Page 69 of Teacher's Pet
She’s leaned into him so far she might as well be in his lap, laughing with her hand brushing his arm. My stomach twists.
Mr. Norris is there too, all smiles. Good, maybe he can take her and leave Nathan for me.
She sees me before Nathan does. That tiny, practiced smile, fake, polite, before she turns his attention away from my direction.
Yeah, I know what you are.
Predator meets predator.
I plant myself at the bar in my tightest jeans, the kind that leave nothing to imagination, and catch her glancing over again. She sips her drink like she’s not sizing me up.
Cute.
She might suspect I’m into him, but she doesn’t know he’s into me. Not yet.
And she sure as hell can’t compete with me.
“Excuse me,” I say to the bartender. “Margarita, please.”
“ID?”
I hand it over, and he nods, mixing my drink.
By the time I turn back, my view is blocked by a man, older, broad-shouldered. Not my usual type, but perfect cover.
“Hello, sir,” I tease.
He smirks. “Hey, beautiful. Can I buy you a drink?”
I gesture to my margarita. “Trying to take advantage of me already?”
He laughs. I lean in, lowering my voice. “I wouldn’t mind another one.”
He orders it without hesitation, and I give him a smile that could melt ice. I can feel Nathan’s gaze flick over here, once, twice.
Good. Watch me.
The older guy talks; I half-listen, half-track Nathan and Claire. Every time she leans closer, my nails dig into my thigh. Every time Nathan looks at her, I imagine peeling her face off.
By my third drink, I’m warm and buzzing, just enough to let my irritation settle into something sharp.
If Claire thinks she’s getting him tonight, she’s out of her mind.
***
I had let myself into his house, same as always. If Claire thought she could cling to him until he took her home, she clearly hadn’t realized who she was up against.
In the kitchen, I poured a glass of water, taking slow, deliberate sips as I peeled away my clothes piece by piece, leaving a trail toward the bedroom.
I waited.
The sound of tires on gravel pulled me to the window. Headlights swept across the drive, then faded as the engine cut.
He was alone. No Claire.
A slow smile tugged at my mouth. I bit my lip and finished sliding my pants down, letting them pool at my feet.
***
