Teach Me Like That (LMLT Book 2)

by Marie James

  “Details!” she demands.

  “My lips are sealed.” Clumsy fingers lock my mouth and throw away the key.

  “Holy shit,” she hisses. “You like him that much?”

  I can’t keep the smile from gracing my face until I remember our last conversation. Reaching for another shot, I pray it washes away my disappointment in Kegan. This feeling, the one that’s scratching at my heart, is why I have avoided men for anything other than quick fun. When the heart gets involved, it’s no joke when disillusion rears its ugly head.

  Holding my hand over my head, I flag down the waitress again. If I can still feel pain at his rejection to the dinner party invitation, I haven’t had enough to drink.

  Rolling over, I realize a second too late that I’m not in my bed. Air whooshes out of my lungs when my back hits the hardwood floor.

  “Damn.” Grumbling about being an alcoholic, I manage to get into a sitting position.

  Noise in the kitchen makes my ears perk up. I don’t know how, but even after the copious amounts of alcohol, I feel almost normal this morning. It never happens. Counting my blessings, I claw my way to standing by using the couch cushions.

  Last night is hazy, but I’m hopeful that Kegan—

  My face falls when Justin walks out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand.

  “I rescue you, and you have the gall to look that displeased at my presence?” Shaking his head, he hands me the coffee. “You almost looked like you were hoping I was someone else.”

  “Nope.” The lie falls easily from my lips. This is not a can of worms I’m opening so early in the morning.

  A knock sounds at the door, and my eyes widen as Justin moves toward the foyer to answer the door. There are only three people who ever come over, one is standing in front of me, the other is probably face down in her own vomit, and the third—

  “Kegan? What are you doing…?” Justin’s head pivots on his shoulders and glances back at me.

  I roll my lips between my teeth to stop the giddy reaction the look on his face is causing, confusion and amusement dance in his eyes. He’s thinking about my reaction to him, and now all the pieces fall together.

  “Justin,” Kegan says offering his hand. They shake quickly with Kegan releasing his hand as soon as deemed acceptable.

  “I’m going to head home.” Justin leans in and kisses my cheek. “Great choice, but be careful.”

  His warning ricochets around my head as I watch him leave.

  “Coffee?” I turn back toward the kitchen.

  The echoing sound of his footfalls follow me out of the den.

  “I stopped by last night.” Leaning against the counter with his hip, his eyes burn into my back.

  It makes me wonder if he’s expecting an explanation, if he expects me to ask permission to hang out with my friends. Jealousy over my whereabouts is new for me. Hunter didn’t give a shit where I was, so long as I was available to fuck when he wanted to. All of the signs were there from day one, and I still missed them.

  I turn to face him, trying to read his expression. “Upset I wasn’t here waiting with my legs spread for you?”

  His head jerks back as if I’d slapped in the face. Guilt immediately washes over me.

  “That’s not what I came over for, Lexi.” Turning back to pour him a cup of coffee, I resist the urge to apologize for my crassness. “What’s going on?” His warm hands on my shoulders are comforting.

  “Nothing,” I mumble.

  “Something,” he counters.

  “Want to go get something to eat? I haven’t been shopping, so the fridge is pretty bare.” I think a change of scenery would be best. I’m unable to think straight with my bed so close. Plus, I’m still upset with him, but struggling with not knowing if I even have a right to be upset.

  I feel his warm lips against my neck. “I don’t want to go anywhere,” he breathes into the goose-pimpled flesh.

  “You’re treating me like your college cougar,” I blurt.

  He spins me in his arms. “Excuse me?”

  “Didn’t you tell me that she kept you hidden away? You never went out in public with her? She wouldn’t come around when your friends were around?” My hand grazes over his chest, fingers flexing independently of my brains wishes. “You’re my cougar. You won’t go to Justin’s for dinner. You don’t want to leave the house, even for a late breakfast. I don’t want to be your cougar, Kegan.”

  “Baby,” he whispers as his lips brush softly over mine. “You aren’t my cougar.”

