He’s at least ten years older than me, and he’s a professor. A point I realize is completely hypocritical. Still the thought of him looking at Reanna with desire makes me realize just how over the line I’ve gone.
His eyes narrow as he studies my expression. “Just a friendly word of caution.”
From someone who claims not to be interested in being friends, I muse.
He continues. “Grad students do fall in somewhat of a gray zone, but it can be problematic if things don’t work out.”
“Grad student?” My brow furrows, and in my confusion, I don’t consider I could be blowing my cover.
“Dirk?” Pamela’s voice calls to me from up ahead.
“There you are.” Sharon trots up to where I’m standing, slipping her hand into the crook of my arm. “We were about to send out a search party.”
Landon’s eyes drift down to where she’s touching me, and his eyebrow arches. I almost laugh out loud. Instead, I decide he’s a big boy. If he’s got the wrong idea about me and Sharon, that’s not my problem.
“I was actually trying to find you guys.” I pat the top of her hand on my arm.
“We made it to the end.” Dr. Chase strolls to where we stand. “Then when you never appeared, we figured we’d better come find you.”
“Thanks, I got held up.”
“Oh, hello, Landon.” Pamela lifts her chin as if she disapproves of the delay. “Didn’t know you were coming to the fundraiser. I thought you said the hay maze was a smelly nuisance.”
“I’m here with my daughter.”
“Speaking of daughters,” I interrupt, ready to put an end to this. “How’s Amelia holding up? She must be getting hungry.”
“Joanna has her in the car.”
“Come on.” Sharon tugs my arm before dropping it and trotting ahead to what I see is the end of the maze.
I also notice the group of kids Reanna came with gathered there, and my eyes strain as I scan the faces for hers. As always, she’s standing a little bit apart, a little distant, watching me.
Our eyes meet, and the familiar lightning electrifies my senses. I’ve never been this way with a woman. I’ve had relationships, but I’ve never felt the things you hear about in songs and sonnets. I’ve never hungered for someone so intensely.
“As I was saying,” Tool’s eyes are on me, and I tear mine away.
I realize he’s watching me as well, but my thoughts are several hours ahead and miles from this place. “Thanks for the warning, Landon. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Reanna standsslightly behind the round bushes lining the back of the psychology department, not quite hidden, but not immediately visible to passersby. Her dark hair hangs straight down her back, and she’s in dark jeans and a red sweater with a low V that hugs her body.
A small bag is at her feet, and as I drive closer, she looks up at me. Our eyes connect through the windshield, and my stomach tightens, heat filtering below my belt. I barely slept last night, the anticipation of this day holding me in a state of alertness.
I wanted to text all night, but instead, I sent one note,Pick you up at 9.
Her reply was simply,I’ll be there.
Now we’re here.
I put the Jeep in park, ready to hop out and help her with her things, but before I can open my door, she tosses her bag in the back and jumps in the passenger’s side.
“No need to draw attention.” Pushing her hair back, ice-blue eyes meet mine, and adrenaline hums in my veins.
I want to reach over and grab her neck and kiss her roughly like we always do, but she’s right, no need to linger where we might attract attention.
Turning the wheel, I drive us off campus to the freeway and out to the interstate highway. We’re ten minutes down the road with “Take it Easy” playing on the radio, and I glance over to see her watching the scenery pass.
It’s the first time we’ve been out of the pressure cooker. We’re free to do whatever we want as much and at any time, and I search for something to say, to break the silence.