Hot For Teacher(39)

“I’m not paying your co-pay fees, Aiden,” I cough the words out.

“I’m revoking your right to an opinion on any medical matters, Edith. Seriously, just rest and let us figure everything out.” Jack squeezes my hand again and pulls Aiden out into the hallway. I wish I could hear what they are saying, but Jack closes the door. I swear I hear him getting loud in the hallway, but I’m so tired. Maybe I drift off because the next thing I remember is Shelby gently re-braiding my hair.

“Oh, hey. You’re awake.” I open my eyes and watch Shelby as she ties off the end of my hair. “Jack went to go make sure you were clear to be discharged soon. Doctor just has to check you over.”

“Shelby?” I was confused. She is calling Mr. Hamilton Jack now? What transpired in the last twenty-four hours?

“Aiden had class and a Biology lab this morning, but he said he’d come back later.” Shelby is refusing to look me in the eye, which makes me think that something is definitely up.

“What’s going on?” I ask her, but then Jack and the doctor walk in.

“I’ll just wait outside.” Shelby backs away, pushing Jack out with her.

“Miss Willows, you’ve given your friends quite the scare,” the doctor says, looking over my chart.

“So I’ve been told.” My voice is still hoarse and a little husky. I watch the doctor flip through my chart and make notes. He listens to my chest and declares me alive, though I might have disagreed with him at this point.

“It’s not often we get a flu patient in a private room, but no worries. You’ll be on the mend soon. I don’t see why we can’t discharge you today. I’ll give you some scripts for some medication to manage your symptoms.” The doctor nods and quickly leaves. I’m sure that little consultation will be a hefty fee.

“Private room? What?” I whisper. My mind reels as I notice how the room is much nicer than your standard hospital room. I don’t know how I will pay for all this. There is a reason I lied on my college paperwork to save me on expenses like insurance and other things I’d rarely need.

Jack returns and sits down on the bed next to me. “Easy, Edith. I see your mind spinning. Everything’s been taken care of.”

“Where’s Shelby?” I ask nervously.

“I sent her to Whole Foods to bring back some food, other than Jell-O and high sodium chicken broth.” Jack holds my hand and, although I feel like an eighty-year-old woman with every joint swollen and in pain, a flutter in my belly reminds me that, for eighty, I still have a healthy libido.

“Edith.”

“Jack.” We both speak at the same time and I feel my skin blush, which has nothing to do with my fever.

“Go ahead.” Again we speak at the same time, which frustrates me more.

“I want you to come home with me.”

“I want to go ho… Wait. What? With you?” I’m so confused. I start to wonder what the heck is in these fluids they are pumping into my body.

“Yes, Edith. With me.”

“No,” I say flatly.

“Why not?”

“Because I want to be in my home. My space. Alone.” He’s not listening and it’s pissing me off.

“Well…I kind of broke the door to your apartment. You can’t live there without a door.” Jack is annoyed, which is fine because I am far from happy.

“It’s not my fault you’re destructive,” I pout. I would have crossed my arms if I didn’t think it would have tangled up the IV line in my hand.

“The doctor says you need help the next few days, and I’m offering. Besides, I can help you study for your exam.”

“It’s your class! Isn’t that kind of like cheating?” I try to sit up, but he gently pushes me back down.

“I don’t proctor my exams, and they’ve already been written by Professor Roth for the semester. I haven’t reviewed them yet. Besides, you need to learn the basic principles to pass the exam.”

“You’re going to get fired and you’re going to blame me when it happens.” I try to push him away, but he just grabs me and pulls me closer. His face is against mine and his hot breath heats my already overheated skin. I swear my legs are wet between my thighs, which makes me realize I’m not even wearing underwear at the moment. I squirm under his direct gaze. Damn.

“The only thing that’s pissing me off right now is my inability to let you go. What have you done to me?” Jack’s voice is husky. He rubs his nose against my cheek and ear, slowly dipping his head down to my collarbone, nipping it before returning to my cheek. I moan softly at the feelings that make my nipples pucker under the scratchy hospital gown. I close my eyes again and feel his lips against mine, forbidden and soft. When I smell the faint scent of sweet mint, my lips reach out and finally connect with his. His tongue grazes the edge and I open my mouth. He groans in unison with my own feeble sounds.