  I smile up at him.

  “You’re younger than me.”

  Chapter 31

  Kegan

  She slaps my chest. “This isn’t funny.”

  Her frown nearly breaks my damn heart. My large hands gently encompass hers as my face grows serious. “I’m not hiding you, Lexi. I’ve told you that.”

  “That’s not what your actions say.”

  I reflect back. Other than the quick sex in the hall at the club and the interrupted almost closet encounter, we’ve been holed up in her house. I could argue that I don’t ‘date’, so this is all new to me. It’d be true. Short of being seen picking up a girl, I’m not really the wine and dine type of guy. I mean, what’s the point when they’re a sure thing?

  Surprisingly, I want that with Lexi. I want to be seen with her. I want men to look at me and know how much of a lucky fucker I am.

  “I’m not intentionally hiding you away from anyone,” I assure her. “Would I rather have you in my arms on the couch than sitting at a restaurant pretending I don’t want to climb all over you? Hell yes.”

  I feel her body relax a small fraction.

  “I’m not going to lie and tell you I don’t want you alone all the time because I do. I don’t want to have to explain to your friends or mine why I’m hiking your dress up over your head to satisfy a taste of that heaven between your legs. It would be…awkward, and I sure as fuck don’t want to ignore the urge. That’s just inhumane.”

  I pull her against my chest. “Really?”

  I nod.

  “You also told me that you don’t want to be my secret, but if the school found out you could lose your job. I’ve told you before that I’d love to scream my affection for you from the rooftops. We can start with Edgewood Academy if you want.” I remind her.

  “I think that’s all blown over. Amelia still has shitty comments and snide remarks, but she hasn’t done anything.”

  “Let’s hope she keeps it that way.” Amelia is a snake in the grass, and I don’t for a second think she’s done.

  Switching gears, I pull her hand and tug her toward the door. “Let’s go get breakfast.”

  She resists me and shakes her head. “I don’t want to leave.”

  The sight of her licking her bottom lip shoots straight to my cock. She saunters closer and runs her fingernail down my chest. Even through the fabric of my t-shirt, I can feel the tingle from her touch.

  “You did fifteen minutes ago,” I remind her.

  “Things change,” she pants against my neck.

  Regretfully, I gently clasp her arms and take a step back. “We’re not doing that.”

  Confusion is spread all over her face.

  “Let’s go to breakfast. I’m starved.” She slips off her ridiculous house shoes near the door and makes her way up to her bedroom to change.

  At the top of the stairs, she starts to strip naked, taunting me with her incredible body. “I’ll wait in the truck,” I croak and head outside.

  “I’m not sure this is such a great idea,” she complains as we pull up outside of an arcade. “There’s a very good chance some of the parents from Edgewood are in there.”

  “They don’t know who I am. It’s not like I’m a member of the damn PTO or some shit.”

  I get out of the truck and tug her door open. She scoffs. “Everyone on this side of town knows who you are Kegan. The Cole men are very popular.”

  I clutch my hand to my chest. “You’re
embarrassed to be seen with me, aren’t you?”

  Her eyes tell me I’m an idiot, but the slight lift of her lips lets me know she also finds me adorable. “You’re not the worst person to be seen with I guess.”

  I close the door, so she can’t climb back in and press her against it. “Does this embarrass you?” I lick from her shoulder to her ear lobe and draw it into my mouth.

  She squirms beneath me. “The shame is almost unbearable.”

  I rotate my growing cock against her. “The shame is going to be on me when I walk in there with an erection. I may get arrested.”

  She tilts her head to the side, allowing more room for my mouth.

  “You stand here completely unaffected. Doesn’t seem fair.”

  “My panties are drenched,” she confesses on a moan.

  “Jesus Christ. This was a bad idea. Let’s go…”

  “You gonna fuck her in the parking lot or at least take her to a hotel room. I know you wouldn’t care either way, but the lady should at least have a say.”

