by Anthology
It’s been three days of sneezing, coughing up a lung and shivering and still I’m not feeling any better. Tina has called me five times yelling at me about not taking care of myself and how she knew this was going to happen. Just what I wanted to hear. Mom has called so much I had to tell her if she didn’t stop calling me so often I would never get any rest. Then I felt bad when she told me how she hated that she isn’t here to take care of me and nurse me back to health. Damn guilt trip but I love her for it.
The pounding of my head is magnified by the pounding at my front door. I get out of bed, throwing on my robe, and sneeze all the way there. I’m shocked when I look through the peephole to see Josh standing there. I open the door quickly, grab his arm and tugging at it until he enters my apartment, his hand holding a large paper bag and briefcase. “What are you doing here? You could have been seen, hurry!” I say my voice not only groggy from sleep but gravelly and hoarse from this damn cold. I start sneezing, my hair falling down over my face, my hands covering my mouth, and then I have a coughing attack.
“Here, come sit down.” He puts his arm around my shoulder, and his voice is full of concern as he leads me over to the couch. I sit down, continuing my ugly coughing and sneezing and when I finally stop, I look up to see him standing there with one of my pillows from my bed and a blanket. “Stand for a minute.” He smiles and when I get up my head swarms with dizziness. I start swaying, his arm moving around my waist fast, pulling me close to him, and with his free hand he sets the pillow down and spreads out the blanket. “Come here, sweetheart. Lay down and I’ll warm up this soup I brought.” I don’t argue as I’m in no shape to, and it feels good to lay down but then I start sneezing again. When I open my eyes, there’s a tissue in front of me, and I grab it. I look up at him, his eyes full of worry then he leaves my sight and I hear him in the kitchen. He’s gone for a few minutes, and my eyes start to close. I’m beginning to drift off, but soon I feel his presence and open them. He sits down on the couch next to my legs and my eyes close again as he reaches over, brushing some of my hair away from my face. I’m sure it’s a knotted mess, and I know I must look lovely with my red and watery eyes and no makeup.
“How did you find me? And you’re so gonna get caught coming over here. I don’t want you to lose your job because of me.” My voice is fading in and out, and I’ll be surprised if he can even understand what I said.
My heart begins to beat faster as I watch his eyebrows lower, worry lines creasing across his forehead and concern marring his gorgeous face. “After I received your email with the assignment then you didn’t show up for class on Monday, I started to get worried. Then I looked for you yesterday at lunch under the shade tree but you weren’t there. You not being in class again today did me in. I got your phone number from your file and I called several times but there was no answer, so I went over to Randy’s Place right after my classes were done and ran into Tina, who told me you were ill.”
Crap! Now I feel bad because I made him worry. My phone rang so many times and thinking it was Mom or Tina, since they were calling endlessly, I didn’t answer.
“Do you not answer your phone or listen to your voicemails? And who doesn’t have a cellphone nowadays?” He asks with a smirk.
“Well….”
“Don’t answer that, yet. I think your soup is done.” He rises but before he leaves he reaches down, and as he feels my forehead with the back of his hand, my eyes close. His skin is softer than I imagined. I don’t know why I didn’t think it would be, but not having been with guys much, who knew? As many romance novels I’ve read, I just thought it was all make believe that a man could be so incredibly beautiful and have soft skin. My eyes reopen and watch him walk around the couch, and he’s gone again. My eyes slowly close feeling heavy and swollen from all the watering and I drift off.
§ § § §
I stop short when I walk back into her living room and see she’s asleep. I take the soup and crackers back into the kitchen and after scouring the cabinets I finally locate a plastic bowl with a lid and pour all the soup in there and store it in the refrigerator, intending on reheating it once she awakens. I quietly walk back into the living room and sit down on the old beat up chair in the corner of the room and watch her sleep. She looks younger in her slumber but even without makeup she’s beautiful. I noticed she doesn’t wear much and I like that. I’m finding I want to know more about her. What are her parents like? Where did she grow up? What are her likes and dislikes to all different things? Why the hell doesn’t she have a fucking cellphone?
