Page 13 of Bad Teacher

“There isn’t.” He cleared his throat.

Alan crossed his arms. “And who is this nonexistent woman we’re talking about?”

He looked up at the ceiling, bracing for what was to come. “Marcelle’s private tutor.”

Alan erased the gap between them and nudged his elbow. “Naughty, naughty,” he said in a teasing voice.

“Once. But that’s it. She doesn’t want anything else, anyway.” She had been quick to get him out of her place, and he couldn’t blame her. Maybe she regretted having sex with him.

“And you?”

“I’m not ready for a relationship, nor would I impose one on Marcelle, who’s still mourning her mother.” He gazed at the picture again and outlined the frame with the tip of his index finger. With a sigh, he disengaged and turned away, as if the contact had hurt him.

Alan cocked his head to one side. “Who’s talking about a relationship?”

“No one?”

Alan walked around him, pacing in a slow circle, saying, “So, you have a woman who wants nothing more with you and you want nothing serious with her.”

“Yes. As you see, there’s no problem.” Though forgetting her would prove a challenge. He popped his knuckles. He wouldn’t dare mess with the tutorship, not when she’d been the only one Marcelle had engaged with. Instead, he had to take a lot of cold showers and be sure to minimize his seeing her as much as possible. He’d bury himself at work or use the sitter whenever Violet came around. And not peek out of his office under any circumstances.

“Oh, but there is.” Alan widened his eyes. “See, you’re a man who hasn’t had any sex in ages. And you’ve had it, hhmm, once?”

He sighed.

“Why don’t you settle for another taste of that exquisite dish? I don’t need to remind you most women won’t necessarily throw a beefcake like you out of their beds.”

Theo touched his beard. “A regular hook up?”

Alan shrugged. “Why not? Does everything have to be do or die in life? If you’re attracted to her, why can’t you just have fun? That will ease you into one day being ready for the right person when she comes along.”

“I was married to the right person—”

Alan waved him off. “Yes. I know. I meant, another right person.”

Theo narrowed his eyes, wondering how nice it would be to share intimacy on a regular basis again. Violet didn’t want anything serious, but she’d enjoyed having sex with him. No one could have faked that reaction. A twinge of hope moved in his chest, and heat radiated from it. Why not try? “I guess as long as my daughter doesn’t find out. She’s my main priority.”

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