  I turn and glare at Tony as he and two other guys from the crew walk up.

  “Tony,” I snarl taking a side step to reveal Lexi. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Lexi Carter.”

  He begins to laugh but sobers quickly, realizing I’m not trying to be comical.

  “Really?” he asks in disbelief holding his hand out to her.

  She smiles at him, unsure of what’s going on. I didn’t tell her we were meeting people, but I couldn’t just ignore her complaints about not going out and being around other people. This is my olive branch so to speak.

  “Back the fuck up.” I shove Tony away from her as he tries to raise her hand to his mouth.

  “You got it bad, huh?”

  I look directly into her eyes and say, “You have no idea.”

  If melting into a puddle was physically possible, I’m certain just by the look in Lexi’s eyes, she would’ve done it. Her eyes are expectant, loving, and full of hope. For the first time in my life, I find myself wanting to be everything a woman hopes I can be.

  “What are you getting at, Cole?” Her glare burns a hole in the side of my face as I key in the security code to access the subterranean parking at my condo.

  “All I’m saying is Piper would’ve greatly benefited from Crazy Eyes’ protection. She could’ve avoided a lot of heartache with her as a wife.” I’m not embarrassed one bit that we’ve been arguing over Orange is the New Black for the last twenty minutes.

  “You’re just as crazy as Suzanne,” she mutters taking her eyes off me for the first time since leaving the arcade. “Where are we, Kegan?”

  I turn off the truck and look over at her. “My place.”

  Her apprehension is palpable and remains intact until I open the door to my condo.

  “Congratulations,” I whisper in her ear as I kick the door closed with my foot. “You’re the very first woman to make it past the front door.” I chuckle. “I’d say past the front desk, but there was that one crazy chick.”

  She shakes her head, but there’s still a smile on her face. I’m thankful my mention of other women didn’t ruin our evening.

  I waste no time getting her down the hall and into my room. If I were a gentleman, I’d offer her a glass of wine or a snack, but we’ve moved past that. She rubbed, bit, and teased me the whole time at the arcade. If there weren’t so many teenagers around, she would’ve gotten fucked in the hallway again.

  She tsks at me as I hastily kick off my shoes. “You have a lot to learn about women, Kegan.”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything, Lexi. Seriously, I’m sorry.”

  She shakes her head. “Not what I’m talking about.”

  “Oh, baby. I know everything where that’s concerned.”

  She continues with the back and forth of her head but crooks her finger urging me toward her. “Come here, handsome. I’m sure there are a few things I can still teach you.”

  I raise an eyebrow at her. “You’re going to teach me like that? I think the lessons should start with you naked.”

  I pounce on her. Within seconds her shirt is off, and her bra is joining it on the floor. The rasp of her zipper is the wakeup call my cock needs. My mouth is on her the second the denim reveals her neatly trimmed snatch.

  “Oh crap,” she mumbles as her knees wobble.

  “No, no, no,” I chastise. “Don’t go all gooey on me now. You’re here to teach me a lesson, remember?”

  “Mmm. Next time,” she promises with a quick pat on my head. I lick her again. “Please don’t stop.”

  “As you wish, Ms. Carter. I hope I get an A.” I yelp in pain when she yanks on my hair before my tongue can slide back into her.

  “Nope,” she says with a scowl. “I teach kindergarteners. There’s no appeal to me when you want to do the naughty teacher thing.” I grin up at her. “I’m serious, Kegan. It grosses me out.”

  I pull my head back until her hand slips free, and then dive back in without another word. I lost count of her climaxes. All I know is somehow we ended up on the bed after the second one because her useless legs would no longer hold her up.

  I’m naked, aching to be inside of her, and enjoying the sleepy, sated look in her eyes. With the tip of my cock, I tap her oversensitive clit. Sweeping it down, I bite my lip as it glides easily through her wetness. Heat engulfs my cock and bliss takes over every molecule in my body.

  A hard hand slaps against my chest.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she gasps backing away. “Get a damn condom.”

