Page 18 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“Mr. Moyer...”

“Orion,” he reminded me.

“Orion, I keep my personal and business separate. You have nothing to worry about. If I have an issue which requires your involvement, I will let you know,” I stated.

“Yet you said nothing about the fight that broke out yesterday. Why is that?” he questioned.

As I suspected, Orion had informants. Leaning back in my chair, I crossed my arms and said, “Simple. I didn’t need your help. It was handled and over. Today is a new day. But for someone who started this conversation with how you trust in my abilities, that didn’t sound like you really do. Which is it, Orion? Trust me or not?”

All I needed was a yes or no.

“Your ability? Yes. But I must be honest with you. I’m not sure you’re the right person for the job.”

Even though I asked the question, I was taken aback by his honesty. “And why is that?”

“You’re a woman.”

Oh, you did not just say that.

Well, he just pissed me off. I’d given him too much credit and I was about to put him in his place.

“Mr. Moyer.”

“Orion,” he said.

“No. I like Mr. Moyer. I believe you are the one who is not right for this position. As head of the school, you should be able to encourage both boys and girls to be what they want to, and not determine it by their gender,” I replied, my tone matching the anger deep within me.

“You may have misunderstood what I was saying.”

I shook my head. “Nope. It was clear. You don’t believe a woman can do this job. Not as good as a man can.”

“That was not what I meant,” he said.

“But it is what you said,” I reminded him.

He nodded. “In a way, I did, but that was not my intention. I believe a woman will face things that I never had too. Not from the students, but from some of their parents. Things may have changed while you were gone, but not everyone is...happy about it. Some still believe that a woman’s place is in the home. Not...”

“Running the country?” I jumped in. “I mean, Tabiq is run by a woman, is it not?” I challenged him.

“It is. And if you ask Reesa, I’m sure she would tell you that she’s faced opposition as well. Not to scare you, but I know for a fact that there have been threats made to her life. Not because she isn’t qualified, but because she’s a woman. Reesa has people who can protect her. You don’t,” he warned.

A shiver ran through me. “I...I...” I leaned over and placed my hands on my desk, shocked to see them trembling.

Orion reached over and covered them with his. “Raya, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just trying to explain my comment.”

His warm hands were strong and comforting. I didn’t want to like it. I should have pulled my hands away, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want it to end. I could tell myself it was because fear still filled me. That was partially true. I was afraid, but not of some stranger hurting me. It was something more internal. My emotions. My desires. I had a restless night last night. And it was all because of the dreams. Sweet dreams about my predecessor that I had no right dreaming. Those dreams were filled with me doing and saying inappropriate things. And it all started with just an innocent touch of our hands and ended with making love on the desk.

There was a need building in me, and the fact that Orion was being this kind and protective of me again, was only enhancing it. But I wasn’t here for anything other than a job. It wasn’t easy, but I needed to bury everything else and focus on that.

“You don’t think that someone would really...try to kill me, do you?” I asked.

He gave my hands a light squeeze, sending tingles through me.

“I would like to believe not, but I can’t make any promises. All I can say is that I’ll do whatever I can to ensure your safety. And if for any reason you don’t feel safe, then please, I’m begging you, tell me. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night. Call me. I have connections to people who can help keep you safe. At least until your boyfriend arrives.”

Boyfriend? Interesting.

I had no one in my life. We never discussed it and Reesa never asked either. Why would he assume that I had one? It didn’t matter. With what crazy thoughts I was having, it was probably better he believed I did. Not that I was worried he would make a move, but it was easier if I only had to deal with my own attraction to him, and not worry if it was reciprocated.

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