In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (3 page)

“Thanks. I’ve been single since I came to Dillcaster.”

“I know.” He winked at me. “Well you can chill out in the living room, if you like, while I go take a shower. I’ll be down in a minute.” He got up from the breakfast bar, washed up the dishes and ran up the stairs.

As he was upstairs, I walked around the living room, gawking at the pictures of him set near his bookshelf. Wow, he was a handsome little guy
– not surprised!
I then inspected the books on his shelf – just trying to get a glimpse of the ‘real Jake Cavanaugh’. His tastes included True Crime, Erotica and Paranormal works.
He likes the dark stuff, huh?
So do I.

As I became engrossed in one of his books titled City of the Dead by Herbert Lieberman, a strong scent of body wash and Gillette filled my nostrils. I spun around and he was standing in the archway with a boyish smirk on his face. “That’s a good one.” He was clad in a pair of grey sweats and a white vest. His hair was damp and messy but it made him look super cute – innocent even. “You could borrow it if you like.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. It was so surreal seeing this side of him. “Uh – thanks.” I finally blinked. “It seems pretty interesting, I got so caught up, I didn’t even realise time passed by.”

“It is.” He made a few steps toward me, his hands deep in his pockets. I froze.
What the hell is going on?
“Kind of heart breaking, to be honest.”

“How so?” I asked in almost a whisper. He was a couple inches from my face.

“I don’t wanna spoil it for you. You ready?” He raised a brow.

“Yeah. Where are we going?”

“My studio. Come upstairs.” He led me up the curved stairs and into one of the four rooms. I could almost guarantee one is a gym.

He led me through the door and into his huge studio. The room was a dark red with black accents and nice ceiling lights. To the right of the entrance, stood a large black leather sectional with a black framed glass coffee table set in the centre. A black mini fridge stood a few feet away from the sectional near a shelf with bottles of liquor and glasses stacked on top of it. There was an archway leading to the back where he had a series of backdrops and lighting umbrellas and boxes, video cameras, equipment, cables, tripods and more.

On the wall, beside the archway, hung yet another 60 inch flat screen TV with a neat surround sound system as well as an Xbox game console. His black L shaped desk sat on the opposite end of the room with both a desktop computer and a laptop laying at the top of it. A large filing cabinet was stationed neatly at the corner of the desk, along with a stationery cabinet and a mini printer/copy machine.

“Whoa! I would have never expected all of this in here.”

“Yep, it’s the biggest room in my house. Even bigger than my gym.”

I knew he had a gym. Too easy. With a body like that, he had to have had one.

“So, first thing first.” He walked up to his desk and picked up a rolled up script. “Read.” He handed me the script.

“Do you think I came unprepared? It was so good, I read it about twenty times already.”

“Really? I’m impressed. Well, I’ll take on Heath’s role. I want you to forget about what the script tells you. I want you to relate to me. Adlib. I will read from the script. You relate! Got it?” I nodded my head. “Good.” He smirked.

After going through scene after scene for almost three hours, we decided to take a break. He opened up his mini fridge and took out two bottles of water. We both sat on the sectional, on opposite ends. I took a swig of my water as I felt his eyes on me. It made me feel a bit uneasy. I just licked my lips and glimpsed him every now and then at the corner of my eyes. All I could hear was the sounds of my own timid breathing. I don’t understand what was happening, but I had never felt my chest pound like this with him before. What was I nervous about? “So,” I began breaking the silence, “how am I doing?”

“You’re amazing.” He whispered. I faced him.
What?
“I mean, you have always been amazing in your craft.”
Oh…

“Thanks, so what made you want to do one on one classes?” I asked taking another swig of my water. I watched him, but nothing came out of his mouth. He then got up and made his way back to the mini fridge.

“I wanted you to understand what I want.”

“Am I giving you what you want?” I looked up at him and he stared at me in silence.

“Everything that I want, Reese.” He bit on his lip. His sharp cheekbones looked even more defined as he clenched his chiselled jaw. He passed his hand through his hair. “Uh, you want some vodka?” He asked as he poured himself a drink.

“Well, even though I’m of legal drinking age in
my
country, I’m not legal here. I’m nineteen, well - almost twenty.”

“And who’s gonna call the cops? I know you’re legal in your country, that’s why I offered.”

“I have to drive home.”

“Oh shoot, yes I forgot. Sorry.”

“One shot wouldn’t hurt though.” I smirked. “Hey, mind if I put on some music?”

“Help yourself.” He said as he poured another drink into a glass for me. I put on the stereo and put on
Fuck ‘Em Only We Know by Banks
. Jake sauntered up to me with the glasses in his hand and gave me one. “Awesome tune.” He winked and clinked glasses with me. I downed my drink in one gulp and watched him as he sipped on his. “Well that was fast.” He joked.

“I’m a Trini, what do you expect. And you damn well know Trinis can never just have one drink. Can I have another?” He looked at me pensively for a moment.

“Sure.” He croaked. “Remember you have to drive home. I don’t want you getting a DUI, or worse.”

“Yeah, I know.” I paced idly as he poured me another drink. “So what do you think?”

“About?” He asked with a raised brow.

“I don’t know – life? School? Me?”

“You. You’re beautiful.” He said, handing the drink to me as he sized me. I lost my breath for a moment. “And clearly in love with Mr. Andrews.” He teased.

“Ugh, shut up Jake.” We both returned to our seat on the sofa and paused, listening to the song. We then turned to each other. His eyes looked deep into mine. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. It felt like he was taking my breath away. My chest tightened and it felt like my heart would burst through. How in the hell could I be feeling this way right now? Maybe I’m tipsy? Oh please! I’ve only had two diluted drinks, I usually drink the whole damn bottle. I raised my empty glass and shook it, making the ice rattle. “More?” I croaked. He bit on his bottom lip and smiled at me.

