by Claire Adams
“I read that in the articles about you,” Iris said. My heart skipped knowing that she had looked me up on the internet before dread filled me. I had no idea how much research she had done, but there were articles out there that didn’t put me in the best light. “It must’ve been painful walking away from something that you honestly loved.”
“It was at the time,” I admitted with a shrug, not willing to let my mind venture back to that day I announced retirement, “but my body meant more to me.”
“And now you get to teach brats like me for a living. Aren’t you the cool, iconic legend now?”
A genuine and teasing smile spread across her lips. I resisted the brief urge to lean in and close the gap between us to taste them. Instead, I flashed a grin in her direction.
“Yeah, and no one wants to tutor with me besides you,” I said, sighing dramatically. “I’m a real cool guy, but I think my students have a different opinion of me.”
“Oh, trust me. They have an opinion about you.”
“Like what?” I questioned, but Iris’ lips thinned into a straight line. “You can tell me. I won’t report you to the dean or whatever.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” she said, and changed the subject promptly. “What are your plans for spring break?”
I debated on pushing the subject further, but I let it go when she glanced down at the table to hide her expression.
“I don’t know yet,” I said. “I will probably stick around…grade these essays.”
“That sounds like a whole lot of fun,” she said, laughing shortly. “You don’t have anything fun planned at all?”
“Nothing planned. What are your plans?”
A shadow flashed across her face.
“I have no idea,” she said, a bit worriedly. “I planned on staying in my apartment to get caught up on all my homework, but apparently, they are using that time to fumigate the entire building. So, everyone has to be out starting this Friday evening, and I have nowhere to go.”
“You honestly have nowhere to go?” I asked, frowning. For some reason, I found that hard to believe. A majority of the time I saw Iris hanging out with her roommate, the talkative brunette, but she spoke with other students, as well, and seemed to be on good terms with a lot of people on the campus.
She shrugged helplessly. “Yep. I’ll figure it out, though. The last thing I want to do is go home to my mother’s house for the break.” Before I could ask her what was so bad about going home for break, she grabbed a hold of her notebook and books. “Do you think we could call it a day? I have a huge test to study for tomorrow before the break.”
“Sure. I understand.”
I watched as she gathered up her things with a frown, her cheerful and teasing mood already gone. An idea popped into my head, an idea that I couldn’t shove away despite a voice telling me that it was crossing that line I had been warned about several times.
“Iris, wait.”
She paused in scooting her chair back into the table and looked at me expectantly when a few seconds of silence ticked by.
“What?” she asked.
I couldn’t believe I was going to offer this, but I couldn’t stand the thought of her having nowhere to go for break. If Miles heard about it, he’d be furious with us both. He’d fire me, then expel Iris without question.
It would be worth it, though. I watched Iris chew on her lower lip in her usual nervous habit, and the impulse to draw that lower lip between my teeth rushed through me hotly.
I shook those thoughts away.
“I have a guest room in my house that is empty,” I explained. “You’re more than welcome to stay if you honestly have nowhere to go. It’s not the best place to be, in your mind, I’m sure, but it’s better than getting a hotel.”
Iris stared at me in surprise. I was even surprised by my own offer. I never once had extended out invitations for a woman to spend time at my place. It had always been hit it, quit it, and get out as quick as possible.
“Thanks,” she said softly. A smile spread across her lips. “I appreciate the offer. I’ll see you in class on Friday, then.”
“See you then,” I said, and she didn’t give me the chance to ask if her answer was a yes or no.
Chapter Fourteen
Iris
I was screwed.
Sighing, I closed my laptop before slipping it back into my backpack. Why were hotels so expensive for one week? Everyone that I knew was leaving for break, or had already left to beat the incoming snowstorm. Anyone traveling to Utah with this type of snow storm coming through was an idiot, but every hotel I looked at was either booked or beyond my budget.
“Any luck?” Bailey asked.
I looked up to find her standing in front of the table with her luggage and purse. Her excited grin made my stomach churn with pure jealousy and irritation.
“Nothing,” I said, shortly. “Are you leaving?”
“On my way to the airport before the storm hits,” she said. “Just wanted to come say goodbye to you.”
“I thought you were wanting to rub the fact that you are going to Hawaii in my face.”
“That, too.”
Bailey laughed loudly. I stiffened when she wrapped me up in an uncomfortably and bony hug. Perfume clung to her clothes a bit too strongly, and I breathed in relief when she grabbed her things and left without taunting me any further. She didn’t even bother asking if I had a place to go or offer some sort of help.
Not that I expected it. I never expected something like that from Bailey. Our friendship didn’t include caring about one another.
There were only two options left: Jen or Noah. And God help me, I hoped Jen would be able to put me up with her. Staying with Noah, while the offer was incredibly sweet, meant being in the same house with him at all times. It meant being in the same space when he slept and showered. My mouth went dry with those images of him shirtless on the internet again.
I finished my coffee before walking to my one and only class of the day. The rest had been cancelled with the snowstorm arriving to give students extra time to get out.
