Page 22 of Professor Next Door

“So what about those rumors makes you think I’d regret sleeping with you?” I watched him squirm then, trying to find an answer that I’d accept.

“I’m not good for women, Tara. Not women like you. Women that like to fuck and then fuck off, yes, totally acceptable. But women like you, women that are special, no, it’s just wrong.” He waved his hand in the air, dismissing the very thought.

“It’s nice to know you have standards, of a sort. And that you respect me, but Galen, I’m not asking you for anything other than that fuck you keep mentioning.” He looked into my eyes again, surprised at my use of the word. “I’m twenty-one years old, married, and still a virgin. You don’t think I’d be at least curious?”

“I suppose so.” He looked at me, astonished. I don’t think he realized what he’d revealed about himself and his feelings towards me. The exchange had given me hope rather than putting me off.

He’d admitted he thought I was special, worthy of far more than casual sex. He’d also admitted he cared about me, though I wasn’t sure he even realized that part yet. That was reason to celebrate as far as I was concerned.

“Listen, Tara. We’re in a unique situation, don’t you think that has some bearing on this? Would you be so willing to get into bed with another man?” He didn’t look spiteful, merely like he was asking a logical question.

“Not at all.” I went carefully, not wanting to admit more than I should. “You’re hot, that can’t be avoided. You’re apparently quite the skilled lover, and you intrigue me. I know our ‘relationship’ is going to be over as soon as your court hearing is over. I know this isn’t the normal boy meets girl scenario. I just wanted to make what I thought was a smart choice about my own body.”

I hit him with logic, hard and simple logic. “I’m going to be a doctor which means I don’t have time for being in love, I don’t have time for having kids of my own, or even a real relationship with a man. I have too much work to do and I’m late to start already. I just wanted to have sex with you, explore it, and move on.”

He did have the grace to look rattled at my implication that I only wanted a bit of fun from him somehow hitting his ego.

“You don’t want to be in love? Or some kind of lasting relationship?” The unspoken words there were ‘with me’. I heard them, just the same as if he’d spoken them.

“I know you have your own issues, Galen. A daughter to care for, a career. You like your life just fine, right? The occasional romp with a willing partner is good enough. You don’t need some woman clinging to you, making demands.” Alright, I was laying it on a bit thick now, but what else could I do? Galen was not going to be pushed into anything.

He settled back on the bed, leaning against his pillows, his bare chest tempting me to touch him. The light played over the muscles, making his skin shimmer. He looked so fucking good.

“I guess, before you, that’s what I wanted, yes,” he said.

Before me? What did that mean?

“Your parents abandoned you, like my father did me. Until you came along I always thought I must not have been worthy of him. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough. But you had the same thing, only worse.” His head turned to me, his eyes shining a little as he smiled. “You should have had two loving parents. I know you had your grandmother and she was great, but you were so worthy and they just threw you away. Maybe I deserved more too?”

“You were a baby, Galen. Of course you did!” I placed my hand on his shoulder to be supportive, squeezing before I moved my hand away.

“Well, I’d have agreed but look what happened with Kayla. I drove her to that. I drove her to that level of despair.”

“I think that was more to do with—”

“No, I wasn’t the best husband. I spent a lot of time at work after Rikki was born. I was trying to get another book finished so I could spend more time with them both. I just never got the chance.” A quiet sob lingered in his voice, but he looked away, hiding the pain away from me.

“Galen, you can’t blame yourself. You can’t! It wasn’t your fault. Besides, it was an accident, even if she was leaving you the accident wasn’t your fault.” I wondered if he’d ever talked to anyone professionally about it all. The burden he must be carrying around was overwhelming for me to even think about.

“Maybe you’re right. I don’t know, but this is starting to get deep. Why don’t we go out to eat, get our baby girl, and let this all drop for now? I’m just…” He took a deep breath before he continued. “I’m just not ready for this, Tara. Not right now. I’m sorry.”

I gave him a reassuring smile and moved off the bed, holding my hand out to him. “You don’t have to be. That’s the beauty of it all. You don’t have to do anything at all. Let’s go and get some chicken wings. If we aren’t having sex I’m totally going to give myself a stomach ache by burying my sorrows in some hot sauce and vinegar!”

He came over, grinning his patented charming grin, and gave me a hug and peck on the top of my head.

“You are beautiful, you know? And damned sexy. Fucking gorgeous, even. I’d eat you up and keep going... I’ll go and pick up Amanda and Rikki. She’ll probably want to come too.” He pulled away and I let him go, watching the way his jeans hugged his bottom as he did so.