by Isabel Morin
“Here,” Jason said, handing his friend some money. “First round’s on me.”
Cutter showed up as Evan was returning with the drinks and Emily introduced him all around. Cheryl could see Cutter sizing the situation up, much like he did when he was in his bouncer role at the club. Jason leaned in and said something to Cutter, and she realized Jason was only an inch or so shorter, and Cutter was a good few inches over six feet. Jason was slightly leaner but looked equally hard, though his face broke more easily into a friendly grin. A lover, not a fighter.
The band was in full swing now, playing a rowdy upbeat song that pulled at her. A crowd of people were already on the dance floor and more poured onto it.
“Come on, let’s get out there,” Lisa said, grabbing Cheryl and Emily.
The steady flow of lust Cheryl had been enduring was about to make her jump out of her skin, so she was plenty ready to move. What better way to let off some steam?
She was oddly self-conscious at first, knowing Jason was probably watching. Which was pretty funny considering what she’d been doing for the last four years. But after a few minutes she lost herself in the music and let herself go.
Chapter Four
Jason watched Cheryl dance, faintly disbelieving. Was she trying to torture him?
The band had transitioned to a slow, sexy croon, and all the bodies on the floor had slowed with it. Now Cheryl was practically writhing right in front of him, her lips parted as she swayed with the music. She was wearing a pink and green paisley sundress that stopped several inches short of her knees. He could see by the low back that she wore no bra, but her breasts were high and firm beneath the fabric. Images of pulling her into his body were flashing through his mind, and in some of them he was taking off that dress.
“I’m going in,” Evan said, putting his beer bottle down on the nearest table. “You don’t have a problem with me dancing with your sister, do you?” he asked Cutter.
Jason watched, amused. Evan could probably have held his own against the big man, but it was a good move to ask.
“Be my guest, if you think you’re up to it,” Cutter said.
Evan and Jason exchanged a look. Was that a challenge, a warning, or just the way the man talked?
Whatever it was, apparently Evan was up to it, since he headed off and left the two of them standing there. Jason watched as Evan inserted himself into the small knot of women, trying to shake off the flare of envy that Evan didn’t have to analyze his every move and worry he was crossing some line.
A few seconds later Cutter headed into the fray, moving behind Emily and pulling her close, his stern expression melting into an unmistakable combination of love and lust as he looked down at her.
But it was Cheryl who caught and held Jason’s gaze, Cheryl who was driving him crazy. She was so unconsciously sexy the way she laughed and swung her hips around, then closed her eyes and let her head fall back. He was moving toward the dance floor before he’d even fully realized what he was doing.
Her eyes were still closed when he brushed up against her. Her body jerked in surprise and her eyes snapped open, but when she saw who it was a pleased, cat-like grin curved her lips. Within moments her slanted eyes grew heavy-lidded and her movements more languorous. She leaned into him almost imperceptibly and he took that as invitation to slip his hands to her hips.
Her arms came up to twine around his neck and they were moving together, the heat from their bodies mingling. Tendrils of hair clung damply to her neck, and he was seized by the most erotic image of her beneath him, wearing the same expression. He was hard now, there was no way she didn’t know it, but she didn’t pull away. If anything she pressed closer, her body so in tune with his he felt like he could have led her over a cliff.
For surely that’s where they were headed, he and this woman he’d have to see in class again on Tuesday. But those were cold hard facts that couldn’t penetrate the heat between them, couldn’t stop his hands from skimming over the smooth skin of her back and down to her ass, pulling her closer.
Then the music stopped and the singer announced the band was taking a break. He and Cheryl pulled apart, staring at each other as everyone around them clapped. She looked dazed and aroused, soft and pliant, but even as he watched, her eyes grew clear and sharp, her expression dismayed. She was coming back to herself, remembering who they were to each other.
Her fair skin was already flushed, but now a deeper flush overtook her and her gaze skittered away. His heart sank. He couldn’t find it in him to want to take back that sexy dance, but neither did he want it coming between them.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked, trying to act like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
“That would be great, thanks,” she said, still not quite looking at him. “I’ll be right back.”
He watched as she made her way off the dance floor and away from the bar, disappearing from view. For a split second he panicked, wondering if she was taking off, then felt like a jackass when he realized she was heading for the restrooms.
“Want another beer? This one’s on me,” Evan said, cutting into his thoughts.
Evan was looking at him with amusement, but made no move to pry into his psyche. Not for the first time he was thankful men didn’t ask each other questions.
Cutter was talking to someone he knew, so he and Evan wandered over to the bar together and ordered their drinks.
“Pretty good band, huh?” Jason asked, the question sounding totally inane to his own ears.
“Yup, great band. Nice club, too,” Evan replied, the glint in his eye making it clear he was humoring him.
Jason ignored the look and tried to make regular conversation, but he was too distracted to pull it off. He ordered a seltzer for Cheryl, then took a swing of his beer and looked around, trying to make it look casual.
He finally spotted Cheryl and Lisa coming his way, but when they got to him Cheryl hung back a step, as if wanting to keep her distance. He handed her the seltzer and she smiled but stayed where she was.
