Page 96 of Hot Four Teacher
If she did, am I okay with just that?
Probably not. I’d want more, but I’m a guy, so I don’t think I’d turn it down either.
Especially not with Michelle.
Before I can say anything, she speaks instead. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”
“A little,” I reply. “But I’m happy as fuck to see you.”
“Can we talk?”
I nod and lead her into the living room. She sits on the couch, but when I sit next to her, she moves to a chair instead.
“I think we need a few feet between us since I can’t keep my hands to myself. And I really want to talk first.”
I lean back and get comfortable. “Okay, beautiful. I’m all ears.”
Her mouth wiggles back and forth as she tries to choose her words. “Dane, I told you that I haven’t dated in a decade, and that’s true. But really, I haven’t had any relationships since Eve was born. I don’t have close friends. Sure, I have work friends, but we don’t hang out outside of the office. I have my family and my daughter. That’s it. And that’s always been okay with me. Keeping everyone at arm’s length is easier for me than letting them into my world. When someone has come around, and they inevitably leave, I’m fine. It’s not a big deal.Truth be told, I’m always a little relieved when they leave.”
She pauses a moment. “But then, I met you. And despite me knowing us dating is…complicated, when I’m not around you, I actually miss you. My head says we should stay away from each other, but my heart seems to disagree. Plus, I talked to my dad, and he told me this whole story about him and my mom and how their relationship was also frowned upon.”
She’s starting to lose me, so I try to reel her back in. “Michelle, sweetheart, are you saying you’re ready to give this a shot?”
Her teeth slowly sink into her bottom lip. “Maybe.”
“But?” I ask because I have a feeling one is coming.
“But I think we need to lay down some rules and come up with a plan.”
“Alright. I’m listening.” I’m finding it hard to hide my excitement. The fact that she’s here right now makes me so happy.
“I’m not ready to tell Eve yet. Whether that is right or wrong, I have no idea, but I’m just not prepared to cross that bridge. She doesn’t need to know until this is way more serious.”
The fact that she saiduntiland notifleaves me hopeful.
“Okay, I can live with that,” I tell her. “What else?”
“Well, to keep things from Eve, we need to make sure no one else sees us together either. That meansno public appearances together in town. And if we happen to be at some function together, we will be civil and cordial, but nothing more. We can’t make it obvious that there is anything going on between the two of us.”
I smile. “Do you know how hard it’s going to be not to gawk at you and how sexy you are?”
She rolls her eyes but can’t help but smirk. “You better reel that shit in if we are going to do this thing.”
“I think I can do that,” I tell her. “We can do this however you want as long as it means I get to spend more time with you.”
“I still have no idea what I’m doing, and I have no idea if this is going to work, but I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.”
“You know I am.”
“Why do you seem so much calmer than me about this whole thing?” She asks.
“Because I think some things are worth fighting for–no matter what the risks may be.”
She gives me a small smile.
I ask, “Can we please get closer now? I think you’re way too far away.”
With an adorable look on her face, she stands up and walks toward me. Slowly, she slips onto my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. I hold her close, inhaling her scent and thanking the lord that I get to do it again.
