Incandescent

I’ve kept my sulking on the down low or at least in the confines of my room, but you don’t get too much past Holly. I’m glad I managed to keep my second mistake with him from her. I already feel like a royal idiot. I don’t need anyone else knowing. Besides, she will probably encourage me to see him again, even going as far as inviting him over for a home-cooked meal, and that’s the last thing I ever want.

Lies. Yep, I’ve turned into the biggest liar.

If he walked in right now, I’d probably let him have his way, probably wouldn’t even care if Holly watched.

Getting to know him the other night, I realize I was such a judgmental bitch. He’s got great things going on with the club, a successful business owner, and he’s a great dad, not to mention he’s amazing in bed. His reaction to me leaving shouldn’t have surprised me. I knew it was coming, could see it in his stare. The air of electricity around him while I sat there had me on alert. I wasn’t expecting the disappointment in his eyes when he asked me for the truth and I lied. But Z is my student, and I should have never crossed that line. I can’t believe I let him get to me; I caved so easily.

Holly watches me carefully, but doesn’t say anything else; she simply shakes her head.

“So what're your plans for the weekend?” She changes the subject, knowing she won’t get anything out of me. I sit up, reaching for my Kindle laying next to my bed.

“The second book in the erotic series I’ve been reading went live this week. I’m pla

“Blah, jeez, Kadence, you can’t get more cliché. Hot teacher spends her weekends reading sexy erotic novels.” She laughs and I throw my pillow at her head.

“Shut up, Holly. I read for educational purposes too,” I argue.

“Oh, yeah? Like how to hit your G-spot? I have no idea how you read them. Seriously I can’t get past how the guy will blow his load into the woman bare, and she gets up and walks a fucking mile without that shit falling out.” She rolls her eyes. “Seriously, Kadence, it’s bullshit. Some dude with super sperm blows his load in me, that shit is still coming out hours later.” She laughs, shaking her head. “Lies, it’s all lies, Kadence,” she yells passionately, before rising from my bed. I roll my eyes at her dramatics but can’t argue with her.

“Breakfast is almost ready,” she sings, exiting my room. “We have big plans today,” she yells out as she makes her way back down the hall. Yeah right, the only plans I have are with my trusty Kindle.

Ignoring her is always the best route. Instead of biting, I make my way down to our shared bathroom. I use the toilet first, and then brush my teeth.

When I first moved in with Holly, she was living uptown with her older brother Sam. In the begi

At the time, I had no interest in going back to work. My life was falling apart around me; half my house burnt to the ground; my safety was in jeopardy and my body was fighting to heal. I didn’t know who to trust. My fiancé had cleaned out my savings; a group of very dangerous men were after him, and he simply left me to pick up the pieces. It took time, but eventually, I came out on the other side stronger for it.

Finished with my morning routine, I walk down the short hall to the kitchen ready to argue with Holly about our so-called plans. Our unit is small but still has a kick ass kitchen with state of the art appliances, open plan living and an amazing view. Furthermore, living on the third level in the building makes us a little safer than the lower levels; something I was adamant about when looking for a place. I needed to feel safe, knowing that people can easily tear down your defenses.

Holly is frying bacon at the stove as I make my way straight to the coffee machine.

“So tonight I’m heading into the new club Liquid that just opened,” she mentions as I pour cream into my coffee.

“Mmmhh,” I say, turning to face her, looking over the rim of my cup. I know what she is about to say next. It’s the same thing she asks every Saturday morning.

“Wa

“No.”

“Wow.”

“What?’

“I wasn’t expecting that answer.”

I roll my eyes and tell her, “You know it’s not my thing.”

“Kadence, nothing is your thing,” she points out. I know she’s right, but hey, I’m a hard one to please.

“Just come for a few hours, a few drinks. Then we can go home and you can spend the rest of your night with your book boyfriends.”

I don’t know why I agree but I do, and then I regret it the moment she starts pla

“Oh, and I booked you an appointment at the salon. I'm thinking a new do for you,” Holly calls out as I walk out of the kitchen. I groan at Holly’s idea for a new do.

Once we finished college, Holly decided to put her degree in child psychology to good use and become a hairdresser. I don’t even know what happened. One day she came home and told me she was going to cut hair, and she did. She’s always on me about changing my style. I'm not sure how I’ve managed to do it, but I’ve seemed to keep her at bay with chopping my locks off. Color? Well, that’s another story. I like the way my hair is at the moment, but a change might be nice. I wonder what Nix would say if I changed it? Who the fuck cares what he would say, Kadence.

Heading back down the hall, I again remind myself that I need to get my head on straight. I can’t let him get to me anymore. I need to keep our relationship completely professional and not bend over at his every request, especially over my desk. Thinking about him as more than a parent has got to stop; in fact, thinking about him all together needs to end. Turning the shower on, I realize that the task is going to be one hell of a mission. Nix Knight has a way of staying with you.

Chapter Ten

Nix

Ten days.

Ten motherfucking days since I’ve seen Kadence. Ten days since I had my fingers inside of her, my hand coming down hard on her ass, and I still can’t stop thinking about her.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

I don’t date; sure as fuck don’t go back for seconds, but something about the sexy, dirty-talking teacher has me wanting to break all my rules. After seeing her again in the classroom, I didn’t want to leave but I had to come up with something to get the stubborn teacher to open up to me more. A lot of fucking help that did. I can’t believe I walked away from her bending over waiting for my cock.

Pulling up into the forecourt of the Knights’ compound, I cut the bike’s engine and watch Jesse walk out with the blonde from last night. The boys partied late, like they do most Friday nights; however, after the week I’ve had with thoughts of Kadence, I went home early, my head too far gone thinking of that damn woman.

Jesse bends down, kisses the blonde and smacks her on the ass as she walks to her car. Looking over at me, he throws up ten fingers, nodding his head up and down, impressed with his night. I just flip him the finger, letting him know I’m not interested. The man is a whore, fucking them and leaving them. Shit, that’s me in a nutshell. Or was me.