
She didn’t know what the hell came over her, but she stepped up to him, and before she could even think about all of the consequences, she pressed her lips against his.
Bold.
Scary.
Thrilling.
Exciting.
It was all of those emotions, and so many more all rolled up in one, and she didn’t want it to stop.
Stepping back, she stared into his eyes, and then couldn’t believe what she had just done. “I’m sorry.”
She quickly turned on her heel and walked out of the room.
The first guy she’d just kissed was her teacher.
Jack Parker was a great deal of firsts for her, and now she’d gone and kissed him.
What were you thinking?
She wasn’t thinking. Watching him wipe the board clean, all of her feelings had come crashing all around her, and she’d just reacted.
It was insane.
Crazy.
She didn’t regret it.
You’ve got to see him Monday.
Ignoring her locker, she made her way straight toward her car where Marie was already waiting. “It’s about time you got here. It’s really starting to turn cold. I heard on the radio that this was the coldest start to October in years,” Marie said, bouncing from one foot to another.
“Sorry.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell her what she’d just done, but she couldn’t.
The kiss had to stay secret.
She wouldn’t tell another soul.
Putting the key in the ignition, she started the car and headed toward Marie’s house.
“Are you okay?” Marie asked.
“Yeah, sure, why?”
“You just seem … a little out of it.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m fine. I promise. Just trying to process everything about the day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
She forced a smile to her face as she looked at her friend. “It has been a really long day, and now it’s that waiting game with my parents.”
“Damn, I forgot about that.”
“Yeah, no biggie. It’s perfectly fine.”
She parked outside Marie’s house.
“You can stay with me. You can always tell your parents that you forgot. You know, be the first time you did that.”
“That’s not who I am, but thank you, bestie.” She reached out and hugged her friend.
“Call me as soon as they get home.”
“I will.” She waited for her friend to get in her home before driving away.
Parking up in the driveway, she noticed there were no cars waiting, so her parents were not home yet.
“It’s fine, Lucia. Perfectly fine.” She climbed out of the car and let herself inside.
Making herself a coffee, she went around the house and closed some of the curtains as it had started to fall dark.
Sitting at the dining room table, her homework open, she kept an eye on the clock.
One hour passed.
Two hours went.
Three hours.
When it got to the fourth hour, she closed her last piece of homework and just sat at the table feeling overwhelmingly sad.
Just this morning, they’d both felt bad for being absent parents. Now, they were absent again.
Tears filled her eyes, and she grabbed her cell phone.
No notifications.
They were still at work, or knowing the two of them, had gone out with each other.
She scrolled through her contacts and came to a stop.
Jack Parker.
Her teacher.
The guy she had kissed.
Her first-ever kiss.
Licking her lips as the first tear started to fall, she knew she shouldn’t press his name.
Shouldn’t even consider him, and yet, she pressed on his name, and clicked text message.
He didn’t have her number.
Once she did this, he’d be able to talk to her whenever he wanted.
What if he doesn’t want to?
What if this is a complete mistake?
She started to type.
Lucia: This is Lucia, just in case you don’t know who it is. Parents are a no-show. What do you think I should order? Pizza or Chinese?
She clicked on “send,” and that was it. She’d done it.
Sent a text message to her teacher.
Even as her heart raced, her stomach fluttered.
She’d kissed him.
Now, she just had to wait.
****
Jack cursed as he received the text. He’d just opened his first beer and hadn’t even taken a swig from the bottle.
On her damn birthday, her parents hadn’t even bothered to show up. She’d looked nervous when she mentioned it that very afternoon.
Like she knew already that they wouldn’t turn up, and it pissed him off more than anything.
Leaving his home, he climbed into his car and didn’t think, just reacted. This could be a complete mistake, but he couldn’t leave her alone for her birthday. Parking outside her home, he dimmed his lights and then typed a message back.
Jack: You want some company? I’m waiting outside. No one should be alone for their birthday.
He didn’t have to wait long for an answer. Dressed as she had been at school, she came out of the house, locking it up behind her. She rushed toward his car, and within seconds she was in the passenger seat.
This young woman had completely shocked him with her kiss that very afternoon. Before he could even react, she’d bitten her lip and run out of the classroom.
