The Professor (Forbidden Encounters 1)

“I could have parked on the street.”

“I know but your car sticks out like a sore thumb. There are some guys around here with very sticky fingers.”

I grin. “A stolen car would be worth seeing you again.”

She averts her gaze. “Yeah, right. Do you have a degree in flattery or something?”

“I’m not trying to flatter you. I mean it.”

Abby gazes at me, with an expression I’ve seen before. I can’t exactly make out what it is. But there’s a hint of suspicion, as if she’s trying to gauge if I’m being genuine. She folds her arms and shivers. “Let’s go in before I turn into an ice sculpture.”

I follow her, still finding it hard to believe she invited me over. Inside, she takes my coat and throws it over a metal coat rack then proceeds to stare at me. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I rock back on my heels.

“Something wrong?”

She blinks and visibly swallows. “Um...no. I’m just really nervous. I’ve never really had anyone?a guy?over…” she trails off and blows out a breath.

She’s never invited a man over. I’m disgustingly satisfied to hear that, but I try not to show it. “I see. Well, first things first, I want you to stop being nervous about anything with me. Second, you should start by kissing me good morning. You know, just to get the ball rolling on date number two.”

Her soft giggles are like music to my ears. It’s a nice sound to be treated to in the morning. Her shoulders relax and she steps closer. “I know what you’re doing,” she says.

“Shamelessly angling for a kiss?”

Eyes gleaming with laughter, she plants her hands on my chest. “And making me laugh to get me to relax. Thank you.”

I wrap an arm around her and pull her to my body. My hand skims up her torso, the soft sweater tickling my fingertips. I cup her neck and hold her in place so she can’t even think about pulling away from me. I’ve been wanting this since Mexico.

She tips on her toes to give me the kiss I practically begged for. Our lips touch, just light grazes but the contact lights a fire inside of me. It never ceases to amaze me how my body reacts to her. We don’t even have to touch. All I have to do is look at her and I’m ready to lose control. When she pulls away, she’s wearing a small smile. I’m tempted to pull her back in for a deeper, hotter exploration of her mouth. But, I’m giving her the reins. We’ll go as slow as she wants.

Face flushed and still a little breathless from our kiss, she asks, “Coffee first? Or anything else you prefer.”

What I prefer is her. She looks delectable in tight jeans and a sweater that hugs her delicate frame. “Coffee.” My voice sounds huskier than normal. I pull in a steadying breath and stamp down my hormones.

“So this is my place,” she announces as she leads me further inside. It’s not as luxurious to what you’re accustomed to, I’m sure.”

“I’ve been staring at your ass the whole time, so I haven’t noticed.”

Abby’s head whips around. She stares at me with wide eyes, and I shrug. I said it for shock value, but I really have been staring at her ass the entire time. Her cheeks burn bright, and I swallow my smug grin. Good. Let her be surprised. It’s time she gets over the whole I’m rich thing.

Clearing her throat, and still blushing, she gestures to the kitchen. “Have a seat.”

Chapter Nine

Abby

I have a Marshall sitting in my kitchen, sipping coffee. I’d been on edge about having Bryce here, but that apprehension vanished. He’s very down to earth. Of course, I should have known that because he didn’t act like a millionaire when I met him. He’d just behaved like a regular guy, enjoying the beach. Now, I don’t even know why I was nervous this morning. Bryce has a gift for making me feel comfortable.

“Holy crap,” he says for about the tenth time, and gazes into his cup. “You’re like the coffee guru. Coffee doesn’t taste this good when I make it.”

I hide my satisfied smile behind my own mug. “I’ve worked at the diner for a while, so I’ve had time to perfect my skills. When I just started working at Denton’s Place, there was always complaints about the coffee. I tasted it one day and it did taste like crap. I thought, no one should be given crap to drink. That’s just...cruel. I made it my mission to make it better. I worked at it for a while, and I’ve become a master barista, saving the world from horrible coffee one cup at a time.”

Bryce chuckles and holds up his cup in salute. “You’re a true hero, Abby Knight. The people of Oak Valley should thank you.”

“I know right. I should get my own monument in the town square.”

His shoulders shake with laughter as he puts down his cup. He props one arm on the table and rests his jaw on his hands. I bend down to extract the biscuits from the oven so I don’t realize he’s staring until I turn around and catch his eyes locked on me.

I freeze. Suddenly, there’s a need to check my hair and face. Why is he staring? “What?”