KendalWas she beating herself up over Mandy still? She had no control over when my sister died or how long she lived."No one knows the day and time of our deaths. That date on a folder doesn't mean shit. Let it go." I brushed my fingers down the side of her neck, her skin like silk. "And honestly, I've heard of people dying on the date the doctor prescribed as if they had no other choice. I wish they would do away with their fucked up estimates. People would do better with not knowing.""I couldn't agree more. I wanted to tell you that I'd seen the date the last time you and I shared dinner, but I couldn't force myself to do it. It felt too much like a death sentence.""Is that why you were so upset? It wasn't Mr. Jackson, then?" My lip lifted in a smirk. She wanted to condemn herself and there was no way I was letting that happen. The two of us had been hurting enough already. It was time to move past the darkness and take for ourselves what little bit of happiness we might find in
Kendal"Baby." I reached out and pulled at her wrist. "Come here."She moved into my lap and I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her down for a long kiss. I took my time exploring the soft wetness of her mouth, worshiping her tongue and running my fingers down every inch of her back before she finally pulled away."I'm going to New York this weekend. Come with me. We can be a couple there together without having to worry about anything, right?" She cupped my throat and leaned in for another long kiss, leaving me to my thoughts.Getting out of town for the weekend sounded like a plan. I needed to get outside and breathe the air a little. I'd been cooped up in the house every chance I got since Mandy died. Being with Dana and getting to hold her hand in public, or pull her close when I wanted to sounded blissful."Will you come?" She smiled, already so full of herself.I chuckled. "Yeah. I need to get a plane ticket, but I'll come with you.""Yes!" She jumped up and did a little jig
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