“So, how did you do on the quiz?” he asked, moving in close to her side.
“I think I did okay, but it was really difficult,” she responded coolly. “How did you do?”
“Well, the last essay question about a plutonic economy had me perplexed. I don’t remember that being discussed at all in class or in the reading,” he said as he closed the gap between them. Now their shoulders were practically touching.
“You’re right, it wasn’t discussed in class, and I don’t remember it from the reading either. I just thought about what plutonium is and wrote about an economy on the verge of exploding. That’s the only way I could make sense of it.”
“That was smart thinking. Maybe we could study together for midterms,” he suggested, placing his hand on the small of her back.
She pulled away a little bit. His touch was exhilarating, but it scared her. “I don’t think so,” she said even though she wouldn’t mind studying his anatomy. Her attraction for him was growing steadily by the second. She could understand why women followed him around. He was as mesmerizing to the female students as the Pied Piper had been to the children who followed him.
“Oh, do you already have a study partner?” he asked.
“No, I don’t,” she answered, hoping he would let it go.
“Then what’s stopping us from studying together?”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Plus, you seem to have plenty of other girls who would just love to study with you. Why don’t you ask one of them?” she said, wanting to push him away.
“Well, I don’t want to ask anyone else. I want to study with you,” he said somewhat forcefully. “I might enjoy flirting with the girls in class, but I haven’t gone out with anyone here at San Diego State.”
“Why are you interested in me? You could have any girl on this campus,” she said wearily, feeling her defenses weakening.
“I don’t want any of the other girls on this campus,” he said, a frown on his gorgeous face. A face with chiseled fine features and big green eyes that had already seared their way into her heart. Then his face relaxed. “I want the beautiful, intelligent woman standing here before me now. It’s not only your beauty that I find intriguing, but your intelligence is extremely sexy to me as well. Every time you talk in class, I am mesmerized by what you are saying. I want to know everything about you. I want to figure out what makes you tick. I want hours to go by with you and have it seem like minutes. I want to make you feel things that you have never felt before.”
His words pricked her heart, rendering her speechless. Her lips parted and she let out a small sigh. Her eyes were locked on his. She had noticed that he did give her his undivided attention when she spoke in class. His presence had made her temperature spike and her panties go gooey every day this week. She knew from the look in his eyes that he wasn’t talking about studying anymore. With that, she imagined his mouth engulfing hers, while his hands urgently roamed her body, finding her sweet spot and conquering her. He was standing close enough for her to breathe in his scent. She felt lost in his presence for a moment. But was he being truthful, or was he just a player? Did she really care? Maybe it would be good to just let him have his way with her. She suddenly came to her senses and realized that they were going to be late for their next class.
“We’ve got to go. Rhetorical Theory is going to be starting in a few minutes,” she said with a shaky voice, revealing that he was having an effect on her. Could he smell the aroma wafting up from her wet panties? If they had been in private, she had a feeling that he would have investigated for himself what was going on inside her panties. But they weren’t in a private place, so he put his hand on the wall, effectively pushing her against it. He was looming over her.
“Before we go to our next class, give me your phone number, please. I’d really like to call you and ask you on a date.” His proximity to her made her heart race even faster. He was on top of her and she realized that she liked being in this confined space with him. She definitely wanted him to call her. She wanted to believe that he was actually interested in her, that he wasn’t just a player. But even if he was a player, she could tell that he would be great in the sack. It had been a long time. Giving into him sounded like the most pleasurable of ideas.
“Okay,” she said hesitantly, still not certain if giving in was the right thing for her. Last night she had experienced the same desires for Neil that she was experiencing with Mark right now. She contemplated the last time she had been close to any guy. Her life ended up being devastated. Maybe Mark would be different. She would take things slow and not let him in right away. Who was she kidding? This sex god doesn’t do slow. She recited her number as he entered it into his phone. Then she broke free of him.
“Excuse me. I need to use the ladies room before class.” She hurried away from him knowing that he would not be able to follow her into the ladies room. She was dazed by his proximity to her. She slipped into the bathroom for a few seconds to regain her composure. Even though she had been so terribly hurt by her past, she really hoped she could give Mark a chance. She hoped that he would call. After all, she had a couple of dates with Neil. She wasn’t married to him. They could go to lunch today and find that they had nothing in common.
How could she have such an intense attraction for two different men? How could these two different men be so similar in their mannerisms? Neither of them seemed to be able to take no for an answer. They were probably both control freaks. Smoking-hot control freaks, but control freaks just the same.
As she walked into her next class, she glanced toward the back and saw Mark sitting with an empty desk next to his. It seemed like he was saving a seat for her. But another girl beat her to it and started drooling all over him. How would she handle this on a regular basis if they started going out? Who was she fooling? He probably just wanted a one-time close encounter of the sexual kind.
