8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Mila
“Am I underdressed?” As I turn into the parking lot of the cigar shop, I study the elegant exterior with blacked-out windows, dark wooden columns, and no signage other than the name. Nikki didn’t say anything about it being too fancy for spandex and knee socks when she invited the team.
I need help dealing with my feelings, though, so I can’t leave. Even if we’ve gotten over the Josh problem, our university connection isn’t as dismissible. More heartbreak isn’t on my agenda.
Gripping the long, gold handle on the heavy carved-wood door, I saunter in. Confidence goes a long way. And a business that I suspect draws mostly men probably won’t complain about my attire.
The rich aroma of tobacco overtakes me. How can something that smells this good supposedly be so unhealthy?
The bar and smoking area is dimly lit so I opt for the other direction… the cigar room. Entering the bright room that’s filled with rows and shelves of cigars, I don’t see my friends.
In seconds, laughter that undeniably belongs to Nikki guides me to the back corner. It’s a relief to know she’s escaping her grief of losing her brother, at least for a moment. Sounds like she’s up to no good, and that’s exactly what I need right now while I’m stressing over my growing feelings for my professors.
“Oh my god, it’s as thick as…” Nikki’s words taper off as I round the corner.
Belova’s eyes are wide as she diverts her attention to me. “Mila!”
We exchange greetings and hugs before Nikki picks up one of the ridiculously thick cigars. “Think you can wrap your… mouth around this?”
We burst into laughter.
I grab one of the massive cigars. “Is it every guy’s fantasy to want to see a woman smoke one of these?” I open my mouth and hold the cigar close, not actually touching it to my lips.
Belova shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s what guys want your lips wrapped around.”
My imagination has already run wild with what it would feel like to have a cock in my mouth. The cigar I’m holding seems pretty close to Sterling’s size. Rutherford is a little thicker.
Not to be outdone, Belova grabs the largest one she can find. She opens her mouth wide, slowly bringing the cigar closer. “I can take it.”
The harsh sound of a man clearing his throat pulls us from our laughter. “Ladies, out of respect for the customers who actually enjoy these cigars, please don’t handle them.”
“Sorry,” I say, not feeling sorry at all. We put the cigars back, but the giggles won’t go away.
“People actually smoke these?” Nikki almost sounds serious.
“Some customers prefer the longer smoking time provided by a large ring gauge. Cigar makers take great pride in balancing the flavors with the perfect wrapper leaf. Are you looking for a particular flavor?”
“Just browsing,” I say.
His glare lingers for a moment before he leaves.
We move on from the large-ring-gauge cigars, although my mind is stuck.
The ding that signifies the door to the cigar room has opened draws my attention. We’re behaving, so the owner shouldn’t need to chastise us anymore. This time it’s Avery.
Nikki keeps her voice quiet but bubbles with excitement. “Avery! You’re not gonna believe what we found.”
Nikki’s already opening the display case, pointing at a row of thick cigars. “Check out these big boys .”
Belova tries not to laugh. “Don’t get us in trouble again.”
Avery grabs the thickest one, wrapping her fingers around it the way I imagine stroking a cock would work. How have I not done that yet? So many things to learn.
I can’t imagine who would smoke a cigar this size. And the price tag… sheesh.
Beatrix playfully says, “I might have to take one of these home and see if the guys have inferiority complexes.”
“TMI,” Avery spits out, probably not enjoying the visual that comment creates since Beatrix hooked up with her brothers.
Trying to stifle my laughter, I’m lost in the silliness. When I finish wiping my tears, the shop owner has materialized behind Avery.
“I thought I made myself clear.”
His gaze moves from Beatrix to Nikki to me, then lands on the back of Avery’s head. She winces under the weight of his stare and slowly turns.
He reaches for her cigar hand and wraps his fingers around hers. What’s he doing?
“You like that size?” His voice has softened as he addresses Avery. Maybe it’s just me, but I sense that he’s forgotten the rest of us exist.
“I’ve had bigger,” Avery says.
My jaw drops. Did Avery really say that? And was her voice huskier than normal?
His lips quirk. “If you like big things in your mouth, I’d be happy to help you find a perfect fit.”
Should we run, get Avery out of there before she gets herself in trouble? Is she so sleep-deprived from the baby that she’s—
“How big ya’ got?”
What is Avery doing?
The man lifts her cigar hand. “If you’re impressed by this, maybe I shouldn’t show you.”
Beatrix grabs my arm. She has Belova in her other hand. “Let’s give them some space.”
Nikki’s hot on our heels as Beatrix drags us outside to the sidewalk where giggles promptly erupt. Beatrix was wise to get us out of there. She squeals. “I can’t believe it. Avery’s getting hit on. She so deserves a good guy.”
