Chapter Sixteen. “Uh, Dr. Hoffman? I think you missed the exit.” Ember’s voice dragged Laurel back to reality.

“Uh, Dr. Hoffman? I think you missed the exit.” Ember’s voice dragged Laurel back to reality.

“What? Oh, I was just…thinking.” Laurel’s life was upside down and her concentration was shot. She should have insisted that Ember drive, but she needed to drop her off a few blocks before the campus so no one knew of their friendship. The precaution protected both of them.

“You sure you’ll be okay until class? I can come with you to your office. It’s no problem.”

She was so innocent in her offer; Laurel hoped she never lost that innocence. Ember had no idea of the political ramifications of a stunningly beautiful young woman escorting an instructor to her office. The gossip would be in full swing the moment they exited the car. With phone cameras, their picture together would be on the university intranet before class started. She probably should have dropped her at the BART station.

“No, it’s better this way,” Laurel said. Rochelle would never do anything on campus. “After I drop you off, please call and tell Stef I’m okay.”

Ember nodded, staring out the windshield. She extracted the new cell phone Jock had given her and said, “I’ve got her on speed dial.”

Laurel would call, too, of course. It was all she could do to get Stef to agree to Ember as her sole bodyguard. She’d almost had all of Jock’s crew following her in a convoy. Her heart swelled at the recognition that so many wanted to help.

After leaving Ember, she drove into the faculty parking lot. She was nervous, despite her brave words, because Rochelle had been so unpredictable lately. But she wasn’t scheduled to be on campus today, so Laurel clung to the hope she would stick to her routine.

As she walked across the expansive lawns of the university, she was aware that the new clothes she’d purchased in a quick shopping trip fit differently. She’d chosen brighter colors, and her style was less constrained, more active and in charge. She had even picked out a tank that revealed her figure and some cleavage, something she wouldn’t have dreamt of doing before.

She knew exactly why, too. Stefanie Beresford. Stef made her feel special. She admired her mind and worshipped her body. She loved her soul. From the moment they touched, Laurel was forever and irrevocably a new woman. She returned every molecule of love to the woman who’d brought about the change. It didn’t matter what Rochelle or anyone else said or did, there was no going back. That knowledge gave her courage she didn’t know she possessed, and the vision of Stef’s eyes shining with love lifted her spirits and filled her with resolve.

So, yes, Stef was right about her being changed when she saw Rochelle again. But it wasn’t her clothes, or the fact that she bore some marks of their lovemaking. Those were not visible anyway. She’d thoughtfully chosen a shirt to wear over her tank top, since every time she thought of Stef, which was constantly, her nipples hardened.

Rochelle would notice a confidence in her that was completely new. She would no doubt tell Laurel that her glow was only because she was fucking Stef. Rochelle wouldn’t recognize the real basis of the change, that Laurel felt loved and could give love in return. Rochelle didn’t even know what that meant.

“So, you’ve decided to grace us with your presence.”

Laurel stopped, her chest tightening at the sound of Rochelle’s voice. She was behind her and Laurel wondered how long she’d been there. She whirled to meet her former partner’s glare, wondering if she’d even notice the fading bruises or the slight scar on her lip.

“I had to let the bruises fade. You know the drill.”

“Keep your voice down. Someone might hear you.”

In the past she would have instantly complied, but no more. “That’s your problem, Rochelle. And even if I were completely silent, no one’s blind and the facial bruising is still rather obvious, wouldn’t you say.”

Rochelle studied her and a knowing sneer settled on her features. “I knew it. You’re fucking her.”

Shrugging, Laurel said, “Well, I wasn’t when you kicked the crap out of me, dearest. But now? You bet I am.”

Rochelle’s face darkened with fury. “We’ll talk about this at home. I’ll be waiting after class.” Her jaw muscles were working overtime.

“No, Rochelle, we won’t. I’ve moved out. I won’t be alone with you because I don’t trust you.”

“I can break you, Laurel, so watch your mouth. I can get you dismissed and make sure you never work in a university again.”

“Perhaps. But understand one thing. I. Don’t. Care.” Laurel turned on her heel and strode toward the classroom building. She’d only taken several steps when her arm was in a vise, forcing her to face Rochelle.

“How dare you talk to me that way. I ought to—”

“Dr. Hoffman? Dr. Hoffman?” They both looked sideways to see Ember running toward them and skidding to a halt. Her smile faded as she spied Rochelle’s grip on Laurel’s arm, and Rochelle immediately dropped her hand. “Oh, I’m sorry, am I interrupting?”

