Page 15 of Teaching His Babygirl

After the museum, I regretfully take her to her car. I offer her dinner, but she declines, saying she really needs to work on her curriculum for the week. Wanting to prove to her that I respect her time and her dedication to her career, I don’t argue. I simply kiss her silly and help her into her car. She drives off with a little wave, and I feel like I’m watching a piece of my heart drive away.

Chapter Seven

Darlene

Monday morning comes earlierthan I wanted. I tossed and turned half the night last night. How is it that after just one night in Colt’s bed, I feel like my own bed is inadequate? I missed his arms wrapped around me and the warmth of his body against mine. All feelings that tell me I’m in big trouble when it comes to keeping him at arm’s length outside of the club.

The school is quiet when I get there. I came early to get my room prepared for my first class—a lecture on art history. I set up the prints of the Mona Lisa and Starry Night—two of my favorite paintings.

I’m writing notes on the whiteboard when a voice behind me startles me. “Good morning!”

I quickly turn, holding my hand to my heart at the scare. A portly man with a balding head stands in the doorway to my classroom. He’s wearing a plaid flannel shirt that’s tucked into a pair of slacks that are at least an inch too short for his stature. I force a smile to my face, not liking the way his eyes boldly trail up and down my body.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says with fake chagrin. “I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself last week.”

He walks across the room, his hand outstretched. I put my hand in his clammy one as he gives me a limp handshake. “I’m Levi Troy. I teach science.”

“Darlene Larson. Nice to meet you, Mr. Troy.”

He clicks his tongue. “Now, we don’t have to be so formal. Call me Levi.”

I give him a half-hearted nod, not wanting to be anything but formal with this man. Something about him has my creeper radar going off something fierce. Thankfully the first bell rings, and students start flooding into the room.

“Well, I better get to class to keep these idiots in line.”

I narrow my eyes and give him a disgusted look. How could a teacher think that his students are idiots? Why even become a teacher if you dislike kids? I shake my head without commenting. Thankfully he leaves quickly, and I don’t have to come up with any kind of response.

“Okay, class, settle down…”

* * *

The morning passesby in a blur, and before I know it, it’s lunchtime. The teacher’s lounge is nearly empty, aside from three other teachers whom I met last week. “Darlene!” Patty says with genuine enthusiasm. “How’s your second week going so far?”

“So far, so good. The students have all been well behaved after the little incident last week.”

Coach Lockwood chuckles. “I can imagine so. Todd and Leon aren’t enjoying their punishment very much and have warned the entire student body not to mess with you.”

I shake my head with a smirk. “Well, I guess it’s better to start off the semester with them afraid that I’m going to send them to Principal James than have them try to run roughshod all over me.”

Patty laughs, “Darn straight. There are some great kids here, but they definitely need to know who is boss. Some of them can get rowdy if they aren’t put in their place quickly.”

“She definitely did that,” a familiar voice says from behind me.

I turn and see Colt striding into the breakroom. He goes to the fridge and pulls out a dish, then warms it in the microwave. I look at our small table, seeing that the only empty chair is directly beside me. My body heats, and I can feel my nipples pebble beneath my shirt. I thank God that I’m wearing the matching jacket to my skirt; it does the job of hiding my instant attraction to Colt.

A small part of me hopes that he’s going to take his lunch back to his office because surely there is no way that I can hide the desire to touch him every time he’s near. A larger, greedy part of me wants him to sit next to me. To walk up and claim my lips and mark me as his right here in front of everyone. I push that part of me down because that’s crazy. It’s the exact opposite of what I want him to do.

He sits down, and nothing happens. I don’t self-combust. I don’t throw myself at him and kiss him like crazy. He just sits beside me with a benign smile, the same smile he gives the rest of the teachers. My heart clenches, and I hate it even though it’s exactly what I asked for.

“So what did you do this weekend, Miss Larson?” Colt asks. “Stayed out of trouble, I hope.”

I choke on the sip of water I just took at his question. His big hand is instantly on my back, rubbing and patting as I cough. He gives me a worried, but knowing look. I clear my throat, trying to get my bearings.

“My weekend was okay. I went to the art museum. Nothing exciting,” I say with a smirk just for him.

“Oh really?” he says, returning my smirk with a sly grin of his own.

“Yep.”

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