Page 14 of Detention with Daddies

The best part has been the conversations as he walks me to my lab. He’s sweet and charming. Attentive. Thoughtful.

I can’t deny how good-looking he is either. Or the way I catch him looking at me sometimes.

Like his over-the-top flirting didn’t already tell me his intentions. Yet, I bet if I told him I’m not comfortable with anything more, he’d keep this friendly. He’s proven himself as a good guy.

He grins at me now, leaning against the lab table beside me. Salazar just helped me set up my equipment to process the blood samples I’ve taken from my subjects. And now he’s put his biceps on display.

I bite my lip and look up at him. Those dark blue eyes twinkle with mirth. With attraction. The same attraction I feel most of the time.

And it’s not just his good looks. It’s the way he listens. The way he cares. His sense of humor.

He’s actually funny when he’s not trying too hard.

“What do you think about the routines? I tweaked them after our last brainstorming session.” I push the folder at him.

A small hesitation has him meeting my gaze for a few long seconds, then dropping to my mouth for a heartbeat. Salazar turns to look over my notes. So much about him changes when he turns serious.

It’s even sexier than the flirty fun version of him.

I should not be thinking about him like this, but I have been. More and more.

But is that because we’re spending so much time together?

“These are good, but I think you’ll be surprised at how much growth they’ll have around week two. When the post-workout high kicks in, they’ll start noticing the changes and be more open to new kinds of training. It would be good to introduce some strength training along with the cardio you have planned.”

Grinning up at him causes him to flash his own smile back at me.

“You already thought of that?”

“I did. I was playing with introducing a variety of types so that they can try them all. They’re not going to all like the same things, so I thought it best to let them know their options. We only have twelve weeks to work together, and as much as this is for my thesis, I also want to imbue them with routines they can keep up with when we’re done.”

“And that’s what makes you so good at this.”

I shimmy in my seat. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Professor Salazar.”

He shifts closer. “When am I going to get you to call me Nick again?”

I lean in, testing and teasing how familiar we are with each other. “When you’re not my professor anymore.”

He groans, and the sound sends heat fluttering low.

It really is too bad that he’s my teacher. The passion we share academically could easily translate into other areas.

We linger like this for a few heartbeats before he retreats, standing straight and running a hand through that lush dark hair. I bet it’s as soft as it looks.

Then, he checks his watch. “I have a meeting in five. But just so you’re forewarned, I’ve got something stashed away for you. I had to hide it from my daughter.”

We share a meaningful look. I know how much he dotes on Ruby. It makes me feel special.

“But I want you to try it. I know how much you like sweets too.”

And Salazar has mentioned before how much he likes to feed the people he cares about. That flutter spreads, sending heat into my cheeks this time.

The flash of his smile says he knows he’s gotten to me. A well-laid plan.

He knocks the lab table with his knuckle softly before he backs away.

I putz around with my paperwork, writing up some notes on the regimes. The possibilities.

---