Hot For Teacher(155)

Part of the way, she whipped around to glare at Jake. “Okay, pause for a second.”

Jake obediently clicked pause and turned to her expectantly. “Yes?”

“They’re supposed to be madly and hopelessly in love, after just a few casual meetings? She’s supposed to wait years for a man she barely knows? That’s ridiculous,” she protested.

Jake shook his head and studied her with luminescent eyes. “No, it’s not. Times were different back then. The smallest glance could be a testament of unwavering affection, the most innocent of touches could be incredibly intimate.”

“I’m sticking with ridiculous,” Savannah maintained, crossing her arms over her breasts. “But never mind. Carry on.”

Though she stared straight ahead at the frozen screen, waiting for the movie to start again, she could feel Jake studying her wordlessly.

Silence filled the room around them as he watched her and she waited. Finally, he started the movie again and Savannah held her tongue as the storyline developed. Reaching for the popcorn, her questing hand found warm skin instead. Her heart skipped a beat and her hand froze midair, hovering next to Jake’s over the popcorn. She should’ve pulled away, drawn her hand back and acted like nothing had happened. But the stolen contact felt so familiar and inviting. And she wanted more.

Jake’s pointer finger softly traced the lines of each of her fingers, caressing and teasing as his touch danced across her skin. The foreign sensation brought to life a kaleidoscope of butterflies low in her belly. Savannah stole a sideways glance at Jake to find his eyes still locked on the screen. But a content smile teased his lips.

Lesson one, the most innocent of touches could be intimate.

Savannah knew he was making a point, but couldn’t bring herself to care. The feel of his skin, moving gently against hers, made her ache for more. When at last she interlaced her fingers with his, he turned to look at her. Their gazes collided, crashing into each other like waves against seaside cliffs. The intensity was jarring and undeniable. The heat was incredible. Jake lifted their linked hands to his lips and brushed a soft kiss to the back of her hand and turned back to the screen. He didn’t have to say it, she knew.

Lesson two, the smallest glance could be a testament of unwavering affection.

The man could practically make love to her with just his eyes. The thought heated her blood and caused an ache deep within her core. Savannah was acutely aware of their joined hands, of the way his thumb stroked the arch of her hand from pointer finger to thumb. And all she could think about was what that touch would feel like elsewhere. Would he be just as gentle and attentive with the rest of her?

Knowing better, but helpless to stop herself, Savannah shifted her weight on the couch, bringing herself as close to Jake as possible without climbing into the popcorn bowl. Taking the hint, Jake moved the popcorn with his free hand and dragged her into his arms. Savannah sank into his warmth as she would a soft bed after a long day. Though his body was firm and solid beneath her, he cradled her against him with a tenderness that rivaled the softest of down comforters. It felt right, curling up in the safety of his arms, as though they were perfectly fitted to be together.

Something so right couldn’t possibly be wrong. Could it? Never mind that he was ten years her senior. Never mind that he was her teacher. In that moment, he was Jake. The boy she’d loved as a child. The man she needed more than ever. He was determined to make her feel. And he succeeded as no one ever had. Emotions she’d locked away for so long broke free at last. Feelings spiraled out of control, a whirlwind of fear, joy, despair, hope…

Savannah didn’t know when she started crying. She didn’t even notice she had until Jake caught a tear as it streamed down her cheek. He wiped it away with the pad of his finger and pressed a light kiss to the place it had been. Savannah’s heart tightened in her chest.

Lesson three, people could fall in love in a series of tiny moments.

Not that she believed herself in love. Not possible. She wasn’t capable of it. Not after years of hiding from her feelings. She didn’t know the first thing about love. But for the first time in forever, she wanted that to change. She wanted to hold on to Jake and these feelings he incited.

He studied her with heart-wrenching intensity, his blue eyes rivaling the ocean for its depth. His hand cradled the line of her jaw, gently, as though he feared she might break. Slowly, as though he had all the time in the world, his lips covered hers. Softly, tenderly, he brushed the sweetest of kisses against her parted mouth. Hungry for more, Savannah tangled her fingers in his tousled blonde locks and pulled him closer. With a low growl, he answered her greedy demand, crushing his lips to hers, parting them to explore her mouth with the sweet heat of his tongue.