Hot For Teacher

by Anthology

  “See you tonight, Savannah,” Jake called to her retreating back. The delicious, unspoken promise in his words rocked her to her core. For the first time in forever, Savannah looked forward to something that wasn’t a far off goal in the distant future. She would live in ‘the now’ and have no regrets.

  ***

  Jake knew inviting Savannah to his house was asking for trouble. He knew better. Student-teacher relationships were forbidden, even at the university level. If he was caught having anything other than a professional relationship with Savannah, he would not only lose his shot at the coveted tenured position, he’d lose his job altogether.

  Even knowing that, he hadn’t a doubt in his mind that Savannah was worth the risk. The kid he’d known and loved like a sister had grown to be the most beautiful, intriguing, and infuriating woman he’d ever met. Intelligent and fiery, Savannah had the world at her feet. She could do anything, be anything. Jake couldn’t understand how such a vibrant person had walled herself off so effectively from human emotion. But she had. The girl was missing life, letting it fly by without a thought for anything but her future. A real friend couldn’t stand by and let her throw her young life away without intervention. Or so he’d justified to himself over and over.

  True, Jake wanted her. He was honest enough with himself to admit that much. But more than anything, he wanted to help her. He was certain her closed off nature was a direct result of the aftermath of Preston’s accident. So, he couldn’t help but feel partially responsible for it.

  For all his noble intentions, Jake couldn’t help but feel like a gawky teen, waiting for his Prom date to come down the stairs, as he prepped his apartment for Savannah’s arrival. He tried to see his apartment through the fresh eyes of a young girl. What did Savannah think of the man he’d become? Did she see him as wasted potential? A poor college professor who threw away a professional football career to teach history? Or the traitor who’d ruined her brother’s life?

  Brushing the unwelcome thoughts off, he nervously tidied and nitpicked until he’d rearranged the same furniture so many times there was nowhere left to move them. The doorbell peeled and his heart leapt in anticipation. She was there. Jake had never imagined being so excited about having Savannah Bradshaw back in his life. Then again, he’d never imagined his life without her before the accident.

  He strode over to the door and yanked it open. There she was. Standing in his porch light, as beautiful as the first day of class, with her dark hair tucked beneath an over-sized hoodie and her long legs encased in faded denim. Her full lips parted into a shy smile that tied Jake’s gut into knots.

  “Hi.”

  ***

  Savannah stuffed her hands in the pouch of her hoodie and bounced nervously on the balls of her feet as she waited on Jake’s front stoop. She shouldn’t be there. Someone could see her. Jake could get in a ton of trouble. So could she. She should turn around and go right back to her dorm. But she’d already come this far.

  Before she could change her mind and run for it, Jake tugged the door open. His face lit up the moment their eyes met. And all thoughts of running evaporated. Jake was safety and comfort. Jake was home.

  “Hi,” she said softly, smiling shyly up at him through her lashes.

  Gone were the dress shirt, tie, and slacks. A cotton t-shirt boasting his alma mater and sweatpants that looked impossibly soft had taken their place. Savannah liked comfy Jake. He reminded her of the boy who’d lounged around watching Saturday morning cartoons with her and Preston.

  “Hi back,” Jake said with a soft smile, stepping aside to let her in.

  Savannah bent to pull off her sneakers, cast a glance at his adorably bare masculine feet, and stripped out of her socks too.

  “Please, make yourself at home,” Jake chuckled, nodding at her newly bared feet.

  “Hey, it’s only fair,” Savannah protested. “You didn’t specify this was a pajama party. I feel uncomfortably overdressed.” She indicated her jean-clad legs with the sweep of her hands.

  “That’s an easy fix,” Jake laughed, disappearing into a room off of the main living area. He reappeared, brandishing a pair of flannel pajama pants certain to be several sizes too large for her. He held them out to her with a grin. “Bathroom is the second door on the right. You can change there.”