“Reese, you have to drive home, remember.” He whispered. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I nodded in agreement. “Water?”

“Sure.” I replied and he got up to get me another bottled water.

“How about–” I got up from the sofa and made my way up to the stereo. “We play something a little unorthodox?” I smiled.

“Oh really? What do you have in mind?” He walked up to me and handed me the bottled water as he looked me dead in the eyes. Something about his eyes just made his stare so intense and heart stopping.

“Music. Caribbean music. Well one song in particular. I haven’t heard it in a while and it was one of my favourites of 2014.”

“Nice, let’s hear it.”

I put on Junction by Popcaan. Jake began to bob his head to the music.

“I know this song.” He said, bobbing his head and sipping on his drink.

“Really?”

“Yep, I’m a Popcaan fan.” I nearly choked on my drink.

“You?” I pointed to him and began to laugh.

“Before Lena, my ex was Jamaican, Kin. She kind of had me listening to dancehall every day.”             

“That explains why you understand me when I talk better than anyone else.” He nodded. After that song had finished, I put back another song by Banks called
Goddess
. It was my favourite Banks song. “We should get back to work.” I suggested as I made my way back to the sofa.

“Or we could just hang out, you did great today.” He replied as he sat near me. That was like freaking music to my ears. I began to have such an urge to kiss him. Maybe because of the buzz or the Banks song playing. It just set that mood.

“Sure, no problem. We could hang out.”
I’m scared now.
My pores kept prickling.
I wanna touch him – bad
. He was really close to me. I could feel the warmth of his body next to mine as he passed his hand through his tussled hair. “I love your hair.” I blurted. “Can I touch it?”
Oh God someone stop me. I have no self-control anymore!

“Sure.” He smirked. I moved closer to him and ran my hands through his hair. It was fucking fantastic! Soft and tangle free. And I could smell it from where I was –
so damn good!

For a moment, Jake closed his eyes as if revelling in my touch. I moved closer to him. I think I’m drunk or just high. But when he opened his eyes and turned to me, he grabbed onto my wrist. He didn’t say a word – just stared at me. His eyes pierced through my soul and before I knew it, his lips were on mine.
God they were so soft.

I eased back onto the sofa with him on top me, his tongue swirling inside my mouth.
I can’t fucking believe it, I’m kissing Jake Cavanaugh; my thirty-five year old lecturer. What the heck!
He pinned down my hands as he kissed all over my neck. I moaned as each touch of his lips prickled my skin. I haven’t had a man on me like this since my last boyfriend when I was in Trinidad.

“Wow, you smell so good.” He whispered.

“Funny, I’ve been thinking the same thing about you for the past four hours.” He stopped kissing me and watched me in disbelief.

“Really?” He asked and I nodded my head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this right now. You’re sixteen years younger than me,
and
my student!” He got up off of me. “I’m sorry, I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”

“What? No, Jake you aren’t. I’m an adult! I want to!”

“I’ve been feeling you for a while now. But I didn’t think it would have really happened.”

“You were?” I asked doubtingly.

“Yep.

“I started to like you some time ago, but this morning I wanted you so bad. It was insane. How long have you liked me?”

“About… Since I met you.” He blushed.
What?
“But I tried to play it off. I mean you were my student! And I knew you liked Andrews, and I was certain you two would have ended up together. I swore he liked you too. I don’t know what happened there.”

“Caroline I guess.” I shrugged. “Forget him, forget all that. I want you.”
Whoa! What the fuck was coming out of my mouth?
A moment ago, I couldn’t see myself with anyone but Heath, now I’m telling Jake that I want him?

He bent his head and blushed like a thirteen year old boy. He paused for a moment, then raised his head.  “Come and get me!” His eyes lit up. With that, I kissed him hard.

We kissed for what seemed like hours, nonstop. It was the most intense and passionate make out ever. We were interrupted by my phone’s ringing.
Shit!
It was Heath. I got up from the sofa and picked up.

“Hey” I answered, my heart galloping and lips numb from the make-out session.

“Reese, where are you, still at Mr. Cavanaugh’s?”

“Uh, yeah, I am actually. You need the car?” I scratched my brow as I looked over at Jake.

“If you’re still busy, don’t worry about it.”

‘Uh–” I looked over to Jake and he looked at me with those eyes, I could just melt. “It’s okay. I’ll bring it for you.” I could see a subtle frown in Jake’s face.

“Cool, thanks.” Heath said and then hung up.

Jake watched me in anticipation. “So, you’re leaving?”

“Unfortunately. I gotta drop back Heath’s car. He and Caroline have a date tonight.”

“Oh. And what are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing, I guess. Why?”

“Wanna go out?”

“Really?” I smiled, almost in disbelief at the question
. He just asked me out on a date? The fuck kind of parallel universe did I get sucked into?

“Yeah we could grab a couple of drinks, dinner, anything you wanna do.”

I literally stood there with a stupid look on my face. Like, I didn’t know how the hell to react.
What in the entire world was going on?
“Sure.” I said elatedly. “Wait, wouldn’t people see us out together?”

“So?”

“You’re my teacher, remember?”

“Oh right, that. We’ll go out of town.”

“You would go through all of that trouble?”

“I think you’re awesome like that, you’re worth the trouble.” He walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I looked up at his very beautiful face.
A very beautiful face that wants me? What the what? I’m so confused and excited and oh my God! Jake is into me? Me? How is this even remotely possible?

“And school?” I gulped, barely audible.