Read Online Wednesday by Clare James - Free Book Online Page A

second. “What do you think? Forget it all and become mine for one day?”
    Suddenly, I want this. I want it
bad.
    She leans into me, and in a
surprising move, she brushes her lips over mine. I have to hold myself back,
because I want to devour her.
    “Is that a yes?” I ask, but she’s
already walking away.
    “I’ll think about it,” she calls
back to me.
    “Okay, I’ll take that as a yes,
then,” I say, mustering up every ounce of confidence I can.
    I’m so screwed.
    ***
     
    After the shenanigans with Aria in
the alley – something I still can’t believe we did – I’m in agony. Physically.
Mentally. What the hell am I doing to myself? A hook-up with someone like Lissa
would be so much easier.
    It’s like I never left this shitty
town. Back to sleepless nights over a girl who may, or may not, be interested
in me.
    Last night, I really could’ve used
the sleep. Especially considering I start teaching a new class today.  What do
they say about those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach? Yeah, that’s
where I’m at in this point in my life.
    Funny thing is, I’ve never been the
academic type. Universities are more of a place to tidy your mind, rather than
free it. It involves so much talking about theory and plans and case studies
rather than going out there and actually doing something.
    My college career didn’t last long
by any means, and now I’m supposed to be promoting the classroom experience.
    “Have fun today, Professor.” Danny
calls to wish me luck, which is so not a guy thing to do. My unconventional
ways must be rubbing off on him.  
    “Ugh,” is the only response I have.
    “I know you don’t want to admit it,
but teaching is in your blood. Look at what you’ve done with me.”
    “It just feels like I’m admitting
defeat or something,” I say.
    “I thought this was just
temporary.”
    “It is.”
    “Then stop whining like a little
bitch and go to work,” he says.
    And back to Guy Speak 101.
    “Oh, and now that we’re all about
full disclosure and shit,” he says before releasing a long breath.
    “Yeah?” I say, not sure I want to
hear it.
    Full disclosure was definitely a new
concept.
    “Aria will be on campus today,” he
says.
    I rub my neck, just the thing I
need to hear when I’m already off to a shitty day.
    “She’s taking classes?”
    “Going into nursing, apparently.”
    “Nursing? She can’t stand the
thought of blood.”
    “Well, unlike you, maybe she knows
when it’s time to pull out the big girl panties and do what needs to be done,”
he says.
    “Fuck you.”
    “Have a nice day, dear.”
    And with that, I head to the
university with images of Aria in glasses and a collegiate sweater. So what if students
haven’t dressed like that since the 50s? A guy can dream.
    Damn, and I thought I was in
trouble before.

ARIA
     
    I’m reeling all night
after my – well, let’s call it what it is – spectacular orgasm with Tris. And,
even worse, I’m considering his offer. Part of me craves the excitement, the
naughtiness of it all, but the other part of me is thinking about Jimmy’s
words.
    Never reach for a falling knife.
    And man, this was one dangerous
proposition.
    I want Tristan, but I also fear him
– like an addiction.
    Whenever he enters a room,
everything else falls away. Yet we detest each other.
    We also crave each other,
desperately. And I’m worried that my need for him will make me risk everything
for a touch, a feeling, a moment of pleasure.
    And now I sit here wavering. My
body screams to go to him; my mind tells me it could be the mistake that breaks
me.
    “Buddy, you need to eat breakfast,”
I tell Cade, who happens to be in the middle of a tantrum this fine morning as
I’m thinking about mind-blowing orgasms instead of preparing for my first day
of school.
    “No,” He turns his little lip out
and pushes the bowl away. “I hate Cheerios.”
    What in the H is going on? Cade
hasn’t had a meltdown since he was two. Please