My eyes finally leave her and scan around the small room. She’s obviously a neat freak as everything is in its proper place and clean. Built in bookshelves along the longest wall, the books seem to be in order by author, a few shelves are more vacant but hold little nick knacks and framed pictures. I see what I imagine is her as a little girl, holding the hand of a woman who may be her mother. Both are smiling and look like they are close. Several other framed pictures are of her either by herself or with the same woman, but I don’t see any of them with a man, a father. That’s another story I’d like to know. Of course, she may want to know about my parents, and I’d tell her but it would be hard for me. How do you tell someone about your life growing up without parents and want them not to feel sorry for you? As I’ve gotten older it became easier to live with them gone and without the love and support of my grandparents I know I would have turned out differently.
Sitting on a small table across from her old and well-worn couch is a thirteen inch TV. On the bottom shelf of the table are magazines neatly stacked and a couple of books that maybe she was recently reading. I know her kitchen is small but kept clean and tidy as well. I can imagine her bathroom and bedroom are in the same cleanliness and my mind immediately wonders what her bed looks like.
A movement catches my eye and I look over at Emma. “Mmmm,” a groan leaves her sweet mouth as she stirs and when her eyes open lazily she catches me staring at her. “What time is it?” She croaks her voice almost gone.
I look down at my watch and then back into her eyes. “Seven thirty.” She struggles to sit up, so I rush over landing on one knee and help her with my hands under her arms, lifting her a little to lay back against her pillow. “Hey, you don’t have to do it all yourself. Let me help you,” I whisper. Her eyes snap to mine. Her chest rising and falling from the strain of her exertion. Standing up, I sit down on the coffee table and lean down, my elbows resting on my legs.
“Wow. You’ve been here for a long time. Hours. I’m sorry I’m not better company. You must be bored.” She covers her mouth with her hand as she coughs.
I’m up and quickly talking over my shoulder, “I was afraid to leave. You looked so peaceful and I can tell you’re exhausted.” After getting a bottled water from the fridge I take it back to her and watch her throat constrict as she drinks. “I’ll just….” I head back to the kitchen and take the bowl of soup out removing the lid and place it in the microwave. Once the soup is warmed up I pour some in a bowl, grab a spoon and napkin and take them into the living room, setting everything down on the coffee table. I look up to find her sitting up. Her hair is a bunched up mess, eyes swollen, bags underneath, and I swear she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. “Here. Try to get some of this down. When was the last time you ate?”
I watch as she leans over, taking the spoon, scooping up some soup and as her lips form around it, I swear my cock twitched. Her eyes close and I think I heard a small moan as she swallows. “That tastes so good.” My smile spreads and she continues to eat. After eating half of the contents she looks up and catches me staring. “So, aren’t you afraid you’ll get caught here? I mean, not that I don’t appreciate everything but…. I don’t want you to lose your job.”
I shift in my seat trying to conceal my cock that’s straining to be set free and smile. “Well, I informed Mr. Drake that you were ill and asked for your Calculus homework and I brought you the next assignment from
my class as well. I figure I can help you get caught up. I’m glad that you at least emailed me your last assignment so you’re not so far behind with me. Don’t worry. It’s all good.”
Her phone rings and I quickly get up and grab it from the kitchen and hand it to her. She looks at the cordless receiver, which I didn’t even think they made anymore, and rolls her eyes. “Hi, Mom. Yes, I’m eating.” Her eyes move to mine and she smiles. “I know. My voice will be better tomorrow. Yes, I’m taking my vitamins and drinking juice.” She squints and shrugs at me.
I run into the kitchen and open her fridge door and see that there’s no juice in there. In fact, other than a small opened package of cheese, a jug of milk that’s almost gone, and a couple of apples, there’s nothing else in there. I calmly walk over to my briefcase, take out a pen and paper and start making a list. “What are you doing?” My head turns to the sound of her crackling voice and smile.