Listening to the lecture was virtually useless. Professor Miller was very interesting and Rhetorical Theory was one of her favorite subjects, but all she could think about was Mark. It was so sexy how he had asked for her phone number. She couldn’t get it out of her mind. She imagined herself in his arms, him kissing her deeply, his hands running though her hair and down her back, taking her clothes off. Her fantasy escalated as she imagined him having his way with her. She wondered what it would be like to be with him. Was he the kind of guy who made love or fucked? She imagined what he would do to her if they did make love. These thoughts sent waves through her body and she realized how aroused she had become. She had only a few minutes to freshen up between her last class and her date with Neil. She was going to have to change her underwear when she got home. The only other guy in years to have this kind of effect on her had been Neil. He was very sexy too and she relished in how he had pursued her so diligently. He had actually asked her out on two dates. Mark hadn’t done that.
She let out a slight moan when class ended. She had another class to attend, but she decided to blow it off so she could go home early and freshen up for her date. Going to the next class would have been useless. Her concentration was obliterated by her consuming thoughts of hot steamy sex.
She stopped her classmate Jennifer. “Jennifer, I can’t make it to our next class. Would it be okay if I copy your notes next week?”
“Sure. Is everything okay?” Jennifer asked.
“I’m just not feeling quite right. I need to head home,” Kate said, figuring that was the simplest explanation. She left quickly and went back along the same corridor where her encounter with Mark had taken place. Mark was closing in behind her. He caught up with her in the hall.
“Are you skipping our last class?” he asked, concern etched on his dazzling face.
“Yes, I have an appointment and I don’t want to be late,” she said a little guarded. She needed to get away from him so she could wrap her mind around her stimulating thoughts.“May I walk you to your car?” he asked in a gentlemanly fashion. “I guess that would
be okay,” she found herself saying. Argh. What was she doing? Why would she let him walk her to her car? Was she a glutton for punishment? She had just spent the last hour thinking about this man. Part of her was secretly thrilled that he wanted to walk her to her car. But the other part was panicked. Had she become a schizophrenic all of a sudden? Her mind was a whirlwind, more like a tornado, with swirling thoughts of sexy men. She had to tell herself to play it cool. Not to seem too eager. But she was eager. Eager to be alone with him. “But then you will miss our last class,” she said hoping that he might go to class instead of walking her to her car.
“I’m not worried about that. I’m concerned about you. Plus, I can get the notes from someone else,” he retorted.
There are plenty of someone’s that would love to serve up the notes and themselves on a silver platter. But maybe she was the one he wanted. She was the only one who didn’t throw herself at him. Perhaps she intrigued him.
When they passed the campus coffee shop, the freshly brewed aroma drew them in. Mark asked her if she would like to get a coffee. Again, she found herself agreeing. What could coffee hurt?
They strolled into the busy shop and waited in line. “What would you like?” he asked.“I’ll have a decaf with a shot of hazelnut,” she said, glancing around for a table.
“Do you want anything else,” he asked.
“No, the coffee will be just perfect,” she said a little too comfortably. She couldn’t believe that she was letting her guard down with someone that she had viewed as a ladies man just this morning. She didn’t want to come across as too interested only to be hurt if he didn’t call her. “I’ll get a table for us.”
“Great.”
Mark ordered a regular coffee along with her decaf while she found a place for them to sit. The coffee house was busy with people talking and surfing the web. There was only one table available in the corner. He brought the coffees along with sugar and creamer to the table and sat down. He scooted his chair as close as he could to her. His arm was touching hers. For Pete’s sake, she thought. Why did he affect her so much? For some reason that she couldn’t explain, his closeness didn’t make her uncomfortable. Nervous and anxious, yes, but not uncomfortable. She put two sugars and creamer in her coffee. Mark apparently drank his without the added bells and whistles. They each took a sip of their coffee.
“So, Kate, tell me about yourself. I want to know everything about you,” he said with a sly smile.
“Well, there’s not that much to tell. I moved to California with my mom and brother just as I was entering high school. I have recently moved in with my best friend Charlie, I work at Nordstrom, and I am considering becoming a teacher. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell,” she said, all of her nerve endings simultaneously firing. It was a challenge to concentrate with him so close to her. “What about you?” she managed to ask.
“I’m kind of from everywhere. My dad is in the Army, so we traveled all over the world while I was growing up. He was stationed in Europe most of the time. I have only been stateside since I started college at SDSU two years ago,” he said.
It hit her like a thunderbolt. He’s three years younger. Did she really want to date a younger guy? Would he be mature enough for her? He seemed suave and debonair, but maturity takes time and experience. This was a concern.
“It sounds like you’ve had a very exciting life. I can’t imagine how amazing it must have been to travel to so many interesting parts of the world. What was your favorite country?”