  I look at her like she’s lost her mind. How could she just pull off of my cock like that? I was about to profess my love of her pussy of course.

  “I don’t have any condoms.”

  “You tried to pull that shit last week.”

  “I’m serious,” I argue. “I don’t bring women here, Lexi. There isn’t a condom in this place. We used yours last weekend, remember?”

  She sighs and points to her purse that was tossed carelessly by my bedroom door. “Hand me my purse.”

  Reluctantly, I climb off the bed and make my way to her purse as she mumbles some shit about being the only responsible one in this relationship.

  I don’t even bother handing it to her. I open it, pull the rubbers out, and have one sliding down my dick before I make it back to the bed.

  “Better?” I snark.

  She nods and reaches for my hips as I climb back on the bed and line myself up again.

  “I should…”

  I’m yelping again when her fingers twist my nipple. “Don’t fuck angry,” she says with a smirk.

  “I’ll get you back for that,” I promise.

  Her smile is radiant as she looks back up to me. “There’s no place for retaliation in this bed.”

  I lean in and kiss her lips. “Our bed,” I whisper sliding all the way back in.

  Chapter 32

  Lexi

  Sunday mornings have always been my absolute favorite. In fact, they still are, but waking up with Kegan under my chin and my hand resting on his ridiculously defined stomach is like the whipped cream on a hot fudge sundae. I’d say the cherry on top, but gross; cherries are nasty.

  He shifts slightly when my fingers tickle over the dips and crevices of his muscles.

  “Morning.” His voice is husky with sleep, and it makes me snuggle deeper into his side as if I wasn’t already practically lying on top of him.

  Warm lips brush across my forehead as his strong arm flexes around my back.

  “I know it’s cliché,” I warn. “But I could get used to waking up like this.”

  I wait for him to tense up, backpedal from the words he spoke last night.

  Our bed.

  I’d assumed when he said the words he was in the sex fog right along with me, but his lack of reaction just now makes me wonder if he actually meant it. I seriously want to bring it up, but can’t find the courage.

  “You in my bed every morning? I can think of w
orse situations.”

  Not quite what I was looking for, but it works for now.

  “How do you want to play this?”

  I feel his head move, and I can’t resist pulling mine back so I can look up at him.

  “What do you mean?” His fingers reach up and swipe a clump of deviant hair from my face.

  “You want me to get dressed and go? I don’t know how you want to handle the whole morning after thing.” My eyes dart away embarrassed that I asked the question. I’m fishing. I know that I am, but I’ve never been very good with subtleties, and I don’t want to get this wrong

  “Do you have plans or something today?”

  “No, I just thought…”

  “Stop,” he insists. “If I had it my way, we’d stay in this bed for weeks.”

  “If we did that, I wouldn’t be able to walk.”

  He shakes his head, mild frustration on his face before climbing over me and pinning my body beneath his. “You’re not getting it, Lexi. I’m in this.” His face hardens. “Wait, you are too, aren’t you?”

  I respond by cupping his face in my hands and kissing him senseless. He moans into my mouth, rotating his hips against me. The scorching heat of his erection is bliss against my swollen clit.

  When he shifts his hips back and penetrates me with his thick cock, I almost let it happen, but the promise I made to myself years ago is stronger than the cloud of sexual need trying to obscure my brain.

  “Damnit, Kegan. No!” I push back on him as his eyes widen in surprise. “Keep trying to sneak it in unwrapped, and I’ll cut you off for a month.”

  He lands on his back with a grunt as I climb off the bed and walk toward the bathroom. I’m not angry at him, but myself for wanting it as much as he does.

  “Marry me.” His words stop me in my tracks.

  “Excuse me?” I say turning to face him.

  “If we’re married then you can’t object when I sink into you bare.” I haven’t a clue if he’s being serious, but leave it to a damn man to offer something so sacred just to fuck without a condom.

  “You’re an idiot,” I say walking into the bathroom.

  “I’m your idiot,” he corrects.