Page 3 of Dear Sexy Swimmer
Maia
Dear Sexy Gem,
Truth be told my week doesn’t start until I get your words and it doesn’t end until I send you mine. Monday will be great for you; you are brilliant and kind so your students will adore you. I have no doubts. You should not either.
I have so much faith in you. Enough to carry you through anything you will ever do. Any doubt you will ever face. I believe in you, baby.
I read Pike’s letter once again—for about the dozenth time—as I take a deep breath and straighten my shoulders. A slow smile curves my lips as I shake myself, peering out at the empty classroom in front of me. Ten minutes before I find out if his words are true.
Ten minutes before I become a teacher.
My time at Oak Ridge University had not fully prepared me for this. I joined Mi Alpha Alpha, fully enjoyed my youth, and graduated with a masters reserved forsomedayif Plan B happened. Turns out, someday is today.
While I'm terrified—it's a college English Literature course in a big city—I find I'm excited too. And because of Pike’s sweet letter, I feel my doubts fade away as I tuck it into my skirt pocket. I pat it once as the doors open and draw strength from his sweet words.
It is a slow start for me after my first class fills up. Barely able to say my name, knees shaking, hands trembling, I start my first day as a teacher a nervous mess. Until I feel the weight of that letter in my pocket. After, I say my name with a smile and the punch of confidence I need to lead a class.
By my last class—I will lead five a day—I feel like a real teacher. As each class comes and goes, I find myself growing excited about it. About talking English and literature with these students, working through my syllabus, and growing with them.
“Hello class, I'm Ms. Gamble,” I pat the letter in my pocket and a smile takes over my face, “Welcome to English 101. We will be...” Looking out over the class, I break off from the same speech I have given all day.
Two things happen at once. First, a thrill of need and want cuts through me so sharp and deep I stumble. Seconds later panic and shame flood me as I look into the eyes I have dreamt of for months.
Fantasies hardly did mySexy Swimmerjustice.
Pike Paine is something you need to see to appreciate.
Staring back at me with his bright blue eyes that sparkle in the sun pouring in from the windows, Pike looks as stunned as I feel. His silky blonde hair is short on the sides and messy on top, falling a little into his ice-blue eyes. Eyes that skim over me from my cheap stilettos to my threadbare cardigan.
Impossible. Hecannotbe here now. Here in my school, in my class. Pike’s letters led me to believe he was older and training for trials for the Olympics. Not swimming between classes. Not that I know when training for the Olympics starts, I suppose.
Pike cocks his head as his intense gaze slides over me. Beneath that gaze heat feathers through me soft and slow until his eyes meet mine. A slow smirk twists his full mouth. Suddenly I feel so foolish. As if all our letters were some kind of game for him.
“We will be working with the syllabus I sent you all last week. Please let me know if you have questions or need more time to gather materials. If you do not, we will begin with an introduction to fiction next week. That is all for today.” It’s my fourth time giving the same speech but it sounds different. My voice is unsteady and unsure and I'm so angry I spin away from the class with tears in my eyes.
The letter in my pocket crinkles as if in cruel reminder of how foolish I am. I tear it out of my pocket and start to throw it in the trash. I can’t bring myself to do it though. I shove it back into my pocket and gather my things. Once I'm sure the class has emptied out, I swipe at my cheeks and turn to head out.
Just to be stopped once again by what I find waiting for me.
“Class was dismissed.” I glance everywhere but at him, but there’s no one left but us.
“Classwasdismissed. Not here for class right now, Maia.” I wince as Pike says my name soft and sweet just like I imagined he would.
“Meaning you are here for what, Pike?” I speak his name into the cavernous space between us.
Space Pike eats up in four long strides. Startling me, he reaches both hands out to cup my face, tipping my jaw back. Staring down into my eyes, he smiles the same smile from the photo I have adored for months. Something lights in his eyes as he shakes his head.
I want to be angry. I want to believe I am foolish and stupid for signing up for the matchmaking service. I even want to be furious at Grace for pairing me with someone so much younger. Someone who can’t possibly want his teacher.
I am none of those things. Instead I feel relief to be so close to him at last. Pike presses against me and for the first time in ages, I don’t feel alone. I feel the way I feel every time I am reading his letters. I feel connected to him in a way I have waited so long for.
And when he speaks, when his eyes flash, I realize he feels the same way.
“I'm here for you now. MySexy Gem.” Pike husks as he blocks the fading sun while pressing into me.
Standing in the middle of my very first classroom on my very first day, Pike kisses me like a man kissing his woman instead of a student kissing his teacher.