  Eyeing the bundle of flannel warily, Savannah considered declining, but thought better of it. Comfort always won out in her mind. With a sigh, she snagged the pants from his hands and marched in the direction of the bathroom. Behind the closed door, she stripped out of her jeans, folded them neatly, set them on the counter, and stepped into Jake’s pajama pants. Cinching the large waist and rolling the band down, she was able to make his giant-sized clothing stay on her much smaller frame.

  Doffing her hood, she gave her hair a little fluff in the mirror and padded back out into the apartment. Much like his office, Jake’s apartment had a simple, yet masculine air to it. Bookshelves lined two walls of the main living area, chock full of hard cover texts. An overstuffed sectional took up the rest of the room, facing a big screen television beneath a sign that read ‘man cave.’ The space was well-maintained and impressively tidy, although she suspected from the usual condition of his office desk that he’d cleaned in anticipation of her visit.

  Jake smiled at her from the kitchen as she strode out into the living room and stood uncertainly beside the enormous sectional. “Damn, Vanna, you even make my old flannel look good.”

  The buttery scent of popcorn filled the air as he shook a bag of microwave popcorn into a big glass bowl. Saliva flooded Savannah’s mouth, not just for the delicious man, but the salty treat he prepared. The only thing better than buttered popcorn was buttered popcorn with M&M’s mixed in. If Jake remembered her weakness for that combination, she swore she’d throw herself in his arms and kiss him right then and there.

  He opened a drawer and out came the familiar glossy brown bag. He remembered. Jake hummed contentedly under his breath as he shook the bag to sprinkle the colorful candies over the popcorn. Savannah watched the rainbow of bright colors fall from the bag and licked her lips, unsure which she craved more -- the chocolate and popcorn or the kiss she’d promised herself in a moment of ridiculousness. No way was she throwing herself at him. No matter how kissable he looked. Not even when he looked at her like that – all smoldering blue eyes and knowing smiles.

  “So… ” Savannah cleared her throat and tried to brush away the unwelcome fantasy of kissing Jake until they were both breathless and wanting more. “What’s the lesson plan tonight, Dr. Anderson?” This time when she called him ‘doctor,’ she stressed the title teasingly, affectionately, knowing full well he would correct her as before.

  Jake tipped his head to the side and studied her, amusement dancing in his azure eyes. His lips twisted into a devious smile. “Well, Miss Bradshaw, I thought you could get a head start on next week’s reading, while I enjoy popcorn and a movie. I’m thinking a Die Hard marathon.”

  He popped a handful of colorful candies and fluffy white kernels into his mouth, chewed slowly with his eyes closed, and released a low Mmmmm that made Savannah tingle from head to toe.

  She gasped and his eyes fluttered open. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want some, Miss Bradshaw?”

  “I think you know I do,” Savannah confirmed in a throaty temptress voice that would’ve made her high school drama teacher proud.

  With a seductive saunter, she closed the space between them, reveling in the way he watched her like a hungry animal on the hunt. Stopping as close to him as possible without actually touching, she rose up on her tippy toes and leaned in until her lips were a mere breath away from his. Feminine pride filled her when his breath caught in his throat. Just when her lips were about to brush his, she delved a hand into the bowl of popcorn and hastily retreated with her prize and a throaty chuckle.

  Jake groaned, a low guttural sound in his chest. “What happened to the pig-tailed kid I used to know?”

 
Savannah smirked and shrugged. “I grew up.” She tossed a candy and popcorn tuft into her mouth and savored it with the same overdramatic zeal he’d done earlier, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. “Mmmm, that is so good.”

  Jake sighed. “You’re trouble, Vanna-Banana.”

  Savannah grinned. “Yeah, but you’ve always known that.”

  He shook his head. “This is an entirely different kind of trouble,” he argued, his voice low and husky.

  Grinning wider, she popped another kernel into her mouth. “You have no idea.”

  Jake cleared his throat. “I’m beginning to.”

  “So, if I’m over here reading and eating all the popcorn, what are you going to do? Still thinking a Die Hard marathon?”

  “I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know what I’m actually thinking, so let’s stick to the original plan.”

