The Neighbor #2 (The Neighbor Romance Series - Book #2) (7 page)

“I don’t have a living hero.”

After my comment, Ryder went to my golf bag and pulled
a black sharpie out of a side pouch.

“What’s with the pen?” I asked.

“You want a living idol? I can hook you up with
one.” Ryder scrawled his initials on the underside of my new golf bag.
“Ta-da.
Now you will always remember who gave you your first
set of clubs.”

“You are a bit of a narcissist...but a sweet one.” I
tugged at the bill of his cap and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. “I will
not need initials to remember you Ryder Curran.”

He kissed me back before pulling away.
“Restraint Jenna.
I think even this golf course enforces
some sort of code of conduct around here and who knows who might see us.”

“It’s not as if I am giving you a blowjob in the
bunker.”

“Yet.”
Ryder smiled.

I giggled. “Let’s see if my chip shot was a fluke or
if I really have the hang of this.”

It was a fluke and I continued to chip away at the
ball. My shots were fat, thin, up-in-the-air and all together shit. Ryder was
amused at my frustration.

“You don’t get the hang of golf. It will take time
and practice to buildup consistency.”

“Some things come naturally. I guess golf is not one
of them.” I was referring to the night I had spent at his house.
There was nothing about my actions that was practiced or learned.

“Name one thing that comes naturally. Even a child
finds walking difficult at first.” Ryder was slow to catch on.

“You are too focused on golf right now to follow my
conversation. Too bad, as I think you would like where it is going.” I shot him
a coy look.

“I’m distracted but it has nothing to do with golf.
Why don’t we grab a drink and take in the view.”

“Ryder, the slough does not have a view.”

“You will be my view. Maybe we can find some of
those lost duffers floating in the water,” Ryder joked.

“That’s kind of sick, but I’ll take you up on it.”

We grabbed drink. As we walked away from the
concession stand, we heard the man mumble, “Golf instructor my ass.”

It was a successful lesson and I drove back to Leach
Hall.

Chapter
Six

I woke up Monday morning reminiscing about my day of
golf with Ryder on Saturday just
like
I had Sunday
morning. I had my pink golf bag propped up against the wall where I could see
it. His initials were not visible but I knew they were there. I had Sex Ed.
class, which I could not miss. I had both Ryder and Max on my case. I had to
get my head out of my ass and attend class. I was at school to learn and I
could not afford to skate by
as a result
of a romance.
Although at the time, it was foremost on my mind.

I was feeling upbeat and it was a hot day so I threw
on some white jeans and a yellow tank layered with a black one. I took the time
to dry my hair and wear it down, forgoing the ponytail. I looked like a
sunflower but I approved of the positive look. I was happy and it showed.
Professor Curran would notice me quickly. I thought it would be fun to tempt
him and see how he reacted.

My phone chimed.

“Yes Max,” I answered.

“Are you going to be a no-show again?”

“Nope, I will meet you inside. Save me a seat. I
will be a couple of minutes late. Kelly is not here this morning and I want to
leave the room clean or at least tidy.”

“Where is Kelly?” Max asked.

“Why do care where Kelly is Max?”

“Just curious.
See you in class.”

Max disconnected and I smiled. The fact that Max was
curious was a start. I was playing cupid and it was time to sharpen my arrow.

I swiped on some lipstick and I was ready to go. My
phone chimed again, just in time because I was ready to switch off my ringer.

I saw the golf ball, Ryder’s symbol, and answered.

“You are going to be late for class. Why are you
calling me?”

“Wanted to make sure you were going. Been doing your
stretches?”

“Yes, I think I pulled a muscle in my ass.”

“Good, I’ll rub it for you.”

Jesus.

I laughed nervously. “I will see you in a bit Professor
Curran.”

I ended the call and slammed the door behind me. I
was off to class.

****

Max saved me a seat near the front of class. It was
obviously a seat selection made with me in mind. In the row ahead of us were
Rozi
with the perfectly arranged messy ponytail and
Rosemary. She was in desperate need of a dye job. I would have to look at her
roots for the next hour.

“Thought you were going to be late.
You got here before Professor Curran. I wonder what’s keeping him. He’s usually
on time,” Max said.

“Not sure Max. Are you on a fishing exhibition to
find out what is going on with Ryder and me?”

“Ah ha!
So you admit that something is going on.”

“Max, I clearly recall you saying that you would
allow me some space when it comes to Ryder.”

“Babe, it’s me, Max. I won’t tell a soul.”

“Ick.
Don’t call me babe.”

“What does Ryder call you? Does he call you lover
yet?”

“Max, Ryder, I mean Professor Curran is
hear
. Shut the hell up.” I gave him a harsh look that he
knew well.

“Greetings all.
Give me a show of hands. Who had fun inflating the condoms I gave out at the
last class? Even better, any one make water balloons? For those of you who used
them for the purpose for which they exist, I hope you used them correctly.”

Ryder noticed me quickly and nodded in my direction.
He was especially alluring as he strutted across the stage. He was wearing khakis
and an oxford with a navy South Carolina tie. Embroidered on his tie were tiny
gamecocks. He looked more like a student than a professor. He had on glasses,
which I didn’t know he had. It just contributed to the list of things I didn’t
know about Ryder.

“Jenna,” Max whispered. “Are you able to separate Ryder
the professor from the guy you blew?”

I nudged Max hard.

“Ouch. I am just curious because it is a very unique
situation.”

