Lessons of the Past Read online

  “Profess—”

  “Javier,” he cut me off and glanced around the small room. “May I join you, Alexandria?”

  “Sure. And please, just call me Alex. I don’t think I’ve ever been called Alexandria in my entire life.”

  He sat down and smiled. “I can’t do that.” He took in my confused expression and laughed. “You see, I have the most irritating cousin named Alex. He’s a…tool, to be honest. So, I can’t call a stunningly beautiful girl the same name.”

  Stunningly beautiful.

  “Oh…” I breathed. I had no idea what to say to that. My thoughts were still caught on the beautiful part. Somehow, I asked, “Exactly what type of tool would that be?”

  I grinned, and he cracked a smile at my lame humor. “I’d say something like a hammer. Loud and obnoxious. Always beating away at your nerves.”

  “He sounds great.”

  “Yeah.” He took a sip of coffee. “So, what are you doing here on a Friday night? Shouldn’t you be at some frat party?”

  I laughed. “Tomorrow. Well, not the frat part. My friend is making me go to a party with her since we’re both single.” His eyes narrowed a fraction and I realized I’d just told him I was single. I really hoped he didn’t think I was trying to flirt with him. “And our other friend just got out of a relationship…you know, time for all of us to have some fun,” I rambled, trying to recover, unsuccessfully.

  “Ahh, I gotcha.” He nodded. “This way you can be each other’s wingmen.”

  I shook my head and laughed. “No. I’d be an awful wingman.”

  “How so?”

  I took a sip of my coffee. “I would have no clue what to say or do. I’m not really a party girl. I’m more of a coffee shop or beach girl,” I said, setting my cup on the table.

  “I can see that.” He shifted in his chair, bringing us closer. “I’m probably just old, but I’d say this is much better than some party.”

  “How old are you?” I blurted, and then promptly slapped my hand over my mouth. “That was so completely rude. I’m sorry. It’s just…you look really young to be a professor.”

  He chuckled at me and shook his head. “It’s okay. I’m thirty-one.”

  “That’s not old at all. At least, I don’t think so.”

  He stared at me for a second before brushing a piece of hair away from my cheek. “That’s good to know,” he whispered as we gazed at each other.

  My heart began to pound, and my sex began to pulse. Warmth spread through my body as my mouth dried. His stare rendered me bound and motionless. Energy crackled between us, a magnetic pull I didn’t want to fight.

  After a beat, he blinked and moved away, leaving me…cold.

  He finished his coffee and stood. “I’m going to order another. Do you want me to get you anything?”

  I was shocked. I figured he’d want to run like hell from me. “No. I’m fine, thanks.”

  He nodded and walked toward the bar. I closed my eyes and tried to figure out what had just happened. I knew he had to feel it. He had wanted to kiss me, or at least be close to me. And he was staying.

  A few minutes later, he sat down next to me again, making me smile. “What?”

  “Nothing. What are you drinking?”

  “Coffee. And maybe a little whiskey. You?”

  I grabbed my cup. “Italian Classico with a splash of Amaretto.” I tipped it back, taking a huge swallow. I noticed his eyes on my lips, and the way they grew heated. Oh yes, the attraction was mutual.

  I set the cup on the table once more. “So…you never said what you’re doing here on a Friday night.”

  He shrugged. “A rare night out for me, actually. And I love it here.”

  “Me, too.” I looked around the brick walls. “Have you ever been here when they have a band?”

  “Yeah,” he answered. “They usually book local folk bands.”

  “Oh, gosh. I love folk rock.”

  “Me, too.”

  He beamed, and I wasn’t sure why. “We seem to have a lot in common, Alexandria. It’s…” he trailed off.

  “It’s what?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head. “I can let you know the next time a band is playing. Or you can just sign up for the text alerts.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “Hmm, would I run into you on one of those nights?” I knew I was walking a fine line into dangerous territory.

  His eyes heated. “You just might.”

  “That sounds—”

  “Can I get the two of you anything?” a coffee shop worker asked, cutting me off. “We have fresh samples of our bakery items.”

