She felt his fingers beneath her skirt inching their way upward. A heaviness settled between her thighs, tingling with anticipation, aching for something. Something surely Austin would give to her. When his thumb brushed over her panties, her legs spread of their own volition. He slipped his thumb under the elastic and ever so softly rubbed her hot core.
An unbelievable tension grew in her mid-section. So many new sensations raced through Theresa. She had a difficult time concentrating on the different pleasures Austin was inflicting on her body.
When his mouth finally found her nipple, Theresa strained upward toward the exquisite pressure. He gently sucked and licked, increasing the rhythm of his thumb down below. Theresa thought her body would break from the tension. Just when the pleasure/pain became almost unbearable, her body exploded in release. She went limp and would have fallen backwards if not for Austin's strong arms holding her steady.
She kept her eyes closed, wanting to hold on to the extraordinary feelings coursing through her. Austin gathered her to him, his breath coming in labored gasps. He brushed her hair with a gentle kiss, his body hard against her.
Theresa sighed deeply. She wished this moment could last forever. She never dreamed she could feel so alive. But there was a strange yearning still deep inside.
She opened her eyes and looked up at the man she was falling in love with. Suddenly, she felt shy and a little embarrassed at her abandon. "Um, that was wonderful . . . I never . . ."
Austin shrugged. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Actually, I didn't mean to let it go so far."
Theresa bit her lip. "But you didn't . . . I mean . . . It was all one-sided." She could feel herself blushing.
Austin kissed her on the nose. "Let's just say you owe me one, sweetheart. As much as I'm enjoying this little interlude, we need to get the punch--"
"Austin! Theresa? Are y'all back here?"
"Damn," Austin muttered under his breath.
Theresa pushed him away and hopped down from the counter, adjusting her dress to cover herself. "I can't be found like this," she said with a touch of panic. "I'm a teacher. I'm supposed--"
"Go on, get out of here," Austin said. "I'll take care of this."
He watched Theresa run down the aisle and into the restroom around the corner. He pulled open the refrigerator door, hoping the cold air would cool down his hot, frustrated body. He couldn't believe how responsive Theresa had been to his touch. And he couldn't believe how innocent she was. She must be close to thirty. Surely, she couldn't be a virgin. But her surprised delight in her climax made him wonder.
"Austin?" Patti Garrison's voice cut through his thoughts.
Stepping back with a container of punch in his hands, Austin kicked the door closed. "Yes?"
"Is that the punch? Kelsey was wondering what was taking you so long. She said you and Theresa had gone after the punch twenty minutes ago." Patti looked around the kitchen. "Where is Theresa, by the way?"
Austin set the punch on the cart. "She had something in her eye and went to the restroom to see about it."
"Maybe I should go see if she's okay."
"No! I mean--she got it out but had to fix her mascara." Austin didn't know what to make of Patti's expression. His former classmate looked skeptical and a little amused. He didn't like the feelings of guilt and embarrassment slithering through him. He was too old for this kind of thing. "I really need to get this punch to Kelsey."
Patti smiled. "Sure thing. I'll walk back with you. I'm sure Theresa will join us as soon as she can."
Austin breathed a sigh of relief. His body still pounded with thwarted desire. He had to get Theresa in bed soon. Maybe if he had sex with her, he would get over these feelings for her. He refused to believe their attraction meant anything. He only wanted a tumble in the sack. And if Theresa was willing, why not?
He pushed the cart toward the gym. Patti was talking about the plans for renovations on the school. They were almost to the doors when she put a hand on the cart to stop it.
"Austin, I'm glad to see you're finally over mourning for Deborah. I know it was hard for you to lose her. I know you loved her. I loved her, too. She was one of my best and dearest friends."
Austin didn't say anything. Not many people ever mentioned his wife to him.
"I'm happy you're finally moving on with your life. Twelve years is an awfully long time to grieve. I can see you're attracted to Theresa. And she's not indifferent to you. How could she be? You McCade men are a handsome bunch. I should know. I dated your brother, Cameron. Anyway, I think it's wonderful you've found someone. You two looked like you were meant for each other out on the dance floor. I hope it all works out."
"Yeah, it will. One way or another," he growled. Patti's comments dampened the remaining threads of his desire as thoroughly as an ice-cold shower. What had gotten into him? Austin pushed the cart through the doors.
Patti patted him on the shoulder. "Don't sound so glum. You deserve a little happiness in your life. Deborah would have wanted it." She smiled at him and walked off to join her husband.
"What took you so long, Dad?" Kelsey asked, as he stopped the cart near the refreshment table. "And where's Miss Rogers? What did you do to her?"
"Nothing." He helped her pour the punch in the large glass bowl. He'd done a whole hell of a lot to Theresa, but he wasn't about to tell his daughter. And he wanted to do a whole lot more. Or maybe not. If Patti was getting the wrong idea, what was Theresa thinking? He'd been a fool to come tonight." Come on, Kels. We're going home."
"What?" she cried. "Why? And what have you done with Miss Rogers?" Kelsey folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.
She looked like Deborah when she did that. How could he forget for even one minute what he had shared with his wife? How could he betray their love?
"Don't argue with me. I want to go.
Now
." He handed Kelsey her jacket and shrugged on his own. He ignored the rebellious sparks in his daughter's eyes. "You can either come willingly, or I'll drag you out. I don't care how embarrassed you are. We're leaving. Well?" He slammed on his Stetson and waited.
Kelsey nodded, whispering final instructions to her friend Amelia, who was helping with the punch, then put on her jacket.
