by Blake, Remy
“I think you should go.”
“Just like that, huh?” he says, annoyance present in his voice. “Wham bam thank you, ma’am.”
“Connor.” I don’t even know why I’m calling out to him, trying to change his displeased mood. He should leave, and should leave shitty enough to never want to do this again.
Grabbing my shirt, I quickly put it back on and climb off him.
He shamelessly adjusts his junk and heads to the door. “Don’t worry, señorita, you’ll want more of me soon.”
He gives me a salacious wink and walks out of my office. No looking back, not even once.
So much for kicking him out and having the upper hand. I think that sexy fucker just beat me at my own game.
11
Connor
“Come on, Tankman. You wanted a walk and here we are.” I lead him along the cobblestones toward Georgetown Waterfront Park. “And we’re going to your favorite place.” During the week I don’t always have time for the long walks and play time that Tank prefers. I try to make sure we get to it on the weekends, but the Saturday and Sunday mornings since school started up again a few months ago have been rough for me. Getting out of bed has almost taken an act of God. Now that I’m showered and I’ve eaten an egg sandwich, I’m a little less worse for the wear.
Indian Summer has hit D.C. the past couple of days. I can’t remember November ever having temperatures this high before. The heat and humidity has sweat beading on my forehead during the short walk to the park. Tank and I immediately hit one of the paths we’re most familiar with. This place has two-hundred-twenty-five miles of parkland along the Potomac River. If you’re not careful, you could end up in Maryland somewhere, which is why we stick with the ones we know. I’m not trying to get lost in the woods and meet up with Bigfoot any time soon.
Halfway through the path, I begin to jog, even though this isn’t a cardio day for me. Tank likes to run and, since I’m a bit guilty about my active social life, this helps me to feel better. He doesn’t like to stay home alone for long periods of time, but I forget to check my watch when I’m having fun with friends.
We walk for about forty minutes and then we pass by the fountain. Kids and adults of all ages are running through the water and it’s so tempting, I can’t resist. “Want to get cooled of Tank? I know I do. Come on. Let’s do this.” I jog through the large fountain and glance down at Tank. He’s trying to catch the water in his mouth. I know he’s thirsty. Pausing, I let him lick the puddling water from the asphalt. “Sorry, I forgot to bring water, bud. I didn’t think we’d be gone this long.”
Glancing around, I see a pushcart where water is being sold. I buy two bottles and grab a paper cup. We head over to the river steps and sit. I fill a cup for Tank and hold it while he sloppily tongues water from it. When he’s done, I tug my wet shirt over my head and drop it down onto the concrete next to me. I drink from my own water bottle and stare out at the Potomac River. Leaning back on my elbows, I watch the crew teams rowing for about thirty minutes, allowing my clothes to dry in the sun. I’m just about to rise when I notice Harper sinking onto one of the lower stairs. I’m caught between happiness and trepidation seeing her. After the other night, I’m not sure she’ll run the other way when she notices me. Rising, I sling my shirt over a shoulder and grab our waters. I lead Tank down until we’re standing next to her.
“Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Her mouth opens in circular surprise. I have the perfect peg for that hole.
“Hi.” She stands, frowning. She’s clearly stunned to see me and not particularly happy about it.
“Do you come here often?” I smirk at the cheesy, but appropriate question.
“No.” She shakes her head. “This is the first time. It’s beautiful.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Why?”
“You canceled our tutoring session yesterday. I assumed you weren’t feeling well.” Actually, I assumed she was panicking about our kiss and dry humping. Thursday, the next day in class, she could barely look at me.
“I’m better now, thanks.”
“Do you live nearby?”
“No. I live in the teacher housing on campus, which isn’t much bigger than a studio apartment.”
“Why don’t you move?”
“This is good enough for now. It’s just me. Not like I need a bunch of room.”
So she does live by herself. No live-in boyfriend then.
Harper’s eyes lower, catching sight of Tank. “Oh my God. He is the cutest. I love Pit Bulls. Is he yours? How old is… he?” she spits out questions rapid-fire.
“Yeah, he’s mine,” I reply with a prideful smile. Tank is one handsome pup.
“Wait.” She holds up her hand. “Let me guess.” She taps her finger to her lips and hums while she studies him. “He looks like he’s about six months old.”
“Great job. You nailed it.” I give her a thumbs up.
“Really?” she squeals excitedly and I can’t help but smile. “What’s his name?” She drops down onto the step next to him and begins to stroke his head. Lucky bastard.
“This is Tank.”
She snorts. “Tank, huh? His name should be Big Baby. That’s what you are, right?” she asks him in a cutesy voice I would find annoying if anyone else spoke in that tone. And damn if Tank doesn’t smile up at me as if to say ‘look who’s getting all the attention from the beautiful woman. And I wasn’t the one to kiss her. How do you like them apples?’
I narrow my eyes and point in his direction. I’ll remember this.
She arches a dark brow. “Why are you glaring at your sweet dog? He’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” She continues scratching behind his ears.