“I’m making a list and going to the grocery store. Is there anything in particular you need?” She begins to rise and I run over pushing on her shoulders gently stopping her. “Oh, no! Where do you think you’re going?”
Her eyebrows lower and I can tell she’s frustrated and then she sneezes, covering her mouth with both hands. Once her attack has stopped, she grabs a tissue from the box on the coffee table and blows her cute little nose. Her watery eyes look up from beneath her long lashes as she sniffs. “I want to give you some money. You’re so sweet to do all of this for me but you don’t need to pay too.”
I squat down in front of her and smile. “Just let me worry about it. You need to finish your soup and I’ll be back in no time. Where’s your keys?” She turns and points at the small table next to the front door and then looks back at me. “Good girl. Just in case you fall asleep. Now, I just want you to rest and let me help. Please?”
“But….”
“No, no buts. Finish up and then lay back down. I’ll be back soon.” Before I can think or stop myself, I lean towards her and kiss her warm forehead. I hear a small gasp, and then she relaxes. When I move back her eyes are half closed and her lips formed into a small smile. “I won’t be long,” I whisper.
When I leave I lock the door behind me and head down the stairs. I need to hurry. This is gonna make it harder and harder to stay away from her, to pretend we are only teacher and student. But God, I want nothing more than to be with her, know her better, and to hold her in my arms. I’m determined to have her and if we’re caught, then I’ll just have to find another job that can support me along with playing in the band. I was so kidding myself. I can’t wait a whole school year to be with her. There’s no way.
Chapter Four
He’s going to the store for me. Taking care of my every need. Why does this make me so nervous? Is he thinking I’m a child who can’t take care of myself or that he’s just trying to be helpful? My head hurts along with my coughing and sneezing, but I’m so confused. He can get in a ton of trouble, and I’m not worth it. He could lose his career and I shouldn’t let him. I know we have feelings for each other, and I’d like nothing more than to act on those feelings, but I can’t let him do this. God, I want him. I decide I need to do something. Show him I can take care of myself and then find a way to stay away from him.
I manage to force myself into the shower and find the hot water is surprisingly wonderful. After doing all my bathroom things, I get dressed in a comfy pair of yoga pants and long t-shirt. Okay, I don’t feel well enough to put on a bra but my assets are hidden. I gather up all the papers he brought and sit down at the small kitchen table and start working on my homework. Even though this is not helping my head I try to concentrate.
“Hey, you should be resting.” I look up from my paper as Josh walks in, my eyes follow him into the kitchen, and I watch as he puts everything away. Too comfortable, too at home.
I sigh, not wanting to do what I’m getting ready to do, but I have no choice. I look back down at my paper and frown. “You should leave. I’m fine now. Thank you for everything but I can manage.” Silence. Footsteps. I feel him, his warmth and peek up. He’s standing next to me, worry, frustration and concern marring his gorgeous face. “Look. I know you mean well but….” I turn slightly laying my pen down on the table and try to give him a smile. I don’t think I was very successful. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done but I’m afraid we’ll get caught. I’m afraid you’ll lose your job that you’ve worked so hard for. You don’t deserve this.” I look down at my hands that are wringing in my lap and try to keep the tears that are clouding my vision from spilling over. “I’m not worth it.”
The warmth of his body is closer as I feel the touch of his hand cup my face and I try to keep looking down as he pushes it up but I can’t stop my eyes from moving up to his. “Hey. You’re worth it. Don’t ever say that. Look. I’ve never had a relationship, not really, and I probably suck at it but I know what I want. I want to get to know you, see where it goes.” A lone tear leaves my eye and trickles down my cheek. He tenderly wipes it away, leaving his thumb there. “I’ve never wanted anything more. Can’t we try? We can be careful. You’ll see.” My head nods shakily and suddenly I’m in his arms. Mine move around his slim waist, my head turning to the side and laying on his broad chest. I’m still worried. Worried to death. But if he’s willing to try, to risk his career for me, then I should be willing to take the chance with him.