  “And that is?” she asked with wide-eyed innocence. As ashamed as she was to admit it, Savannah like flirting. She’d always rolled her eyes at her classmates, but she was actually enjoying playing cat and mouse with Jake, bantering in a playful give and take. It was a dangerous game, but she loved the thrill.

  Jake cleared his throat. “Um, movie night.”

  “Care to tell me how a Die Hard marathon is going to teach me these all-important life lessons you insist I need?”

  He shook his blonde head at her. “No Die Hard. At least not tonight anyway. Cold Mountain.”

  Savannah couldn’t hold back her groan. “Not that mush again.”

  Jake silenced her protest with a finger in the air. “Uh-uh. No complaining. I’m bribing you with popcorn and M&M’s. The least you can do is sit quietly and watch the movie.”

  “That’s it. I get to pick the movie next time,” Savannah grumbled.

  “Deal,” Jake agreed much too quickly. His proud smirk betrayed his self satisfaction over the promise of a ‘next time.’

  “And don’t get any ideas. I’m making your ass watch Vegucated or something else like it,” she threatened playfully.

  “Done. If you’ll give my movie a chance, I’ll watch whatever you want.”

  “Fine. Bring on the bad accents and ridiculous plot lines,” Savannah agreed overdramatically, plopping onto the end of the sectional in true martyr style.

  Jake chuckled as he circled round to sit beside her, placing the popcorn bowl on the cushion next to her. With a few clicks of a remote, his big screen came to life. True to her word, Savannah settled into her prospective cushion and focused on the film playing out on the screen in front of her.

  Part of the way, she whipped around to glare at Jake. “Okay, pause for a second.”

  Jake obediently clicked pause and turned to her expectantly. “Yes?”

  “They’re supposed to be madly and hopelessly in love, after just a few casual meetings? She’s supposed to wait years for a man she barely knows? That’s ridiculous,” she protested.

  Jake shook his head and studied her with luminescent eyes. “No, it’s not. Times were different back then. The smallest glance could be a testament of unwavering affection, the most innocent of touches could be incredibly intimate.”

  “I’m sticking with ridiculous,” Savannah maintained, crossing her arms over her breasts. “But never mind. Carry on.”

  Though she stared straight ahead at the frozen screen, waiting for the movie to start again, she could feel Jake studying her wordlessly.

  Silence filled the room around them as he watched her and she waited. Finally, he started the movie again and Savannah held her tongue as the storyline developed. Reaching for the popcorn, her questing hand found warm skin instead. Her heart skipped a beat and her hand froze midair, hovering next to Jake’s over the popcorn. She should’ve pulled away, drawn her hand back and acted like nothing had happened. But the stolen contact felt so familiar and inviting. And she wanted more.

  Jake’s pointer finger softly traced the lines of each of her fingers, caressing and teasing as his touch danced across her skin. The foreign sensation brought to life a kaleidoscope of butterflies low in her belly. Savannah stole a sideways glance at Jake to find his eyes still locked on the screen. But a content smile teased his lips.

  Lesson one, the most innocent of touches could be intimate.

  Savannah knew he was making a point, but couldn’t bring herself to care. The feel of his skin, moving gently against hers, made her ache for more. When at last she interlaced her fingers with his, he turned to look at her. Their gazes collided, crashing into each other like waves against seaside cliffs. The intensity was jarring and undeniable. The heat was incredible. Jake lifted their linked hands to his lips and brushed a soft kiss to the back of her hand and turned back to the screen. He didn’t have to say it, she knew.

  Lesson two, the smallest glance could be a testament of unwavering affection.

  The man could practically make love to her with just his eyes. The thought heated her blood and caused an ache deep within her core. Savannah was acutely aware of their joined hands, of the way his thumb stroked the arch of her hand from pointer finger to thumb. And all she could think about was what that touch would feel like elsewhere. Would he be just as gentle and attentive with the rest of her?