“It’s difficult to pick a favorite because each place is so unique. I’d have to say France was quite sensational. I loved the food, the scenery, the people,” he said, taking a sip of coffee.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and France. Both seem like such extraordinary places. So much history to unravel,” she said, suddenly blushing. She wouldn’t mind if Mark unraveled her, even if he was younger. She had the sudden need to leave. Sitting this close to him was making her recall her fantasy from class. So, she made up an excuse. “I need to get going. My appointment is soon,” she said firmly. Mark stood up and motioned toward the door. He looked like he was still going to walk her to her car. Her heart was fluttering as she thought about whether or not he would try to kiss her once they arrived at her car. How would she handle that? She would have to do the same thing that she did with Neil last night.
“Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand to her. They walked out together holding hands for a moment. She wasn’t sure why she was holding his hand, but she did like it. Gazing down, she couldn’t tell where her fingers began and his ended. It seemed like their hands were a perfect fit. It made her wonder what else would be a perfect fit.
They walked along in silence until they got to the parking structure. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, he said, “I sure am glad you gave me a chance today. I was beginning to think that you didn’t like me or something.”
“Well, to be honest, you seem like a ladies man to me. I didn’t want to let myself get too close. I’ve been really hurt in the past and part of me is still getting over it. But my friends have been telling me that it is time to get back out there, so I decided to throw caution to the wind,” she said, letting her vulnerability show in her soft eyes.
A smile broadened across his face. “Thanks for the chance,” he said. They reached the third level of the parking structure. Since classes were in session, no one was around. They were completely alone. “This is my car. Thanks, again, for the coffee,” she said looking up at him.
“You’re welcome,” he said, bending down to plant a kiss on her lips. She turned her head and he kissed her cheek. She found her keys in her purse, unlocked her car and got in. They said goodbye and she drove away wondering if Mark would really call her.
Chapter 7
Driving away from Mark, Kate realized that she needed to switch gears. She was going on a date with Neil. She was excited to see this intriguing man who made her feel alive again. She hoped that he would hold her hand and whisper in her ear again. God, he’s sexy. Spending time with him at Seaport Village was going to be fun. It was one of her favorite places to be on a sunny afternoon like today. After lunch maybe they would have time to walk along the bay and enjoy the breathtaking views of Coronado. Watching sailboats go by was one of her favorite pastimes.
She still had some time to drop by her apartment to freshen up. Climbing the stairs, she saw that Roger’s door was open. Doesn’t he ever work? He came to the door, as usual, and looked her up and down, a very inappropriate look crossing his face.
“Hey, I love your outfit. It is very becoming on you,” he said salaciously. His tone sent shivers down her spine. She was wearing pair of white pants and a purple top that zipped up the front. It was very fitted and one of her favorite items to wear. It showed off her curves. She hoped that Neil would like it. She was expecting to see him in a suit, since he was coming from work. She wasn’t expecting to be checked out by Roger in a way that made her skin crawl.
“Thanks, Roger. I really like this outfit too,” she said, hoping to end the conversation quickly. “I just came home for a quick second to do something and then I am off again.”
“Oh, do you have special plans?”
Damn, he’s nosy. “Yes, I have a lunch date,” she said, hoping that making it clear she had a date would send a message to him.
“I thought that you said last night that you didn’t have a boyfriend,” he said in a somber tone. Was he fishing for information?
“Well, we’re just getting to know each other. I’ll see you later. I don’t want to be late.” With that, she closed her apartment door, leaving him standing there with a furrowed brow.
***
Kate pulled into the parking lot at Seaport Village with a few minutes to spare. She parked in front of the Harbor House. After checking her make-up, she reapplied lipstick. Why did she feel so nervous? He’s just a man. He’s just a man. Yeah, a man that made her panties sweat just like Mark did. B
ut Neil was older, sophisticated, confident, and smoking hot. She didn’t know how long she would be able to resist sleeping with him. She had already dreamed about it.
She got out of her car and made her way up the cobblestone pathway to the restaurant. The Harbor House was very elegant. The soft music playing in the background had a calming effect. Her heart was beating rapidly and her mouth was dry. She was warmly welcomed by a young pretty hostess who seemed to be expecting her. As she followed the hostess, she took in the view of the San Diego Bay. The entire front of the restaurant was floor to ceiling windows. Looking at the ocean always soothed her spirit.
Neil had already been seated at a table. As she approached him, he stood to greet her. He took her hand and then sweetly kissed her on the cheek. The touch of his lips sent a tingle down below. How does he do that? She found herself blushing and the hostess let out an exasperated breath.
“Enjoy your lunch,” the hostess said as she walked away. Obviously, she wasn’t the only woman that Neil had an effect on.
“It’s wonderful to see you, my beauty,” he said in a seductive voice. The words “my beauty” brought a smile to her face.
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