Finn, Amber - Her Prized Student (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF

It was so seemingly out of character.
    “You’re trying to get me to that couch, aren’t you?”
    “Working on it.”
    “Oh, baby, you’re killing me. I really wish I could. But I’m running late now as it is.”
    Avery wondered where Blake had to run off to, but since he wasn’t offering, she didn’t ask.
    “Okay, no problem. See you tonight? Why don’t you plan on having dinner at my place? I make a mean pasta dinner with homemade red sauce and meatballs.”
    “Café Jackson it is. Six o’clock okay?”
    “Fine. I’ll plan dinner for six-thirty.”
    Blake came around the desk then and leaned over to kiss Avery good-bye. It was sweet as he stroked her cheek while they kissed. He pulled away and kissed her forehead.
    “See you tonight.”
    Blake turned and walked to the door, unlocked it, and closed it behind him as he walked out. Avery stared after him as she thought about what just transpired. She felt that she and Blake were headed in the same direction as far as this relationship was concerned. However, he seemed more mysterious, and she was not sure she made any headway in getting to know him any better. Maybe tonight at dinner.

    * * * *

    Blake arrived right on time. Avery appreciated punctuality, and it pleased her that Blake apparently did, too. He entered the kitchen and put on one of Avery’s extra aprons with such familiarity, Avery felt her heart tug. She was amazed and impressed with the ease at which he stepped right into the preparations for dinner. Avery was chopping the basil for the sauce. Blake stepped right in and started chopping alongside Avery. At the same time, Avery enjoyed the natural way the two of them fell in sync with each other. She worried about it, too. Avery did not want to grow so attached to Blake, not like this, not this soon. Why can’t I ever have a relationship that’s just about sex? This would be the time, Avery! He’s not going to be here long, the sex is totally hot, so what do I do? I fall for the guy. Figures.
    Avery started to cut more aggressively as she grew frustrated with herself.
    “Hey, what’d that basil ever do to you?” Blake asked with mock concern.
    “Sorry, redirecting frustration, I guess.”
    “Anything I can do to help?”
    “Unfortunately, no.”
    They continued their preparations without destroying any more herbs or other food necessary for dinner. Avery set the table on the patio for dinner, and Blake lit the candles. They sat down and ate and talked through the evening.
    “I can’t believe we were both born in the same hospital! That is absolutely unbelievable,” Avery exclaimed.
    “Yes, but you still won’t tell me what year you were born. Maybe we were there the same year?”
    “What difference does it make? We have different birthdays. You don’t need to know what year I was born, snoopy.”
    Blake laughed. “Okay, okay. I give up. You’ll forever be twenty-two, right?”
    “Something like that.” Avery smiled. Blake’s deep throaty laugh warmed her heart. “So, where are your parents now?”
    Blake’s smile froze, and he looked down at his plate, clearly uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat as he answered. “My parents were killed in an accident. I was raised by my aunt.”
    “Oh, Blake, I’m so sorry.”
    Blake didn’t say any more, so Avery didn’t want to press. It was clearly still very painful.

    * * * *

    Blake wanted to reach over the table and kiss Avery for her compassion and not pressing him for more details as his other girlfriends in the past had. Blake did not want to answer their questions, not when he wasn’t ready. The women in his past always had to have answers, all of them, and weren’t willing to let him keep anything to himself until he was ready. He hadn’t met anyone like Avery, who not only accepted this response but seemed to understand he had to reveal more on his time when he was ready. But instead of being bitter about it, she offered compassion. Blake felt his heart swell and