Chapter 4

Elias

I practically ran out of the lecture hall as I was holding myself back with every ounce of willpower not to pounce on her.

Her name is Candace Bloomfield… and yes, I looked her up the second she stepped into my class.

Ever since our interaction two weeks ago, I've been unable to get her out of my mind. It's like she left such a powerful imprint on me that I can't scrub it out.

After the first week, when I couldn't stop thinking about her, I looked her up across all social media platforms, which turned out to be a dead end since I didn't manage to get her name.

The weird thing is, I was just thinking about her this morning, and luckily for me, she waltzed into my class, and even though my first thought when I saw her should have been ‘oh, no!’, I felt an excited flutter in my chest.

I spent the entire lecture trying not to look at or think about our last encounter so I don't have an erection and traumatize my students and I almost got away with it.

Almost…

The second I was within two feet of her, my thoughts and common sense flew out the window and all I wanted to do was lay her down on my desk and sink into her wet heat.

I wanted to soak up her cries and watch her fair skin turn pink from my hands.

Oh, shit! I shut down that train of thought when I felt a stirring in my lower region.

Immediately, I dashed into the restroom and into a stall to breathe slowly through my nose.

It was at that exact moment my phone chose to ring.

Dropping my briefcase on the floor, I fumbled in my pockets for the phone, taking a quick peek at the caller ID before raising it to my ear.

 “Hi! This is a surprise.” I say as I press the phone against my cheek and shoulder, choosing to actually use the restroom now that I am here.

“Hey, Dad.” My son’s voice echoed through the speaker. “Yeah, it is. Look, I know that I'm supposed to reach out to you about but we talked about but I have a better idea.” 

“Yeah?” I say tentatively, waiting to hear the next words out of his mouth. 

Look, I love my son, Jacob as much as any parent can love their child but I have to admit that he's a handful, and ever since his mom and I split five years ago, it's like I don't know who he is anymore. 

I try my best to be a good father figure to him but since his mom and I had a messy divorce, it's like the connection between us kept fizzling out.

“Why don't we meet up and talk…Plus, I want to introduce you to someone!” He said excitedly but I was still pondering on the first half of his sentence.

Meet up?

“How is that possible? I'm in L. And you're  basically giving a thousand miles away and before you say anything you know I cannot take a week after coming to see you 

“The good news is you don't have to.” He replied cheerfully. “I'm in LA too and I'd really like us to meet. I've been dating someone and I came over to see her  I would really love for us to see and talk! Also, we can discuss that business model we're talking about.”

I take a huge roll of toilet paper to dab my hands before picking up my bag and heading straight to the sink to wash up. “But Jacob… what about school and-”

“Yeah, well that's part of the thing that I want to talk to you about.” He says, cutting me off. “So 8:00 tonight? I'll text you the details!”

I opened my mouth to interject but I was cut off by the dial tone.

Wiping my hands off, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. “These darn kids!” I mutter to myself.

On my way to the car park, I contemplate heading back to my office but then I might catch a glimpse of Candace and I don't like to tempt fate twice.

As soon as I got to my apartment which was leased by the University, I headed straight for the shower, took a light meal, and dove back into my reading plan… anything to distract me from thoughts of a full-chested female.

Thankfully, it worked wonders and by the time my 7:00 alarm buzzed, I was pleasantly tired and ready to call it a night.

But I had to meet up with Jacob.

By the time I got ready and was about to leave, I had twenty minutes left.

Luckily for me, the restaurant was just 15 minutes away.

I wanted to walk right in but a waiter stepped forward to ask, “Do you have a reservation?”

“U-uh, yeah. It should be under Jacob?”  

She scrolled through the clipboard in her hand. “Jake Sterling?” She asks.

“Yeah, that should be it.” 

“Right this way then.” She beckons me forward and shows me to a table in the far right corner of the room.

She waits until I'm seated to say.  “Are you expecting more people and would you like to order now?”

“Yes, I'm expecting more people and I would like a glass of water for now,” I replied.

She nods and walks away.

Time ticks by slowly and I keep glancing at my watch, waiting for Jacob to show up.

I chose to get busy responding to emails and when a shadow falls over the table, I assume it's Jacob and just look up…only to receive the biggest shock of my life. 

A few away stood Candace, looking delectable and fucking gorgeous in a short mesh dress that accentuated her curves in all their glory.

For a second, I lost the ability to speak, just drinking her in.

Her wide green eyes were fixed on me, her brows coming together in a puzzled frown at the top of her head.

Luckily, the waiter broke the silence. “Is this the right table ma'am?”

Candace started, blinking rapidly. “I-I… I don't… I don't think th-that…”

“You said Jake Sterling's table, right?” The waiter pressed, now looking confused.

Thankfully, before either Candace or I could say anything, Jacob showed up, looking dapper in a white button-down and grey slacks. “Hey, Dad! Sorry, I'm late!”

“D-dad?!” Candace squeaked, her eyes bouncing from Jacob to mine.

Stone formed and settled at the base of my stomach as a thought started to form in my head. “Uh, Jacob…” I sat up straighter. “Can you… What's going on here?” I point to Candace.

“Oh, yeah, sorry!” Jacob rounded the table and placed his hands around Candace’s waist to my utter dismay and smiled sheepishly. “Dad, this is my girlfriend, Candace. Baby, this is my dad!”

And just like that, my worst nightmare became real.

I slid disbelieving eyes to Candace and as if his announcement wasn't enough, Jacob cupped her cheeks and closed the distance between them, planting a firm kiss on her lips.

Fuck!

I can't believe the girl I slept with and have been thinking about for the past two weeks is my son's girlfriend!