  Knowing better, but helpless to stop herself, Savannah shifted her weight on the couch, bringing herself as close to Jake as possible without climbing into the popcorn bowl. Taking the hint, Jake moved the popcorn with his free hand and dragged her into his arms. Savannah sank into his warmth as she would a soft bed after a long day. Though his body was firm and solid beneath her, he cradled her against him with a tenderness that rivaled the softest of down comforters. It felt right, curling up in the safety of his arms, as though they were perfectly fitted to be together.

  Something so right couldn’t possibly be wrong. Could it? Never mind that he was ten years her senior. Never mind that he was her teacher. In that moment, he was Jake. The boy she’d loved as a child. The man she needed more than ever. He was determined to make her feel. And he succeeded as no one ever had. Emotions she’d locked away for so long broke free at last. Feelings spiraled out of control, a whirlwind of fear, joy, despair, hope…

  Savannah didn’t know when she started crying. She didn’t even notice she had until Jake caught a tear as it streamed down her cheek. He wiped it away with the pad of his finger and pressed a light kiss to the place it had been. Savannah’s heart tightened in her chest.

  Lesson three, people could fall in love in a series of tiny moments.

  Not that she believed herself in love. Not possible. She wasn’t capable of it. Not after years of hiding from her feelings. She didn’t know the first thing about love. But for the first time in forever, she wanted that to change. She wanted to hold on to Jake and these feelings he incited.

  He studied her with heart-wrenching intensity, his blue eyes rivaling the ocean for its depth. His hand cradled the line of her jaw, gently, as though he feared she might break. Slowly, as though he had all the time in the world, his lips covered hers. Softly, tenderly, he brushed the sweetest of kisses against her parted mouth. Hungry for more, Savannah tangled her fingers in his tousled blonde locks and pulled him closer. With a low growl, he answered her greedy demand, crushing his lips to hers, parting them to explore her mouth with the sweet heat of his tongue.

  Breathless, Savannah gaped up at him in wide-eyed wonderment. “Do you really think you can teach me how to feel, Jake? How to love?”

  Those perfect lips curved into a tender smile. “Vanna, I know I can. The question is will you let me?”

  Squeezing her eyes shut tight, Savannah sucked in a deep breath and gave a small nod. “I’d like that. Teach me, Jake. Teach me how to love.”

  To be continued…

  Back To School

  By

  Vicki Green

  Emma Danielson’s last year of college and she still hates it. She still doesn’t know what to do with her life. Bartending at night, going to classes during the day, it’s killing n
ot only her social life, but she’s so sleep deprived, she’s walking around like a zombie. However, when the new teacher walks into her music class, she definitely wakes up and takes notice.

  Josh Tyler’s been shifted around from college to college as a temporary teacher for years, but this year he gets his own class. Problem is his playing and singing at night at the local bars and practicing doesn’t give him too much time to sleep or do too much of anything for that matter. He’s sick of all the women throwing themselves at him at the bars and longs for a serious relationship; a woman who loves him for him and not his stage presence. When he walks into the first day of his new music class and notices a beautiful girl sitting in the back, a fresh set of issues arise and a whole lot of trouble ensues.

  Time to get back to school!

  This is dedicated to the wonderful authors in the Hot For Teacher anthology. I’m honored to have my story with yours.

  Mandee Mae, Missy Johnson, Liv Morris, Lisa M. Harley, M.C. Cerny, Nicole Blanchard,

  Phalla S. Rios, Niquel, Amalie Silver and Elle Bright

  Thank you for the honor and privilege.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Vicki Green Copyright 2014©

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form with authorization of the Author Vicki Green©

  Editor: Kathy Krick @K2 Editing:

  https://www.facebook.com/K2Editing

  Chapter One

  “Yo! We got a new band coming in this weekend. They’re really hot, sexy and man, can they play!” Tina yells from across the bar counter, and I roll my eyes. “Come on, Em! Lighten up! I hear the lead singer plays guitar, and he is sexier than hell.” She leans her arms on the counter rests her chin on her hands and gives me her puppy dog look. “Damn, girl. You need some sleep. Are those dark circles under your eyes?”