Read Online Lulu's Loves by Barbara S Stewart - Free Book Online Page B

expectations of the first week. I was ready; I just wanted to be sure I was ready. I went to the English library and researched a few things that I wanted to have prepared and sat at the big table with my laptop taking notes.
    “You know you have access to a research assistant.” I looked up and Professor Wynn was watching me. He was one of the younger professors at the university.
    “I know!” I smiled. “But I know how and where to find what I was looking for.”
    “You’ll get over that,” he laughed. “Are you ready?”
    “As ready as one can be for their first week of teaching. I’m kind of obsessive when it comes to things like this.” I turned the computer so he could see the schedule I was working on.
    “Impressive. But are you ready for the students?” he asked in a cocky way.
    “Professor Wynn, I’ve been a student for the last seventeen years. I’ve experienced jerks, introverts, extroverts, know-it-alls and those who actually do know it all but choose to remain silent. I’ve been corrected, talked over, ignored and talked down to. I think I know what I’m in for.”
    “You’ll do great. I have no doubt, Ms. Welk,” he said and walked away.
    AM I READY? I sounded convincing.
     

     
    Thom and I talked every night. He wanted to know about my life as much as I wanted to know what was going on in his.
    He takes an interest in me, so different than what I experienced with Jason.
    The closer it got, the more the trip to Savannah filled my thoughts. It was all I could concentrate on. I shopped, packed my bag, and when Friday came, I was anxious. I made the two-hour drive north straight from work. He’d told me to meet him at the visitor’s center. The red Shelby was waiting when I pulled in. What I experienced next was like watching a scene from a movie unfold.
    Thom was leaning on the car, his legs crossed, his arms folded over his chest. I swear I’d never seen a more beautiful man. He wore sunglasses, faded jeans, and a white button down shirt. His hair curled at his collar and his smile widened as I got closer. It made me happy. I parked and before I had the ignition turned off, he was tugging at the door handle to open it.
    “Get out of this car–now!” he laughed. He had me in his arms before I was completely standing. “I couldn’t wait for you to get here, Lulu.”
    He devoured my mouth with passionate kisses, lightly biting my bottom lip, slipping his tongue in my mouth to explore, pulling my body so close that I could feel his arousal.
    “Stop. I. Can’t. Breathe,” I panted. I closed my eyes thinking that I’d just experienced exactly what he told me I would when I arrived. Now I wondered if every experience he’d taunted me with over the phone would be as vivid as this one.
    “Because I left you breathless?” he chuckled.
    “Where are we going?” He looked at me. “We need to go there-now.”
    “Follow me.” His grin was teasing.
    We jumped back in our cars, and I followed him to the Marriott at the east end of town. He parked and got out. Talking to the valet, he motioned for me to join him. He grabbed my hand and led me to the bar.
    “The room will be ready in half an hour. They’ll deliver our things.” It was just after three when we sat down.
    “A sissy white wine, and a bourbon, neat.” The bartender laughed and produced three bottles of white wine for me to choose from.
    Thom leaned close to whisper in my ear. “I thought about a bed and breakfast, but I didn’t know if you howled or screamed during love making.”
    “Oh! You surprise me sometimes.” I blushed. “I’ve never had reason to howl or scream.”
    “You will.” His grin was sexy and telling. I was in for a big weekend. “I ordered room service already. Lots of food. I expect we’ll be hungry. Do you need a bite of something now? Did you eat lunch? I’ll order an appetizer.”
    I laughed at the rapid-fire conversation. “An appetizer would be nice.”
     

     
    Finally, they came to