Teach Me (College Daze Book 2)

by Danielle Burton

  “Earth to Cam.”

  I jumped and my phone slipped from my hands and slid across the tiles. When I picked it up Gabi screeched. I looked at the screen to find her covering her eyes.

  “Oh my God, Cam. You’re naked!”

  My laughter bounced off the walls and I had to hold the phone against my chest to keep from dropping it again. It took a minute to regain my composure.

  Gabi called my name and I lifted the phone to acknowledge her.

  “What?”

  “You don’t Skype people in the nude. Call me back when you’re wearing clothes.”

  “Relax girl, we have all the same things, mine are just bigger.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “That is so rude. I’ll have you know, Jay loves the size of my parts.”

  “What parts?” a deep voice asked from somewhere behind her.

  The call ended and several seconds later a text came through.

  Gabi: Crazy!

  I shook my head then laid my phone on the rug beside the tub and climbed in, shutting off the water on the way.

  No sooner than I eased into the bubbles Benji’s ringtone started to play. Leaning up, I hit the answer icon then put it on speaker. “Yes?”

  “Whatchu doing?”

  Why did everyone always ask that question when they called people?

  “I’m taking a bubble bath.”

  The phone was silent for a beat, and then he cleared his throat. “Well, when you finish that do you feel like doing some exploring before we head to the museum?”

  “As long as food is involved.”

  “Alright, see you soon.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  We strolled down the crowded sidewalk in silence, getting occasional scowls from a fast moving pedestrians. I suppose we moved to slow for them. Unfazed, I took in the sights of one of the many cities I’d always dreamed of visiting. “I wish we could stay for more than a day. There’s so much I want to see.”

  Benji smiled over at me, observing me through his shades. “One day.”

  Returning his smile, I moved closer to avoid man in suit who was yelling at someone on his cell phone. “Have you ever been out of River Crest?”

  “Just to the surrounding areas. Never this far. New York is so much different.”

  I nodded, breathing deeply. Even with the filled streets I’d never felt so free. All my life I’d been dying to escape River Crest. Each of my steps on the unfamiliar concrete was weightless and the air filling my lungs was the sweetest I’d ever tasted.

  “You look happy.”

  Looping my thumbs through the belt loops of my shorts, I shrugged. “What’s there not to be happy about?” My face tightened with a smile. In that moment, I was happy. More so than I could ever remember being.

  “Ready for some food?”

  “If you know me at all you already know the answer to that.”

  Laughing, he led me toward a food truck. We took a moment to look at the menu and I nearly salivated over the choices. “Mmmm, I love Cajun food.”

  Benji nudged me gently. “See, I know you, Spice Queen.”

  We shared a laugh before placing our orders, which were filled in record time.

  Food in hand, we made our way over to an empty bench. Sweet and savory spices from my kabob wafted into my nose as I took my seat. I glanced over at Benji while tasting my food. He had some sort of pita stuffed with meat and veggies. “Hey, yours looks better.”

  His eyes lifted to mine mid-bite. After swallowing he held his wrap out to me. “Want some?” His tongue darted out over his lips, catching some left over sauce.

  I nodded then leaned over and took a bite from the same area he had. A melody of flavors danced across my tongue, causing a low, guttural moan to escape my lips. “So good.”

  He chuckled while reaching over and wiping at the corner of my mouth with his thumb. “I love a woman who knows how to eat.”

  Heat cascaded over me, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. Facing forward, I took a sip of my drink to cool myself down. “So, how about that museum?”

  ~ ♥ ~

  Back in our rooms after a few hours at the museum and a little more exploring, Benji and I prepared for the night. I’d showered again and now sat on my bed smoothing Brazil nut body butter over my skin.

  Once that was done I lifted my undergarments from beside me and looked at them. I’d packed two sets for the night. One, a pair of boy shorts and a boring bra. The other, a lacy red bra and panty set. Holding both in my hands, my eyes slid between the two. I slumped back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, and sighed. “Cam, what are you doing? This is not a date and you are not to sleep with him. Get it together.”

