Justine stared out of the window of her tenth story condo overlooking the vast expanse of the city of Chicago. Summer had finally come to her beautiful city, and she smiled as she took a long swig of Diet Coke. Another week was about to begin, along with summer session where she would be teaching an introductory poetry class for the first time at one of the city's junior colleges. She was anxious to see what it would be like to teach adults, as her regular gig was teaching freshman and sophomore English for a Chicago Public high school. Although she loved her job and all its ups and downs, it would be refreshing to be among people who were paying for their education and truly wanted to be there as opposed to disgruntled teenagers who were there as a requirement by law.
She polished off her beverage and gave herself one last parting glance. Her dressy black Capri pants had been paired off nicely with a flowy white shirt that had a kitschy little sash that tied in the back, accentuating her ample bosom. She smoothed her auburn highlighted dark brown hair as she slipped gracefully into new open toed black sandals. Grabbing her school bag, she reached to pet her cat Thistle and bounded out the door.
She tried to ignore the anxious flutter of her heart as the El train squealed around its tracks and into the heart of the city. She took a deep breath and entered the building. Here I go, she thought.
"This is Mr. Flynn's office, Ms. Kendall," the quiet secretary said as Justine found the English department. "He should be out of class momentarily, so if you want to go in and wait, I'll let him know to expect you."
"Thank you, Diana," Justine replied. "It was really nice of you to show me around."
Justine sat down in a comfortable leather chair in Alexander Flynn's office. Mr. Flynn was an instructor at Chicago Community, as well as the English department head. He had interviewed her in early spring when she had noticed the position had opened. The office was cozy and reflective of the man who would be her boss for the next eight weeks. Besides an obvious love for literature and writing, various sports memorabilia adorned the walls, including pennants for the Bears, the Blackhawks, and the White Sox. She smiled as she saw a photo on his desk of what must be his children- a young girl and boy who looked to be about seven or eight at the time. It had been taken outside of US Cellular Field when the White Sox had won the World Series.
"Please, tell me you're a south side fan," a deep voice said to her. "I couldn't bear the thought of having a Cubs fan on board for the summer."
Justine laughed and turned, smiling as she stuck her hand out to shake his. "I was just admiring your photo there. Are those your children?"
"As a matter of fact, they are. Sam and Piper. They live in Rockford with their mom and I take them to Sox games as much as I can." He set a stack of papers down on his desk and leaned his hip against the desk. "So, you've never said. Cubs or Sox?"
"Well, for what it's worth, I was born and raised on Bears football, but if I had to choose, I'll say Sox." She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lower lip. She didn't remember Alex Flynn being so handsome in her interview. She had been too concerned about making a good impression to notice his dark hair with slightly graying temples, swarthy tanned skin, and dark eyes that smoldered. He had to have been in his late forties, and she certainly noticed his tall build and stocky stature in gray khakis and a black polo shirt.
"I can live with a Bears fan," he replied, revealing shining white teeth as he smiled. "In any case, welcome on board, Ms. Kendall. I'm always happy to have fresh minds join us for summer session. Who knows? You might like the college arena so well you might give Chicago Public another thought. How long have you been a teacher again? I know you said in your interview, but the timeframe escapes me."
"I just finished my seventh year of teaching. It's hard to believe," she uttered. "Here I am, thirty one years old, and I'm an old pro."
"Ahh, to be thirty one again," he sighed. "In any case, I thought I'd be nice and let you share my office for the necessary demands- you know, grading, data entry, office hours for students." Maybe even locking the doors, pulling the shades, and having his way with her on his desk, he thought wickedly, then pushed the thought away. In addition to her intelligence and drive for literature and poetry, he had been wildly attracted to her in their initial interview. He had thought of her often since early March, and on purpose he had decided to let her share his office space. He would be the epitome of professional, cordial and polite to her, even as he tried to stifle the vision of her underneath him on his desk. It was quite exciting.
"And if you don't mind my asking, how long have you been teaching?" She was curious to know his age.
"I'm forty nine years old, Justine. Next year I hit the big five-0h. I've been teaching English for twenty five years now. My, how time flies." He crossed his hands over his chest and smiled. He liked her hazel eyes and how they twinkled. It was endearing.
He's so fucking hot, Justine thought to herself. It was going to be a challenge to remain professional, especially since they would be sharing an enclosed space when there were breaks between their schedules. He mentioned his children's mom lived in Rockford? That obviously meant he was divorced, but was he otherwise involved? She made a quick glimpse to his left hand, which remained ringless. She was intrigued by him- his dark looks, his sexy demeanor. It was hard to deny there was a strong attraction between them.
"Well, go ahead and make yourself at home here in my- er- our office. Here's a key. I'd just ask that you keep it locked up when you're not in here." He dangled the key in front of her. As she went to grab it, he playfully tugged it away. She looked up at him through her eye lashes and he winked. He grabbed her hand and placed the key in her palm. "Good luck at your first day with the adults, Ms. Kendall."
When she was sure he was far away, she grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and made a call to her best friend Todd. She pictured his tall, lanky form curled up in bed at this early hour. He was a bartender in Boystown and shared a loft there with his partner Braxton. Two gorgeous men who treated her like a princess. The problem for her and every other red blooded female in Chicago? They were in love with each other. Life was sometimes just not fair!
"I was just having a dream I was sipping sangria with you and David Duchovny at Emilio's," Todd's smooth tenor uttered sleepily. "This better be good, Ms. Justine."
"I'm in lust with the department head," she sighed, sitting down at the desk that had been put up just for her. "Tall, handsome- we're talking some kind of southern European breed mixed with Irish. Forty nine. Probably divorced."
"Mmm," he uttered cautiously. "Sounds delightful, but do be careful, lovey. It's best not to mix business with pleasure. It's always nice to look, though."
"Ugh, Todd!" she sighed with frustration. "It's been four months. I haven't ventured for real penetration since Andy. A girl's gotta get some play beyond the vibrating objects, right?"
"I think dear Andy didn't measure up to the vibrating objects, eh?"
Justine rolled her eyes and laughed, knowing there was no love lost between her gay best friend and ex yuppie boyfriend.
