Read Online Watcher by Kate Watterson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kate Watterson
Tags: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Ads: Link
reluctance. “But there is a lot more to a relationship. I think we are in very different places in our lives.
Job, house, marriage, children? I’ve crossed all those milestones 58
Kate Watterson
except the last one, and I’m…settled. I’m middle-aged, and you have five years before you’ll even be thirty.”
“All right,” he acquiesced. “That’s all true. But your point is invalid, Professor. Lots of men my age are married, have a mortgage, and kids. Getting my doctorate—as you well know—is the only reason I don’t have a full-time job, and I’m glad you’re settled in a life that suits you. Wouldn’t it be even better if you could have a little more fun in your personal life?”
“I—”
“I’ve already promised, no pressure, and no one at the university has to even know we’re seeing each other. It isn’t their business anyway, so I have no trouble with that. We like each other and have a terrific time in bed. It’s pretty simple from my point of view.”
Jana brushed back her hair and gave him a wry smile. “Jake, when is it ever simple between a man and a woman?”
He grinned back, hoping he’d made his point, feeling possible victory from the softened expression on her face. “Okay, well, you’ve got me there, I suppose. But we’re both intelligent, mature people, and I am definitely not into drama in any relationship. To be honest, I don’t have much of a social life either, because I’m stuck between two worlds right now. I have no desire to go to the bars—I’m way past that—which is how most of the students define a good time, and neither do I have a family. Pretty much, I work, teach, and go home each night. I’m fairly settled myself, but something is missing. In my opinion, last night was the stellar date of all time. Great food, great conversation, and great sex. I’m not an idiot. Why wouldn’t I want to see you again? I didn’t come to get laid, Jana. I came over to be with you.”
It might be a crude way of saying it, but it was the absolute truth.
Watcher
59
After a moment, Jana reached for her coffee cup and quirked her brows slightly. “Has anyone ever mentioned that you can be damned persuasive, Incredible Quinn?”
“Hell, I hope so. Is that a yes?”
“It’s a ‘maybe we’ll give it a try,’ how’s that?”
“The best news I’ve ever had.” Not wanting to push his luck, Jake stood up. “I’ll call you then, okay?”
“I’ll give you my cell number.”
Yes.
He kissed her good-bye, a memorable melding of their mouths that he hoped was a reminder of what had happened the night before in her big bed. He couldn’t help but whistle as he walked to his car, and he probably had a really stupid grin on his face as he unlocked it and slid in.
Pulling out of her driveway, he was thinking about the next possible time he could see her. This coming week was a bitch, and he hadn’t lied, he should have graded exams yesterday.
The light blue truck sat in front of the house three doors down, and he normally would not have paid the least attention to it.
However, it caught his eye with a jolt of recognition, and though this time there was no one in it reading a newspaper, he recognized the spot of rust above the bumper and the out of state license plate.
Well, that was odd as shit, he thought as he slowly drove away.
He was pretty sure it was the same truck that had been sitting in the faculty lot when he’d dropped Jana off at her car the morning before. At the time he’d wondered if it belonged to a maintenance worker, and it certainly didn’t belong in this particular ritzy neighborhood.
Coincidence?
Jake shrugged off the uneasy feeling. Well, maybe.
60
Kate Watterson
Chapter 6
She got out of her car and walked toward the building, just like she did every day. So normal, so beautiful with her shining dark hair and that perfect face.
It empowered him to realize she didn’t even know she’d made a fatal mistake.
He was in
Job, house, marriage, children? I’ve crossed all those milestones 58
Kate Watterson
except the last one, and I’m…settled. I’m middle-aged, and you have five years before you’ll even be thirty.”
“All right,” he acquiesced. “That’s all true. But your point is invalid, Professor. Lots of men my age are married, have a mortgage, and kids. Getting my doctorate—as you well know—is the only reason I don’t have a full-time job, and I’m glad you’re settled in a life that suits you. Wouldn’t it be even better if you could have a little more fun in your personal life?”
“I—”
“I’ve already promised, no pressure, and no one at the university has to even know we’re seeing each other. It isn’t their business anyway, so I have no trouble with that. We like each other and have a terrific time in bed. It’s pretty simple from my point of view.”
Jana brushed back her hair and gave him a wry smile. “Jake, when is it ever simple between a man and a woman?”
He grinned back, hoping he’d made his point, feeling possible victory from the softened expression on her face. “Okay, well, you’ve got me there, I suppose. But we’re both intelligent, mature people, and I am definitely not into drama in any relationship. To be honest, I don’t have much of a social life either, because I’m stuck between two worlds right now. I have no desire to go to the bars—I’m way past that—which is how most of the students define a good time, and neither do I have a family. Pretty much, I work, teach, and go home each night. I’m fairly settled myself, but something is missing. In my opinion, last night was the stellar date of all time. Great food, great conversation, and great sex. I’m not an idiot. Why wouldn’t I want to see you again? I didn’t come to get laid, Jana. I came over to be with you.”
It might be a crude way of saying it, but it was the absolute truth.
Watcher
59
After a moment, Jana reached for her coffee cup and quirked her brows slightly. “Has anyone ever mentioned that you can be damned persuasive, Incredible Quinn?”
“Hell, I hope so. Is that a yes?”
“It’s a ‘maybe we’ll give it a try,’ how’s that?”
“The best news I’ve ever had.” Not wanting to push his luck, Jake stood up. “I’ll call you then, okay?”
“I’ll give you my cell number.”
Yes.
He kissed her good-bye, a memorable melding of their mouths that he hoped was a reminder of what had happened the night before in her big bed. He couldn’t help but whistle as he walked to his car, and he probably had a really stupid grin on his face as he unlocked it and slid in.
Pulling out of her driveway, he was thinking about the next possible time he could see her. This coming week was a bitch, and he hadn’t lied, he should have graded exams yesterday.
The light blue truck sat in front of the house three doors down, and he normally would not have paid the least attention to it.
However, it caught his eye with a jolt of recognition, and though this time there was no one in it reading a newspaper, he recognized the spot of rust above the bumper and the out of state license plate.
Well, that was odd as shit, he thought as he slowly drove away.
He was pretty sure it was the same truck that had been sitting in the faculty lot when he’d dropped Jana off at her car the morning before. At the time he’d wondered if it belonged to a maintenance worker, and it certainly didn’t belong in this particular ritzy neighborhood.
Coincidence?
Jake shrugged off the uneasy feeling. Well, maybe.
60
Kate Watterson
Chapter 6
She got out of her car and walked toward the building, just like she did every day. So normal, so beautiful with her shining dark hair and that perfect face.
It empowered him to realize she didn’t even know she’d made a fatal mistake.
He was in
Similar Books
