Page 3 of My Reluctant Valentine

"Kids say the darndest things." I lean forward, just enough to catch her scent.It's something soft and sweet that makes me want to bury my face in her neck."But you don't seem too concerned about having a dangerous man's kid in your class."

Her cheeks flush pretty and pink, but that steel spine shows again."The only thing dangerous about Emma is her ability to convince the whole class to join her dance parties during reading time."

Christ, no wonder my kid loves her.Most people in this town either fear the club or kiss our asses.Miss Leslie does neither. She may really just be a teacher who genuinely cares about her students, even the ones with MC presidents for fathers.

But I don't miss the wariness in her eyes, or the tension in her shoulders when the hallway creaks.This woman's running from something.I know that look. I've seen it on enough women who've come to the club seeking protection.

The results of the 'safety check' that I had Reaper, our road captain, run on her when she took over Emma's class make more sensenow.She was a former Atlanta socialite that just up and moved to Serenity shortly after filing for a restrainingorder.Reaper couldn't figure out who the restrainingorder was against nor find a recent picture of her. But after the third month of it not being a problem in Emma's life, I droppedit and told Reaper to just keep an eye out for anything strange. Nothing yet.Miss Leslie's got secrets, and suddenly I want to know every single one ofthem.

The conference wraps up tooquickly.She stands to show me out, but I take my time rising, deliberately invading her space just enough to watch her pupilsdilate.

"Thank you for coming in tonight," she says, professional mask firmly inplace."Emma will be thrilled you madeit."

"Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter." I let my voice drop lower, satisfaction curling in my gut when her breathcatches."Maybe I'll see you around town, MissLeslie."

"Serenity's a small place, Mr.Hunter."

"Ace," I remind her. "And yeah, it sureis. So, I look forward to it."

The Rusty Nail is already filling up when I arrive, but my mind's still back in that classroom.Tank notices immediately, raising an eyebrow as I take my seat at our usual table.

"Conference go that bad?"

"Went fine." I grab the whiskey he slides my way."Emma's doing great."

"Then why do you look like someone pissed in your beer?"

Before I can answer, my phone buzzes again.Lucy's name flashes on the burner's screen.I silence it for the third time tonight.

"Ex still pushing about the wedding?" Tank settles into the chair across from me, blocking the rest of the bar from view.

I nod. "She’s threatening to tell Emma about the custody arrangement if I don't bring a date." I down the whiskey in one shot."Says it'll look bad if I show up alone while she plays happy families with my former best friend."

"Bitch." Tank signals for another round."You gonna cave?"

"Don't have much choice." The whiskey burns, but not enough to wash away the memory of Miss Leslie's scent."Emma doesn't need to know about the shit that went down back then."

"Could always take Crystal from the club." Tank shrugs."She's always up for playing arm candy."

The suggestion should make sense.Crystal's hot, available, and knows the score.But all I can think about is that pair of captivating eyes, flowing jet black hair, and the way Miss Leslie stood her ground despite clearly being afraid of something.

"I’ve got someone else in mind," I hear myself say.

Tank follows my gaze to the wall of photos behind the bar.Among the shots of brothers and bikes that I usually gloss over is a new one from yesterday.I almost spit out my drink when I realize who it is.It's a picture of Miss Leslie, at the bar, grading papers with a glass of wine, completely unaware she was being photographed.My guys are thorough about monitoring new faces who walk in here.

"The teacher?" Tank's eyebrows shoot up."Seriously?"

"You got a problem with that, Tank?"

"Besides the fact that she's your kid'steacher?And definitely not club material?" He leansforward."Reaper got more details for her report that came backinteresting.That restraining order? The one inAtlanta?It was filed against IanDavidson."

That gets my attention. "The techbillionaire?"

"The one who made headlines last year when his fiancée disappeared." Tanknods."No body, no evidence, case wentcold.But word is, he's still looking forherreplacement.Been working his way through Atlanta socialites eversince."

Well, that explains why Miss Leslie jumped ship toSerenity.And why she tenses every time a dooropens. She must've been his next prospect. The implication turns something deep in my gut.

"You thinking about offering club protection?" Tank askscarefully.

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