The campus was eerily still for a Friday morning. Thick, gray clouds twisted above in the sky, and a damp, but slightly warm air filled the morning – always a sure sign of rain or snow. I entered through the back door of the English Department right as I spotted Jen about to enter the classroom. My heart lifted in relief as I approached her.
“I have to ask you for a big favor,” I began.
Jen frowned as she slipped her arms out from her backpack. “Of course. What’s going on?”
We were the only ones in the classroom thankfully. I didn’t want Noah overhearing my conversation with Jen about staying with her.
“I need a place to stay for spring break. My apartment building is getting fumigated over the break, and everyone has to be out,” I explained. “I hate to ask, but would it be possible if I shacked up with you and your folks over the week? I’d stay out your hair and even pay for my own food.”
“My parents and I are going up to their farm in New York,” Jen said. “We decided at the last minute to go when we could. I’m so sorry, Iris. If I were going home, I would drive over with you.”
My heart dropped at the news. I really was screwed now. It was either sleep in a shady hotel with dirty sheets for a week, sleep in my car, or break every single rule of the PHU campus by going to Noah’s.
“You really have no place to go?” Jen asked, staring at me in distress. “Not even family nearby?”
Sparing myself the explanation of why I didn’t want to go home to my mother, I shook my head no. I forced a cheerful smile on my face.
“No family nearby. Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out after class.”
Jen started to rummage through her purse. “Here,” she said, holding out a credit card to me. “This is my credit card. Book yourself a room. My parents will totally understand.”
Tears pricked the back of my eyes at the tho
ughtfulness. The classroom door opened, and a few other students followed by Noah entered. Our eyes met from across the classroom, and a shiver crawled up my spine. I pushed the credit card back to Jen with a smile.
“Thank you, Jen. You’re honestly a great friend,” I said, and squeezed her hand appreciatively. “I’ll be okay. I have one more option to count on before I get that desperate.”
“If you’re sure,” she said hesitantly. She placed the card back in her purse. “What is your other option?”
“Well-”
“All right class,” Noah started, setting his bag down on the front desk. “Let’s jump right in. I realize that I am the only and last class of your morning before spring break. I promise to make it short and sweet.”
Laughter filled the room. My heart thudded heavily every time I glanced up at Noah dressed in a pair of casual jeans and a white t-shirt that showed off those impressive muscles. He screamed spring break vibes without evening trying.
His offer to house me for spring break undoubtedly crossed the line. It probably broke a rule somewhere close to the “no sleeping with students” rule.
I chewed on the pad of my thumb. Surely, he realized that housing me up for break meant putting his job on the line if anyone ever found out. It put me on the chopping block, as well, but what other choice did I have? Noah had seemed genuine about it when he offered. I didn’t detect any hidden implications behind his words, but I wasn’t worried about him exactly.
I was worried about myself being able to handle it lately.
I didn’t want to drive back to my mother’s house an hour away to find it trashed with alcohol, spoiled food, and probably stained with vomit again. I didn’t have the time to deal with any of it.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Jen asked once class concluded. “I can’t leave without knowing if you have a place to stay for break.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said, assuring her. “I have one other option to go to.”
“Well, text me, and let me know that you’re okay.” She hugged me, and this hug, unlike Bailey’s, was full of warmth that I gladly soaked in.
“I will,” I said. “Have a safe flight to New York with your parents.”
I made a point to linger in the classroom by packing up my things slowly until the last few students exited. Noah looked up with a smile as I approached him.
“Crazy weather today,” he said, jamming a thumb at the window. “I’d hate to get caught in this storm once it gets here tonight.”
“No kidding.” I swallowed nervously.
“Have you figured out where you are going to stay yet for break?” he asked casually.
“No. That’s why I sort of wanted to talk to you.”
I glanced at the door to make sure there weren’t any students waiting for him outside. The entire building was motionless besides an occasional cough from somewhere.
“I was wondering if that offer you made me staying in your guest room was on the table still,” I said quietly.
Noah straightened up from buckling his bag. “Of course it is,” he said. “I told you that I wasn’t going anywhere this break.”
“I know. I just-” I broke off as a wave of nerves crashed over me. We were breaking so many rules, and while I got the sense that Noah didn’t care much for rules, I cared a lot.
I was close to graduating, but it was either sleep in a crappy hotel room I couldn’t really afford or keep quiet that I’d stayed with Noah. I stared at him intently for a moment while he waited for me to continue on with a small amused smile. I hope he didn’t expect something else to happen – even if that was incredibly tempting to think about. Heat shot through my body at the thought, but I ignored it.
“I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I am not staying with you for other reasons besides a place to stay. I know you’ve probably heard that there are students here on campus who do that type of thing, but I don’t. I promise I’ll keep out of your way and leave during the day if you want some space from me.”
Laughter rumbled in Noah’s chest. He slipped the strap of his messenger bag over his shoulder, shaking his head at me in visible amusement.
