Discovering Alicia Read Free

only a grad student, but Professor Bach was terrified to be in the lab with you. He gave me extra credit for being your partner.”
    “Oh, he did not.” The look on his face told her he was speaking the truth, and she burst into giggles all over again. “Whatever. I got a C in the class.”
    “Probably a mercy grade to get you out of the science department and protect his colleagues and other innocent students. He retired after that semester.”
    “Not my fault; he was like a hundred and fifty years old.”
    “You were a freshman; did you end up graduating from MSU?” he asked while helping her out of the water and on to the bank.
    “Yep, and in three years, I might add.”
    “Impressive. What’s your degree?”
    Ali opened her mouth to respond and left it hanging there when Brad pulled his T-shirt over his head and twisted the soaked garment. Biceps, triceps, ripped abs, a fine dusting of auburn hair tapering to disappear beneath jeans sitting low on his narrow hips, and a sexy as hell tattoo covering his left shoulder filled her vision. Her mouth went dry. Afraid that her clothes might be steaming due to the contrast between cool river water and the heat surging through her, she gazed down at herself. Her pebbled nipples were clearly visible through her soaked shirt and flimsy bra. She crossed her arms over her chest.
    “Too late, darlin’. I already saw ‘em,” he commented with a grin. “Should I ask my question again?”
    Question? He asked a question? How did he expect her to form a coherent thought, let alone converse, what with him standing there in all his half-naked glory? She drew in a few ragged breaths.
    “Elementary education. I teach second grade.”
    Brad took a few steps, closing the distance between them.
    “Well, to be perfectly honest, I’m recently unemployed,” Ali said with a sigh.
    He stopped mere inches away and reached out to tuck a piece of her wet hair behind her ear. “I’m a big believer in honesty, Alicia.” He trailed his finger down her cheek. “You’re as pretty as a picture, all flustered and staring at me with those big doe eyes. If you don’t want me to kiss you, now would be the time to speak up.”
    She wouldn’t have uttered a word if the hounds of hell were snapping at her butt. Ali was stunned to see his pupils dilate with desire. Brad cupped the back of her head and placed his lips gently on hers. His kiss was tender, coaxing, and magical. She tentatively rested one palm on his side, just above his waistband. His skin was warm and smooth, the muscles underneath taut. He adjusted his stance slightly and wrapped his arm around her, his hand lying scandalously low on her back. Ali sighed and snuggled at bit closer. Her heart threatened to pound out of her chest when he responded immediately. He pulled her tightly against his body, delightfully crushing her breasts against his chest. Tastes and nibbles quickly escalated to feverish parrying of tongues. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he massaged her back.
    When they were finally forced to break the kiss in order to catch their breath, Alicia dropped her head to his shoulder. Brad cradled both cheeks of her ass and moved her seductively against his massive erection. The reality of what she’d just done, what he obviously and naturally wanted to do next hit her like a ton of bricks. She wiggled out of his embrace, desperately needing space to get herself under control.
    What the fuck was she doing? Granted, they weren’t strangers, but spending time in a lab, three days a week, for one semester, almost ten years ago, didn’t warrant this level of friendliness when running into each other in the woods! Hell, she hadn’t even recognized him at first. She closed her eyes and ran shaky fingers through her long, damp hair.
    “You wanna tell me what’s wrong, Ali?” he asked quietly.
    “Nothing, everything’s great. The kiss was great. You’re great.” She attempted a smile. “Wow, it’s really