Page 278 of The Valentines Day Proposal

Still, I noticed her worn jeans as my eyes passed over her. I saw the way that her burgundy shirt dipped in the front, offering me a hint of what I’d tasted the other night. Damn it, but Elena was beautiful. I finished the lecture and reminded them to study for the test at the end of the week, smiling as I watched everyone leave. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Elena asking her to meet me in my office with a small smile, needing to taste those lips again.

She frowned as she finished getting everything put away and pulled out her phone, blushing as she read the words on the screen. Her eyes lifted and met my gaze across the nearly empty room, and she took a quick glance around. “Now?” She mouthed as I nodded once, not waiting to draw attention to us. Elena looked at the clock, seeming to calculate in her head before she smiled and left the room. I assumed that she was going to meet me, but I had to stop in the office anyway.

I left the room to the janitors to clean up since students always had and always would bring food to class. They were messy, and while it annoyed me to no end most of the time, there was a need to hurry out of my classroom. I was curious to see if Elena showed up, hungry for her lips and feeling her body against mine again as I rushed across the campus to the building where the teacher offices were located, ducking into mine and closing the door as I glanced at my messy desk with a frown. I’d been focused on getting the tests ready, and I took the stack and shoved it onto the bookcase, aware that Elena shouldn’t see it. I knew that whatever was between us had nothing to do with the fact that she was in my class, even if it had only been the one time. I didn’t plan to offer her any kind of edge, and I knew that she wouldn’t ask for any favors in the first place.

It wasn’t often that students offered certain services for an adjustment to their grade, but it happened a couple of times. I’d never agreed to that, though it seemed like an odd line to draw since I’d slept with Elena. I was just finishing when I heard a tap at the door, and I ran a hand through my hair. “Come on in.” I forced my voice to sound casual as I turned to see a nervous looking Elena walk inside. She closed the door and was in front of me instantly, reaching out to lock the door that was just a few feet away. She gasped as I cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her, unable to control myself as our mouths locked together.

We kissed as she dropped her bag to the floor, wrapping her arms around my neck. I tilted my head to deepen it as our tongues danced together, hardening against her stomach. I pulled away momentarily and gazed into her eyes. “Hi.”

“Hey,” she replied as she searched my face. “I didn’t know what to expect today.”

“I suppose I felt the same way until I saw you looking at me. I couldn’t wait to taste you,” I told her as I leaned in for another kiss, hearing her moan against me. I pulled her back to the desk clumsily, pushing her on it as she wrapped her legs around me. I could tell in her choked gasp that I took her by surprise and if I were honest, I took myself by surprise. I pulled away, giving her a moment to breathe as I looked into her dazed face.

“Wow,” Elena murmured as she shook her head and blinked. “I didn’t know if it would feel that way the next time we kissed.”

“It’s better,” I assured her as we kissed again before talking a little, still wrapped up in one another. There was a sharp tap at the door, making us both jump as someone tried the door.

“Mr. Forsberg?” A small voice slipped into the room, making me remember that Sarah was stopping by to check the tests for me for accuracy. I stepped away from Elena and straightened my clothes as she stood, pulling out her notebook from her forgotten bag on the floor as she sat down. I looked at Elena’s lips and wiped at my own, noting her smeared gloss as I caught her gaze.

“Just a sec, Sarah,” I called out as Elena cleaned herself up and I went to unlock the door. “It was locked?” I feigned surprise as I smiled at her, hoping to hell that she wouldn’t see right through me.

“I guess so.” She shrugged as she walked in and glanced at Elena, who was searching through her notebook slowly and hiding her face. “Do you have them ready?”

“Yes, I do.” I took the stack and straightened it before handing it to Sarah as she nodded. She took another look at Elena and then glanced at me questioningly. She helped students a lot in here, and I grinned.

“I’ve got this. It’s just a question. Thanks for looking those over, Sarah.” I watched as she nodded, turning to leave before she closed the door. “Fuck.” My voice came out as a hiss, even though it didn’t look like anything had been going on, at least to me.

“Did she know who I was? Sarah helped me before, remember?” Elena stared at me as I licked my lips.

“Was it just through email or in person?” I asked her as she frowned. “Shit. I doubt it. I have students in here a lot.” I watched a shadow cross her face and reached out to touch her cheek. I saw the insecurity in her eyes and tried to find a way to tell her that I didn’t do this with other students, despite having talked about that before. “Not like that, Elena.” I sighed as I realized the door was open and dropped my hand. “Can I see you again?” I asked her as she seemed to consider the question. “Pizza at my place? Seven?”

“Sure,” she agreed after a moment, looking at the closed door. She kissed me softly before leaving, and I dropped into my seat, running my hands over my face slowly. I smelled sweet like Elena, and I inhaled her scent as I played back what just ha

ppened.

CHAPTER 7

Elena

I walked out to my car under the light of the dim street lamp outside of my apartment. I glanced around, always careful before getting inside and locking the door. I started the car, wondering if I was insane. I was going back to Liam’s house a few days after sleeping with him, pushing my luck. I couldn’t say no and my face heated up as I remembered his powerful kiss when I arrived at his office. A darker part of me wanted him to take me right without delay and give me the feeling that I’d been craving since I left his condo.

Was that why I was going back?

I left the parking lot and stopped automatically by the cookie place for my favorite chocolate chip cookies, blinking as I walked inside. “Elena. Hi!” Lisa called out as she finished putting a few treats into the display. “The usual?”

I didn’t even mean to come here, and I forced a smile on my face. “Yes, but make it a dozen.” I wanted Liam to like them as much as I did, even though I shouldn’t spend so much on them. If he didn’t like them, I could just snack on them for the next few days.

“Hmm. Do you have a lot of studying coming up?” Lisa teased me, a smile on her red lips.

“I am going to a study group, and we might all need some sugar,” I explained as she laughed and bagged the thick, chewy cookies into a pink bag. I paid with a twenty and took the change, shoving it into my pocket as I took the bag. I went back to the car, continuing the drive to his place as I entered the gate code and headed to the back of the complex. I looked around before getting out, pulling my loose hat around my face as I stepped out of the car.

Liam opened his door quickly with a smile as he ushered me in, his hand taking my arm gently. I walked forward, holding the bag as he closed the door and kissed me eagerly. His body pressed against the bag, making it crinkle as he pulled away with an arched eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“I am addicted to Lucy’s Sweetery,” I told him, searching his face for recognition. “I brought dessert.”

Liam reached for the bag and led me to the kitchen, where a pizza sat on the stove. It was cheesy and hot, making my stomach growl. “Perfect. I Just finished dinner. Want some wine?”

It was overwhelming how comfortable I was here even while being so nervous.

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