Page 41 of Burn for You (Flirting with Forever 3)

“Why do you work here? Do you like it that much? Doesn’t it take a lot of your time?” She worries her lip slowly with her teeth, raking over the delicate pink skin.

My gaze is stuck on her lips when I answer. “It’s another job. You know how it is. Teachers don’t get paid much. I have a family to support.”

Her eyes go soft, and she begins to nod, and that’s when I push her just a little further, knowing it’s going to fire her up and set her off. “That’s why I want your job, too.”

When it clicks in her head that I’m referring to taking the department chair position, her eyes flare and her body goes rigid. “Why do you have to be such a jerk all the time?”

“I’m not trying to be a jerk. I’m giving you the straight answer because that’s how I play things. You’re curious about why I have multiple jobs? Well, I’m not in it for the glory. I need the damn job. Now, come on. Show me what you’ve got.”

She takes a swing at one of the mitts, then another, and another. And as we go, she gets beautifully riled up. “You know what? I need that damn job, too. You’ll do anything to make sure it’s yours, though, won’t you? Including hurting me.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not trying to hurt you and you know it. In fact, how do I know that kiss earlier this week wasn’t you trying to hurt me?”

She stops and stares at me, breathing hard. “I would never. I don’t fake things just to get my way. I could never hurt you, anyway. I’m just an obstacle in your way. You’d be hard-pressed to convince me otherwise.”

Judging by the look on her face, I think she wants to jump me and punch me all at the same time. I’m beginning to think I could go for that. I quirk a brow at her. “You’re feisty tonight. I like it. Get out that frustration with me. Come on. Bring it.” I urge her to come back at me and she does, twice as hard as before. She’s actually pretty damn impressive, considering she’s never done this before. She takes a few more swings at my mitts before she stops, bending over, bracing her gloved hands on her knees. Her chest heaves up and down as I wait for her to stand back up, only— Oh, shit.

She’s crying.

I swallow hard, pulling my mitts off as quickly as I can. I don’t deal well with crying women. You’d think with three little sisters I’d have it all figured out by now, but nope. I get all choked up. I can handle a sister in need of talking through boy problems or one who needs me to keep tampons and Midol in my desk drawer any day. But tears? I’m no good at this part.

Reaching out a hand, I touch it to her shoulder before I murmur, “Piper, what’s wrong?” I grit my teeth when she doesn’t respond, but cries harder. “Did you hurt your hand? Let me see.”

She straightens up half-laughing, half-crying. “I didn’t hurt myself.” Tears course down her cheeks, and she sniffs a little. “My need for the job standing between us is no greater, no more important than yours. I think you should know—I spoke with Elena on the bus. I know she’s worried about having money for college. And I can’t fault you for trying to do whatever you can, especially to support your family.” She swipes her forearms over her cheeks, wiping away the tears. “And it strikes me that if your father passed when you were nineteen—Damon? Have you been supporting an entire family since you were that young?”

I shrug. “I’ve done what I had to do.” I don’t need her feeling sorry for me or my family. We’re fine because I’ve worked hard to make it so. I reach for her hands, helping her to remove her gloves and wraps. As I work, I can sense her emotions rising.

Her eyes fill with tears again and slam shut as she swallows hard. “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.”

“Hey.” My voice is gentle, using the tone I know works best with my sisters when they’re upset. I put my hands on her biceps and squeeze ever so slightly. “Everything will be okay.” I bend down a bit as she opens her eyes. I stare straight into them, noting how glassy they still are and how those tears give them a shimmer that looks particularly pretty—not that I like her crying one bit.

“Will it, though? I feel like I’ve been constantly proving myself my entire life. Constantly pushing myself to be the best because …”

My fingers press gently into the skin of her arms again. “Why?” The question rasps straight up out of my chest.

She blinks at me. “This seems stupid because I’m freaking twenty-six years old.” She pauses, her breath ragged. “I think you know already that my parents are hard on me. They’re super smart, strict, and have always assumed that I’ll follow in their footsteps. They can’t understand why I don’t automatically have the job, don’t get why it’s even a point of contention. Their belief is that as their child, I should be able to do or have whatever I want. Because I’m supposed to be that good.”

I frown. “I get that to a certain extent. They’re proud of you. Want the best for you. What do they do again?”

“But you’re missing my point. I’m not entitled to anything.” Piper pulls away from me, turning around, a wet chuckle escaping her lips. “They are both department chairs of their respective subjects at a very popular academic academy about an hour from here.”

That explains a lot.

“Nothing I do is ever enough. If I get this position, there will always, always be something else. I’m so over it, and feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I want the position for myself, and I’ve worked hard for it, but I also wonder …”

My forehead creases. I want the rest of her thoughts, want this woman’s trust, though I’m not sure why she’d give it to me. “Go on.”

She swallows visibly. “I wonder sometimes if I were to fail—if maybe that would be better for me in the long run.” She laughs again, the hurt in it obvious. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this. I’m sorry. It’s not fair to you.”

“You can tell me anything. Anything at all.” And I mean it. I take her head between my hands and stare into her eyes. I slide my thumb across her lower lip before I lean in to brush a soft kiss over her mouth. The enticing taste of her lips combines the sweetness I’d savored the last time I kissed her with the salt from her tears. My insides twist, feeling her pain and confusion as my own.

Piper wrenches awa

y. “This isn’t a good idea. I can’t do this with you.”

I watch with a heavy heart as she hurries away.

Chapter 22

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