  I began to say no, but the thought of a chocolate croissant sounded really good. “Actually, yes.” I glanced at Javier. “I’ll be right back.”

  I shakily strode over to the counter, trying to calm my racing heart. He hadn’t said anything remotely sexual, but…something was going on between us. I highly doubted he sat and talked to all of his students he saw out in public. And the way he was looking at me…I felt more aroused than I had in a long time.

  I ordered two croissants and walked back to the table, noticing Javier checking his watch. Setting the plates on the table, I said, “You can’t leave quite yet. You have to eat this first.” I blinked, flushing from my remark.

  “Do I now?” I glanced in his direction to see him holding back a laugh.

  “The chocolate. You have to eat the chocolate first.”

  His laugh broke free. “I knew exactly what you meant. In fact, my mind would have never went there, but I knew yours had by the way your face turned red.”

  “Shut up.”

  He shook his head and shoveled a bite into his mouth. I paused, watching his jaw work as he chewed and his tongue snaked out to run along his bottom lip. I could almost feel it running along my lip. Or along my nipples. Fuck! Everything he does is sexy.

  I turned back to my food and took a bite, moaning at the taste. “So good,” I mumbled, glancing at him. His full attention was on me, his lips parted, eyes were wide. “What?” I asked after swallowing.

  “Um…nothing.” He reached out and let his thumb trail over my bottom lip, causing my breath to catch and panties to dampen. “You had a little chocolate on your lip.”

  “Oh,” I breathed, fighting the urge to take his finger in my mouth and suck the chocolate off.

  I missed the chance and he licked the chocolate off his finger instead. “These are good,” he said, “but the banana nut bread is better.”

  “Whatever. These are the absolute best.” I broke a piece off the croissant and stuffed it in my mouth. I had no idea what it was about him, but I felt drawn to him in a way I had never experienced with anyone—not even my ex-boyfriend, Aidan, who I had dated for over a year.

  He glanced at his watch, then finished off the croissant. Leaning in close to me, he flicked his eyes to my lips then back to my eyes. “I have to go. But I really don’t want to.”

  “Then don’t,” I breathed.

  Javier’s eyes bore into mine as he brushed his fingers down my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine. “God...you make me want to break every fucking rule.” He stood suddenly and brushed a hand through his hair. “Thanks for the dessert. I’ll see you in class Monday.”

  I had no idea what to say, so I nodded instead. He turned and my eyes landed on his incredible ass. Javier had the perfect body, but after spending time with him, I also knew he had the perfect personality—for me.

  “Alexandria…” he said, turning and snapping me out of my thoughts.

  “Yeah?” I glanced up to meet his eyes.

  “Are you leaving anytime soon? If you are, I’ll wait and walk you to your car.”

  I gazed at him for a second and he raised an expectant eyebrow. “Oh,” I finally said, glancing at my backpack. “Yes…that would be great.”

  I reached for my health textbook on the table and placed it in my backpack, still feeling his eyes on me. Zipping my bag, I said, “I think I’m ready.�
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  Javier held his hand out for me and I placed mine in it. His fingers wrapped around my hand before pulling me to stand. I figured he’d immediately let go, but he didn’t. Instead, he gripped my hand and led me out of the restaurant to the parking lot.

  “Where are you parked?”

  I pointed. “The white one.”

  We walked side-by-side to my car, our hands still entwined. What the fuck am I doing? I asked myself, but quickly shoved that thought aside as we approached my car. We stopped next to the door and Javier lifted my hand, placing a small kiss on the top of it. I melted into a fucking puddle.

  “It’s been a pleasure.”

  I nodded, and breathed, “Yes.”

  He scrubbed his free hand over his scruff. “Look…I’m sure I don’t need to say this, but I’d appreciate you not saying anything about tonight to anyone.”

  “Right,” I said, “the whole teacher-student thing. I get it. I don’t want you to lose your job, and I don’t really feel like being kicked out of college my junior year.”