She didn’t mention the kiss, and he wasn’t about to bring it up.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t thank me. Right now, I want to go and find your parents and give them a piece of my mind.”
She chuckled. “They wouldn’t have a clue who you are.”
“No, they wouldn’t.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter, not liking the rage pulsing through his veins.
Lucia was an amazing young woman.
They should be taking better care of her.
Instead, she spent most of her life on her own, and he hated that for her. He’d lived that himself, and knew firsthand what a lonely, miserable feeling that could be. It was one of the reasons he’d turned to sex.
Fucking his way through high school had helped him to deal with two workaholic parents.
“Where are we going?”
“Well, I can’t promise you Chinese or pizza, but what I can do is promise you some pretty good food.”
“We’re going to the diner?”
“Yes, and you can order whatever you want, even cake. I think they even do a birthday special, so you can have that as well.”
“Awesome. Thank you so much for coming over. I didn’t know if you’d ignore my text.”
“I wouldn’t ignore you, Lucia.” He had her number now, which was just another temptation he had to deal with.
She was also eighteen.
And she’d kissed him.
He’d not initiated the kiss.
She had.
Get your fucking head together, Jack. You’re not some randy teenager.
“So, birthday girl, do you feel different?” he asked.
“I think so. It’s really weird, but I do. I can’t even describe it, but it’s like today in the bathroom. Rachel followed me inside as I was just getting my bearings again. She warned me off Connor.”
“He sniffing around you?”
“I don’t think so. It’s probably some kind of cruel joke. He’s saying the same old usual stuff but trying to make me do what he wants. I’m not falling for it. They’re good at mean jokes. She warned me off Connor, and it was like a switch went off inside my brain, and I felt like laughing. I mean, seriously, Connor? That guy has made my life a misery for as long as I can remember, and she thinks I’m interested in him.”
“Is there a guy at school you are interested in?” he asked.
He didn’t want to think about Connor right now.
When he’d announced in his classroom that it was Lucia’s birthday, Jack had wanted to fucking hurt the kid, and that was showing him exactly why he shouldn’t be driving Lucia to their place.
Fuck.
When had his diner become “their place” to eat?
Pushing all those thoughts out of his mind, he waited for Lucia to answer his question.
She didn’t.
“What was it like for you when you were eighteen?” she asked instead.
He wanted to get her back on track, but he also didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, so he left it alone. That was what he was good at, leaving things alone.
“The rebel, remember? That’s what I was all about. Breaking laws, doing naughty things.”
“You broke laws?”
“Only a few vows of marriage, but I didn’t break them personally. I let the women break them.”
“Wow, that’s surprising. You ever been married yourself?”
“Nope. Never found the right woman. Besides, I’m a teacher. I don’t want anyone to be tempted by someone like me.”
She burst out laughing. “Some women don’t always fall for the rebel, Jack, or the popular guy. Look at Connor. He’s the most popular boy in school, and I can’t stand him.”
“Not even a little bit?”
“Not even that.”
“What if he’d never bullied you?”
“Nope. He holds no interest for me. I guess I’m one of those, like, drones or something. I’m wired a different way than most. No desire to be popular or to have Connor in my life.”
They pulled up to the diner, and it was a little busier than last time. He didn’t recognize any of the patrons inside, but then he never did.
It was one of the reasons he came here often and enjoyed it.
The food was amazing, and he was left alone.
Pulling out of the car, he waited for Lucia to climb out of her side.
There was a chill in the air, and she rubbed her hands together.
Rushing her into the diner, they found a booth toward the back that was private. He liked that.
He didn’t want to share Lucia with anyone. Once again, he slid the menu toward her.
“Order whatever you want, birthday girl.”
“You can stop calling me that.”
“I don’t want to. I think it’s fitting. Besides, you had to go to school for your birthday. That just sucked.”
She laughed. “A lot of people have to go to school and work.”
“Doesn’t matter. Right now, we’re talking about you.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.”
She bowed her head and looked over the menu.
“The special spaghetti sounds awesome, but it could be messy.”
“Then be messy. Order whatever you want.”
He gave her another couple of minutes to decide and when she was ready, he nodded for the waitress to come over. He listened to what Lucia wanted, and ordered the same.
