Page 35 of Burn for You (Flirting with Forever 3)

How did I start thinking about her like this? My mind can’t wrap itself around the thoughts, and before I even have a chance to attempt to process it, the little minx eyes my crotch, smirks at me, and winks before walking away, leaving me to readjust the situation in my pants and calm myself before I can head to the office.

I hurry all the way to the back of the school, as time is tight, but when I arrive, there’s no one back here—no buses, nothing. Something is very wrong. I come to the logical conclusion that I’ve been had—outsmarted and outplayed.

Oh, Piper, Piper, Piper … you’ll pay for that, one way or another.

Taking off at a sprint, I circle the building. Thank goodness for my training regimen or I’d never have made it. The first bus has just pulled away when I get to the remaining one and slap my hand on the door just as it starts to roll.

The bus jerks to a stop and the doors open. The bus driver gives me an exasperated look as I climb in. “Sorry. I was told we’d be loading the buses in the back.”

He just shakes his head and chuckles. “Nope. We always load for trips in front.” He jerks his head over his shoulder. “There’s a seat open right here.”

As I climb in, my eyes land on Piper’s smiling face, and I swear she’s trying hard not to bust out laughing. “Nice of you to join us, Mr. Madero.”

I glance toward the back of the bus where Jake is sitting, keeping an eye on the kids back there. I give him a quick wave before I address Piper. “Thanks for letting me know where we’d be loading the bus, Ms. Mathison.” I slide onto the seat next to her, getting comfortable. “That was very helpful of you.” The look on her face at my choice of seats is comical.

Her brow pinches together and her face goes a little pale as she looks over her shoulder. “Isn’t there another seat open?”

“Nope. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

“Oh, goodie.” She mumbles, her voice low, “Just keep your hands to yourself.”

I lean in next to her ear. “Is that how we’re going to play this? How about other things, then? What else should I keep to myself?”

She puts her hand on my shoulder and shoves, frowning. She mouths, Stop.

I nod. “No problem.” I cross my arms over my chest and shift my legs around, trying to get as comfortable as I can while jammed into the bench seat. “Want to tell me why you tried to ditch me, then?”

“Nope. I’m pretty sure you already know why.”

“All right. Fair enough.”

A sound made by her phone vibrating in her lap gets both of our attention. She looks down at it and shifts away from me. With a sigh, I look down at my own phone and when I realize our conversation is over, resign myself to scrolling through social media to pass the time.

Every once in a while, I sneak a peek at her out of the corner of my eye. She looks upset. I can’t even help myself; the question rolls off my tongue without any thought. “Who is responsible for that look on your face?”

Her head whips around, her lips parted in surprise. “None of your business, Damon.” Her gaze drops to her lap. “But if you really have to know, it’s just an everyday conversation with my parents. No big deal.”

My jaw clenches. I had a feeling it was something like that. I manage to huff out, “I’m sorry they’re giving you a hard time.”

“Are you? Really?” She looks at me like I have two heads.

“Are you mad at me about work stuff or yesterday?” I give a brief glance over my shoulder to make sure no one is listening. Fortunately, most of the kids in the next several rows back all have their earbuds in, listening to music. Many of them are napping.

I can only see one of her cheeks now because she won’t look at me; she just stares straight ahead. As I watch, color blooms under her skin, embarrassment showing itself on her face plain as day.

Piper gives me the side-eye. “All of your joking around aside, this isn’t the place to discuss that, Damon.” She turns back to her phone, her thumbs flying over the keypad before she sets her phone in her lap. “I swear, you just set out to humiliate me.”

I consider her accusation, grimacing all the while. Is that what she thinks I’m trying to do? I’ll admit to trying to get under her skin, but I’d never purposefully set out to humiliate anyone, much less her.

My phone gives a ping notifying me of a new message on Tryst, distracting me from responding right away. I glance at the phone, then at Piper again, instantly feeling guilty. Who would have ever thought I’d be juggling more than one woman at once? Certainly not me. I take in the message, and instantly regret looking, but only because it widens the breadth of my current issues with Piper.

Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: I’m really, really ready to meet you.

Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: I’m a little nervous, though, and I thought I should be honest about it.

For a few seconds I just stare at the screen. I don’t know what the right move is here. Grumbling to myself, I tap out a quick response, then silence my phone so I don’t disturb the entire bus. As I watch her replies come in, I become engrossed in the conversation, trying to gauge where I stand with Sherlock4Love because the chill in the air coming from Piper’s direction makes it clear just where I am with her.

Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: I think it would be unusual if you weren’t.

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