  “Good.” He heaved a sigh. “With that being said, tonight was…fun.”

  “It was. And you’re not as big of an asshole as you come across as in class.”

  He laughed. “I’m not really sure whether I should take that as a compliment or not.”

  He should. Getting to see this side of Javier warmed my insides and turned me on a little. “It’s a good thing.”

  He shook his head and leaned in close to me, placing a kiss on my cheek. My breath caught as I leaned into his touch. “Goodnight, Alexandria.”

  “Goodnight, Javier.”

  He walked away as I stood rooted to the spot, my thoughts scattering.

  Finally, I cleared my head enough to open the door and get inside. I cranked the engine and music floated from the speakers. I smiled and laughed at the lyrics about a woman not wanting to kiss a guy she’d just met. I totally would have kissed Javier—hell, if he’d asked, I would have done a lot more than kiss him.

  I had no idea what was happening, but I had the feeling my junior year was about to get very, very interesting.

  Chapter 5

  The party was loud, but nothing crazy like the other parties I had attended. Courtney was across the room flirting with a cute, blonde guy, Lane had followed some girl into the kitchen, and I was sitting next to a guy rambling on and on about Shakespeare. The only reason I had even given him the time of day was because his dark hair reminded me of my calculus professor.

  I finished off my margarita and took out my phone. My brain was pretty fuzzy, which was why I was still sitting next to this guy. I scrolled down to the contact I had added yesterday and hit send message. A smile lit up my face as I thought about what I could possibly text him. I knew it was stupid, but I wanted to talk to him.

  Me: What time do you normally run?

  I didn’t expect him to reply, but before I could place my phone back in my pocket, a text message arrived.

  Javier: As soon as the sun comes up.

  I thought about what he had looked like while jogging shirtless on the beach. Mmm…all sweaty and chiseled, his muscles clenching with his movement. He was fucking hot.

  Javier: I don’t know what to say to that.

  My eyes scrunched as I read and re-read his text. What in the hell? Then I looked at my previous text. Oh. My. Gosh. I had texted him Mmm instead of just thinking it. How was I supposed to respond? Should I just leave it? Fuck me!

  I thought fast.

  Me: Sorry. That was a typo.

  Javier: Sure. But the feeling is mutual.

  My pulse quickened as I read his text, over and over again. Was he saying he thought I was hot? If so, it was completely inappropriate, but welcome. I wanted him.

  Me: I was thinking about taking a jog tonight.

  Javier: Have fun, but it might be difficult while drunk.

  Was he fucking with me because he knew I was drunk? How the hell would he know that?

  I stood up and turned toward the guy I had been sitting by. “This has been…fun, but I have to go.” I didn’t wait for him to reply before I walked toward Courtney. When I reached her, she was laughing in her fake, giggly, flirty laugh.

  I cleared my throat to get her attention and she whipped her head in my direction “Hey, Alex.”

  “Hey, I’m going to take off. Don’t worry, I’ve got a ride.”

  Her eyebrows bunched. “Are you sure?”

  I hated lying, but I didn’t want to stay at the party any longer. “I’m positive. Have fun.”

  After giving her a quick hug bye, I walked out the door and tried to orient where I was in comparison to my apartment. Turning toward the left, I was positive I lived only about a half mile away. My phone buzzed in my hand.

  Javier: Was I right?

  I grinned.

  Me: Maybe, but I’m still on my way home to try. :-)

  I bit my lip. What the hell was I doing? Flirting with my professor? For the second night in a row?

  Javier: I’ll meet you in thirty .

  My steps faltered as I read the screen. Is this real life? I didn’t know or care, I just knew I needed to get home—now. After texting him my address, I stuffed my phone in my pocket and took off running toward my apartment.

  Reaching my place in record time, I unlocked the door and raced toward my bedroom to change into my running clothes. I was rummaging around in my chest of drawers when I heard knocking on the front door. Not wanting anyone to ruin my night with my professor, I chose to ignore whoever it was.