“You two going back in?” he asked, nodding toward the dance floor where the band was tuning up.
“Actually, I probably should head out,” Cheryl said. “I have a lot going on tomorrow.” She turned to Lisa. “Cutter can take you and Emily back to your cars, right?”
“Sure,” Lisa said, her gaze darting between the two of them. “That’s fine.”
Cheryl turned back to him. “I’ll see you Tuesday,” she said, not quite meeting his eyes.
“I’ll walk you out,” he said, determined not to leave things on an awkward note.
For a second he worried she was going to protest, but she just gave him a perplexed smile and said goodbye to Lisa.
Jason followed her out the door, trying not to look at her sweet ass, but there was no part of her that didn’t send him into erotic territory. As little as she was, her legs seemed to go for miles, and her back was bare nearly to her waist, the skin smooth and damp with heat.
They reached her car and stood there for a second, the tension between them palpable. But maybe it wasn’t what he’d thought, and her tension was discomfort rather than desire. Or maybe she danced like that with every guy she met, and he was only imagining there was something between them. Or just maybe, she felt something but knew how stupid it would be to let anything happen while they worked together.
“Sorry. I guess I got kind of carried away in there,” he ventured, hoping to tease out what was going on.
“I guess we both did,” she said.
She started to say something else but stopped, and instead stood there looking uncomfortable.
“I’m not going to hit on you, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said. “I’m pretty sure this is as weird as I want things to get.”
She smiled then, a bit sheepishly, her whole body softening as the tension left her. “We should probably keep a lid on things while we work together.”
“Agreed.” He stepped back from her
car. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”
“See you,” she said, flashing him her smile.
He stood back and watched her drive away, replaying their exchange. Unless he was seriously misreading things, Cheryl was interested, and the only thing stopping her was the same thing stopping him. Which meant he had a lot to look forward to when the semester was over. Until then, he’d just have to be patient and let their friendship grow. Some things were worth waiting for, after all.
***
Cheryl woke up to the sound of her phone ringing and looked at her clock. Ten o’clock. Damn, she was going to be late for class if she didn’t haul ass.
Rolling out of bed, she staggered to where her phone was charging on her bureau. It was Emily, no doubt calling to deconstruct last night’s events.
“Nothing happened.”
“Well good morning to you, too, Miss Sunshine,” Emily retorted.
“Sorry,” Cheryl grumbled. “I just figured you were calling to see what happened when Jason and I left last night, and the answer is nothing.”
“That’s disappointing, but I’ll get over it. I just assumed from the way you were grinding up against each other, something would have–”
“We weren’t grinding,” Cheryl protested.
Emily said nothing.
“Oh, God, we were grinding,” Cheryl wailed, falling backwards onto the bed. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“I’m guessing his hotness came over you. What did you two do when you left the club? Did he make a move?”
“He walked me to my car and we stood there kind of awkwardly and I was terrified he’d try to kiss me or ask me to go home with him and I’d have to say no but I’d want to say yes, and the rest of the semester would be a disaster.” She stopped and took a breath. “But he just apologized for getting carried away and said not to worry, he wasn’t going to hit on me, and that was that.”
“Hm. Sounds like our Jason is a stand-up guy.”
“I know,” Cheryl said, and she could hear the dismay in her own voice. “Which makes him that much hotter.”
“Yeah, it really kind of does.”
They were both quiet as they mulled this over.
“I know you’re not looking for a relationship right now,” Emily finally said, “but have you thought about giving it a go with him when the semester’s over?”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” she said wryly. “I sort of hinted to him that I might be interested. It’s pretty tempting, but I just don’t know. I have so much on my plate right now. I’m not sure I’m ready for all the drama and disappointment of dating someone.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way, you know. Not if it’s the right guy. And Jason doesn’t seem like Mr. Drama.”
“I suppose not. But let’s not forget my dirty little secret. Even supposing he was interested in me that way–”
“I’d say that’s pretty much a given,” Emily broke in.
“Jason’s a good guy, but he’s not a saint. What’s he going to think about a girlfriend who strips for a living?”
Emily was silent.
“Exactly,” Cheryl said. “I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m a nice, ordinary teacher with a normal life. I guarantee he’s not looking for someone like me.”
“What does that mean, ‘someone like me’?” Emily demanded. “You’re gorgeous, smart, generous–”
Cheryl laughed, her heart squeezing at Emily’s passionate defense of her.
“I’m not putting myself down. I’m just being realistic. I’ve dated guys who were into me stripping, but they were dirtbags. Good guys get freaked out by it and take off.”
“I don’t know, maybe you’re right. You’re the only one who knows whether it’s worth taking a chance. I’d just hate to see you miss out on a great thing because you were scared of what he’d think. And anyway, you’ll be quitting the club when classes are over, so you’d just be an ex-stripper by then.”
“Well, for the time being I’m going to hold off on the grinding and whatnot and concentrate on actually becoming a teacher.”
“I can’t fault you there. You shouldn’t let anything distract you from your goal. I totally get that.”
