Page 74 of Toy for the Teachers (Forbidden Fantasies)

MILLIE

It was going to be the first time all the men were together. Caleb and Warren were old friends, of course, but Vlad only knew Caleb in passing. They didn’t know each other well, and they’d certainly never shared a meal. Still, here we were, rising up in the elevator of the luxury condo complex.

“Thanks again for picking me up,” I told him quietly.

My mind was too focused on the numbers rising higher on the elevator wall. With my trusty overnight bag on one arm, I laced the other over Vlad’s black suit jacket.

“Warren has family money, doesn’t he?” Vladimir asked.

“I believe so,” I replied, recalling what Caleb once mentioned. “I believe his father was a popular newspaper columnist, and his mother wrote some very successful mystery novels.”

“Is that all?”

“I think there might have been a great-grandfather who made money in steel or oil or something like that too,” I tried to remember. “I guess we’ll have to ask him about it.”

Caleb was already there when Vlad and I rang the doorbell, helping Warren finish getting dinner together. It surprised me at first when Warren offered to host us all, but I guess our conversation wasn’t something that we could have easily in a restaurant. I could almost imagine the shocked looks we would get if strangers overheard us. Even Caleb’s baby blues would charm them into forgetting our clandestine affair, but they definitely helped my nerves as he opened the front door. Every about him felt as soft as his cashmere sweater.

“You both made it,” Caleb greeted us with his familiar grin and a kiss on my cheek. “Vlad, it’s good to see you again.”

“Good to see you as well,” Vlad replied, offering his hand. “I’ve brought Millie, wine, and, if necessary, vodka.”

Scratching the back of his neck, Caleb laughed lightly. “Tonight, I think all three are going to be pretty damn essential. Come inside. Warren’s just finishing up the food.”

Vlad kindly helped me out of my overcoat as Caleb took the drinks. It almost felt like a normal dinner party. Warren’s place was so proper too. My eyes were sweeping over every little trinket and piece of art. The condo’s finishes were traditional and unfussy, but the wide windows offered sweeping panoramic views of the nearby harbor and waterfront. With a view like that, who cared what the kitchen cabinets looked like?

I smoothed the back of my red sweater dress as I stepped into the kitchen. With the navy sleeves of his collared shirt rolled up to the elbows, I was surprised how good he looked fussing over a pan of glazed carrots. I had never seen a white apron do so many favors for a man either.

“So, what’s on the menu tonight, Warren?”

Looking up from the stove, his brown eyes caught mine with a glimmer of surprise and delight. The quickest flicker of his gaze told me that as he appraised my figure Warren liked what he saw. It offered me the smallest hope that tonight would end well.

“Hey, Millie,” he replied. “It’s going to be stuffed pork tenderloin, smashed potatoes, and glazed carrots. I hope that’s okay.”

“That’s more than okay. It sounds delicious,” I chimed, letting my hand rest on his arm. “Can I help with anything?”

“Oh, Caleb’s done most of my grunt work. Why don’t you just get yourself a glass of wine?”

I joked lightly, “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“What would you like?” Vlad asked from where he stood beside Caleb.

“How about that Pinot we bought on the way over?” I decided.

It didn’t take long for Caleb to fetch a wine glass as Vlad uncorked the wine. Warren continued to check over the final touches on dinner. Glancing around the room, I knew a woman could get used to this kind of life.

Who wouldn’t want three handsome gentlemen at their beck and call?

“Thank you,” I offered to both Vlad and Caleb as I took my glass.

With our offer on the duplex being processed and approved, Caleb was already looking for contractors, knowing how long it could be before we found one and got started on our evolving renovation plans. As luck would have it, Vlad knew more than a few.

“My father used to work with this company often,” Vlad explained as Caleb looked over a website on his phone. “He would help on the larger projects. The sons run the business now, but they do very respectable work for a good price. I can promise you will be satisfied with their work.”

“They look great, thank you,” Caleb offered. “With this new reno project, my biggest concern is hiring some cheapskate who would cut corners to make a quick buck.”

“They won’t,” Vlad swore before sipping his vodka tonic. “If they give you anything less than you and Millie deserve, they’ll be hearing from me.”

I had to hide my giddy smile behind a gulp of red wine. It was nice to see Vlad being friendly with Caleb, but it thrilled me to no end seeing that protective gleam in his eye. It darkened his eyes with that shark-like intensity. Instinctively, Vlad reached over and brushed a stray curl from my cheek, tucking it behind my ear in a gentle gesture. If that bothered Caleb, he didn’t show it.

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