Sort of?
Oh, what the hell. There’s no denying it. At least not to myself. The guy is awesome, and I’m freaking nuts for him. It’s been two days without him, other than a few texts, and I’ve become addicted. How was it that I could go so long without thinking about him, but then after one orgasm, he’s all I’ve got on my mind? And the only thing I want. The guy must have picked up some voodoo in his military days, or maybe the club put something in my coffee the other night.
I know I’m not the first to fall fast for a Hound. Seeing Jules fall for her guy is all the proof I need to know that.
“How do you think it went?” I ask him since he said he’s done this before, and this is my first time doing a career week.
I was super surprised that Troy showed up and tried to get the kids interested in teaching. I didn’t know how to tell him that not one kid in my class respects him. He’s the one who sent them all to summer school, after all. If they go into teaching at all, it won’t be because of the principal they had.
Jordan was amazing yesterday, talking about creating a business and all the aspects that go with it. Next, the senior resident at the hospital I volunteer at is coming in. Some of these kids have younger brothers and sisters, and I know a few of them look after them more as a parent than as a sibling, so I figured I would show a bit of the nurturing side of the world. Then Miles is sending over a colleague to show the kids the fun parts of electronics. Might sound boring, but Miles works for a toy manufacturer, so I’m sure the students are going to have a blast playing with things all day. And Friday will end the week with aptitude tests. I hope it helps them come out with some new ideas of things they didn’t know were possibilities for them before.
“Not sure if all of them will go into the ranks, but I think I could see a few willing to look into it. I’ll have to make a note to stop by and ask the recruiters to let me know if any of the kids come in.”
Not sure why, but I’m surprised he knows people outside the club. “Did you serve with them?”
“Nah, I ain’t tight with all members in the Army, just a few locals I’ve gotten to know. What can I say, vets recognize vets. That and the club offers a drink on the house one night once a month for vets at the Flying Monkeys Bar.”
I laugh at that.Should have known.
“So.”
“So what?” I look up at him and adore that he’s taller than me. Just enough for me to raise my eyes and not get a crick in my neck when we’re this close.
“Can I kiss you, or is that against some PDA policy?”
I bite my lip, but it fails me, and I end up grinning. “We take PDA very seriously in this school. But like my students, I don’t always follow the rules.”
“Fuck yeah,” he says only a breath away before his lips land on mind.
I can’t remember the last time I kissed him. I remember the feel of it, but the exact moment is forgotten. And I guess it doesn’t matter now that his lips are on mine again. They’re pillowy and soft, and he knows how to use them.
He pulls me in tight, and I feel his thickness behind his jeans. I gasp at the size of him, not realizing till now how turned on he must have been before. How could I have missed the size of that thing? I’m sure it helps that he was half sitting with his leg propped up, and my eyes couldn’t seem to stray from the way his lips moved when he spoke. They’re hypnotic and know when to make a good thing work for him, as he uses my little gasp to slide his tongue in. God, what I wouldn’t give to have that appendage on other parts of me. Much lower parts.
I break away from his kiss with a shake of my head, but I don’t pull out of his hold. “What are you doing to me?” I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into me. Two months ago, I was pushing this man back with a two-by-four. Then I started to see him more—like a lot more. Next, he vanishes, only to show up when I need help. Maybe it’s the scruff on his face that I’ve noticed he hasn’t shaven off yet. Or maybe it’s as they say: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Did I get used to seeing him, and then I felt a loss when he went to take care of his dad? Is this just a passing fancy to me? Never had one before, but there’s always a first time.
“Nothing, darlin’. You’re the one with the power. I’m just here till you tire of me.”
I pull back again and look into his eyes. He’s serious. He really thinks I’m going to be the one to leave, to end this first. I would have agreed with him if I didn’t see something in his eyes. Something close to fear that I’d find something else, something better. I know that look. I’ve had it before, seen it countless times when I was a kid staring at my own reflection.
I internally yell in shock and cry with grief for him. No one should feel that, should fear that. Especially not from me. If I leave—and it’s a bigiffrom the way things seem to be going—it’ll be because of something big. Something that breaks my heart and I can’t get over. Not because I found something else. I could never. I’ve been out there looking. Haven’t found a damn thing close to what Reese is. Not a damn thing.
“That could be an awful long time.”
Happiness shines on his face as his smile grows. “I think I can live with that.”
He gives me a peck on my lips and then takes a step away. Which I’m grateful for, even if my inner goddess is growling in protest at the loss of the body contact. I need my head on straight, especially since I’m still at work. The kids might have stayed longer than usual, but till I badge out, I need to at least have some decorum.
“Since you don’t have practice tonight”—he gives me a pointed look that I choose to ignore as he calls me out on my lie from yesterday—“can I take you to dinner?”
“Ah, no.” I move past him and go to my desk, packing up a bit before I move to my computer and start setting up tomorrow’s lesson plans.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him cross his arms as he takes a wide stance at the end of the desk. “Want to tell me why it seems like you’re back to this whole ‘avoiding spending time with me’ thing again?”
“I’m not avoiding you. You’re here now, aren’t you?”
He grunts, and I ignore the flutter in my core. “This doesn’t count, and you know it. So how about you tell me again what game you’re playing at, Troublemaker.”
“I’m not playing any games. I just can’t have dinner tonight.”
