Page 11 of A Novel Seduction

“Yeah,” he answered, sounding a bit clipped. Truth was, he didn’t know how to express everything he’d been feeling about this new chapter in his life. Evie was the one with a gift for words, not him.

She smiled sweetly at him and returned to her stir fry, obviously not wanting to push him in his answer. A wave of guilt crashed over him as she did so. He’d been trying so hard to get her to open up to him this past week, it was only fair he do so in return. Even if he knew it wouldn’t be pretty.

“Sorry, I’m just still coming to terms with it all.”

“No need to be sorry. I get it. It’s not how you saw your life playing out.”

“That’s an understatement,” he said with a wry laugh. “And really, I only have myself to blame. I never let myself believe that I wouldn’t return to the game. That was never an option. I was going to come back better and stronger.”

“Isn’t that the kind of motivation everyone gives themselves?” she asked. He could tell she was trying to reassure him, and it warmed him inside. “I’m sure that’s what you needed to think at the time. I assume there have been plenty of players to get hit in the face who have returned to the game. You had no reason to believe you wouldn’t.”

“The doctors told me from the get-go it could go either way when it came to returning to the game. Some guys walk away from something like that as if nothing ever happened, while others have to have their jaws rewired. I got a traumatic brain injury and now have trouble focusing at times. Luck of the draw, I guess.”

“So, why teaching?” Evie asked cautiously.

“My only other real options with a physiology degree were to become a physical therapist or personal trainer. Teaching at least gave me the opportunity to coach.”

“You were a physiology major?” Her eyes widened as she asked the question, like she couldn’t believe that he’d really study such a thing.

“Did you not know that?” he laughed. “Yes, study of functions and mechanisms in a living system. I’m not that much of an idiot.”

“I didn’t think you were, I just…” she trailed off.

“Evie, I’m joking. I was exercise science, which yes, is technically part of the physiology department, but a total jock major. I’m just teasing you.”

“You’re mean!” she said, swiping at him with her hand.

Their conversation flowed easily for the rest of dinner, just as it had all week. He told her that there was still some adjusting to be done, but that he felt that he’d get the hang of it soon. So far everyone had been great, and that other than a run-in with the Roberts twins, whom she had warned him about on Tuesday, he’d had no major behavioral issues from students.

When they had finished eating and put the dishes into the sink, Drake grabbed the book they’d been reading from his messenger bag and led Evie over to the couch. She had discarded her sweatshirt during dinner and was now in just her yoga pants and an old faded T-shirt. Drake could make out the points of her nipples through the thin fabric as she sat down, and the sight sent a jolt of lust straight to his dick. It was impossible not to notice that she hadn’t opted to wear a bra under her shirt, and that thought left him feeling pretty good.

“Want a blanket or anything?” Drake asked, trying to be a gentleman. He didn’t want to assume that her erect nipples were because she was turned on. It was entirely possible she was just cold.

“Sure.”

Grabbing a blanket from a basket on the far side of the coffee table, he handed it to her. Evie wasted no time laying it over her lap.

“Did you want under this too?” she asked. Her emerald eyes looked up at him apprehensively, as if she herself were unsure what she wanted his answer to be.

“If you’re okay with it, then I’d love to snuggle under there with you,” he said, smiling.

Returning his smile, she gathered the blanket up in her lap and waited for him to sit. Deciding to push the envelope a little bit, he sat down, positioning himself in the corner of the couch with his back resting against the arm. Grabbing Evie’s wrist, he pulled her into his lap and wrapped them up in the blanket. She giggled softly, and he pulled her close and wiggled a little as he settled them into the cushions.

“Alrighty, where were we?” he asked, opening the book. “Chapter eleven.”

Evie slid down Drake’s body just a tad so she could rest her head on his chest as he read to her about Pete, a professional surfer, and Jess, a lifeguard, and their adventures in the sun on the beach where they were both hanging out for the summer. Drake loved the feel of her body against his and listening to her sigh softly every time Pete did something that she considered romantic. Rubbing a hand up and down her back, Drake wondered if she could feel his growing erection against her thigh. He hoped that if she could feel it, she knew it was her that was causing it and not some character in the book.

“He ran his hand up the inside of her right thigh, before running it back down her left. She shivered at his touch, waiting for him to move closer to where she wanted him. He cupped her center and ran his palm down it, coating his whole hand with her wetness. She moaned as he made contact, desperate for his touch,” Drake read. Evie squirmed a little against him but said nothing. Wanting to draw out the moment, he slowed down his pace as he continued. “Jess felt as if she would explode at any moment. Spreading his fingers, Pete rubbed up and down her folds, creating a V around her clit. Finally getting the contact she needed, Jess whimpered every time he hit the sensitive little nub, fueling him on.”

Evie shifted against him again, and now he was certain that she could feel his hard length. There was no way with her legs tangled up with his like this that she didn’t. She let out a soft little moan, causing Drake to close the book and look down at her.

“Are you comfortable?” he asked, trying to mask his curiosity.

“I’m very comfortable with you, Drake,” she replied softly, lifting her head slightly to look at him.

“I like hearing that. So, then, I hope it’s alright if I do this,” he whispered.

Drake pulled her up the length of his body until her face was right up against his. Placing a hand at the nape of her neck, he slowly pulled her toward him until his lips met hers, ever so gently. Taking his time, he kissed her like he wasn’t in any kind of hurry. And truth be told, he wasn’t. Holding Evie like this was the only place he wanted to be. She let out a small whimper as her body relaxed into his even more. Her lips parted slightly, and Drake took the opportunity to search out her tongue with his. When he found it, she whimpered again and grabbed onto his shoulders, leveraging herself into him. He kissed her harder, wanting her to be able to feel everything through this kiss. How much he cared about her, how much he wanted her, how important she was becoming to him.