Page 8 of Wed to You

“Two coffees.”

The waitress left and Jagger returned his gaze to her.

“I wouldn’t want you to not get your money’s worth.” She hoped she succeeded in exuding a bravado she didn’t quite feel.

He grinned that devilish smile, completing it with a wink.

Again, her hormones and brain warred. He was flirting, but she fought to think it meant he was attracted to her. Flirting was how men like Jagger related to women, wasn’t it? Of course, knowing that his flirtations meant nothing didn’t stop her heart rate from speeding up. Breaking away from his bewitching smile, she turned her attention to Kaden. All she had to do was get through dessert and then go home.

“Kaden, you said you didn’t like to read, but I know some books you might like.”

“Really?”

She nodded and reached into her purse for a pen and paper. “I’m going to write them down so you can look for them at the library. One is about a little boy who’s a pirate.”

“I like pirates.”

“And one is about a boy detective.”

“What’s a detective?”

“He’s a policeman that solves mysteries.”

She slid the paper to Kaden. He looked at it and then handed it to Jagger. “Can we get these?”

“This weekend, Big K.”

Chelsea chanced a glance at Jagger. He was studying her, as if he wasn’t sure what to make of her. It was better than the devilish look he’d given her earlier and yet, it was still unnerving.

Chelsea was filledwith relief and disappointment as the evening came to an end and Jagger and Kaden walked her to her car.

“Thank you for the pizza.”

Jagger smiled and like always, it drew her in. Good golly, he was handsome.

“Are we still having a party tomorrow?” Kaden’s voice broke through the hypnotic state Jagger had her in. With effort, she turned her attention to Kaden.

“Of course. It’s the last day of school. That’s always a party.” She opened her car door, reminding herself she needed to stop at the store for groceries and baking goods.

Jagger held her door open, resting his arm on the top, while the other hand held Kaden’s. Stepping between the door and her car brought her in close proximity to Jagger and to the zap that always surged through her body. Jagger’s devilish grin suggested he knew his effect on her. Well, of course, he would. He had that effect on the entire female gender.

“Missy is making cupcakes.”

“Missy?”

“Miss Z. Her name is Mrs. Zmijewski, but I can hardly say it, so it’s no wonder Kaden can’t. We’ve both given up and call her Miss Z.”

“I see.”

His blue eyes...sapphire?...drew her in. She was certain if he asked her to sell her soul, she’d do it.

Stupid hormones.

“She makes really good cookies but tomorrow she’s making cupcakes.”

With effort, and relief, Chelsea tore her gaze from Jagger’s hypnotic eyes and looked at Kaden. With a smile, she bent down to him.

“I’m bringing my special brownies.”

“I love brownies.” Kaden grinned and Chelsea felt a little pang of sadness that tomorrow was the last day she’d be his teacher. Kaden was a great kid and Chelsea knew some of the credit had to go to Jagger. It made him even more attractive. Thank goodness, school was out and the odds of seeing Jagger up close and personal again were low. She wasn’t sure how much more titillation her hormones could stand.

Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves and looked at Jagger. “I’m sorry for earlier...for questioning your parenting skills.”

“You’re forgiven.” His words were soft, drifting around her. It gave her a chill. She stood, mesmerized again by his eyes...cobalt?...before finally getting in her car.

“Bye, Miss Beemer.” Kaden waved.

“See you tomorrow.” She winked at Kaden and nodded toward Jagger, who shut her door. She started the car and pulled away, quickly glancing in the rearview mirror as she drove. Jagger and Kaden stood, Kaden waving furiously and Jagger simply watching. Those irrational hormones tugged on her heartstrings. They were an unconventional family, but they were a unit. It would be nice to be part of something like that.

She turned her attention to merging into traffic, which effectively pushed away the image of family. As much as she wanted one, it wasn’t in the cards for her. Even if she had the time to date between two jobs, unless she won the lottery, no one would want to take on her financial burden. So she drove toward the grocery store, determined to be content in the life she had. And if she sometimes fantasized about those wonderful blue eyes...azure?...who could blame her? She wasn’t the first woman to lust after Jagger Talbot and wouldn’t be the last.

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