  Then, I heard his voice. “Alexandria?”

  I froze, then smiled. He was in my fucking apartment. “I’m in here. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “The door was unlocked. I’ll just wait on the couch.”

  Finding a cute purple sports bra and matching black and purple shorts, I quickly dressed. Before exiting the bedroom, I grabbed a hair tie and pulled my hair back in a ponytail.

  When I entered the living room, he was sitting on the couch wearing a SUBC hat and running shorts. His chest was bare, and I had trouble finding my voice. “Hi,” I whispered.

  He tilted his head up and looked me in the eye. “Alexandria.”

  “Javier.”

  He smiled and stood before walking toward me, slowly. I was completely frozen when he reached me, barely breathing. “Are you sure you’ll be able to run in the sand while drunk?”

  “I’m not drunk.”

  He arched a brow. “Do you always send your professors flirty text messages, then?”

  “Are you fucking with me?” I asked, licking my dry lips.

  He tossed his ball cap on the table, giving me a look of pure lust. “Not yet.”

  “What—” he cut me off by slamming his mouth down on mine. His lips were soft and his tongue felt like silk as it ran across my lips. I opened for him, allowing his tongue to slide against mine. A soft groan rumbled from his throat as one hand caught my ponytail and the other trailed down my side, reaching around to grab my ass. His tongue was persistent, stroking every inch of my mouth as his hand kneaded and massaged my ass.

  My hands found his messy, dark hair and tugged with each caress of his tongue and hand. He pulled his lips away and locked his eyes to mine. “Is this what you want, Alexandria?” He yanked on my hair, his lips finding my throat.

  “Yes,” I breathed.

  He nipped the base of my throat, then licked all the way up to my ear. “Is this why you sent me those text messages? You wanted me to come over and fuck you?”

  His words were like a slap in the face, cutting through my lusty fog and pissing me off. “Who said I was going to let you fuck me?”

  He gently bit my ear lobe. “You’ll let me.”

  I tried to push against his chest, but he was much stronger than me. “Fuck you!”

  “Gladly.” His lips found mine again and I melted into his touch. He was being an asshole, but he was also turning me on. I pressed my lips harder against his, and he lifted m
e.

  I wrapped my legs around his waist and he carried me toward my bedroom, our lips never separating. He tossed me down on the bed and I watched as he crawled up the bed until he was hovering above me. “Javier…” I trailed off, not knowing what to say. I didn’t know anything except that I needed him inside me. My panties were damp and my nipples were already hard.

  “I think we should get you out of this,” he said, tugging my sports bra up and dragging it over my head. “Perfection,” he groaned, the reaction deep and throaty.

  His lips found my nipple and sucked, his tongue assaulting the hardened peak. A low moan escaped my lips and my fingers raked up and down his back. He lightly bit down and tugged, and I couldn’t help the “fuck” that burst out.

  He chuckled before moving to the other nipple, flicking his tongue over the tip before repeating his process. The pressure he created between my legs was building, and I needed more. Needed him. Needed something. I squirmed, the pulsing in my core growing fervent. I readjusted myself and placed his knee between my legs, needing friction. I began to move my hips, grinding against him. A low moan escaped my lips as his trailed down my stomach, his scruff tickling my senses. He shifted his body, pulling his leg back. “No…” I trailed off, panting.

  His fingers brushed along the elastic of my shorts, feather light touches raising goose bumps on my skin, before pulling them down and rubbing his nose against my damp panties. “I’m going to make you wish you’d never texted me.”

  I wanted to say something in return, but he yanked my panties down my legs and his mouth found my slick slit. A loud moan erupted from my throat and my hands fisted his hair. His tongue was ruthless—licking and sucking my clit, not giving me a moment to think.

  “Oh God,” I whimpered. “Yes.”

  His thumbs began rubbing small circles on my inner thighs as his tongue continued its assault. I was losing all sense of thought and consciousness as the pressure continued to build. I let my body take on a mind of its own, grinding against his mouth as much as he would let me.