Page 67 of When Hearts Collide

That has to be it. That’s all there is to it.

She has dreams—beautiful dreams. Don’t take them away from her. You’ll imprison her and one day she’ll get sick of it. Like Mom did toward the end, when I saw her eyes dimming, how she appeared so sad whenever she talked about the dreams she used to have.

Parker shifts next to me. “Sorry. I got sidetracked for a bit there. Anyway, Millie? She’s actually family.”

That got my attention. “What?” I stare at him.

He shrugs. “Few people know this because she’s down to earth and doesn’t advertise her connections. But her brother is Adrian Scott, who, as you probably know, had that epic romance and married Emily, Jess’s younger sister, a year ago.”

“The Shark? Her brother is The Shark?”

He nods. “It’s pretty obvious, right? The dark hair, the elegant features. I can see the resemblance.” Parker stiffens, his head swiveling toward me, his eyes narrowing. “Hold on, why do you sound so interested? What’s this to you?”

I tug at the pendant hanging around my neck, my skin feeling heated once more. Not only is the forbidden woman my student, but she’s also related to one of the most powerful men in the business community, who is renowned for his thirst for revenge to those who have wronged him in the past, the cold billionaire everyone wants to know but is also afraid of. If he catches a whiff of my filthy intentions toward his sister, I can kiss the IPO goodbye. It doesn’t matter if my family is old money and more powerful than him. No one wrongs The Shark and escapes unscathed.

“She’s my student. I’m just surprised she’s here.”

“Hm.” He stares at me for a few more beats, but I don’t look at him. “If you say so.”

“Now, we’ve set up stations here for you to try your hand at gardening. Remember, perfection is unnecessary. Get your hands dirty, feel the damp soil, try to stay present, and focus on your breathing,” Millie instructs as the small crowd breaks into quiet conversations and folks move about the space. I hear the scraping of metal spades and trowels against the ceramic pots and muted laughter.

Parker grabs me by my shoulder. He holds up his phone. “Sorry, I have to take this. I’m supposed to help Millie up there. Can you step in instead? I owe you one.” He holds my gaze for a moment, registering my nod, and steps away.

My pulse kicks up into a drumming beat and every cell in my body awakens and sizzles with energy. I stroll up to her, the woman who has been featured in every lurid fantasy in the last year and a half, the woman, I suspect, will be my undoing if I don’t stop this train wreck in slow motion.

“Millie.” My voice is hoarse as I step up behind her. I suck in a gulp of jasmine and vanilla scented air.

She freezes. A pulse flutters in her neck, beckoning me to touch it, to graze it with my tongue. I swallow, watching her turn her blue gaze at me.

“Ryland.” My name sounds so damn good on her lips. I don’t bother correcting her for using my first name.

We stare at each other as the background chatter and crowds dissolve into darkness, trapping us in this bubble only we can see. My eyes dart to her lips again, which are plump and parted. Her breathing quickens. A blush blooms on her cheeks and I watch those blue eyes of hers darken, the navy striations melting into the black.

I lean in, my willpower quickly losing the battle of what’s right or wrong, what’s ethical or unethical. Her eyes flutter shut, the dark lashes fanning her smooth skin. We’re not at school today. She’s an adult, and it’s consensual. My heart hurls flimsy excuses at my brain, trying anything to see what sticks.

“Millie? I broke my pot. I’m s-so sorry. Please don’t be angry at me.” A timid voice breaks through our connection and Millie jerks back and turns to the mousy woman before her, who appears terrified of evoking Millie’s wrath.

Millie’s eyes soften and she clasps her hand on top of the woman’s. “Don’t you worry about it. This happens to all of us. You can get an extra over there.”

The woman scurries away, leaving us in stilted silence.

“You’re good with them,” I comment as I hand her a new pot.

“I learned from the best.” She gives me a teasing wink and my heart hiccups. My lips twitch in an effort not to smile.

Millie waggles her brows. “Well, if you’re here to help me, let me put you to good use.”

“Where do you want me, teacher?” I make an exaggerated bow.

She giggles. God, I want to hear that sound every day. It’s like a shot of dopamine in my veins.

“Bring those bags of potting soil around the room and refill the containers at each station. Make sure all the tables have extra supplies and tools. We expect some clumsiness and broken pots, and that’s okay. There are extra packets of seeds on the shelf over there in case anyone asks you for more.” She points to a few rows of metal shelves in the far corner of the space.

“We want these folks to feel comfortable in their surroundings, to put their energy into the task before them, to make something with two hands.”

Millie gestures with her hands, her blue eyes turning animated. “Regaining their lives starts with small steps, and we want them to feel empowered, beginning with growing this little pot of life in front of them.”

Her face is flushed, an alluring glow radiating from her. She bites on her plush bottom lip, a flirty glint appearing in her gaze. Slowly, she steps closer, and my heart lodges in my throat, my breath freezing in my lungs.

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