Page 31 of Wanting You

Her soft gasp was the initial response, but then she ducked her head and played with her hair a bit. “Um…thanks, but…I’m a little emotionally exhausted. I’m going to make myself some soup and maybe a sandwich and just try to relax. I’ll probably call Ash and see if she wants to join me after she checks on the salon.”

It was crazy how disappointed he was. And it wasn’t just because he didn’t know anyone in town yet, but because he was genuinely starting to like Chloe.

A lot.

Probably more than he should, considering the fact that they were coworkers and he was planning on putting up a fight to win the Teacher of the Year award this year. Was he willing to give all that up?

No, he told himself.

Right now, he was just feeling like this because of the situation with her mom. He was certain that under other circumstances, he wouldn’t think of her as anything but a fellow teacher.

Liar.

Okay, yesterday he had started softening toward her, but…how could he not? She was sweet and pretty and had a great laugh and…

Tanner inwardly groaned because having any kind of feelings for Chloe was not good, especially right now. With no other choice, he had to go back to thinking of her as the competition and nothing more.

With that decision made, they drove back to the school while discussing some of the other places to eat, both right in Sweetbriar Ridge and the surrounding towns. By the time he came to a stop in the parking lot next to her car, he felt like he had a good grasp on at least the restaurants in the area.

“I know I’ve already said it,” Chloe said as she reached for her door handle, “but thank you again for everything.”

“Glad I could help.”

She climbed out of the car and Tanner did the same, following her over to the driver’s side of her car. “I hope someday I can return the favor,” she said as she unlocked the door. “Seriously, if there’s anything you need, just let me know. Whether it’s information about the town or help with projects for your students, I’ll be there.”

“Chloe…”

“And just so you know, we’ll have decent weather next week, but around mid-September, it starts to get cold. You might get lucky and be able to ski by the end of October!”

“Oh, well…”

“I hope you have a great weekend!” she rambled on. “The school will be open for the teachers on Monday, so if there’s anything you still need to do, you can go in and get it done.”

Before he could respond, she was talking again.

“I feel terrible about you losing an entire day because of me, so if there’s anything you need help with…”

Okay, he had to put a stop to this because she was clearly nervous and talking just for the sake of talking. “Chloe,” he began, placing his hand on her arm. “We’re good. I promise. I’m glad I could help today and I’m not keeping a scorecard. Stop worrying about me and what I need to do, and just focus on yourself. Everything’s going to be alright. I swear.”

The next thing he knew, she was pressed up against him, hugging him tight.

It would be rude not to hug her back, right?

So, not wanting to be rude, Tanner’s arms banded around her waist as he held her close. He thought he heard her hum softly, but figured maybe it was just his imagination.

When she pulled back, she stared up at him with those big blue eyes and he swore they were the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen. Then she whispered his name and seemed to move closer and before he knew it, he was closing the distance between them. The moment his lips touched hers, he was lost.

Chloe’s arms tightened around him, and this time he knew he heard her hum. Her body was pressed up against his, her soft lips opened beneath his, and it was possibly one of the most perfect moments of his life. As much as he told himself only minutes ago that this wasn’t a good idea, he knew he was helpless to deny that there was a definite attraction between the two of them.

An attraction he wanted to explore.

Now.

He deepened the kiss and held her tighter, hearing her soft intake of breath before she relaxed against him again. It was sweet and sexy all at the same time and he was about to suggest they maybe get in one of the cars or even go to his place, when Chloe broke the kiss and forcefully stepped out of his arms.

“Ohmygod!” she whispered, a look of sheer horror on her face. “I…I’m sorry. I need to go!”

“Chloe, I…”

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