“I wasn’t glaring, the sun’s in my eyes. And yeah, he’s adorable.” Right now, he’s real fucking adorable, hogging all of Harper’s attention. Bumping into her like this should be the perfect excuse for us to spend some time together and give me the opportunity to make up for the other night. But Tank is too busy being cute and selfish. Next time I’m leaving you home, dude.
Sinking down onto the step next to her, I watch as she lets my dog lick her mouth and almost every inch of her face without a care in the world. Her lack of disgust at his very wet tongue only makes me think she’s even cooler than I already did. Who knew that kisses from my Tank would up a girl’s hot factor?
“Have you seen the labyrinth yet?” I question, hoping to get her attention back on me where it belongs.
Her head swings in my direction. “There’s a labyrinth? Where?”
Standing, I collect our stuff. “It’s located toward the western end of the park. I’ll show you.”
“Can I walk Tank?”
“Sure.” I drop the empty water bottles and cup in the trash barrel and spin to face Harper. I catch her eyes locked on my naked, tattooed torso. I got the tiger on my chest when I was eighteen as a big fuck you to my parents. They hated it until I got another tattoo and then another. Each one became the worst one to them.
Harper studies every inch of me, from my chest to where my basketball shorts hang a little too low. Yeah baby, that beats the dog, doesn’t it?
Her gaze glides back up, catching mine and she quickly glances away, composing herself once more. “Show me this labyrinth. I’ve never seen one in person.”
We walk side by side, keeping our pace even as Tank trots happily along. He doesn’t pull on his leash at all. He’s a little angel for Harper.
“Do you know what the difference between a maze and a labyrinth is?” I ask.
“No. I thought they were basically the same thing.”
“Labyrinths have only one entrance and path that winds through a circle, while mazes have multiple entrances and dead ends. There’s also a movie named after it with David Bowie in it. That alone makes it way cooler.”
She giggles and my chest feels weird. It’s a little tight and then weak. What is this bullshit?
“Okay, here we are.” I gesture to the circular pattern on the ground.
“That’s it?”
“Yep. It’s not as impressive as you thought?”
“I don’t know. I guess I was imagining wandering through shrubs and trying to find our way out.”
“Were you trying to get me alone, Harper?” I tease.
Her eyes flick to me. She shakes her head and ignores my question. “Okay, lets see if we can figure this thing out.”
“Do you know what their purpose is?”
“No, not the real one. I just figured they were good for concentration.”
“They’re supposed to encourage introspection on the journey from the outer edge along the circular path, to the center. Walking the turning path is said to help you disconnect from any distractions and quiet your mind.”
“I like that. I could use some mind quieting.”
I want to ask her what she needs to disconnect from, but I don’t want to be intrusive. Instead, I reply, “Can’t we all.” My parents cause me so much stress. If only there were a way to shut them out.
“Let’s see if we can get this right on the first try.”
I nod. “I think we can do it.”
We agree which direction we’re going to begin and we slowly wind around the twists and turns. We have to backtrack three times and figure out where we went wrong, but we finally get to the center.
“Woo hoo,” Harper yells. “We did it.” She holds her hand up for a high five and I slap my palm against hers.
“Do you feel less distracted now?” I joke.
“You know, I kind of do. I like this place.”
“Now that you’re so focused, why don’t you tell me the real reason why you canceled last night.”
“I told you I was under the weather.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“Doing what?”
“Don’t play dumb. That’s not who you are. You’re bold and fiery. I already know, so you might as well confess.”
“Fine. I did a lot of thinking Wednesday night. Most of it wasn’t productive. My head kept spinning after our kiss.”
“It was some kiss.” I smirk.
“That’s not what I meant. That kiss never should’ve happened. And we need to pretend it didn’t. I can’t help you if I have to worry about inappropriate behavior.”
“There was nothing inappropriate about it. It was fantastic and it was more than a kiss.” I move a step closer to her. “You want to know what I think?” I don’t give her a chance to answer. “I think you’re scared about how amazing our kiss was. I know I’ve never experienced a first kiss like it. But I’m not scared, I’m excited. I know that whatever else we do will only be better.”
“Connor, it’s like you didn’t hear what I said at all. We can’t do it again. And we need to forget it happened in the first place. I could lose my job over this and you could lose… well your dad would make sure you didn’t lose anything.”
“We’re not going to get caught.”
“How do you know that? Taking risks results in error.”
“You’re a risk I’m willing to take.” I cup the back of her head and crash our mouths together. My tongue seeks out and dances with hers. The heels of her palms land on my chest, but instead of pushing me away, her hands skim over my skin to my shoulders. Her soft, pliant lips yield under mine as her fingers burrow in my hair.
Everything I felt when we kissed for the first time comes back full force. My stomach twists and turns like I’m riding a roller coaster. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s new and exciting and I want more. Tugging her tighter to me, her tits press into my bare chest and she moans into my mouth. Tank’s deep bark cuts through the lust-filled haze we’re in and we break apart.
Her panicked eyes are as wide as golf balls as she looks around to see who noticed our kiss. “I need to head back now.” She glances at the narrow watch on her wrist.