“Now,” he says as he moves back a bit and looks me in the eye. “First thing is to get you better and get that homework done. You sit and work while I cut up some fruit for you and if you need help, I’ll be right here.” My smile is genuine as he walks back into the kitchen and I pick up my pen. Maybe this will work out just fine and we won’t get caught. Maybe I’m worrying for nothing. Am I fooling myself because there is such a huge chance we could get caught and then what will happen? The one thing he didn’t say is what would happen if we did get caught and he lost his job. Would we still be together or would he regret his decision to be with me? I’m too afraid to ask. Shit.
After he helped me get caught up on my Calculus homework and fed me some fruit and more soup, he kissed my forehead and said to stay home again tomorrow to rest and he would turn in my homework for me. How can I not want to be with this caring man? This man who wants to look out for me, take care of me and is hotter than any man on the planet? I must be insane and so freakin’ lucky. Who am I kidding? I can’t stay away from him. There’s no way.
By Friday I’m back to my old self. Thank God! Josh came over every day after school, made me different things to eat and I have to say, he’s one hell of a cook. I could get so used to that and already miss him when he’s not here. He and the band are playing at another bar this weekend, but we’re so busy at Randy’s that the time flies. After getting back into the groove, I’m exhausted by the time I get home, but I feel a little better once I’ve taken a shower.
I get all cozy in my bed when my phone rings. Who in the hell could be calling at this late hour? Sluggishly I get out of bed and shuffle to the kitchen. I need to figure out a way to get a cellphone. “Hello?” My voice is already a little hoarse from exhaustion.
“Hey,” his rough voice speaks.
“Hey,” I sigh into the phone.
“I was just laying here missing you.”
“I miss you too. How did your gig go tonight?” I bring the receiver back to the bedroom with me and lay down in bed getting comfy under the covers.
“It was great but it would’ve been better if you’d been there.” Damn, he’s making me swoon.
You know that feeling you get every time you see or hear the person you are head over heels for? The one that makes you eager to see or hear them every second of the day? Yeah, that’s what I’m feeling right now.
“I have an idea!” My heart speeds up, and I try to wait patiently. “There’s a town just about an hour from here and I think we should take advantage of the distance and go out on a date.” Hmmm, I like the way
he thinks. “Next weekend. Can you see if you can get Friday or Saturday night off? I’m thinking dinner and a movie.”
“Randy owes me time off,” I respond. Lord knows I never take any off. “It’s a date and a great idea.
He gets quiet and I look to see if he’s hung up but it still shows connected. “Emma?” His voice is quieter, breathless. “What are you wearing?”
I giggle. I can’t help it. We’ve been talking a lot on the phone lately and he’s threatened to buy me a cellphone but I just can’t let him do that. Am I stubborn? Yeah, kind of, but I just can’t have him buying me expensive stuff. “Oh, I’m just laying here in my skimpy camisole and panties.” I giggle again. I don’t even own those kinds of things. I’m in my oversized favorite t-shirt.
“Damn! I wish I was there,” his voice sounds breathless, and it’s making me shiver.
The next week is the longest of my young life. His class is my only saving grace and then there’s Calculous. Ugh! We’ve been meeting for lunch under our tree but not every day. I’m so afraid we’ll be caught, but he thinks I’m too paranoid. He should be more than he is. After all, it’s his job. Friday night finally comes and I’m a nervous wreck. I don’t know why I am because it’s not like we don’t know each other or haven’t been around together. However, we haven’t been officially out together, you know like out together. Shit! I’m so freaking nervous!
I pull my blouse down over the top of my skirt for the hundredth time and sigh. Practically ripping them off, I throw them into the bottom of my closet on top of the growing mound of discarded clothes. I look around again, moving deep into the back of my closet and smile. I remove a dress from its hanger and pull it over my head, walk back out and stand in front of my full length mirror hanging on the back of the door. There. Perfect.