“I had no ulterior motive here, Iris. I just didn’t want you sleeping in your car during this storm.”
“Right,” I said. “I just wanted to make sure you knew that.”
“Never questioned it in the first place.”
He opened the door for me and flourished a hand. I stepped out into the empty hallway as he locked the classroom door.
“Thank you,” I said, quietly so no passing ears overheard us. “I really appreciate this. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No problem. Here.” He scribbled something down on a piece of paper before handing it to me. Our hands brushed briefly, and my arm twitched at the feel of his strong, calloused fingers against my own. “If you have any troubles finding it, let me know. Call me.”
“I will. I’ll be by later this evening, if that’s okay. I have a few things to do here before the storm gets going.”
“See you later, then.”
“See you later.”
Noah winked at me roguishly before brushing by me to head up to his office on the second floor. I watched him go with a frantically beating heart. What had I gotten myself into?
Chapter Fifteen
Noah
Why was I doing this?
I dropped the cleaning rag into the wash before turning to look how spotless my kitchen was now. Not once had I ever cared about what a female thought about my living arrangements. They never stayed long enough to actually see what it was like. I’d never invited them to stay with me overnight.
Rubbing at the back of my neck, I tried to shrug out the tension in my shoulders and neck. It was impossible to not think of this as an opportunity to live out the fantasies I’d had swirling about in my head for weeks now. I would go insane if I didn’t find some sort of relief sooner or later.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I glanced down at the caller ID and hesitated when I recognized Hunter’s number. There was no doubt in my head if I answered, he would figure something was up. I was going against my better judgment inviting Iris to stay here, and I didn’t want to hear it from someone else.
I let it go to voicemail before double checking that the guest room had plenty of blankets. The frigid temperatures outside threatened to seep through the windows and doors. It was impossible not to feel the cold no matter where I went in the house.
It was possible that Iris wouldn’t even show up. She had hesitated quite a bit before accepting my offer. I still had a hard time believing that she truly had nowhere to go. The faint knock on the front door dashed away all those doubts. The fire that had been smoldering in my lower belly since inviting her to stay with me sparked instantly at the noise.
Frigid air swept over me fast along with a flurry of fresh snowflakes when I opened the door. A few were trapped in the naturally wavy strands of Iris’ hair as she stood nervously on the front doorstep, bags on the ground at her side. Her hair was damp, as though she had just taken a shower before driving here, and the fresh smell of soap washed over me. She was clean, fresh, and I let my eyes run over the curves of her hips and thighs, wondering if she had cleaned up for me.
It was so incredibly tempting to take her just right there and then. I wanted to kiss those ruby-colored lips to see if the tasted sweet as I imagined. I wanted to run my hands down that perky backside. I just wanted to bury myself in her.
A few seconds passed with the snow blowing into my living room. Iris finally cleared her throat as she gazed at me nervously, fiddling with her purse strap.
“Is it okay if I come in?” she asked, voice tense with the same nerves I felt. We were both toeing a very thin line between wrong and right. She knew it just as well as I did.
I cleared my head of those images of Iris beneath me in the bed sheets. I took a step back, flourishing a hand for her to come one. “Yeah, come in before you fre
eze to death out there. This winter storm is really bringing down the snow.”
She reached for her bags, but I grabbed them first. Our hands brushed, and a jolt went up my arm at the softness of her fingers. Chewing on the pad of her thumb, a nervous gesture I’d noticed she did way too much, Iris looked around the living room with an impressed smile.
“You have a nice house,” she said. “I half-expected it to be filled with rugby things and mismatched furniture.”
I set her bags near the front door with a chuckle. “Not me,” I said, closing the front door. “I can’t stand mismatched furniture.”
“I noticed,” she said wryly.
I showed her to the guest room, setting her bags down on the ground next to the bed. Iris looked around the room in interest while I forced myself to keep distance from her and the bed. I hardened slightly when she ran a hand over the blanket spread out across the bed with a smile that showed off her straight teeth. She looked up to meet my eyes. Something lingered there, but it was gone before I could even read it.
My skin felt too tight and hot.
“You’re probably starving,” I stated, turning to go back to the kitchen to distract myself. “I noticed that the dining hall was closed early today because no one was at school.”
“The staff wanted to get home before the snow storm,” she said. “Everyone was surprised how fast this spring storm came.”
She followed me down the hallway to the kitchen and perched herself on the breakfast stool while I seasoned a package of chicken wings.
“I bet your roommate is enjoying Hawaii,” I said. “Nice, warm beaches sound good about right now.”
With you in a bikini. My mouth went dry at the thought. Unlike some of the girls who dressed rather revealing at times, too revealing, in my opinion, Iris’ sense of fashion always stayed the same. I barely saw any skin expect on the rare occasion she wore a short-sleeved shirt that showed off her slender arms.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, she made quite a deal rubbing it in my face when we were packing up our apartment before it was fumigated.”
I placed the chicken wings in the oven and set the time. “What’s the deal between the two of you? I get the feeling that the two you aren’t the greatest friends.”