“It’s not me you should be apologizing to.” He points my direction, and both boys turn to me with repentant expressions. Obviously, these boys respect Colt and hate that they’ve disappointed him.

“Sorry, Miss Larson,” they both say together, making it almost comical.

“I would say it’s okay, but it isn’t. I can forgive this little misunderstanding, though, provided you never speak to a woman that way again.”

“We won’t. We promise.”

I don’t believe them for a second, but I can hope they understand words have consequences and what they said is absolutely wrong.

“Now that Miss Larson has magnanimously forgiven you, your punishment is that you’ll be sitting out the next two games.”

Both boys groan and open their mouths to protest, but they both fall silent with a raise of Colt’s hand. “And you get to explain to coach exactly why you have to sit out.”

“He’s going to kill us,” Leon says.

“It would be well deserved after your behavior today, but we all know you’re only going to be running drills… lots of drills,” Colt says with a malevolent smile.

I smirk at the look Colt gives me and know that they’re going to be well punished, more punished than any suspension from school would provide. Hopefully, it will be enough to really hit home the consequences for their actions, but only time will tell.

“You boys get on to class. Miss Larson, if I could have a word…”

My eyes widen at the firmness in his tone. He probably sensed my desire to bolt as soon as this conversation ended. He wouldn’t be wrong. The sooner we talk, the sooner I have to admit that things can’t proceed with our budding relationship. I know it was only one night—one scene—but it felt like so much more. I’ve never felt such a connection with another person in all of my life.

I don’t want it to end, but what choice do I have?

Chapter Four

Colt

When she first entered theoffice, I was shocked to find out that the new art teacher is my Darlene. The woman I’ve spent the whole weekend lusting after. Leon and Todd are lucky to be leaving this office without being pummeled. No one talks to my girl like that. The only one who should think about what her sweet pussy tastes like is me.

As soon as the boys leave, I’m striding around the desk and locking the door to my office. She’s watching me warily like I’m some kind of feral animal that’s about to pounce. She wouldn’t be wrong. I am about to pounce. I’ve been without her lips for two days too long. Darlene takes a step back, and I growl low in my throat, not liking her backing away from me. Before she can take another step, I’ve got her wrapped up in my arms, her curvy body pressed against the hard plains of mine.

She stands stiff in my arms until I wrap her hair around my fist and tip her head back. Her eyes fall closed, and her lips part as she awaits my kiss. I bypass her lips, going instead to her neck. I lick and suck the delicate skin, enjoying the salty-sweet flavor of her. Darlene lets out a low moan that I steal away with a fierce kiss.

For the briefest of moments, she’s stiff in my arms, but then she melts. Her soft tongue licks at mine as I plunder her mouth. Ravaging any bit of hesitance she has away. With hands fisted in my shirt, she holds me to her, kissing me back like she’s starved for it. Our tongues dance together, mine possessive and hers sweet and seeking. She lets me lead with low whimpers and moans.

My hands roam over her body, lifting her skirt up so that I can grip the round globes of her ass through the simple cotton panties she’s wearing. I itch to spank her but don’t dare because if I do, I won’t stop until my cock is buried deep inside her wet heat.

Darlene rips her lips from mine, pushing me away. She couldn’t actually move me if she tried, but I take a step back, not wanting to make her feel caged entirely—even if she is. Her breasts rise and fall as she desperately sucks in air like she’s seconds away from drowning. I move to grab her up again, but she raises her hands and takes a step back to ward me off.

“We can’t…” she says, her fingers coming to her lips as if to silence her own protests. It’s like she knows if she doesn’t keep them there, she will lose control and fall into me all over again despite her own resolve to deny us this reunion.

“We can, babygirl,” I growl possessively.

“You’re my boss!” she whisper-shouts. “Don’t you know what that means?”

“What does it mean?” I ask, stalking her as she backs away.

“This can’t happen,” she waves her hands between us, “us—whatever this connection is—it can’t… we can’t.”

“We can… we will,” I practically snarl the words as I back her against the wall. “There’s no rule that says we can’t.”

I brush my lips lightly over hers, and she whimpers. Her head thumping against the wall as she tries to pull away. I chase her lips with my own until it’s her that’s kissing me. We catch fire. Burning bright as our tongues seek out one another and the kiss ignites all of the pent-up passion from Friday night.

We break apart again, her eyes heavy-lidded. She licks her lips, savoring the taste of our kiss. “People won’t respect me,” she whispers. “They’ll think…”

Darlene shakes her head, ducks under my arm, and flees my office.