“It’s probably better that I don’t know all the details,” she says, holding up her hands and walking into the dining room, where Scott is sitting. I watch from a distance as she leans down and kisses the top of his head and then sits beside him, asking him about his day.
I watch her and think about our parents and how proud they would be of her. Our dad died in a work accident when we were little, leaving my mom with a big chunk of insurance money to help provide for us. Kim and I were lucky that we were both able to go to college and do what we wanted without having to worry about struggling financially.
When our mom passed suddenly from breast cancer last year, it was a big blow to all of us. We’ve managed to make it through, even though there’s an empty space in our family that can never be filled.
My mom always encouraged me to follow my dreams, so I did. I went to school and got my degree and then my Master’s in architecture. After I’d done that, I decided to open my own business, and have since become one of best architects in Seattle. I’ve been focused for so long on building my firm and creating new and exciting things that I let any sort of love life fall to the side. I haven’t had a girlfriend since middle school, and the last time I took a woman on a date, a Bush was president.
I’ve taken Scott to school every so often since he’s started. His school is right next to my offices, so it’s easy to pop over and pick him up and then run him home afterwards, saving my sister a trip. But one day when I walked into his class, I spotted Raven. That’s when I knew what my mom and sister had been droning on about all these years. That first spark and the feelings of protectiveness and love that come out of nowhere. One glance at Raven and I was instantly head over heels. She hadn’t so much as spoken a single word to me and I was already imagining her walking up the aisle towards me.
The fact that she paid me no attention every time I tried to talk to her was a blow to my ego. It wasn’t that I thought I was good-looking or any better than other men. It was the fact that this woman was clearly my future wife, and she wasn’t even willing to look me in the eyes. Every time I tried to bring up something personal, she’d change the subject to Scott. Now I love the kid, don’t get me wrong, but I was starting to get jealous of the way she smiled at him.
I was about to enroll in her class if she didn’t agree to go on a date with me, so today I decided to pull out all the stops. I told Scott that he should forget something in class so I could sneak back in, and the little dude helped me out. I wasn’t waiting on her to agree to anything with me. I was past that point and ready to make demands. So after I told her about dinner, I got out of there. No sense in giving her time to wiggle out of it. The only thing I want to see her wiggling out of are her clothes.
Her dark curls and thick-framed glasses gave me aches all up and down my body. My dirty teacher fantasy has come to life in front of me, and I want to rip away her button-up collared shirts and let those big tits of hers bounce on my face. I want her to ride me while I suck her nipples.
“Jack!” Scott shouts, and I shake my head. Clearly that wasn’t the first time he’d said my name.
“What are you dressing up as for the party tomorrow?” he asks, and I smile.
“It’s a surprise. I’ll let your mom pick you up tomorrow, but I’ll see you at the dance. ’Night, Kim,” I say over my shoulder, giving Scott a high five and heading out.
Raven should be home by now, so I can leave.
When I bought the building downtown and redesigned it, I’d imagined selling off the units below me. I am on the top floor, and the floors below have tremendous real estate value. I’d see Raven that first day and decided I needed to do some homework. I waited around a few times and overheard that she was looking for a place to stay. I made sure that an email boasting new property, for lease and close to the school, was sent to her. I made it seem like it was being rented until a buyer came along. I even had an agent meet her to explain the details. I never had any intention of selling the place, not while she is in it, at least. But I knew that having her close would help me sleep at night. Especially knowing that one day I’d be able to get her on my floor.