“Sure. We’ll walk you. Right, Tank?”
Harper still holds his leash. I’m not sure she’s ever going to let him go. Slowly, we retrace the way back to the river steps. She said she had to go, but she doesn’t seem very eager to rush. I think she’s enjoying our time together as much as I am. Glancing at her next to me, I watch her ponytail swing from side to side as she walks. Her golden legs are bare except for a faded and frayed pair of cut-offs. Black Chucks cover her feet and the two items together make her seem like a college student and not a professor. How old is she?
“Harper, how would you like to go out to dinner with me sometime?”
“Oh. I...I’m...not sure.”
“You’re not sure of what?”
She licks her lips. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She shakes her head. “No. I know that’s not a good idea.”
“Says who?”
“Says the employee and student code of conduct.”
I’m pretty sure if I push, I can convince her to go out with me. “It’s just dinner.” I shrug.
“Harper.” Her name gets called from up ahead.
Glancing forward, I notice a tall, well-built guy walking our way. What’s up with this dude?
“Cole.” She smiles. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.”
Kept him waiting? Is she going out with this guy?
“No worries. I just got here,” he reassures her with a smile before his eyes swing toward me appraisingly. “Who’s this?” He tips his chin at me and crosses his arms over his chest.
“This is Connor and Tank. They were nice enough to show me around a bit.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll take it from here.” He gives me a nod and holds his hand out for Harper. She hands Tank’s leash off and pats me on the arm. “Thank you for showing me the labyrinth.” She smiles and takes Cole’s outstretched hand. Thankfully, they walk away without a look back. I’m pretty sure the disappointment I’m feeling is clear on my face. I think she might have a boyfriend, but I don’t think they’re serious. If they were, she would be living with him. And she just moved here for the start of school. I’m sick of these dudes always taking her from me.
12
Harper
“So, what is it you need me to do?” Sadie asks me for the hundredth time since arriving at my apartment.
I sink to my couch, grabbing a pillow and clutching it into my chest. “I need you to talk to me,” I tell her. “Just distract me.”
“Distract you from what?”
I glance over to her. I know I can confide in Sadie, but if I tell someone, then it becomes more real. And if it’s more real, then the whole situation is at risk of becoming a lot more dangerous than it already is.
“Well, what is it?” she presses.
“I kissed someone.”
She squeals in delight, but the look on my face shuts it down quick smart. “What did I miss? Why is a kiss bad?” She’s waiting for a response, when all of a sudden understanding dawns on her face. “Oh my god, you kissed the guy from the gym.”
I wait for the other shoe to drop. It takes two more seconds for it to happen and Sadie covers her mouth with her hand and points at me with the other. “You kissed your hot student.”
“He is hot, isn’t he?” I let myself say, not worrying about judgement or embarrassment.
I bury my head in the cushion while she squeals like an over excited teenager.
“Tell me every single detail.” When I don’t budge, she smacks me over the head with her own pillow. “Harper Martínez, you better spill those wet, juicy, moist beans.”
“Oh my god.” I groan. “You didn’t need to put all those words in a sentence.”
“Yes. Yes I did,” she counters. “I bet he made you all those things. Wet? Moist?”
“Fucking hell, woman.” I slam the pillow in her face again while making fake gagging noises. “Stop talking. Those words are banned from your vocabulary, starting this instant.”
Her laughter fills up my apartment, immediately relaxing me.
“Fine,�
� she concedes. “Just tell me how it happened.”
“I wish I knew. One minute we’re talking about family and the next minute we can’t keep our mouths off one another.”
“So, it didn’t go any further?” she queries.
“Define further?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Did you fuck or not?”
“No. I don’t think I would’ve let it go that far.” There’s absolutely no conviction in my voice. “It was a momentary lapse in judgement. I can’t do it again.”
“Knowing you can’t is the reason you will.”
“I didn’t tell you to come here to state the obvious. I need you to tell me this is going to blow up in my face.”
“And what if it doesn’t?” she argues.
“Are you listening to a word I’m saying?”
“I am, I just don’t think you would let yourself indulge in something like this unless you really liked him.”
“I don’t really like him,” I tell her. “I’m just attracted to him.”
Her silence is enough to call me on my bullshit, and I don’t bother refuting her not so incorrect assumptions. I’d like to think it was a onetime thing, but there’s only so much restraint two people can have.
These tutoring lessons keep shoving us together, and circumstances mean we have nowhere else to go. Because humor is the only thing that will help me get through this, I catch Sadie’s solemn stare. “At least I don’t have to give myself orgasms anymore.”
* * *
Sadie and I get to my department building a few minutes before my tutoring session with Connor is supposed to start.
Insisting I need a pep talk, Sadie said she’d walk with me on campus and keep reminding me of all the reasons this is a bad idea.
Note to self, Sadie is horrible at pep talks.
“So, if you find yourself wanting to have sex with him, maybe settle for some oral instead.”
“This is your sound advice?”
“Well, you don’t want potential orgasms to go to waste.”