DanaTwo Days LaterOlivia still hadn't returned my call about coming to stay with her in New York for the weekend, which was starting to get on my nerves. I knew she was under a lot of pressure and had been traveling a lot with her job, but still.I put the broom up after running it across the kitchen floor in an effort to feel like I was doing something domestic. I hadn't seen Kendal in two days, which was good and bad. He was working to get himself back in the groove of being at the college, and we were playing lovers under cover. The only thing missing was the sex. Damn Jackie for losing her keys. There was no way we'd have ended the night with a few kisses and nothing else if she hadn't jacked everything up."It was for the better," I mumbled and picked up my phone to try Olivia again. My definition of “better” felt rather fucked up at the moment. The best thing would have been spending the night trapped beneath Kendal, letting him take out every torrid emotion he had on my willi
DanaI texted Jackie just so someone would know where I was in case I never showed back up from the date. At least the cops would know to come after Cameron and not Kendal. I smirked at the thought."Thank you for this." Cameron's voice was soft and friendly as I got into the passenger's side of his car."I'm just ready for this to be over." I buckled up. "You left me, not the other way around. It should be me who's begging you to come back, but when you left, I realized how good it felt not to have someone shitting down my throat all the time.""I know, baby, and I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." He reached over to take my hand, but I slapped his away."Don't. Touch. Me.""Okay." He nodded and pulled out of the parking lot. "How's the hospital been? Work going okay?""It's an internship, but it's been going great. I'm starting my mini-mester now.""You know if you need any help with your business classes that I'd be happy to help you, right?""Thanks. I'll keep that in mind
Kendal"Thanks for meeting up with me. I know you have a lot going on." Mark lifted his coffee cup as if to somehow salute me with it. We weren't necessarily friends seeing that he was dean of the accounting department, but he was a brother from my fraternity back in his day. Kappa Alphas always worked to respect and help one another in life, no matter the situation or circumstance. I was more than grateful for the connection if nothing else."Of course." I took a quick sip of my coffee and set the mug down before leaning back in my chair and giving him my attention. It was early Thursday morning and where I'd gotten back in the routine of being back on campus the last few days, I was still a little unsure of myself. Getting over my sister's death wasn't going to be easy, but keeping busy seemed to help."How are you holding up?" Mark lifted his thick black eyebrow at me."I'm doing all right. As good as can be expected." I clasped my hands in my lap and let the excitement of going ou
Kendal"Great job today, class. We'll pick back up next Tuesday on page seventy-five. Have your point-of-sale diagrams completed and come ready to discuss." I glanced around the room and smiled as everyone mumbled their responses and walked to the door like a bunch of zombies. Teaching cost accounting was the fucking pits. I'd be picking up the master's level financial statement analysis class in a week or so, which would be far more interesting and intellectually stimulating because of the level of the student.I couldn't help but wonder if Dana was still planning on taking the class. The naughtiness of seeing her behind closed doors and yet having her right in front of me, watching me with the same eyes that held all of my secrets was terrifying - and exhilarating."I'm sorry for your loss, Dr. Tarrington." One of my students stopped by the stage and gave me a warm smile. Several others stopped beside her, echoing her thoughts."Thanks guys. Losing my sister was one of the hardest t
DanaI only had time to grab a muffin from the corner store before getting to the hospital on Friday morning. Between my nerves about going out of town with Kendal and the weariness that hung on me like a well-worn coat, I was fried. The date with Cameron ended better than I expected, but I needed to talk with Kendal about the guy. Not that I expected my handsome new beau to defend me against my ex, but I wanted to be on the up and up. Something told me that it wasn't the last time Cameron would end up on my doorstep.My stomach grumbled angrily as I parked in my usual spot and grabbed my stuff. I had half the muffin in my mouth by the time I walked into the bustling halls of the hospital. It was twenty-four seven, a place that never slept nor rested. I loved it."Morning, Dana." One of the nurses from the first floor waved and gave me a warm smile."Morning," I mumbled around my muffin and gave her an apologetic smile. I jogged toward the elevator as a large group of nurses and docto
Dana"Wait. Who is Larry again?" Jackie gave me an odd look as we hoofed it through the airport. Kendal was supposed to meet us at the gate and might be a little late, but he'd promised he would get himself there."No clue." I dropped my bag on the floor by a row of chairs in front of our gate and sat down. "She said that he was her best friend. I assume he's some skinny guy with no teeth."Jackie put her hand on her hip and shook her head. "Maybe he's a dog.""What? You think he's a pet?""Why would a woman like Mrs. Delmaz have a man living with her? That doesn't make any sense at all.""She didn't seem to know what the hell she was talking about. Poor thing." I waved my hand around. "Forget it. I don't want to dwell on this anymore. I need a break from everything. Whoever or whatever Larry is, I'll find him on Monday and bring him to the hospital to see her.""You're sure going out of your way for someone you don't really know. Especially considering that the woman isn't going to r
KendalShe smelled so fucking good as I hovered over the top of her in the line. Every inch of my body was on fire for what was to come. Where I didn't want her to think that all I was interested in was sex, I knew without a doubt that we'd have to get past a few times in the sheets to let things calm down between us. A fiery passion I couldn't remember feeling before had me buzzing on a high I more than needed in my life.Dana glanced back and gave me a shy smile before walking down toward the gate that led to our flight.I handed the woman taking tickets mine and moved up behind my girl again. "It was nice of your friend to give up her seat." I reached out and slid my hand into hers, squeezing softly and pulling her fingers toward my lips so I could take my time kissing each of them."You're not being very subtle." She turned and pressed her chest against mine. Where I would normally frown on a public display of affection, something was different with her. I was greedy to get my han
Kendal"All right, so tell me who this woman is again?" I clasped Dana's hand between mine and held it in my lap as she and I rode in the back of a New York cab with Jackie."She's my best friend from high school. Well, really from elementary. We've known each other all our lives." Dana snuggled against my shoulder and let out a soft sigh.Jackie leaned forward and looked back at us. "Did Olivia grow up in Texas or were you raised somewhere else?"How close were Dana and Jackie? Not very close from what I could tell. I'd always assumed that girls knew every intimate detail about their friends. Maybe not. Or maybe Dana was a private type?"We all grew up in Houston, but my family moved up to Dallas when I started at UT five years ago.""Five years?" I smiled as Dana turned to give me a look. "You just like college, or what?""I have a double major." She released my hand and moved more into her own seat. "Business and nursing, though to be honest, I'm not sure that's where my heart is l