First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 24

  My eyes hesitantly flutter open this morning and I feel like I'm waking up from the best dream I've ever had. I glance to my right just to double check and there, lying next to me is Taytum. The sheet is partially off of her and her chest is rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. I let my eyes shamelessly roam over her exposed body before going back to her face.

  Taytum is so beautiful with her mesmerizing blue eyes, dimples, sharp jawline, thick, soft lips, natural light tan complexion and those abs, God those abs are so sexy. It's not just about her looks though, that's just an added bonus. She is mature beyond her years, polite, caring, understanding, undemanding, easygoing, respectful and just a joy to be around. Taytum is just perfect.

  I honestly feel like I'm on cloud nine right now after last night. Never did I imagine being with another woman would be like that or make me feel the way I did. Maybe it was just because it was Taytum but the intimacy, the closeness and the way she took her time like she was memorizing and worshipping my body with every caress and every kiss. I swear it felt like there was not an inch of my skin that Taytum didn't touch or kiss, almost like she was making love to me.

  That thought stirred an emotion deep within me and I quickly sat up in bed. I climb out of bed, careful to not disturb Taytum and grab my robe, fresh underwear and bra. I go to my en-suite and place a spare toothbrush on the counter for her then quietly open my bedroom door. I walk to the full bathroom down the hall so I can shower, brush my teeth then go downstairs and make breakfast.

  As soon as the water in the shower is hot, I quickly get in and stand under the comforting stream of hot water. I close my eyes as I let the water flow over my hair and down my body. My thoughts from earlier come rushing back and I know I have fallen for Taytum even though I shouldn't have. She is my student after all and if anyone found out, especially the dean, my career would be over. It certainly wouldn't be good for Taytum either because she would get kicked out of college when she is so close to graduating and I don't want that to happen, to either of us.

  I know nothing should have ever happened between Taytum and I but the attraction is there and she makes me happy. She makes me truly happy and I have never felt this way about anyone. After I realized I was attracted to Taytum and kissed her the first time, it has been hard for me not to want her near me. I would love for her to spend every possible minute with Kadence and I. Plus she is great with Kadence, Kadence loves her, she loves Kadence and I love her.

  Love? Do I really love Taytum? No, I can't and shouldn't but.... I got emotional last night because I have never felt so emotionally close to someone and I knew exactly what I was feeling but tried to brush it off. I love Taytum. I abruptly open my eyes and quickly start washing my hair to hopefully distract my mind. After washing my hair, I bathe then quickly get out of the shower, dry off, put on my underwear and bra then slip my silk robe back on. I decide to just let my hair air dry so I go downstairs so I can fix some breakfast and some coffee.

  As I am adding cream and sugar to my coffee, a certain 21 year old young woman invades my thoughts again. I love Taytum even though I'm not supposed to, I do. I take a deep breath and release it as I grip my coffee mug. Suddenly I feel strong, warm hands grab my hips. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even hear Taytum come downstairs. She molds her body against mine and wraps her arms around my waist. "Good morning," she says still with a sleepy, raspy tone.

  "Good morning." I manage to get out with a steady voice even though I feel butterflies in my stomach from her closeness.

Taytum moves my damp hair to one side and presses her lips to my neck. "I missed you," she murmurs as she places another kiss just below my ear. I catch a whiff of her minty fresh breath as I breathe in so I know she found the toothbrush I left for her.

  I turn around in Taytum's arms and notice she is only in her boy shorts and matching sports bra. I swallow and look up at her. "I'm right here so how did you miss me?"

  Taytum tucks my wet hair behind both ears then gently cups my face in both of her warm hands. She caresses my cheeks with her thumbs as she smiles down at me. "I woke up to an empty bed that you should have still been in. I wanted to wake up next to you. You should have woken me up."

  I playfully roll my eyes at Taytum but feel my heart take off from her words. "You were sleeping peacefully so I did not want to bother you. I wanted to let you sleep."

  Taytum continues caressing my cheeks with her thumbs and lens down, placing a kiss on my forehead. "Dani, I promise it was okay to wake me up. I want the full Dani Howard experience." I laugh and shake my head at her silliness. "Hey, why are you laughing, I'm being serious. We spent all night together, fell asleep together so I definitely wanted to wake up together." She leans down and captures my lips in a slow, delicate kiss that I can't really put into words. It's like she is speaking to my heart and soul with this kiss letting me know how she truly feels. I feel the familiar flutter in my stomach that I only get from her. God, I am falling so hard.

 Our blissful moment is interrupted by the ringing of a cell phone. Taytum pulls away and looks around, "sorry, that's my mom calling." She steps away from me and grabs her phone that she had left on the kitchen island last night. "Hey mom. What's up?" I take a sip of my coffee and start to walk out of the kitchen to give Taytum privacy but she wraps her free arm around me, stopping me. She smiles at me but her smile suddenly drops. "What happened? Okay, are you and mama heading there now? I will just meet y'all there. Is Tristan riding with y'all or me? Okay mom, y'all be careful and I love you. Tell mama and Tristan I love them too. I will, okay, see y'all soon. Bye."

  Taytum places her phone on the countertop and has a worried look on her face. "I'm really sorry Dani but I need to go. That was my mom letting me know that my grandfather is on his way to the hospital by ambulance. They don't know exactly what happened, just that mama got a call from my grandmother telling her they were headed to the hospital by ambulance. My moms and brother are leaving now and I'm just going to meet them there."

  Taytum starts getting worked up as she is talking but I reach for her arm to stop her. "Hey, calm down and go get dressed. Everything will be okay. Come on." I walk upstairs with Taytum and sit on the bed and watch as she gets dressed. I get up once she puts her shirt on and step directly in front of her to help her button it up. "Do you want me to go with you? I can call my mom to see if she will keep Kadence longer."

  Taytum drops her arms by her side to let me finish buttoning her shirt. "No Dani, I can't let you do that. I appreciate your offer, very much and would love that, but you stay here for KK, so you can see your daughter. I know she will be excited to see you and I wouldn't take that away from her or you."

  Taytum's words pull on my heartstring's. "Ok sweetheart." I grab her hand so we can go back downstairs. I wait in the living room as she walks to the kitchen to grab her phone and keys.

  When Taytum is walking into the living room she sighs. "Dani, I really am sorry about this. This was definitely not how I wanted the rest of our time together to go. I had an amazing time with you and was hoping to spend time with you and Kadence once she was dropped off. If that would have been fine of course..."

  I cut Taytum's rambling off as I pull her face to mine and quickly press my lips to hers for a gentle, understanding but needy kiss. When I pull away she has a soft smile gracing her lips as she looks down at me. "Taytum, it's okay sweetheart so no need to worry. I would have loved to have you spend the day with KK and I but right now, your family needs you. There's no need to apologize. Okay?"

  Taytum nods her head in understanding. "Okay." I follow her to the door and before she opens it she turns around, leans down and kisses me once more then opens the door. "I will call or text as soon as I know something and hopefully see you and Kadence soon. Bye, I love you." She rushes outside closing the door behind her and she is gone.