This last comment isn’t appreciated in any way, and I’m left defending myself. “I am more than capable of handling this job, and my design boards are spot on! This whole mess had nothing to do with my ability to handle the project!” I don’t want to sound angry, I don’t want to sound defensive, but I do.
Dr. Lynch raises his hands in placation and responds. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t suggesting you weren’t doing a good job on this project. In fact, I only just got off the phone with your manager, and it was made clear your performance was impressive.”
“Who, Vera?” My face must register incredulity.
Dr. Lynch is quick to correct. “No. The project manager—Mr. Ellinwood. He’s sending over your project boards for me to review, and he made it quite clear your performance on this project has been top notch.” I can’t stop the small smile that takes over my mouth as I drop my gaze to my lap to disguise my response, but Dr. Lynch isn’t done speaking yet. “Is there any reason I need to worry about you going back to Foster’s? I don’t want to be responsible for putting a student in a negative atmosphere or situation.”
Vera’s face pops into my mind but is quickly replaced by Jordan’s as I shake my head. I don’t want to leave Foster’s. I’m offended about what happened with Mark, but it’s not Foster’s fault and certainly not Jordan’s. I have a lot riding on this one project and my successful completion of it, but I want to be there. I want to be near Jordan. He’s an amazing teacher, and he’s been an amazing influence and support to me over the past few weeks—more than I could ever have thought he might be. Truth be told, I want to work only with him. He makes me competent, capable, even proud of my abilities, and I can imagine no better teacher at this point in my education. He’s important to me. I’m attached in many more ways than just my physical attraction, and dangerous as this is, I’m powerless to pull away now.
Dr. Lynch is watching me as I process his words. There’s plenty of threat that hangs over my head at Foster’s, Vera being only one, but I need to be there. I shake my head in response to Dr. Lynch’s question, and he eyes me suspiciously. He must think I’m insane for wanting to stay after the Trigg disaster, but he eventually accepts what I say and walks me to the door.
“Good luck, Adeline. Please let me know if you need anything. You have two very strong supporters in Foster and Ellinwood, but if you have any problems, I want to know about it.” I nod as we say our good-byes, and I leave.
The moment I’m out of the building, I relax and breathe an enormous sigh of relief. I was terrified what would happen during this meeting. Dr. Lynch has never been mean or intimidated me before, but I’ve always been the star pupil, not the problem child. I hop the ‘L’, still with relief coursing through my veins, and I sit enjoying the peace that has come over me. It’s starting to rain and there is a spring chill in the air, and a lovely quiet afternoon alone sounds like just what I need, but looking out the window to the passing city a sadness tinges my mood. I want to see him. I’ve craved him since the moment we parted Friday evening. This morning was filled with stress and worry, and having him by my side was so appreciated—his touch, his kiss. Now my fear has passed, I am alone, and I don’t want to be.
Chapter 10
I mount the stairs to her door two at a time. It really is an interesting house. Wide, expansive porch that leads to her doorstep, but it also looks as though it may crumble at any moment. I ring the door, and my heart flutters in anticipation. I’ve wanted her every moment I’ve been away from her. Ducking out for the afternoon was perhaps a bit reckless, but I’ve spent years being overly committed to my career, and at the moment I want to be overly committed to only her.
Her fear this morning had me ready to fight for her, protect her. As always, my strong need to take care of her took over my mind the moment she was in my presence. Vera was enjoying Adeline’s fear far more than any decent person would, and I hate her for it. I want to make Vera disappear from Adeline’s world, and I’ve never wanted to punch a woman more in my life.
As she answers the door, standing in only yoga pants and a college sweatshirt, I hold out a small gift bag. She looks incredible. Her long hair is pulled up in a high, messy ponytail, and she’s wearing no makeup. Her skin looks fresh and clean, unblemished, pale, and smooth. She takes the bag from my outstretched hand with a small smile passing her lips. She pulls the gray tissue from the gray bag and peers inside. Now it’s my turn to smile, and as she looks to my eyes she pulls the small box of condoms from the bag, laughing. I take the opportunity to sweep her into my arms and lift her gently to straddle me. I’m already hard, have been since the checkout line at the drugstore, and I move us quickly down the hall to the first door, hoping it’s the bedroom.
I get lucky and plant her on the bed, taking my place above her. I’ve not been inside her apartment, and while I’ve thought about her home and my want to explore it, at the moment I can think of only one thing: my cock and her tight pussy. I pull her sweatshirt over her head and gaze at her naked skin. She’s braless, and her small, round breasts are stunning. Her nipples are tight and erect, waiting for my mouth. I run my thumbs over the tight nubs slowly while I watch her eyes. She’s watching me, and her breath is ragged and her expression needy.
When I lower my mouth to her neck, she turns her head to give me all the access I could want. I nibble, suck, and trail my tongue to her clavicle while her body shudders and her muscles tense and release. I move down farther to her breasts, tasting her sweet skin tinged in her unique scent. I flick one nipple with my tongue as her stomach muscles clench in response, and then I latch myself to her needy breast. First one and then the other is laved, tormented, and teased until her back arches into my mouth and her pelvis writhes at my touch.
When I pull back to meet her eyes, her eyes are hooded, seductive, and very impassioned in her need. I lean to her lips, claiming them slowly and gently before pushing past them with my tongue and invading her warm, delicious mouth. I explore and stroke her tongue with my own, savoring her flavor and the silken skin. Her hands are on me, clutching my shoulders, stroking my biceps, and pulling me to her body. She fumbles with the buttons of my shirt and pulls it off me. Her hands then find my pectoral muscles and knead, squeeze, and caress my tight chest muscles. Her fingers are demanding and warm against my skin, and I’m so ready for her I want to explode without her even touching my most sensitive appendage.
I’m stiff as a rock and desperate to enter her body, but I’m patient. Her hands move down my chest to my stomach, and I want her touch. I’ll give her all the time she needs to make this journey, knowing her touch will be worth the wait. I continue to kiss her mouth, moving back to her neck, nuzzling and nibbling my way to her ear as she continues to let her hand wander. I haven’t felt her hand on my cock since our first night together, and it nearly undid me then. I’m desperate for her, and as her fingers undo the button of my pants and then work the zipper down slowly, my cock practically thrusts out of my pants and the parting fabric. She pushes me gently with her hands on my chest to my back, moving her body to rest on her side beside me.
She lets her gaze travel down my body, starting at my eyes. She stops at my groin and slowly reaches for me. Her first touch has my body jumping. She runs a gentle hand down the length of my still-clothed, rigid shaft, and as my sigh escapes my lips, her eyes snap to mine. A very sweet, small smile passes her lips as her eyes return to my arousal. She slowly pulls the waistband of my underwear out and along my groin as the head of my cock springs free. I flex my hips, lifting them from the bed as I pull my pants and underwear down my hips. She picks up where I left off as my bottom returns to the soft quilt on her bed. She pulls the pants and underwear down as her eyes focus on my penis. When she finally has me unclothed, she looks to my eyes once more.