  After a few relaxing breaths I stood and pulled on the red set. I then slid into a navy blue dress that hugged my curves, dipped low in the front, and stopped just above my knees. The next thirty minutes were spent untwisting my hair then shaping it and giving it volume. Another twenty were used to perfect my makeup. I went simple and mostly natural, using only concealer, a bit of eye shadow that was a dash lighter than my skin tone, mascara, and a deep maroon matte lipstick.

  Once finished I admired my reflection before taking a deep breath. “Not a date.”

  A light knock on the door accelerated my heart. I slipped my feet into the four inch heels I’d brought before standing. My quickened pulse thudded in my ears as I pulled the door open.

  Benji’s gaze swept over me, his mouth dropping slowly. “Damn.”

  Sweeping a curl away from my eye, I shifted on my feet.

  He cleared his throat while straightening his collar. “I mean, um, you look really nice.”

  “Thanks. So do you.” I stood for a moment, taking in the sight of him in his black dress pants and dark gray, silk dress shirt. It hugged his torso just right, showing off his muscular midsection.

  “Are you ready?”

  My eyes flew to his. “Uh…yeah. Just let me get my purse.”

  I grabbed the clutch I’d chosen for the night, slipped my key card inside, and then scurried out the door, pulling it closed behind me.

  ~ ♥ ~

  We decided to take a cab because New York traffic was a mess and a half. After dining at a Moroccan restaurant we headed to the venue. When we arrived Benji ushered me inside with his hand on the small of my back. The gesture sent heat flying to unwanted places. Where was an ice bath when you needed one?

  The moment we stepped inside a waiter offered up glasses of wine which we politely declined. Did they not card here?

  I looked up at Benji as we walked deeper inside. “Are you going to be okay with the…”

  He nodded, a smile working its way over his lips. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  My heels clicked against the marble floor as we made our way around the wide open space. The high cathedral ceiling and towering wooden columns dwarfed us. “This place is beautiful.”

  Benji stopped us in front of a still of a rainforest. “I could tell you the most beautiful thing here.”

  I looked up, finding his gaze glued to the photo and his mouth lifted into a body tingling smile. My nipples pulled taut, a stinging sensation running through them. Swallowing the dryness in my mouth, I turned my attention from the work of art beside me to the one in front of me. I took a deep breath in and held it for a second before releasing it slowly.

  We continued moving around the room, admiring emotion provoking photographs from all over the world. My body froze in place when I reached a photo of a purple forest in China. I lifted my hand, inching it toward the photo, unable to catch my next breath. “Wow.” I pulled back an inch from touching it and tucked my hands at my sides.

  “Now that, is…amazing.”

  “This is my dream.” Leaning into him, I gazed at the violet leaves that seemed to spring to life.

  “What is?”

  “Traveling the world. Taking photographs. I want this. God, I want this.”

  Benji’s fingers trailed down my arm. “You’ll have it.” />
  “You really think so?”

  “I’ve seen your work, Cam. It should be right here next to this. You have so much talent.”

  Heat crept over my face as I gazed up at him. “Thank you.”

  “You don’t ever have to thank me for telling you the truth.”

  Biting the inside of my lip I tried to ignore the sensations of his explosive touch. “This was my dad’s dream, too. But he was always so busy.” Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back. “He has a lot of photos he took while traveling for work. I’ll never get to see them again.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “They’re at my mother’s house. Going there means I’ll have to see her.”

  “But aren’t they worth it.”

  “Yeah, but…”

  “What if I went with you?”

  I turned my gaze to him again, pausing at the serious expression on his face. “You’d do that for me?”

  “I’d do anything for you, Cammie.”

  Tightness squeezed my heart. Turning away, I nodded. “I’d like that.”

  We admired the forest for a while longer before moving on.

