“Oh, my goodness, Dr. Harrison, is that you?”
Tasha heard someone say in a deep baritone voice as she settled in the airline lounge, waiting for her flight to be called.
Tasha looked away from her table. Standing there was one of her first students back in Cleverwood. He was in his final year when she started teaching there.
“Parker!” she said excitedly. “Is this really you?”
“Yes, Dr. Harrison,” he quickly corrected himself. “I mean, Professor Harrison, congratulations on your new promotion.”
“Wow, Parker,” it surprised her that he knew about her recent promotion. “How did you know about that?”
“Well,” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “It was announced in almost all academic journals. You are a goldfish with no hiding place, you know.”
“So it’s safe to assume you are a lecturer, too?”
“Yes, Prof.,” he took the seat beside her. “I am with Hallmark College.”
“Are you serious?” It surprised her to realize how close by they were. “Hallmark in Bay Point?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Wow, we are so close by,” she put her tablet on the coffee table in front of them. “I’m in Berkeley.”
He nodded.
“So, how are you doing, Parker?” She asked. “It’s been a long time?”
“I am fine,” he gave her a disarming smile. “And you?”
“I am fine, thank you.”
“Where are you flying to?” he asked, picking up one of the entertainment magazines on the coffee table.
“Los Angeles,” she told him. “I’m attending a conference.”
“Really?” He dropped the magazine back. “What a coincidence. I am also going for the same conference.”
“Fantastic! That means we are going to see more of each other for the next five days.”
Their flight was called before he responded and they both stood up and went to board the plane along with the other passengers. Since it was the institute that booked their flight, it made sense that they got to sit beside each other.
“Do you want to take the window seat?” Parker asked courteously when he realized he had been assigned a window seat.
“Yes please,” she said. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he stepped aside to allow her to move inside before he took the seat meant for her.
Tasha was finding it difficult to buckle the belt for no reason.
“Shit!” she mumbled as she struggled with it.
“Let me,” Parker whispered and quickly helped her with it.”
“Better now,” he said.
“Thank you.”
And in that brief moment, their eyes locked. Tasha’s heart nearly stopped as something contrasted in her chest, as a flicker of attraction sparkled between them. She quickly looked away. And tried to take an inaudible, deep breath.
As the plane took off, Tasha stole a glance at him and was surprised how attractive she found him. Even though he must be at least seven years younger than her.
“And he smells so nice,” she caught herself thinking. His smell was intoxicating; a mixture of something woody and spicy mixed with his raw, masculine fragrance.
He caught her ogling him at a point and smiled at her.
His smile was so beautiful; it crinkled his eyes and revealed deep dimples on both cheeks. She felt like kissing his succulent lips at that moment.
“So, how has it been?” She started a conversation to stop her from doing anything stupid. “I mean teaching?”
“Not bad.” He looked straight into her eyes as if trying to let her know that he was aware of what she was trying to do or not to do. “I enjoy teaching and, most especially, the research aspect of it so much.” He enthused.
“You are right about the research,” she agreed with him. “There’s this joy, this pumping of adrenaline that goes around my body whenever I am researching. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
They continued to share their stories as the flight progressed to their destination. It was evident they were both passionate about their careers. And before they knew it, the captain’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker.
“Attention please,” the voice said. “This is Captain Roland again. We are already in the City of Los Angeles and approaching the airport.”
A little murmur ripped through the cabin. Some folks who had been lulled into a state of semi-consciousness became alert.
Tasha checked her wristwatch for the time.
“I can’t believe we’ve been on air for over two hours already.”
“Me too,” Parker readjusted himself in his seat, sitting upright.
“Buckle up, folks!” The captain continued. “We’re about to start ascending. We are already in the airport. Thank you for flying with The Royal Wings.”
Tasha looked out of the window and said, “we are in Los Angeles, wow.”
“Yes, we are,” Parker returned his tablet into the messenger bag as the plane touched the ground.
They got down with the others and went to claim their luggages.
Soon, they were at the hotel where all the speakers were going to be lodged. It was very close to the university campus.
They both approached the receptionist, and they were given their room keys. To their amazement, their rooms were opposite each other.
A shudder ran down Tasha’s spine when the receptionist handed the porter the keys to them and announced casually that the rooms were opposite each other.
They rode the elevator in silence with the Porter. It was after they got off from the elevator that Parker said.
“It’s six-thirty already,” he searched her face. “Can we have dinner together in the restaurant at your convenience?”
“I would have loved to,” her face broke out into an apologetic smile. “But Professor Trevor’s wife wants me to join them for dinner tonight. You know she was my former student in Berkeley.” She explained.
“Oh I see,” his eyes perked up in admiration. You are the teacher of teachers.”
“Sure,” Tasha said.
“We can have a nightcap when you return,” he checked his wristwatch. “What do you think?” he darted his tongue out to moisten his lower lip.
Once again Tasha fought the urge to kiss those lips.
“Maybe,” she felt a tingle in her core. “If I am not tired,” she quickly said, not wanting to come out as too eager.
“Good,” he flashed her a warm smile. His eyes darkened over as they met with hers. She felt butterflies dancing in her stomach.
He waited until she had opened her door and went inside before he crossed over to his door.
“Oh, Lord…” Tasha muttered after she shut the door. “What is going on? How could I be thinking about my student like this?”
She leaned her back against the door, her heart thudding rapidly in her chest. She had to wait a long time for her heartbeat to get back to normal. She chided herself, thinking she shouldn’t be having those thoughts about her former student.