Page 16 of Made For You
Thinking back to my boarding school, I know I would have walked all over a teacher like Aurora. Most of the kids there would have seen her as weak and beaten her down until she caved. But remembering the way she spoke up for Davey, maybe she had an inner commanding strength she had yet to fully tap into.
“I don’t think you’ll have anything to worry about. After the way you—” I began, then halted my words, since there would have been no way for me to know what happened earlier.
“Oh, you saw what happened at check-in today?” she asked, and I realized there would have been people in the lobby at the time to witness the act.
“Yeah.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, though I felt a little guilty.
“I just don’t enjoy seeing someone talked down to, especially when he had done nothing wrong. Plus, I hate line cutters.”
“Don’t we all?” We chuckled as I took another sip of my drink, and she peered down at her ruined papers.
“Was thatreallysomething important?”
She sighed as she gathered the papers and placed them in a tote hanging from a hook under the bar.
“It was just something I was interested in during the conference today. I teach in a rural area, so I wanted to learn more ways I could bring money to the school through grants and possible scholarships for the students. Most of the kids are from farming families. And while some are still very profitable, many are going under.”
“Tell me more,” I prompted, genuinely interested as she spoke about her family and their farm. It surprised me when she mentioned helping out and running the large tractors and combines. I had a hard time imagining it.
“Wow. I feel like I talked your ear off.”
“I enjoyed learning more about you. Would you like another drink?” I asked as I reached for her empty glass.
“I probably shouldn’t.”
Her gaze darted around the room, and while her attention wasn’t on me, I used the moment to take her in. Her picture didn’t do her justice. She really was quite beautiful. Aurora was petite—I guessed no more than five feet and an inch or two at most. Her hair was tied back at the top of her head, but the waves looked soft, and I yearned to run my fingers through them. And my cock jumped every time I focused on her lips.
I watched as they pursed as her stare focused on something across the room.
That’s when I noticed Gertrude standing.
“Ah. Enemy Number One.”
“Not my enemy, but I have to be around her all week. I should probably apologize for earlier.”
“No,” I said more forcefully than I expected. Something about watching her cower to a bully didn’t sit right with me. “She deserved more than the stern talking-to you gave her. I should have her kicked out of the hotel.”
Laughing, Rory looked over her shoulder at me with a grin. Fuck, her smile was gorgeous.
“And how would you do that?” she asked, and I remembered I hadn’t told her a thing about me. She’d find out soon enough though.
“By leaving a note in the suggestion box.”
“Smart,” she replied with another chuckle and turned her attention back to the women standing with Gertrude. “I just don’t want them to ruin this conference for me, you know? Some people can be so vindictive.”
Didn’t I know it? She was sitting next to someone like that and would be marrying him if I got my way.
“So, that drink?” I asked, trying to take her mind off the group.
“I’m going to have to decline. My day starts early.” She hopped off her stool and began gathering her things, pulling some cash from her wallet.
“Well, Talon, it was nice to meet you, and I enjoyed our chat. Enjoy your stay.”
As she went to place the money and a piece of cardstock I recognized on the bar, I set my hand on top of hers. “I’ll take care of it. Keep your money.”
“What? No. I can pay for my stuff. Especially since I had a voucher for dinner.”
“I know you can, but I’d feel better if you let me. You gave me your time tonight, so let me take care of your meal. Save your coupon for another night.”