“Have you tried that before?” she asked.
“There’s not anything on that menu that I’ve not tried. You’re going to love it.”
“Awesome.”
Pressing his elbows on the table, he leaned forward. “So, how are you liking your birthday now?” he asked.
“It has just improved a lot.”
“A lot?”
“Yes, a whole lot.” She smiled. “Thank you for coming for me. I mean that.”
“I’ll always come for you.” He couldn’t help but think of the dirty side of coming. “Have you been left alone a lot of birthdays?”
“Yeah, but they’re not special ones, are they? Eighteen is a big one. For most places I’m an adult now.”
“Very true.”
“This morning they just sounded different. Kind of sucks to know that nothing has changed, not really. This’s okay though. Being here with you, this is a million times better than what I could imagine.”
She was sitting back in the booth, both of her hands locked together, resting on the edge of the table.
Don’t.
Do.
This complete indecision was driving him fucking insane. Reaching across the table, he took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.
“You can call me any time you want. Day or night. For you, Lucia, I will answer.”
She licked her lips again, and he thought about that kiss she’d dropped on his lips. It wasn’t overly sexual or desperate.
“Was I your first kiss?” he asked.
Her cheeks were on fire and she went to pull her hand away, but he held her a little tighter. He wouldn’t let her pull away.
“Answer me, Lucia. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Yes,” she said. “I didn’t think that you’d bring it up.”
“It was a pretty important kiss. I didn’t really have much choice.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever be sorry for your kisses, Lucia. I liked it.”
Her gaze moved up to his face. “You did?”
“Yes, I did.” He continued to stroke her fingers, waiting to see what she’d do.
She nibbled her bottom lip, and he wanted to taste her so badly. There was no time for him to do so as their food came out.
Reluctantly, he pulled his hand away, missing the touch as soon as it was gone.
You’re a grownup.
Every single argument he had didn’t seem to ring true inside his head. He couldn’t find a single reason to not be sitting here with her.
She’s your student.
They were all students at some point in their lives.
This was probably the biggest mistake of his entire life, but he couldn’t walk away, not now.
She needed someone who’d stick around, who wouldn’t back down.
Lucia didn’t have that.
He watched her take the first mouthful of spaghetti, and she closed her eyes, and moaned.
“Oh, wow, that is good.”
He knew it was. Incredibly tasty and cheesy, it was such a good combination of flavors, and he loved it. Watching her enjoyment filled him with pleasure.
Jack liked feeding her.
Seeing her smile.
And just being with her.
Grabbing his fork, he twirled the spaghetti around and took a large bite himself, loving the taste just as much as he did the first time.
“You didn’t answer my question in the car.”
The way her hand hovered over her food, he knew that she was aware of which question.
“I don’t have my eye on anyone at all at school.”
“Lucia?”
“What?”
“I don’t want there to be any secrets between us,” he said.
Again, she nibbled her lip, and he started to believe she did that when she was nervous.
“I like you,” she said. “And only you.”
She didn’t look at him, and he leaned across the table. Cupping her chin, he tilted her head back so that she’d look at him.
“I know it’s wrong,” she said. “You’re my teacher. I shouldn’t have kissed you, and I shouldn’t be here. I won’t tell anyone though. You love teaching, and I won’t do anything to jeopardize that. I also know it’s one-sided.”
“This is not one-sided, Lucia. This shouldn’t be happening. Bringing you here the first time was wrong. This time, it’s even more so. The kiss, I should have reported to Principal Dowed.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. I didn’t. As far as I’m concerned that kiss belongs to you and me. I’m not going to report it.”
“But?”
“No buts. I’m not. I liked it, and to report it means I wouldn’t get the chance of tasting you again.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she quickly closed it, glancing around the dinner.
This was wrong on so many levels.
“You’re right though. I am your teacher. This is wrong. I’m the grownup and should know better. I do know better.”
“But?”
“But I can’t seem to stop myself. I don’t want to stop myself.”
“You don’t?”
“No, and I know that’s wrong.”
“I’m not here out of fear or blackmail. I should have called Marie or even my parents to remind them.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. you’re the first and only person I called.”
He liked that.
