33

Cathy

It takes a moment for my brain to fully catch up, then—oh my God. Adeline peeks around Dad’s shoulder, eyes wide and concerned. They both look tan and relaxed except for their twin shocked expressions.

“We’re not home early,” Adeline says. It looks suspiciously like she’s trying to stifle laughter. “We’ve been gone nearly two weeks already. Our flight landed a few hours ago.”

I run through the days in my head and curse again. Three days! I’ve been in bed making love with Jonathan for three whole days.

My gaze darts guiltily to Jonathan, panic fluttering in my chest at the realization that he’s been conspicuously silent and still beside me this entire time. But one look at the strangled anguish etched into his beautiful features is enough to momentarily eclipse my own rising dread. That, and the fact I’m wrapped entirely in the bed covers, while every glorious inch of him is on display. I try to cover his mid-section up in a flurry, but I’m trapped in cotton which is made worse when his arms tighten further around me.

“Cathy?” Dad’s voice snaps me back to his face. “Is...everything all right over there?”

I open my mouth, then snap it closed again, words shriveling up like ashes on my tongue. The burn on my cheeks is real.

It’s too much for Adeline and a choked laugh breaks free. “I’d say she’s more than all right. How about we give them a chance to, uh…get themselves together? I’ll put the coffee on, shall I?” She grabs Dad’s arm and hauls him from the doorframe. She reaches back past him and quickly closes the door.

I bury my face in Jonathan’s chest, eaten alive with mortification. “God.”

“Somehow I don’t think he’s going to save us now,” Jonathan says.

I look into his face. “This isn’t the way I wanted you to first meet him.”

His lips twist and then he winces as he looks down at his naked form. “It’s certainly not an impression he’ll forget.”

“I don’t want to go out there. I’m…not ready.” It means this sanctuary of time is over and I want to remain deluded. Just for a little bit longer.

He tips my face up with a gentle nudge of his knuckle under my chin. “Neither am I, but I promise you, we’ll have this again. I promise.”

The mattress shifts as he repositions until he’s a solid, anchoring presence at my side. I look into his eyes and see the truth shining down at me. I know he believes he can make this promise, but I also understand that neither of us are in a position to demand anything of life. I offer him a tentative smile.

I force myself to get out of bed and draw some clothes on. Jonathan picks up his clothes off the floor and puts them on. He’s impossibly rumpled but he didn’t stop to pack a suitcase on the way here. I make a mental note to ask Dad if Jonathan can borrow some of his clothes.

“Guess this will have to do,” Jonathan says.

I kiss him. “Dad will love you, no matter what.”

He runs his fingers through his hair and grimaces. “I wish I had your optimism.”

I smooth his shirt but it makes no difference. “Not optimism. I just know Dad.”

He tugs me to him when I go to move away, crushing me against his chest. His mouth collects mine and he sweeps his tongue through my parted lips. He kisses me deeply. As though he can’t get enough, which I know is true because I feel the same way. When he breaks away, I’m dazed and breathless. I’m glad he’s propping me up because I don’t think my knees are strong enough yet. He swipes his thumb along my swollen bottom lip. “That will have to tide us over until I can have you in my arms again.”

“If you’re going to kiss me like that, I’ll tell Dad to go on another honeymoon and I’ll be in your arms for as long as we both live,” I say.

“Don’t tempt me. It’ll give me a chance to make a better first impression, but I’m also a realist and I can only assume he’s pacing that kitchen right now on the brink of coming back in here to make sure I’m treating you as you should be treated,” he says.

I grin. “I thought that’s what you were doing.”

“Tease.” He smiles back.

“Always.” I link my fingers with his. “Come on. Let’s get go make a great second impression.”

I take him to the kitchen where Adeline and Dad are sitting at the island having coffee. Steam rises from the two extra cups set on the countertop. Adeline covers her lips with her fingertips and Dad sits up straight.

He opens his arms. “Come here, sweetie.”

I move to him, grateful that he’s here. As though his presence can melt away the pain the way it did when I was little. His arms close around me. He hugs me tight and whispers in my ear. “I’ll ask again. Is he treating you right?”

I lift my face and whisper back. “In the best way, Dad.”

I step back, nerves tingling. “Dad. Adeline. I’d like to you meet Jonathan.” I take a deep breath. I have to tell them and it’s best coming from me. I need to do things right this time. “Jonathan is Professor Jonathan Black. My professor at Midwestern University.”

“You’re the professor Cathy has been working on with her dissertation this semester?” Adeline says. She was always very quick to put everything together.

Dad’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. “Are you taking advantage of my daughter, Professor?”

“No!” The protest explodes from me. “It isn’t anything like that, Dad. I swear.”

Jonathan’s hand finds the small of my back, steadying and solid. “I pursued her,” he states in a low, controlled tone. “Against every rational voice in my head telling me not to, I gave in. I couldn’t stop myself. But she never manipulated or pressured me in any way. This was entirely my lapse in judgment and ethics as her professor.”

I scoff. I didn’t pressure him? That’s the farthest thing from the truth. What we have runs deep. So deep.

“Dad,” I say, voice trembling despite my efforts to stay steady, “I know how this must look, but I need you to understand something. What Jonathan and I have means everything. It doesn’t matter that he’s my professor. In a few short weeks, I’ll graduate. He didn’t prey on me. It’s one hundred percent mutual. I swear.”