“All right, settle down.” Bailey goes to the classroom door and shuts it. “Let’s get back on track. Our principal meant well, I’m sure, when he stopped by, but we’re behind now.”
“Want me to come back later?”
The soft smile she gives me is enough to get me through the darkest nights. “No, it’s fine.” She’s close to me now, but I’m still very much aware of the number of eyes on us and keep my hands to myself. For now.
“Class, please help me in welcoming Gator. He’ll be talking to you about the armed services today.”
I’m not sure what I like more coming out of her mouth, my road name or my Christian name. There’s something to be said for both. When I was in the military, it was Stalone, then Prospect. Not many call me Reese since Mom died, so hearing it from her is special. It’s like a fucking hand wrapping around my heart, helping it beat only for her. But hearing her use my club name makes me hard. Hell, her sayingReesedoes that too. Looking at her does that. Fucker is just hot for our woman.
“You ever kill anyone?” This from Erica.
“Yup.”
“In the military or in the club?” This from another girl, and I just look at her. I ain’t answering that, and the redheaded kid from the weekend, Hunter, doesn’t make me.
“What do you like better, club life or the Army?” he asks.
“Both. At the time, the Army was right for me. Now it’s the club.”
“You get more chicks with the uniform or the vest?” This from Shane, who I remember was a goof-off when I met him. Of course he would only be interested in chicks, considering he was the one gazing at that cunt’s chest before.
Bailey groans. “Classy, Shane. Real classy.”
“What? A man’s got to know these things, Ms. B.”
I watch her as my mind works out his words and grin wide when she rolls her eyes. “Don’t encourage him,” she tells me.
“I’m not.” I keep smiling.
“Then what’s with the smile?”
“I knew you were trouble.” She tilts her head with a frown. “Ms. Bailey Haven.” She still looks confused, making me only smile more. “Misbehaving. Troublemaker to the core.” Her cheeks turn beet red, and I laugh hard at her reaction. God, she’s cute.
“It’s Ms. B. Haven,” a kid in the back says, but I ignore him, enjoying watching my woman squirm.
“Yup, that’s what I said.” I take her in once more, then resign myself to looking at the kids and answering their questions. Even though I force myself to focus on them, I can’t help but look at my troublemaker out of the corner of my eye.
I’m surprised I don’t start preening like a fucking peacock with the way her eyes stay on me the whole time. Fucking proud to have her attention, and as soon as we get out of here, I’ll make sure she knows it.
Chapter 20—Bailey
“Bye, Ms. B. See you, Gator,” Hunter says with a smile on his way out.
Shane’s right behind him. “You mean ‘After a while, crocodile.’”
I can’t help but crack up as I wave off the rest of my students.
“Great, can’t wait for that shit to get back to me at the compound,” Reese says with a teasing smile as I stack the chairs on the desks.
I roll my lips in so I don’t smile too big when I notice him helping. Not even Troy helps me prep for the janitor. Not sure if he thinks it’s not his job or just beneath him. All I know is Steve, the janitor, seems to like it. Or at least he doesn’t glare at me as much as he does the rest of the faculty. That guy is never nice, but after twenty years of picking up after kids, I doubt I’d be happy either.
“Well, I promise it won’t be me spilling the beans if you keep my name out of it.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Ms. B.”
I blush at his teasing.
We make it to the center of the room, and he wraps me in his arms.Finally.Been wanting to do that for the last two hours. Who knew the kids would actually be so interested in what Reese had to say? I mean, I was hanging on every word, but I’ve sort of got a thing for the guy.
