Page 29 of Private Tutoring
Harmony tracked my movements until I turned and scanned the group. “Language is often considered a barrier. How can we speak to one another if we cannot understand the language?”
The question brought confused looks among my students. Seemed it was more than language that created barriers.
I checked my watch and raised both hands. “Excellent class, everyone. It’s been wonderful.” I locked eyes with Harmony. “Miss Vogel, do you have a minute?”
Every time I’d even glanced her way, she’d ducked her head and concentrated on her work. Without her computer or notebook to hide behind, she stared at the floor while approaching my desk. “Yes?” Her barely audible question stirred that protective instinct I’d worked so hard to control.
We were all feeling it, especially after last night. “I’d like to discuss your work.” I allowed the response to carry to the students lingering around the door. I gave no indication of her grades. It was none of their damned business.
Her head rose enough for me to see her eyes.
“I have an idea how to help with your tests.” I walked backward, doing my best to hold her gaze.
She flushed and held onto her bag. The sight of her blushing cheeks went straight to my cock. It was 100 percent wrong of me, but I imagined locking the door and inviting her to join me in my office. By the time I finished with her, she wouldn’t have any trouble looking me in the eye.
Which brought up an important discussion I’d considered avoiding.
Once the room cleared, I motioned for her to come closer. “You mentioned your struggles with taking tests, and it mademe think about the ticking clock. I’m considering a new testing technique that would remove time limits from test taking.”
Her stranglehold on the bag eased. “I’d like that.”
“I thought so. Being pressed for time is my least favorite aspect of class.” I loved taking my time, especially when it came to Harmony.
Her gaze slid past me, an adorable blush causing her freckles to pop along her nose. “Is there anything else?”
“I want to do a trial run. You’ll be alone, able to test at your own pace. No distractions.” Fuck. Every word out of my mouth conjured illicit images of Harmony in varying stages of my very imaginative dreams. The elephant in the room I’d meant to discuss turned into a rock-hard cock that pressed into my zipper and all but begged for a minute alone with Harmony.
I palmed my crotch while sitting in the leather chair and crossing my ankle over my knee. It did very little to hide my erection, but it would have to do.
Students walked past my door, the flood slowing to a trickle, then to emptiness.
“Thank you for taking the extra time and giving me a chance to improve my grade.” She wore a pinched expression and sounded like she was reading from an instruction manual. The contradiction to her soft curves covered in jeans and a cropped shirt with a picture of red lips on the front did a number on my psyche.
I’d never had this kind of attraction to anyone, much less a woman as young as Harmony.
“I’ll need you to be honest about the trial test. If it doesn’t help, you need to tell me.” I sat forward, propping my elbow on the desk.
Harmony squirmed in her seat and pulled the bag into her lap. It was a self-conscious move I’d noted in her several times.What made her so shy? The sudden need to know more about her, to understand her, created a split of priorities.
“I think it will work. It’s a good plan.” Her smile started with a slow sweep of her hand down her cheek to brush hair away from her eyes. The quirk in her lips turned into a grin that I matched. “But I’ll let you know if it doesn’t help.”
“Good.”
She stood and turned.
“Harmony, wait.” I risked touching her hand, my heart in my throat at the potential exposure should anyone walk by. “Can you stay for a minute?”
She shot a look at the door, then at me. “I have class, but yeah, I can spare a minute.”
What could have only been a second stretched into infinity as her fingers curled around mine in a light squeeze. What was she doing to me? Stephen’s breakdown last night was one thing. Matthew’s insightful responses another.
They both might try and deny their feelings, and I had refused to admit mine to them. It did not change the fact that I treasured every moment with Harmony.
“I feel like we left a few things unresolved.” I brushed my thumb over her knuckles, enjoying the way her fingers tightened ever so slightly. How was I supposed to let her go when she lit me up from the inside out?
“Pretty sure we said everything we needed to say. One-time thing. Right?”
Maybe it was just me, but I swore she meant it as a question, and a bloom of hope burst wide open in my chest. This was my chance, and I’d be damned if I was going to ignore it. “That’s what we said. I’m not sure it’s possible to hold up my end of the bargain.”