  Benji tapped my arm to gain my attention. “I’m gonna run to the men’s room. I’ll be right back.”

  I nodded, sending him off with a smile. I briefly considered looking around but the place was so large Benji would have a hard time finding me, so I stayed put.

  Heat bristled the hairs on my arm. “This is one of my favorites.”

  I leapt nearly a foot away and spun around. The air left my lungs at the sight before me. “Y-y-you’re DeMarco Von.”

  His dazzling smile lit up the room, framed in deep chocolate lips the same color as his face. “That’s what they tell me.” He extended his hand to me. “And you are?”

  Clearing my throat, I filled his large and very warm hand with mine. “Camryn. Camryn Elsbury.”

  “Very nice to meet you Ms. Elsbury.”

  The pit of my stomach fluttered. “Your work is amazing. I wish I had half your talent.” Words tumbled from my mouth so fast even I could barely discern them. Breathe girl.

  His brow lifted. “You’re a photographer?”

  “Not really. I mean, I’d like to be. But right now, I’m just a girl who loves taking pictures. Though none nearly as wonderful as yours.”

  He revealed those sparkling white teeth again. “Really now? I bet they are as exquisite as you.”

  I swallowed slowly, two seconds from fangirling. Was DeMarco Von, my idol, seriously flirting with me right now? “It must be nice, getting to travel to so many places, capturing so many beautiful things.”

  “It is. Alhough it’d be better if I had a companion.”

  “Um.” A tornado of thoughts spun in my head. What did he mean? Was he asking me…

  “I’ve actually been looking for an apprentice lately.”

  “R-really?”

  “Yes.” He reached into the pocket of his blazer and pulled out a card. “On my website there is a contest being held. I will be choosing ten lucky individuals for a six-month adventure around the world with yours truly. It’s a teaching program. Would you be interested in something like that?”

  I was screaming so loud internally I was surprised I even heard him. Cool, calm, and confident Cam came out to play. “Yes, I would definitely be interested.”

  He extended the card to me, held between his index and middle finger. “I wish you luck, Camryn.”

  I gratefully accepted it, tucking it away in my purse.

  A hand touched my arm and I jumped. I really wished people would stop sneaking up on me. I turned to Benji and smiled. “Benji, this is DeMarco Von.”

  “Please, call me Marco.”

  “Marco, this is Benjamin.”

  Marco extended his hand and Benji shook it while sizing him up. Marco’s dark chocolate eyes did the same to him. Oh boy.

  After their little staring contest Marco turned to me. “Well, it was a pleasure meet you, Camryn. I look forward to working with you in the future, hopefully.”

  We shook hands again then he strolled away.

  Once he was out of sight I turned to Benji, buried my face in his shirt and squealed. “I met DeMarco Von!”

  ~ ♥ ~

  The elevator doors slid open and Benji wrapped his hand around mine, leading me down the narrow hall. “So, you met DeMarco Von. Was it everything you imagined?”

  “Better.” I beamed, running my free hand along the stark white wall. “Working with him would be a dream come true.”

  We stopped at my door and Benji leaned against it. “Guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”

  Titling my head, I looked at him through my lashes. “You’re not coming in?”

  His brows shot up. “You want me to?”

  “Duh, so I can talk your ear off about the teaching program.”

  He smiled, moved to the side, and gestured for me to unlock the door.

  Stepping inside, I tossed my clutch on the small dresser. “Meeting him was all your doing, you know?”

  “Yeah?”

  I rested against the dresser, leaning forward to remove my shoes from my aching feet. When I stood straight Benji was looking off into space biting his lip. “What’s wrong?”

  His eyes moved over to me and he shook his head. “Nothing.” Coming closer, he stood against the dresser beside me. “So, tell me about this program.”

  “I don’t know much yet. I have to check out the website, but Marco says it’s a six-month world adventure.” I squealed for the millionth time, bouncing on my feet.

