I texted her again, but heard nothing back. I set to work gathering some figures for Auburn’s book case. I was serious when I’d said I would make her one. She of all people needed it. Books were a pain in the ass to store, but when you collect them, you love them, and you need something that reflects that–sturdy and strong, willing to stand the stress of the precious volumes.
I put myself to bed after one am and scrolled through my old messages, wishing Auburn would have been around to chat tonight. I finally rolled over, ready to fall asleep when my phone chimed from the nightstand.
Are you home?
Yes. Where are you? I replied.
Here.
The single answer burned behind my eyelids. I shook the surprise from my brain and hustled to the front door. I opened it, and in the dark moonlight, hidden in a corner of the shaded front step, stood Auburn. She wore a pair of tight, dark wash jeans, snug from thigh to ankle, with a pair of sexy heeled boots, and a loose white tank top. It flowed around her, held only at the neck by a thin black strap.
I blew out a soft whistle as my eyes drank her in.
“Shut up.” She swatted me on the shoulder. “It’s Callie’s. Pretty, huh?” She did a cute little turn to show off the outfit.
“Fucking stunning.” I ducked into the shadowed light and kissed her lips with slow precision. With hands gliding up the planes of her waist and back, I held her, tucking my nose into her neck. “What are you doing here?”
“First,” she grinned wickedly as her eyes scanned my body. “Lookin' good, Mr. West.” She trailed her index finger down the ridge that separated my abdominals. I stood on the stoop in just fleece sleep shorts that sat low on my hips.
“Glad you like what you see,” I flirted as her fingertip danced at the edge of my waistband.
“I just wanted to say goodnight,” she whispered.
“I’m glad you did.” I touched her forehead with my own. Her hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders and was a little wild, I assumed from the fun she'd been having. I pulled her into me and soaked up her light. If we were so wrong, how could it feel so right?
“Do you want to come in?” I asked, hoping against hope she'd come back to bed with me.
“I shouldn't.” She tucked a strand behind her ear as she pulled away. “I promised Grandma I'd take her to the flower market in the morning.” A frown danced around her lips and I could tell she wanted to stay as badly as I wanted her to.
“So grandma's cock-blocking me?”
She erupted into giggles against my chest. “It would seem so.”
I held her in my arms, one palm stroking her glossy strands before she finally loosened her arms from my waist and pulled away. “I'll let you get back to bed.” She snapped the waistband of my shorts with her index finger.
“I wish you were coming to bed with me.” I clasped her hand before she could dart away.
“Me too,” she murmured, twisting her fingers with mine.
“Goodnight, Auburn,” I finally murmured, reluctant to let her go.
“Goodnight, Reed.” Her quiet voice filtered across the thick night air and without looking back, she turned the corner and was gone.
twelve
I bounded up the steps Monday anxious to lay eyes on the girl who’d been occupying my thoughts all weekend. I slid into the classroom just as the hand landed on the one. While students shuffled papers and pulled out books, my eyes landed on Auburn. She sat half-way back and on the right with the bright light of the window casting a soft-focus glow around her.
I greeted the class and started by talking to them about the importance of a well-edited manuscript. Not only would they need to correct typos and grammar, but I encouraged them to be fearless when it came to the cutting room floor. With just over two weeks in the summer course remaining, I explained where I expected them to be in their first drafts. There were a lot of questions, so after talking most of the class, I released them a few minutes early.
I watched Auburn dig through her bag and pull out and replace the same book a few times as she waited for everyone to shuffle out, before walking down the aisle to me. She wore cut-offs and a billowy, floral top that was cut a little low, but with feminine frill every where else, it made her look more innocent ingenue than tiger on the prowl, and on the prowl is exactly what she was.
Her eyes were hooded and glistening as she approached. I was so ready.
“Hope you didn't get into too much trouble this weekend, Mr. West.” She flashed me a seductive look. She turned her hip and showed me the round curve of her denim-covered ass. My mouth watered and I was transported into a daydream where I ripped her shorts down her legs and tasted her sweet cunt over my desk. I swallowed and averted my eyes, redirecting my attention to the girl that always held it.