She smiled, tilting her head to the side just a little. Her hair was still bound up, and the move exposed her neck. He wanted to kiss that tender flesh, to hear her moan as he drove her crazy with need.
“And you came for me,” she said.
“I’ll always come, Lucia.”
“I know. I do.”
Neither of them spoke for a long time, and he started eating his food.
Jack could label every single reason on why they shouldn’t be here.
Why they shouldn’t be enjoying her birthday meal.
From him being a teacher to the twelve-year age gap between them, but not one of those reasons was valid compared to the fact they both wanted to be here.
He wasn’t using Lucia, nor was he blackmailing her.
They had this attraction that shouldn’t be there, but it was.
Jack couldn’t keep on fighting.
Lucia meant a great deal to him.
They finished their food, and he ordered her a slice of a cake with a candle, singing to her as she blew out the candle.
“I can’t eat all of this,” she said. “Share with me.” She held out a fork filled with cake.
Taking a bite, he closed his eyes, enjoying it.
“Yum.” He licked his lips.
“It’s good.”
“It’s really good.”
Once they were finished, he pulled out his wallet and paid for the meal.
Leaving the diner, she shuddered, and he removed his jacket, placing it over her shoulders.
“It’s fine. We’re only moving to the car,” she said. “I’ll warm up there.”
“I’m not having you cold. Just enjoy the jacket.”
“Okay.”
She pushed her arms through the jacket and wrapped it around herself. Going to the car, he moved toward her side, and he couldn’t resist.
Gripping her shoulder, he spun her around and pressed her up against the car.
He held her hands, locking their fingers together. His gaze went to her lips, so plump and inviting.
“You kissed me earlier. Now it’s my turn to kiss you.”
Pressing his lips down on hers, he started out slow, taking his time, relishing the little gasp of surprise that left her.
Releasing her hands, he cupped her hips, holding her in place as he trailed his tongue across her bottom lip. She opened up, and he plundered inside, deepening the kiss. His cock hardened, and he wanted her so fucking badly.
He’d never wanted any other woman the way he wanted Lucia.
Her hands went to his shoulders, holding him tightly. Her nails dug into his flesh, and he loved it. He wanted her touch.
This was forbidden.
Wrong.
Yet so fucking good.
He couldn’t bring himself to stop.
He didn’t want to stop.
Pressing his cock against her stomach, he slid his hand up her body, sinking into her hair, cupping the back of her head.
She met the stroke of his tongue, tasting him back.
The cold chilled his flesh, but he didn’t care about the biting wind, only about the woman in his arms, and how she made him feel.
It was wrong.
A better man would step back, take her home, and report himself.
He couldn’t do this.
Nor could he stop either.
Pulling away, he stared into her closed eyes.
Slowly they started to open.
She looked as shocked as he felt.
“That’s how you kiss,” he said.
Her tongue peeked out and licked her lips.
“I liked it.”
He groaned. The action seemed so innocent.
“I’ve got to get you home,” he said.
Moving her out of the way, he opened the car door.
His cock pressed against the zipper of his slacks, and it was so painful.
He’d not been this hard in quite some time.
Climbing behind the wheel, he felt her gaze on him as he started up the car, pulling out of the parking lot.
Glancing at her, he saw her swollen lips, which again made his dick twitch.
“We shouldn’t do this,” he said.
“I know.”
“I need to take you home.”
“I know.”
“Have your parents left a message?” he asked.
She wriggled on the seat and pulled out her cell phone. “No, nothing.”
He didn’t drive toward her home where her parents were probably waiting.
He drove to his own home.
Parking up outside of his place, he felt tense.
This was the first time since he was a teenage boy that he’d broken any rules.
His record for teaching was impeccable.
“I texted my parents,” she said, breaking through the silence. “I told them I was staying at a friend’s.”
There was the excuse.
The reason.
So innocently sent.
Most students were covering while they went to see a boyfriend, not a teacher.
He didn’t say a word as he climbed out of the car.
The street was quiet, and he made his way to the front door. Flicking open the lock, he pushed the door and it swung open. Staring at her, he waited for her to enter. At any time, if she wanted to leave, he’d let her go.
She could walk away and he wouldn’t be angry or sad.
Lucia stepped over the threshold, and he followed her inside.