Page 25 of Teaching His Babygirl

I roll my eyes. “I’m not made of sugar. I won’t melt. Besides,” I lift up my oversized umbrella, “I have an umbrella that is great for keeping things dry.”

He huffs out a frustrated breath. “I still don’t like it. I should be able to drop my girlfriend off at her job.”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “I love that you want to do that for me, but…”

“But you still don’t want people to know about us.”

With my chin rested against his chest, I look up at him with a sad smile. Despite what he thinks, this isn’t easy for me either. I’m slightly resentful that we work together and have the complications of that to workaround, but I can’t get over the idea of keeping us secret.

“I’m sorry, daddy.”

He sighs, wrapping his arms around me and dropping a kiss to my forehead. “It’s okay, babygirl. I just hate that I can’t fully take care of you like I should be.”

“You take good care of me. The best.”

Colt shakes his head but smiles down at me. “I’m glad you think so, beauty. I would do anything for you. I hope you know that.”

“I know you do. You prove that every day.”

Finally, after a lot of convincing, Colt agrees to let me walk to work despite the rain. Today’s conversation gives me the feeling that he’s not going to stick to our ruse for long, and I’m nervous about what might happen when the other faculty at Thurston find out about us.

The school is still quiet. It’s the calm before the storm. The calm before the students show up and chaos ensues. It’s a chaos that I love, but there is something about being in these halls while they are empty that brings a level of peace that I can’t quite explain. I make my way to the teachers’ lounge, saying hi to several teachers along the way.

I love how friendly and welcoming everyone has been. Despite this being a huge school with hundreds upon hundreds of students and a huge faculty, everyone has made me feel like part of the Thurston family.

The lounge is empty, and I take full advantage of the coffeemaker. I’m startled by a loud whistle behind me. I turn to see Mr. Troy—the creeper—standing in the doorway. “You look fantastic today, Darlene.”

I paste on a fake smile, trying to keep the peace when all I really want to do is tell him off for being a sexist jerk. I turn back to the fridge to finish putting away my lunch.

“Want to go to lunch today? I know a great little Mexican place not far from here,” he asks. I can almost feel his eyes on me, and I just know he’s staring at my ass.

I show him my lunch bag as I put it in the fridge. “Thanks, but I’m covered.”

He licks his lips salaciously, his gaze directly on my breasts. “Next time.”

Thankfully, he turns to leave and I’m once again alone in the room. I collapse against the counter, feeling dirty and slightly worried that he’s not backing down. Melinda was right about needing to stay far away from him. I’ll make it my sole mission in life to keep him at a distance.

A small voice in the back of my mind tells me that if I would stop being so stubborn and bring my relationship with Colt out in the open, Mr. Troy would leave me alone. I squash down that voice with all the stronger, louder doubts I have.

I wait for a few minutes, hoping Mr. Troy has had time to get back to his classroom before I head to my own. The door swings open, and I nearly run smack dab into Melinda. “Oh! I’m sorry!”

“No worries,” Melinda laughs. “Was that Mr. Troy I saw coming out of here?” she asks with her lip curled up in disgust.

“Yeah, he’s insufferable.”

“Is he still asking you out?” She gives me a pitying look.

“Ugh. Yes, the man couldn’t catch a hint if it whacked him in the face… or elsewhere…”

Melinda giggles. “Elsewhere would maybe get the point across.”

“If only…”

“Right? Enough about that…” I say, feeling the need to change the subject. Just talking about Levi Troy gives me the heebie-jeebies. “So what’re you reading?” I ask, pointing at the book in her hand.

She blushes. “Oh, just a silly romance.”

“I love romance books. Though I have to admit I don’t read often anymore.”

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