9
Needing to let out some stress after two months of trying my best to avoid Jaden’s touches during class, I make a date with Rae. My baby girl won’t be back until Sunday afternoon, so I take advantage of my free time.
When it’s my week to have Britney, I stay home every night. Our every other week arrangement works well for me and Preston. Thankfully, he lives in the neighborhood a mile from mine and there’s a nice family park in between.
I meet up with Rae at the local coffee shop, the Coffee Palace. It’s our favorite after-work relaxing spot. She’s sitting at our table when I arrive.
I plop my tired body in the cushioned chair next to her and drop my purse and bag on the floor.
“Hey, Blaire. You look exhausted. Talk to me.” She waves at Curt, the owner of the Coffee Palace, and he walks over to us.
“Good evening, ladies. Your usuals?” he asks.
We both answer, “Yes, please.”
Curt turns and walks toward the counter.
Rae grabs my hand and asks, “So how are classes going?”
I huff out a breath and fall back against the chair.
“Jesus, Rae. It’s only been two months, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to get through the next two years.”
“Oh, do tell. Please.” She sits forward and rests her arms in her lap, her palms touching as her fingers drum together over and over.
I think for a moment about what to say, then Curt comes back with our coffees.
“Here you go, ladies. Enjoy.” He places them down on the low table sitting between us.
“Thank you,” we both say and laugh. We should’ve been twins. Rae knows how I think most of the time.
I’m thinking that the next two years of being so close to Jaden but not being able to be with him will be torture. He’s doing all he can to touch me. Be close to me. He calls me over to his station to help him with a technique I know he’s quite capable of doing without me taking his hand and physically moving it with mine.
He manages to reach for the same spatula, the same serving spoon, the same measuring cups as I do. It’s like he watches where I’m reaching and follows me to touch me on purpose.
When I make him do these techniques on his own, I know he’s messing up to get me to help him. I lean in and we touch. My body nearly explodes inside.
I cannot lose control of my emotions for him in class. I’ll give him a bit more time to get used to us not being together, but if he won’t stop deliberately touching me, I’ll have to have him removed from my class. I can’t risk my career for him. My daughter depends on me. She’s my first and only responsibility. I have to make Jaden understand.
“Blaire,” Rae calls out and tugs on my hand, bringing my attention back to her.
“Oh, sorry.” I sip on my coffee, then shake my head to clear my thoughts.
“Tell me more about Jaden. Your mister hot as fuck student chef. I want to know it all. Have you needed to discipline him after class yet?”
I peer at her over the rim of my coffee cup, then remember when he showed up at my car one evening last week when he should’ve been at The Oasis working.
“Not yet, but I may have to if he doesn’t stop his advances.” I place my hand over my mouth. My heart pinches as I say those words.
“Tell me what happened.” Rae leans forward and pats my knee.
I puff out a breath and close my eyes. Leaning against the soft back of the chair, I cross my legs and take another sip of coffee.
“It was the end of last week. I was running late leaving class, and I knew Jaden had to work at The Oasis, so I never expected to see him that night.” I bite the inside of my cheek and pinch my nose.
“Go on,” Rae urges as she sits on the edge of her chair.
I sigh, sitting forward I place my mug on the table.
“After I tossed my bag and purse in the car, and before I slid in, he came up behind me. He spun me around and kissed me.”
“Oh, shit. No way. What did you do? Did you kiss him back?” She scoots her chair closer to mine.
“I did.” My head falls to my chest as I recall our kiss. His lips pressed against mine. His tongue pushed between my lips, claiming me. His one hand on the nape of my neck, the other around my waist. Our bodies touched everywhere, and I felt his desire for me.
“Blaire,” Rae hisses and smacks my leg.
“I know. Fuck. I know. Goddammit, I know I should’ve pushed him away. And I did eventually. When my common sense finally kicked back in.”
“Oh. My. God.” Rae falls against the plush chair, then rocks herself upright. She’s wearing a full-face grin.
“This isn’t funny at all, Rae. This is serious.” I lean back against the chair again. Staring at the ceiling, I breathe in deeply, hold it a beat, then let it out.
“I’m sorry, Blaire. You’re right. It’s not funny at all.” She takes a sip of her coffee, then smacks my knee.
“So, humor me and let me live vicariously through your memories. Tell me more about your hot fuck boy toy. Please, Blaire,” Rae begs.
Closing my eyes, my lips curve upward as I think about Jaden. I pull in a deep breath, hold it for a beat, then let it out and open my eyes.
“C’mon, Blaire.” Rae slaps my knee again.
Deciding it’s futile to tell my bestie that I could lose my career over Jaden Lugo, I indulge her with what she wants to hear for the rest of our coffee date.
“Okay, okay.” I take a sip of my coffee, then say, “Rae, he’s a dream come true. J is absolutely perfect.” My heart beats rapidly. My body tingles.
Rae scoots to the edge of her chair, her hands clasp, her attention fully on me.
“Keep going. I want details. How good is he?” she asks, grinning.
My head falls back on the chair as I conjure a memory of Jaden and me in bed. His firm body covering mine as he made passionate love to me. I let out a sigh and twist my legs around each other.
“Blaire,” Rae hisses.
“Jaden’s the best lover I’ve ever had.” Raising my eyes off to the side, I realize I’ve not had many lovers. I dated one other guy before Preston in college, and he was nothing to brag about. Preston kept me happy for a while, then I outgrew him.
“Details, please,” Rae says.
My arms wrap around my body as I remember my days and nights with Jaden.
“His touch, his kiss, his embrace. All of him was exactly who I needed since my divorce. I can’t believe he’s only nineteen. He treated me like a queen. He made sure my needs were fulfilled?—”
“Yeah, yeah. But how big is he, Blaire? And don’t play dumb. You know what I mean.” Rae peers at me over her coffee cup.
“He’s big enough, Rae.” I smile and wink as I stretch my hands apart.
“And you know it’s not the size that matters, it’s how he uses it.” I keep stretching my hands further apart and then smack them together.
Rae wipes her brow and asks, “Does he have a father? An uncle? A friend?” She falls back into the chair and puffs her breath out, making her hair move.
My phone chirps with Preston’s sound, and I open the text message from him.
I need a favor, please.
Sure, what is it?
Will you take Britney tomorrow morning around eight instead of Sunday? Something came up with work. I’ll owe you.
Yes, I’ll be home.
Thanks, Blaire. You’re the best.
“Everything okay?” Rae asks.
“Yeah. Preston needs to drop Britney off tomorrow.” I finish my coffee and stand.
Rae touches my arm.
“If you need anything. Call me. I’ll take Brit for a few hours if you need some head space.”
“Thanks. You really are the best. I love you.” I reach for Rae and pull her in for a hug.