Someone Like You (12 page)

His assault was so gentle, she shivered with it. His kissed her eyebrows, her nose, each of her cheeks, the indentation behind her ears. At her lips, he whispered, “God. I missed this so much. Missed you, so much.”

“Me, too--” He cut her off by taking her mouth, still with such gentleness she almost couldn’t bear it. She grasped his neck to pull him into a more heated embrace, but he wouldn’t be rushed. His mouth moved to her neck, kissing there, then her shoulder. Brie was swimming in sensations.

Then he drew back and looked directly into her eyes. Still holding her close, he said, “I’ve been an idiot. First of all, I shouldn’t have thought I was the only one who knew what was best for Matt. My mama says I can be pigheaded sometimes and she’s right. I’m so sorry I blamed you for Matt’s suicide threat. I’m even more sorry I held onto my anger so long. I know why I did, though. I care about you Brie, a lot. I was falling hard for you and then this happened with Matt. I was disappointed, hurt beyond what I should have been, that I reacted like a first class jerk.” His hand cupped her cheek. “Can you forgive me?”

“You needed time to process what happened, Nick. I’ll forgive you if you’ve really forgiven me for what I said.”

“I have. Though I gotta be honest, darlin’, I still think you were wrong to tell Dylan.”

“That’s okay, I can live with that.”

“Good.”  He stood, abruptly, leaned over and scooped her off the couch into a carry.

“What are you doing?”

“For a smart lady, that’s a dumb question.”

“I’m not the bride tonight, Nick.”

“Hmm.” He nuzzled her neck as he hauled her to the bed. “Not yet. But maybe,” he winked at her “if you perform real well here, sweetheart, we’ll be on our way to that.”

“Oh, if
I
perform. What about you?”

“I think I’m up to it,” he said, setting her down on her feet.

She pressed against his groin. “I guess you are.”

Staring at her, he whispered again, “I missed you, Brie. And I want you in my life.”

“I want you in mine, too.”

And then she kissed him. Not gentle, not coaxing, but with all the passion that had built up over the last few weeks.

Nick took the hint and followed her lead.

-o0o-

Author’s Note

I enjoy writing about how opposites attract. Perhaps that’s because my own personal hero and I are very different.  It makes for interesting times, but can also cause problems.  I believe, though, that in real life, as in fiction, people can make their relationship work if they try hard enough.

I adore the male character
Someone Like You
. Nick is a true jock and a great coach. I spent time developing his southern accent because I think southern guys are sexy.  But the best thing about Nick is he values kids above sports, above looking good to others, above his own welfare. Though he might not have known it in the book, he could have lost his job over his actions with Matt.  And Brie’s great.  She’s surprised by her feelings for Nick but she actively pursues a relationship with him. I admired that about her. She’s no wimp—it’s hard to teach in a modern high school if you are—with Nick or with the kids. And once again, the overriding theme in this book, adults helping kids, warms my heart.

As many of you know, I was a very happy teacher for most of my life. I loved the intellectual stimulation, the young, excited teenagers and their brilliant minds, the camaraderie of working with students in extra-curricular activities. I hope that comes across in this series. I’ve also used my philosophy of teaching and some of the innovations I made in my own English classes in the stories. That was truly fun!

Be sure to take a look below at chapter one of
Maybe This Time
, the third novella in The Educators, about rebel teacher Delaney Dawson and the conservative father of one of her students. 

Finally, don’t forget that part one,
Still the One,
is available, too.

Kathy Shay

o0o

Contact Kathryn Shay at
www.kathrynshay.com
(contact Kathryn);
www.facebook.com/kathrynshay
;
www.twitter.com/KShayAuthor

o0o

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