  A tiny smile curved Benji’s lips, but didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Hey, aren’t you happy for me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then why aren’t you smiling?”

  He took my hand in his. “I’m happy for you, Cam.”

  Cam? I poked at his ribs. “Then smile.”

  He flinched away, a small chuckle erupting from him. “Don’t you start that.”

  Moving in front of him, I poked him again, this time in his side. “And if I do?” I wiggled my fingers against his side causing deep laughter to rumble from his chest.

  He squirmed away, trying to catch my hands. “Come on, girl. Cut that out.”

  “Make me.”

  In less time than it took me to blink he ducked his head and touched his lips to mine in a gentle peck.

  My pulse accelerated, a storm brewing in the pit of my stomach. “W-what was that?”

  Those blue eyes of his bored into mine for what seemed like an eternity before he closed them and brought his lips to mine again. This time it was much more than the slight touch reminiscent of butterfly wings. His lips, warm, soft, and skilled, caressed mine so thoroughly it made me wonder if I had ever truly been kissed.

  I stood on the tips of my toes, trying in vain to savor as much of him as I could.

  His strong hands gripped my waist and then he turned and lifted me onto the dresser, easing his way between my legs, never breaking the contact of our lips.

  My eager legs wrapped around his hips, pulling him closer while my fingers went to work on his shirt, pulling and tugging at the buttons until his chest was exposed. His muscles rippled beneath my hands, giving them a heavenly massage. Good lord, this man turned me on in ways that I never thought possible.

  My skin came alive beneath his touch as his large hands caressed the length of my thighs.

  Somehow the signal to my brain finally warned me to pump my breaks. This man, the one I ached for was the same one who’d kissed and groped my best friend. The same one who’d screwed so many women he’d lost count. And the same one with a past so dark and twisty at times it scared me. With much reluctance, I broke free of his sweet lips and removed my hands from his glorious body. “I can’t.”

  His eyes moved rapidly, searching mine. A hint of the sadness I’d witnessed all those weeks ago glinted in them. “Why not?”

  I hung my head and hugged my arms to my
body. “I don’t want to be just another one of your conquests, Benji. So if that’s what you want–”

  “It isn’t.”

  I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “Then what do you want?”

  “I just want you, Cammie.”

  “What part?”

  “All of you. Every single thing that’s Camryn,” he pressed his forehead to mine and looked in my eyes. “I want.”

  The world dropped from beneath me. “You…” I lifted my hand and caressed his cheek.

  He threaded his fingers through mine and turned into my hand, pressing a hot kiss to the center of my palm. “I wanna be with you, Cammie.”

  Our lips met again, his sweet tongue moving against mine, heating my body beyond supernova.

  Splaying a hand against his chest, I pulled back again. “Wait.” My eyes locked onto his, looking past their beauty and into him. “I don’t know about this. I’ve learned a lot about you over the months, Benji, and one of those things is that you don’t know how to love or be loved. How do you expect to be in a relationship?”

  His fingertips brushed my neck, moving up to nestle themselves into my hair. “You’re right, Cammie. I have no idea how to love you…so teach me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  ~ Benji ~

  “So, we’re really doing this?”

  I sat in the arm chair with Cam on my lap. Electricity coasted from her fingers into the skin of my exposed chest. “We are.”

  Pulling her closer, I brushed her lips with mine before sliding my tongue in her hot mouth to play with hers. Kissing her was a thousand times better than anything I could’ve ever imagined. I’d kissed countless women and girls in my youth, yet none could hold a candle to Cam or the feeling she gave me.

  Her soft moans vibrated my lips, further stiffening my already painful erection.

  She pulled back slightly, her breaths ragged. “We should take things slow.”

  “We should.”

  Her half closed eyes met mine. “That means no sex.”

  Tilting my head to the side, I smiled at her. “What, you thought you was getting some? Nah, girl. You gotta work for this.”