Page 2 of Avoiding Temptation
“Oh no. That is most definitely not a problem.”
“Brilliant. Any concerns about the course or the work...Joe?” I ask, glancing at the name he’s written on one of the forms I’d given him.
He shakes his head, and finally my legs allow me to get the hell away from him.
The second I dismiss the class, everyone starts moving, some faster and keener to get away than others.
“How’d it go?” Eddie asks, slipping inside the room when there’s a break in students leaving.
“It was good. I’m not sure I’m ever going to be able to thank you enough for this."
“No need. When our new appointment decided against the position after his first day, we were pretty stuck. We should be thanking you for turning up when you did.”
A chair scratching across the wooden floor makes both Eddie and I wince. Turning, we both watch as Joe collects up his stuff.
“Great class, Miss Smith. Very...inspirational.” He winks, and I want the ground to swallow me up.
“Please, call me Quinn. This isn’t school.”
“Sure thing, Quinn.” The way my name sounds rolling off his tongue has tingles erupting in my belly. “Already looking forward to next week.” With a nod of his head, he drops his books into his bag and heads for the door.
“Looks like you’ve already got yourself a pet.” The way Eddie’s lips curl up in disgust as he watches Joe leave ignites a fire in my belly. I thought I’d left all the judgemental arseholes behind. “Lift home?”
I want to say no after that last comment, but the thought of navigating through London on a cold and dark winter night fills me with dread. I’m sure it’ll feel like second nature soon, but right now, I don’t feel like I belong, let alone know where I’m going. I begrudgingly agree and start to gather up my things.
“Still think you made the right decision?” Eddie asks once we’re on the road. His eyes flick over to me every few minutes, and I wish he’d just focus on the road ahead.
“Most definitely. I just can’t wait for this place to feel like home.”
“It won’t take long. You fancy going for a drink?”
“Um...can I call a rain check tonight? I’d really like to be prepared for tomorrow, if that’s okay?” I hate saying no after everything he’s done for me recently, but I can’t help feeling like agreeing would be giving him the wrong idea.
“No, that’s fine. I totally get it. I know I’ve thrown you in at the deep end. I’m not taking no for an answer tomorrow night, though. I’m on the VIP list for one of the best clubs around, and I want to show you what London really has to offer.”
“I...uh…” The thought of being thrust into London’s thriving nightlife kind of terrifies me. Well, it terrifies the old me. I need to remember that she’s long gone. The girl sitting here right now is ready to start experiencing life, start living it to the fullest and taking some risks. Suddenly, a little excitement I remember when I first got here tingles in my belly. “Yes. I’d love to.”
“Get out your best dress, Quinn. I’m going to show you how it’s really done.”
Dress. Shit.
I school my features before thanking him for the ride and jumping from the car.
I make quick work of getting inside my building and up the stairs to the studio flat Eddie helped me find.
The small space is nothing like I’m used to, but, for the first time in my life, it’smyspace. It might be tiny, but it’s mine to do with as I wish. Well...as long as the landlord agrees. I’ve wanted my own life for as long as I can remember, and I’m finally here.
I drop my bags onto the small coffee table that sits in front of my sofa bed and head towards the kitchen for a glass of water. I down it before popping a couple of slices of bread into the grill for dinner. I might have my own life now, but, at least until I get paid, it’s not exactly what my dreams were made of.
Once I’ve stripped out of my jumper and skirt, I pull on an old pair of pyjamas and stare at the number of items I’ve got hanging in my wardrobe.
I left my previous life with only a handful of essentials. I hated the majority of my clothes; they represented a life I hated. The first thing I did when I arrived here was head to a shop and purchase a couple of items I’d always wanted to own. The knee-high boots and short leather skirt I’ve just taken off were two of those items. Looks like I’m going to have to hit the shops again if I need something for a night out tomorrow.
I spend the night working on lesson plans and, sometime after midnight, flip my sofa to a bed and curl up under the blanket.
My flat might be cold, and I might not have much in the way of possessions, but I still fall asleep with a smile on my face because this life right now is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Chapter Two