"I'm ready," she said, looking at him strangely.
Austin turned on his heel and stalked out of the gym, determined to abandon all thoughts, feelings and desire for Theresa Rogers, now and forever.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Theresa sat at her desk and rechecked the math paper she was grading. She wasn't having much luck keeping her mind focused on her students' worksheets. She had been having trouble keeping focused on anything since homecoming weekend.
She kept reliving the dance she'd shared with Austin. How it had felt to be held in his strong arms, gliding around the gym to the rhythm of the music. Feeling his hard body pressed to hers. Remembering how nice he'd acted. For once, free from the torment he always carried with him. He had been so different.
Theresa blushed when she thought of the passion exploding between them in the cafeteria. She still couldn't believe what she had done. What she had allowed him to do. Never had she permitted any man to touch her like Austin had touched her.
She wasn't a prude, but she had never felt anything for the men she had dated, and so had never let anyone come physically close. Sure, she had been curious. But not curious enough to experiment and risk her health, especially on someone who hadn't touched her heart.
All of that changed when she met Austin McCade. He had touched her to the core with those hot, hungry looks directed her way. And she couldn't control her feelings when she was in his arms and he was kissing her with such savage yearning, with molten desire raging between them.
Still, Theresa couldn't believe what had happened that night. How could she have lost all sense of decency and propriety when at any moment they could have been caught? And they had almost
been
caught. Her heart still fluttered when she remembered Austin's gentle kiss and tender smile when he'd sent her away, telling her he would deal with the situation. Her heart had been full, her body languid from his lovemaking. When she had returned to the gym, he hadn't been there. He had left without a word. Without saying goodbye. Amelia told her how angry Kelsey's father had been. How he threatened to drag his daughter out if she didn't go willingly.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Theresa remembered Patti Garrison smiling and hinting about her and Austin's attraction for one another. How everyone had thought he would never show interest in a woman again. How she had told Austin to go for it and start enjoying life.
Theresa then understood why Austin had left in such a hurry. Patti had reminded him of his devotion and loyalty to his wife. He must have felt guilty for the passionate interlude in the cafeteria. He had run away and now those barriers he erected around his heart would be more firmly entrenched.
Maybe it was time to throw in the towel. Theresa knew she couldn't compete with a ghost. Deborah's spirit would always come between them. Austin couldn't forget her. He had loved his wife desperately. Theresa had no hope of ever winning some of that love for herself.
Glancing at the clock, she quickly gathered the math assignments into a neat pile. Her off period was almost over. One more class and she could call it a day. Another day behind her. She had to get a grip. She had to get over her feelings for Austin McCade. She needed to move on.
The bell rang and students started filing into the room. The class started and Theresa didn't have time to think about personal problems for a while.
When the final bell sounded and school was over, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had gotten through the day. Now all she had to do was get through the night. She started straightening the room, preparing to leave.
"Hey, Miss Rogers." Kelsey dropped her books on a desk in the front row and came over to the teacher's desk where Theresa was throwing books in her bag. "I was in the office earlier and heard the news."
Theresa stood to erase the chalkboard. "What news?"
"Here, let me do that." Kelsey took the eraser and applied it vigorously. "Teacher of the year.
What else?
Congratulations! They're going to announce it in the morning."
"You're always on top of things, aren't you?" Theresa said with a smile. She really liked Kelsey. There was a special bond between them that couldn't be denied.
Kelsey shrugged. "I try to be. I think we should celebrate. Let's have a class party at my house. Grams loves to cook for parties."
Theresa tried to swallow the panic in her throat. She could imagine what Austin would think about a party in her honor at his house. "Kelsey, I don't think that's really a good idea. Your dad wouldn't like it."
Kelsey put down the eraser and frowned, then suddenly smiled. "He won't have to know about it. We'll have it at Grams's house. Dad doesn't have to come."
It was Theresa's turn to frown. "I thought you were trying to get your dad and me together."
Kelsey shrugged. "You figured it out, huh? Does dad know?" She bit her bottom lip.
"I'm pretty sure he doesn't know yet."
"Whew," Kelsey said with a soft whistle. "I've pretty well decided to give up on the idea. After the homecoming dance, I knew something terrible had happened. Don't get me wrong--I would love to have you for a mother, but I know I can't force the issue."
Theresa stared at the little girl with the angelic expression on her face. Something wasn't quite right. And she'd never known Kelsey to give up on anything she'd set her mind to.
"So," Kelsey said. "I'll ask Grams if she's willing to have the party, and I'll send out invitations. It'll be fun. You deserve a celebration. Teacher of the year! That doesn't happen every day."
Knowing she shouldn't give in, Theresa didn't have the heart to dampen Kelsey's enthusiasm. Getting the award was an honor. She couldn't disappoint her students. Especially her favorite one.
"Okay, go ahead," she said. "Only keep your dad out of it. He has enough on his mind without all the fuss of a party. He doesn't seem like the party type anyway."
"You
do
like him, don't you?" Kelsey asked anxiously.
Theresa could deny it, but didn't. "Yes, I like him very much. Listen sweetie, your dad loved your mother. He can't let her go. He doesn't want to let her go. I don't know if he'll ever get over her. "
Kelsey sighed heavily. "Well, he
needs
to get over her. He's not happy. I want him to be happy."
"It's only natural for you to feel that way. But you can't make him happy. It's something he has to do himself." Theresa finished packing her tote bag. "Walk me out to my car. Did you miss the bus again?"
"No, I have soccer this afternoon."