Belova expresses the same worry I have. “Hopefully he’ll still be as interested when he finds out she has a baby.”
“Let’s send her all the good jujus we can,” Beatrix says.
We chat for a moment, taking it as a good sign that Avery’s still inside.
“So… you and the professors. How’s that working out?” Nikki segues to interrogating me. Perhaps she’s afraid she’ll be the only single, non-pregnant member left on the team. “I saw you step outside with them during the party at the MC clubhouse the other night.”
Her expression is innocent enough, that must be all she saw, thankfully.
Returning to what I originally hoped to get out of today, I say, “I might be getting a little too hot for teacher! I want to talk to you about that, Beatrix.” I laugh to play down the seriousness of my situation.
“It should be illegal to put professors that hot in classes of mostly women,” Nikki says.
“I know, right?” I pretend that my expectations are in check. Nikki’s right—all the female students think they’re hot. I’m probably just the teacher’s pet of the semester. A shiver runs up my spine.
Immediately, I dismiss the wayward thought about teacher’s pets. I know it’s not true—at least for Professor Sterling. In all the years I’ve known him, there was never a hint of him being with a woman. Josh had even been worried about his dad’s devotion to single life.
“So what’s up?” Beatrix asks.
“Nothing can come of our professor-student… whatever it is we’re doing. I want to make sure it’s clear that I’m just having fun. How soon can I take you up on the offer to teach sexy posing?”
Will she buy my lie? Neither she nor Belova say anything. I fidget. Where is Avery? I’m not ready to explain how much I feel for my ex’s dad. I’m such a freak… I’m banging not one, but two of the hottest professors. I’m greedy and—
Beatrix chuckles. “Keep it fun? Sexy photos can be pretty intimate.”
I blurt out, “Sexting. Booty calls. That kind of vibe.”
“Gotcha. I’ll have you over and I can take the pictures or I can show you poses and you can do them on your own.”
Panic explodes inside of me at the thought of anyone else seeing me do this. “If you could send a few samples, I know how to set the timer on my camera.”
Avery comes out none too soon. She’s grinning ear to ear. It turns out the guy inside is the shop owner, just filling in for the day. He also knows her brothers and in the weirdest evolution of events, the guy hired her to be a nanny.
And as interesting as her situation is, I can’t help but think about Sterling and Rutherford. I’m definitely in over my head. I’m right to want to lighten our relationship a bit, while still enjoying my newest, favoritest hobby.
A car I recognize all too well, drives past, turns around, and pulls into the parking lot. This can’t be happening. Josh gets out and heads straight for me.
“Mila, we need to talk,” he says, glancing at Beatrix, Nikki, and Avery. “Alone.”
“Are you following me?”
“I was just driving past and saw you. I need you to hear me out.”
I cross my arms, trying to appear confident, but I’m shaking inside. Can I bluff? “Say it in front of my friends.”
He looks surprised, but nods. “Okay… I miss you, Mila. I made a huge mistake letting you go. I’ve been trying to call and text. Please, give me another chance. I love you.”
My heart clenches. He never said he loved me when we were together. And the sincerity is new. Have I made a huge mistake? No. He cheated on me… and not just with one woman. He cut me out of his life. I shudder.
Beatrix steps beside me. “You okay?”
Oh god, the timing. I hadn’t admitted anything I’m doing with the professors to anyone until a few minutes ago. Does she think I’m a horrible person?
Any feelings I had for Josh are gone, replaced by the intense connection I have with his father and Rutherford. Discreetly clasping my hands in front of my belly, I consider that whether the relationship works out or not, if one of them gave me a baby, I may not be able to keep my secret.
The girls silently wait for my reaction. Nikki and Beatrix exchange a look, both of them clearly ready to have my back.
“Josh…” I search for the right words. “It’s over. You had your fun, flaunted it. Acted like all of the years of our friendship meant nothing. There’s no way I could never trust you again.”
His face falls. “But Mila, I—”
“No,” Beatrix interjects firmly. “She said it’s over. Respect her and move on.”
Josh steps closer to me, but Nikki throws a hand up.
I say, “It’s over, Josh. You hurt me worse than I knew was possible.” The words are out of my mouth before I question what’s behind them. Do I truly want his father, or do I want to hurt Josh?
I’ve never questioned my motivation before.
Beatrix must sense my stress level rising. She steps toward him, nudging his shoulder and motioning for him to leave. I divert my gaze.
“Don’t let him get to you. He’s a jerk.” Avery’s sweet, but she wasn’t out here for my big reveal. She doesn’t know just how messy this is.
Josh slumps away, then just as he’s getting in his car and I think the coast is clear, he turns. “I’m not giving up on you. I’ll prove that I’ve changed.”