Rochelle forced a terse smile. “Why no, we were just discussing…a project.”

“Oh, great.” Ember dripped innocence. “I was hoping to talk to Dr. Hoffman about my term paper. You’re Professor Jacobs, aren’t you? Wow, what an honor.” She stuck her hand out and pumped vigorously, the picture of admiration.

Rochelle preened. “Yes, I am. And you are—”

“Oh, just a freshman. But I hope to be a student here for a long time and be in your class someday. I can’t believe I got to meet you.”

Before Ember piled it on a bit too thickly, Laurel said, “Well, we have a few minutes before class, so why don’t we talk about your paper on the way.”

“Sure, so nice to have met you, Professor Jacobs.” Ember stood back, all smiles and beautiful cluelessness, waiting for Laurel.

Rochelle gave them a thin smile. “Very well, see you after class, Dr. Hoffman.”

As they walked briskly across campus, Laurel ventured a glance over her shoulder to see Rochelle engaged with another student. “Thank you, Ember. I’m pretty sure you would get an A in my class, if you were enrolled.”

Breathlessly, Ember said, “Hey, I really, really, want to run. Guess that wouldn’t be, you know, cool, right?”

“Right. Let’s do it anyway.” They broke into a run that didn’t slow down until they were through the building’s glass doors.

Stef had enough energy to pull Laurel on top of her, after recovering from the last session of lovemaking. It took a bit of strength, too, because Laurel was unable to help. How she got that way brought a satisfied smirk to Stef’s lips.

“You’re gloating.” Laurel regarded her with those disconcerting green eyes.

The passion in her gaze caused a reaction in Stef that, although she couldn’t do much about it for a bit, she didn’t bother to suppress. “Yes, I am. You are so wondrous when you come. And I’m improving my technique.”

Resting her chin on Stef’s chest, Laurel let a hand wander, enjoying the hitch in Stef’s breath when she found a sensitive spot.

“So, tell me, how did Ember do as a bodyguard? I apologize for not asking until now, but I hadn’t seen you in forever and needed to feel you close to me.”

Actually, they’d practically ripped each other’s clothes off the moment they were alone. The first round was fast and desperate, each seeking reassurance from the other. The second and third were much more leisurely.

Laurel explained Ember’s escort to class, then added, “When class was over, Rochelle was lurking outside the door and, to tell the truth, I was jumpy. All of a sudden I was surrounded by at least half my students, Ember leading the way, and we walked, like a Roman phalanx, to my car, everyone chatting and asking questions. Rochelle couldn’t get near me without causing a huge stir. It was great.” She grinned.

“Way to go, Ember.”

“You know what else? I’m going to start playing racquetball again. My sister and I always loved it and I played in college with friends, but I stopped because Rochelle was so miserable to play with. Ember’s agreed to be my practice partner. What do you think of that?” Laurel’s eyes threw off more sparks of gold as she spoke. She looked happy.

Stef was thinking about a raise for Ember, perhaps a bonus. “Racquetball, that’s great.”

“What happened with Mrs. Castic?” Laurel asked. “Did the place they’re housing Mrs. Holloway fall for the story?”

“We’ll know soon. Mrs. C said to pass on the information she had given me, some Serbian attaché number in New York City, to the institution. To say they were snooty is to understate it.”

“If they go for the bait, what then?”

“According to Mrs. C, we march in there, she plays a doddering fool, and we tour until we find Seraphina Drake Holloway. Mrs. C says she’ll recognize her, no problem. Then we’ll ask her what’s going on, assuming she really isn’t demented.”

Stef felt her body begin to heat as Laurel continued her teasing exploration. She relieved some pressure by allowing her pelvis to rock in rhythm with Laurel’s. It was a temporary fix.

Laurel said, “Oh, my. That’s…nice. What were we saying?” She sat up to straddle Stef, fondling her breasts, gently teasing her nipples with her thumbs as she continued rocking. She slid her clit against Stef’s pubic hair and gasped.

“Christ.” Stef moaned. “You’re making me so excited, I can barely…talk.”

“Talking is the last thing I want you to do with your tongue, the very last thing.” Laurel raised up and turned so they could have access to each other. Feasting with their fingers and tongues brought them to thundering climaxes within minutes.

When they were once again in each other’s arms, Stef mumbled, “I want you again.”

That was the last thing she remembered until the next morning, when she got her wish.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30