“I know you do. But you’re also insanely optimistic now that you’re all in love and getting married.”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
Cheryl was still smiling and shaking her head when she got off the phone. She sometimes acted like she didn’t need anyone’s advice, but it was nice to have someone to talk to. The truth was, she thought about Jason all the time, wondering if she was ready to take a chance on him when the semester ended. Assuming he was likewise inclined. He was pretty great, and it was hard to imagine him making her feel bad.
But she couldn’t worry about all that now. It was only late September. There was plenty of time to work out what to do once December rolled around.
***
Jason glanced over at Cheryl as she sighed and stretched her arms overhead. It was three-thirty on Friday and they were working on the lesson plan for next week, but they were both restless. He assumed she was, anyway, since she kept shifting around in her chair and glancing at the clock.
“What do you say we move this party to the coffee shop? A change of scenery would probably do us some good.”
“Sure, I’m game. As long as you’re not doing it on my account.”
They’d managed to work together just fine all week, though they were both being more careful, and Cheryl was being extra deferential. She also hadn’t mentioned climbing this weekend, and as much as he’d been looking forward to going again with her, he was starting to think they should maybe cool it for a week or two. Until he could trust that he wouldn’t spring another woody on her, he probably ought to keep his distance.
“Trust me, it’s for my benefit, too. I could stand to look at something besides these walls, and the Blackwater Café is just a couple blocks away.”
“That sounds perfect,” she said, looking relieved.
Stuffing the papers and planners into their respective bags, they headed out.
“You okay walking there?” he asked, holding the door open for her as they left the school. “I don’t mind driving if the heat’s going to get to you.”
“God no, this is great. I’m so tired of the air conditioning blasting on me, I’m happy to be outside. Anyway, it’s not even ninety degrees.”
“You sound like a native.” he said, trying to suppress the urge to take her hand.
He didn’t hold hands, not even with girlfriends. Which she was not.
“Oh, I’m fully acclimated. I’ll admit the heat damn near killed me the first year, but I’m used to it now. As much as anyone can be, that is. I just wish I didn’t burn so easily.”
She’d taken off the shapeless sweater she wore inside the building and stuffed it in her bag. Now she wore a peach colored sleeveless blouse that revealed her creamy skin and slim, toned arms. Tiny freckles dusted her shoulders, and all at once he wanted nothing more than to know how they tasted.
“Are you sure you won’t burn out in this?” he asked her, his voice coming out gruffer than usual.
“I put sunscreen on every morning, so I should be okay. Of course, I probably should wear my hat,” she said, sounding reluctant.
“What’s wrong with wearing a hat?”
Cheryl sighed. “I finally bought one after burning over and over, but I’m pretty sure I look middle-aged when I wear it. I just can’t win. I’m vain if I wear it and vain if I don’t.”
“Now you have to put it on. I want to see.”
“Promise you won’t laugh?” she asked, her green eyes slanting up at him.
“Cross my heart.”
“All right, turn away so you get the full effect. I’ll know by your reaction whether you think it’s ridiculous.”
They both stopped and Jason turned around, whistling theatrically.
“Okay,” she said, and he turned back to face h
er.
An apple green bucket hat covered her red hair, little pink and blue flowers peeking out from the underside of the brim. She looked adorable, kissable, her eyes shining from underneath the brim, her lush pink lips smiling ruefully.
“So?” she asked. “Middle-aged or not?”
“Not. Definitely not.”
He must have been a bit too emphatic, and maybe he was kind of staring, because her eyes widened and she quickly looked away.
“Oh, that’s good,” she said, and started walking again.
Jason let out a breath and matched his stride to her smaller one. He’d been making a herculean effort to rein in his feelings, but she wasn’t making it easy. The woman could wear a sack and still look sexy. All it took was her bare arms and a cute hat and he was a goner all over again. A hat, for God’s sake.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. When they got to the café and looked inside it was clear they wouldn’t be getting a seat anytime soon. Every table was full, many of them with students at their laptops, a sure sign the occupants were there for the long haul.
“Want to try across the street?” he asked, nodding toward the bar he sometimes frequented.
“I’m game. In fact I could use something to relax me.”
“Oh? Why’s that?” he asked, letting her precede him inside.
Taking her hat off, she waited until they were seated at the bar before answering.
“I’m just stressed, that’s all. Between teaching and my classes and getting ready for the Praxis exam, I tend to lie awake at night, imagining nightmarish scenarios that lead to ruin. Sometimes I do it during the day, too.”
He laughed at her self-deprecating eye roll. “This one’s on me then,” he said raising his hand to get the bartender’s attention.
Unfortunately, the bartender tonight was Kim and she didn’t look happy to see him come in with a woman. They’d gone on exactly three dates last year, nothing more than a few drinks and one long goodnight kiss he’d tried to dodge, but she still seemed pissed that he’d ended things. She didn’t usually work Fridays, but obviously this was just his lucky day.
“Well, fancy seeing you here,” she said, sauntering over. “I thought you were avoiding me.”