Page 31 of Along Comes Trouble

TESSA

I never understoodthe word dreary until I moved to Ohio. The sky outside the windows in my classroom has been the same, monotonous gray for who knows how many days. The children, usually vibrant and full of life, have trudged through class, only smiling when it’s reading nook time. I feel it, too. Both the pull on my mood from the weather and the relief when it’s time to gather the kids and read. There’s something special about stepping through that little makeshift curtain and turning on the string of Christmas lights. The dark skies on the other side of the window disappear, making our little nook a bright spot in the day .

Today, they groan when I close the book, even though that means it’s time for lunch. “Come on, Ms. Morgan. Just one more chapter?” asks Evan, a little boy with giant glasses and a cowlick that has his curly mop of hair sticking out in all directions .

“We can’t because we’ll miss lunch,” I respond and the rest of the class complains as they put away their reading buddies and then shuffle out of the nook .

Maybe I’ll see about setting up a lunchtime field trip of sorts next week. I could have all the kids bring a sack lunch from home and they can eat here in the nook while I read to them. The thought is appealing. I’ll bring it up to the principal and see what I can do about making it possible .

“Uncle Colton!” Claire Carmichael’s voice startles me and a rush of adrenaline courses through my body at the sound of his name. I sweep open the curtain just in time to see him swoop his niece up in a giant bear hug and swing her around in a wide circle while the rest of the class looks on with wide eyes. He sets her down and then crouches in front of her .

“What’s good, chickadee ?”

Claire fills him in on what’s happening in our book while a few of the other kids crowd around .

“And now, it’s lunch time,” chimes in Evan, once Claire pauses long enough to take a breath .

“No way.” Colton widens his eyes like he’s never heard anything more exciting. “What’s it gonna be ?”

Evan rattles off a very ordinary sounding lunch and Colton straightens, rubbing his stomach. “You gotta stop, man. You’re making me hungry.” He meets my gaze and smiles and all I can do is stand there and take him in .

“Ms. Morgan?” Claire asks. “Should we get in line for lunch now ?”

“Right.” I swallow. “Yes. That’s exactly what you should do.” The class giggles and falls into line while Colton crosses the room to lean on my desk. I’m aware of him watching me as I herd children, a private smile playing across his face. Suddenly, the dreary skies on the other side of the window don’t matter at all. The whole damn world is made of sunshine. “I’ll be right back,” I say over my shoulder as I lead the children into the hall .

“I’ll be here.” And again, I etch the scene into my memory. Him in his jeans and Henley, that ball cap pulled down low, surrounded by the explosion of primary colors and tiny desks that make up my second-grade classroom. I settle the kids in the lunchroom and scurry back to my room, pausing just outside the door to smooth my hair and dress into place before I step inside and find him right where I left him .

“What a pleasant surprise,” I say around the giant lump of dear God he’s smoking hot in my throat .

“It’s been too long. I was going through withdrawal.” He pushes off the desk and draws me into his arms, pressing his lips to mine and sliding his hands down my back until he grips my ass. “What’s it been? Two whole days since I had you this close ?”

I squirm out of his embrace. “Colton!” I hiss. “I’m at work .”

“And no one’s here to see you.” He draws me in. Presses my body against his. Kisses me. Skims his hands up my thighs and under my skirt .

I swat his hands away. “No one can see us right now .” I glance at the door. “But what if someone walks by ?”

“So what? We’re adults .”

“Yeah, but what if they’re not?” I succumb to a kiss and then pull out of his grasp. “This is an elementary school. I don’t think the students are ready for the advanced education you want to offer them .”

“You do have a point.” Colton drags me to the wall beside the door, pausing to shut it on the way. “But now, they’d have to be trying pretty damn hard to see.” He kisses me again and heat builds in my core. Despite my reservations, I open to him, my heart thundering away in excitement .

What if we get caught?The thought rolls like thunder through my mind and only makes me crave his attention more .

His hands on my ass, lifting my skirt, pulling my panties to one side .

What if someone sees ?

His thumb on my clit, slick and wet. Pleasure zinging through my body .

We shouldn’t be doing this .

My fingers working the button on his jeans, his zipper, reaching down into his briefs and wrapping my hand around the base of his erection .

This is so wrong .

He spins me around and bends me over, my hands splayed against the wall, my skirt up around my waist. He leans forward, swoops my hair off my back and I turn my head so he can kiss along my jawline. “I want you so much,” he whispers, his voice strained as he grips my hips .

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