Riding Out the Storm by Emma Jay Page B

Winston is ready to break out of her shy,
unadventurous shell by finally approaching Brady Lane—the sexy Iraqi war vet
seated in the front row of her journalism class. He’s brave and
outgoing—something Jamie is not—and good looking to boot. Her shy flirtation
with Brady at a frat party leads to a deliciously sinful tryst that leaves her
wanting more. Each breathless encounter with Brady peels away a layer of Jamie’s
insecurity, leaving her more wanton and willing each time. But eventually, all
good things must come to an end. When Brady finally leaves for an internship,
will Jamie be brave enough to let him go?

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter One
     
    The music
pounded in Jamie Winston’s blood as she walked up the steps to the frat house,
feeling as out of place among the milling bodies as she felt in front of the
journalism class where she was the teaching assistant.
    Like a fraud.
    She’d never
been to a frat party in her life, just something else she’d missed her first
time in college. Her marriage and job had taken all her time, though she’d
longed for the complete college experience. She wouldn’t have the courage now,
her second chance at college, if her best friend Susan hadn’t encouraged her to
act on this ridiculous impulse.
    That, and her
inappropriate crush, Brady Lane, was rumored to be here. Susan grinned
approvingly, giving Jamie a once-over and an exaggerated wink. Great. She’d let
her younger friend choose her wardrobe—a knit spaghetti strapped top, snug
jeans and wedges—a far cry from the loose blouses and conservative skirts she
wore for class, but appropriate for a warm October evening in Texas. Susan also
had a hand in fixing her hair, an almost sultry style, dark blonde hair
tumbling out of a carefully placed hair clip. Sort of librarian-gone-wild. And
her make-up, well, she almost didn’t recognize herself.
    She hoped
Brady would recognize her. Or maybe not.
    She wasn’t in
the habit of crushing on her journalism students, but Brady was different. He
was older than the others, close to her age of twenty-five, having served in
Iraq in order to qualify for the GI Bill. He was handsome, yes, tall and broad
shouldered with biceps as big as her waist, but more, he was intense, focused,
and interested in what she was teaching. He wanted to be a war correspondent,
and his bravery excited her as much as anything else.
    She got the
feeling that he, like her, wanted the complete college experience, no matter
that he was five years older than the other students here.
    She spotted
him as soon as they entered the main room of the frat house. He leaned against
the wall by the bar, a bottle in his big hand. Younger men surrounded him, a
mixture of hero-worship and acceptance. The air of command about him made her
nipples hard. Did she have the courage to approach him?
    Susan leaned
close and growled playfully in approval. Great, he was here, now what? How was
she supposed to get his attention? And what would she do if she got it? She had
the feeling if she gave him the right signals, he would take charge. While she
knew this was shaky ground, considering she was a T.A., she couldn’t help
herself. Something about Brady compelled her to step out of the comfort zone
she’d allowed herself since her divorce.
    As if he
sensed her thoughts, he glanced up and met her gaze. Her face heated, but she
didn’t look away, instead gave him what had to be a goofy smile. He returned
it, brows drawn together a bit quizzically, then turned back to the guys with
him.
    So not a good
sign. Disappointment burned hot in her belly.
    “Go talk to
him. I’ll get us something to drink,” Susan urged, nudging Jamie with her
shoulder.
    Okay, this
was why she’d come, but the last of her nerve had gotten her up the steps and
through the door. She caught him looking at her again, this time more speculative.
She pulled in a deep breath and moved across the room toward him.
    “Hi, Brady,”
she