Page 39 of Avoiding Temptation
“I don’t believe that. I’ve seen you, Joe.” He stands and my eyes drop from his to take in his body.
“So you have.” He stalks over, his eyes darkening. I see what he’s doing: diverting the conversation to sex, something he’s much more comfortable discussing.
I want to argue that I see more than he realises I do, but much like me not wanting to talk about my past, I can tell this is something he’s not keen to discuss.
I hold his eyes when they eventually find mine once again, trying to tell him everything I want. His eyes soften, and I wonder if he understands.
“What do I need to pack? Anything special?”
“Whatever you want. You’ll look gorgeous, no doubt.” Flames lick at my stomach, the darkness in his eyes telling me that he’s being totally sincere. Much like him, I wonder what he sees when he looks at me, because the only thing I see when I look in the mirror these days is the woman I’ve always wanted to be who’s too afraid to really go after the life she craves.
I’m avoiding dealing with so much of my past that I’ve shoved it into the dark corners of my mind when the one thing that I really should be avoiding is standing right in front of me, promising me an escape.
I somehow manage to break our connection to pack my toiletries and zip up my bag.
“Did you want to finish your soup?” Joe asks, a cheeky smile curling at one side of his mouth.
“I think I’m good.”
“Right answer. Come on.”
Taking my bag, he throws it over one shoulder before sliding his other hand into mine. I tense, knowing that I should pull away, but touching him is just a little too comfortable. After days of looking over my shoulder, waiting for the inevitable, the feeling of safety that washes through me is too much to deny.
I squeeze his hand a little tighter, and together we lock up the flat and head down to his van.
“Doesn’t your boss mind you taking the van off on a mystery weekend with a stranger?”
“First, you’re not a stranger. I know you better than I know a lot of people in my life.” I turn to look at him as he pushes the key into the ignition and starts the engine. There are so many words on the tip of my tongue, but I know he wants to talk about it as much as I do. So instead of asking anything, I give him a small smile when his eyes meet mine. The more time I spend with him, the more I see the shadows in his eyes he tries to cover with his confidence, but as time goes on, the darker they’re getting.
It helps explain the pull I feel towards him.
We’re the same, both trying to survive with plenty of skeletons hiding in our closets.
“So where are we going?”
“To the home of literature.”
My brows draw together as I think about his words, but nowhere comes to mind.
“I don’t—”
“I’m disappointed in you, Miss Smith,” he says with a chuckle as he heads out of the city.
“I thought we were forgetting about the whole teacher/student thing?”
“We are, although where we’re going should be a good field trip for me.”
A thought hits me, and excitement bubbles in my belly. “Oh…we’re going to Stratford-upon-Avon.” I don’t even ask it as a question, because the second it occurred to me, I knew I was right.
“We are. I thought we’d get up close and personal to the man himself. Although, I must admit that I’m more excited about the up close and personal opportunities with someone else.” He turns to me, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip as his eyes drop to my breasts. “Did I mention how much I like that dress?”
The dress in question is a simple black jersey wrap, cut a little lower than I’d usually risk for work, but the fabric feels incredible and I needed something a little extra to get me through today.
“Thank you,” I say, my cheeks heating. I want to look away, but when his eyes lift and capture mine, I’m powerless to move.
“Do you know what’s even better about it?”
I shake my head, unable to form any words.
