Page 10 of Taffy
A burst of air escapes his nose as his eyes get this far away quality. His body language closes as he sits back and crosses his legs. “She was my teacher.”
I try to cover my gasp, but I can’t. “Yourteacher?” My mom is an English teacher, so this hits close to home.
“Science. She was fresh out of college, and all the guys were lusting after her. I was still a kid, really, so I thought I was a real man managing to get a woman in her twenties to look twice at me.” He looks away and lets out his breath, a wry smile pulling at his lips. “It happened once—a moment of weakness, she called it. I felt ashamed, like somehow I’d taken advantage of her when it wasn’t like that at all… and then she was pregnant, and…” He frowns and clears his throat. “It was all covered up by her family and mine. I was sworn to secrecy, given a bunch of money in a trust fund, and they wanted me to give up my parental rights. I wasn’t OK with that part, so I fought to be in her life. And it hasn’t been easy. It’s been one shit fight after another, but she’s mine, and I love her, and I believe in stepping up to your responsibilities, you know?”
“That’s a lot for a teenager to deal with.”
“Yeah. And I’d thought it was the reason I stayed away from having any sort of meaningful relationships.” He returns his gaze to mine and threads our fingers together. “But then you show up, and now I’m thinking I just hadn’t found the right woman yet. You’re my second chance. And I intend to get it right this time.”
“Picket fence and all?” A smile curves my lips as he lifts my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
“If that’s what you want. I’ll give it to you.”
I lean in and press a gentle kiss to his lips. “The only thing I really want is you.”
“Me too,” he whispers, threading his fingers in the back of my hair and taking control of the kiss. I love the way he holds me right where he wants me, drawing what he needs from me, all that I’m willing to give to him freely. I’m saddened over the circumstances of his relationship with Kate’s mom. But in a way, I’m glad she’s not some great love that got away. It might make me a bad person, but I think I’d be jealous of that. I want his heart for my own. Just like I want mine to be his.
Troy
“Iwish you’d stay. But I understand why you want to go,” Tina says, sitting on the edge of her bed like a buxom angel wrapped in a silk dressing gown. My dick also wishes I’d stay, but the poor girl was a virgin a few hours ago, and I need to give her body the chance to rest while I straighten out things with my daughter.
“I just need to be honest with her before I start spending the night. It’s the right thing to do.” I lean down and kiss her forehead.
“I agree. Just…”
“Just what?” I ask, scooping up my keys and jacket.
A coy smile curves her lips. “Take the spare key with you. I wouldn’t want you changing your mind in the early hours, then needing to break the door down to get to me.”
“God, I love you,” I say, releasing a small laugh. Somehow, this woman, who’s known me for a moment, understands me more than the people who’ve known me for years. We just fit.
“I love you too,” she says, standing up and giving me one last, soul-searing kiss.
“That is not helping me leave,” I groan as she pulls away.
“Something for you to dream about.” She slides her hand down the front of my jeans and cups my already throbbing cock. “See you tomorrow.”
“Oh, honey, I’ll be coming with you real soon.”
She giggles at my innuendo.
* * *
Sleep doesn’t dome a lot of good. I lie awake in bed with my mind racing and my body wishing I was across the hall. The ceiling shifts in color as I stare at it, heralding the slow slide of morning. Maybe going for a walk will clear my head?
Tina
Isleep fitfully, worried about Kate’s reaction and the effect it will have on Troy’s and my blossoming relationship. Despite feeling certain over the extent of his feelings for me, and mine for him, I know that his daughter—my best friend—is a huge deciding factor regarding our ability to move forward and have a successful life together.Shit. Does that mean I’ll be her step-mom?
Laughter bounces my chest as the absurdity of that thought hits me. If I marry Troy, I’d legally be Kate’s stepmother.How fucking weird is that?
And then, the laughter stops as abruptly as it started, therealityof that thought hitting home.Kate won’t want that.
Crap.
I look at my phone, wondering if I should talk to her to test the waters a little before Troy does, but then there’s a knock at my door, and all of my concern is replaced with hopefulness and longing.
Positioning my robe so it falls off my naked shoulder, I flick the lock on the door and pull it open, seduction my aim as I say, “I thought I told you to take the key?” I’m met with a hysterical laugh—afemalelaugh—as I come face to face with, “Kate!”