“Max shut up before Ryder hears you or anyone else
for that matter.”

Ryder had continued with his lecture, which was
focused on the use of diaphragms. There were several diaphragms displayed on a
table. I was interested because I had never used one.

“The use of a diaphragm is declining but I hope you
have all have considered this method of birth-control. As always, raise your
hand if you have any questions while I am speaking. As you can see, it is a
pliable silicone cup. It is inserted into the vagina, all the way up so that it
covers the cervix. Yes, I see a question.”

“Does the male partner feel it?”

“Probably not, unless it is
inserted improperly.
In some cases a large penis will
go all of the way up and touch it. Unusually hard thrusting may also cause the
penis to encounter the device,” Ryder answered and the crowd erupted.

“Bull-shit.
I can feel the thing.”

“I believe him and he doesn’t even have a big dick.”

“How do you know the size of his cock?”

“I know a chick that got pregnant using a diaphragm,
twice.”

“Okay guys. I welcome the hearty conversation but
it’s time to move on. There are many advantages,” Ryder continued.

“See what you’ve been missing Jenna.
This class rocks.
He must be a pro in the bedroom,” Max
said.

“Shut up Max.”

“I think the guy should pay for the diaphragm. Don’t
you?” Max asked and raised his hand. “Professor Curran. How much does a
diaphragm cost and do you suggest the guy give it to his girl for like a
Christmas gift or something?”

“Good question. I would encourage a conversation
between partners. It can’t be a pop-up gift because the woman will have to get
a fitting.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

“Can you shut up now Max? Please,” I whispered.

Max was finally silent. Ryder was discussing the use
of spermicides with the diaphragm, which seemed to be of interest to Max.

Ryder was in his element when he was in front of the
class. He was very good in front of a crowd and he was a specialist when it
came to sex. I began to feel intimidated because in comparison to him I was an
amateur. He was like the Arnold Palmer of sex. I was afraid I would fall short
of his expectations.

In the back of my notebook, I had the class
syllabus. I glanced at it to see what topics Ryder planned to cover. I wondered
if he was planning to use me for all of the things he was talking about in
class. Was I his test subject?

I started collecting my things when class was ending.

“Is Jenna Walsh here?” Ryder asked, pretending that
he had not seen me.

“I’m here.”

“Jenna, I would like to see you after class for a
moment.” Ryder smiled.

Heads turned in my direction.
Rozi
and Rosemary were speaking rapidly between each other. I knew the request
seemed odd to everyone. We had no upcoming test or assignments. Ryder had no
valid excuse to speak with me.

What the hell was he up to?

I got up out of my seat. Max stood in my way before
I could get to Ryder.

“Looks like we have a teacher’s pet,” Max said in a
hushed tone but loud enough so others could hear. He meowed and scratched my
arm like a feline.

I stood before Ryder with no emotion. I felt as if I
was in 3
^rd
grade again and called to the front of the class.

“Yes Professor Curran. You asked to see me?”

Ryder walked to the door and closed it.

“Jesus. I almost lost it when I saw you. Was the
bright yellow meant for me? It’s my favorite color but it looks horrible on me.
It makes me look jaundiced.” Ryder touched my hair and gently caressed my face.
“You are so fucking beautiful. It makes me crazy because I want to tell the
world that you are my girl. I know that Max is just your friend but I was fucking
jealous when I saw him whispering in your ear.”

I blushed. “You have nothing to worry about Ryder. Nice
lecture by the way. You are quite the expert on all things related to…sex.”

“I am not so interested in sex exactly. The human
anatomy fascinates me and sex comes into play naturally. It is nothing to be
ashamed of or to sweep under the rug. If we make it some secretive dirty thing
STD’s and unhealthy impulses run rampant. Sex is a beautiful thing when it is
entered into by two consenting adults who care for one another. At some point
the act of sex becomes making love and that is indescribable.”

I doubted that I had ever made love before. Perhaps
I would with Ryder.

“Well I am sure you have
work
to do and I should hit the library. Perhaps we can do another lesson at
Westlake. I am itching to use my new clubs,” I told him and smiled.

“Westlake sits on a polluted slough. According to
our friend Can, there are probably old duffers floating in
there
dead. I want to take you to a real lake. We can go right now if you want. I
have an extra jacket in my car in case it gets cold.”

“Pretty spontaneous don’t you think?”

“Hell yeah.
Spontaneous is good. Life is short. Let’s make the best of the moment!” An
animated Ryder shoved his papers in his bag. “If anyone sees us, say
it’s
golf related.”

Chapter
Seven

The drive to the lake was beautiful. We took the
scenic route, which included country roads lined with live Oaks that were
hundreds of years old. Dotting the sides of the road were vegetable stands and
old brightly colored shacks. Ryder had on a pair of vintage Ray-Bans and he blasted
the music. The image was surreal.

“I love this drive,” Ryder said loudly over the
sound of the wind and music. “There is history on these roads. The houses you
see are on land passed down through generations. It went from plantation owners
to former slaves and then through the family. These folks have been excellent
stewards of the land. The veggies sold at these stands taste like sunshine. You
can’t buy this stuff down at the
Piggly
Wiggly or in
the most expensive markets in New York and LA. It’s a gift we have in the
south.”

I was pleasantly surprised to hear Ryder speak of
something other than golf. I was not used to being with a man who had knowledge
beyond the hottest new pop-artist or the easiest way to score weed. Being with
a thirty-three year old had advantages. Ryder was refreshing.