Page 12 of Tempting the Teacher

Let him try.

***

The sun shines brightly through the curtains but the sunshine doesn’t wake us. My phone buzzes at the same time his does. We both glance at our messages. Grin and giggle as we realize we’re busted. It’s eleven o’clock, we’ve missed the trail ride. But if it makes them feel any better. I was definitely riding and being ridden.

I ask first, “My message is from Noel asking me where I am and if you were worth it. How about yours?”

“Bryan and Ryan asking the same thing. Only they didn’t say it as nicely as Noel. I’m sure.”

“Oh, really. Let me see.” Chad holds the phone away and our impromptu wrestling match turns into another sex capade.

By the time we’ve finished, we’re both laughing, the phone forgotten. We’ve missed the reunion trail ride, lunch, and God knows what else. But it was worth it.

“Let’s just stay here,” I suggest, snuggling into his chest.

Chad grins, an all-too-sexy expression. “That’s the best idea you’ve had all day.” He kisses me, but you know if we don’t show up to the dance, Noel’s likely to bring the dance to us.

Dang it. He’s right. There’s no getting out of this one. We reluctantly disentangle ourselves and start getting ready to part. Chad never convinced me to stay at his place, so he has to return home to get ready. But I love the way he tried. Thinking about his efforts has my heart rate quickening. The look he gives me tells me he’s reminiscing on the same thing and having the same reaction.

I hate him leaving. I’m not sure what this thing is yet, even if he is. It feels as new and fragile as a baby bird just pecking it’s way out of an egg. I wrap my arms around his neck as he sits on the edge of the bed and laces up his sneakers.

“I’ll call you,” he says when he stands, pulling me into a kiss.

“You better,” I reply, drawing away.

He grins and adjusts his shirt and jeans. Everything about him exudes confidence and strength. It’s sexy, just like the way he stands there, smiling at me like I’m the only thing worth looking at. I can’t help but smile back. Who is this man?

“We’ll see each other later, okay?”

“Yeah,” I whisper, kissing him one last time before he walks out the door.

I sit there for a few moments, my heart beating a little faster. I can’t believe I’m feeling this way. Chad Carrington occupied the largest corner of my heart for a solid year. Holding my emotions like a pendulum, swinging from love to hate. Then he left and slowly started occupying his own corner in the back. Year after year, I shrank that corner into a smaller space. And in one weekend, he expanded it. Completely blew his way out of his corner and now wants to take over the whole thing… again.

How many times can a heart expand and contract before it permanently breaks? Maybe that’s a question for the physics teacher. Calculate the tensile strength of a human heart. I push the thought away and stand, straightening my clothes as I make my way to the bathroom. I have to get ready.

* * *

I take a few deep breaths, gathering my courage as I enter the Old Barn. The Barkley family renovated it and it is now a beautiful space. The walls are painted white and they polished the hardwood floors until they gleamed. Soft votive lights hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow throughout the room. Fairy lights twinkle around the edges of the walls and purple and gold bouquets of roses adorn every corner. Noel must have done this for the reunion. It’s so intimate and beautiful; it takes my breath away.

Chad is sitting with Bryan and Ryan when I walk in. Everyone looks so handsome in their semi-formal wear. My eyes quickly find Chad, whose mouth hangs open when he sees me. I laugh along with the twins at his reaction. Especially when Ryan reaches over and closes his mouth. Leaving Chad red faced and sheepish. He stands to greet me, reaching out to pull me into his arms, but I’m not ready for a public declaration yet and he frowns.

He seats me beside him and whispers in my ear, “Is everything alright?” I nod and smile but he doesn’t seem satisfied. He turns to the twins who are looking at us with amused expressions.

“What were you two up to today?” Bryan asks, winking at Chad.

“Shopping,” I reply, hoping they’ll drop it before things get awkward.

But Ryan won’t let it go so easily. “Was Chad shopping too?” he teases, nudging his brother with his elbow.

Chad groans and tells them to mind their business before shooting me a grateful look for not making a scene. Dani appears at out table and catches the tail end of the conversation.

“Shopping, is that what the cool kids are calling it now?” She’s my very best friend. However, as soon as I get her away from any witnesses, I’m strangling her. “Tell me, Raya. How did Chad fit in the cart?” The twins laugh and Noel groans. I’m sure my face is redder than the bold crimson colored lipstick she’s wearing.

Chad takes one look at my face and answers for me. “She doesn’t have to buy me. I’m all hers for free. Always have been.” He squeezes my hand and risks a third-degree burn when he kisses my cheek.

We’re seated with our besties, and no one else can hear her comments. I should be angry that he outed me with his kiss. But his what he said was so damn sweet. So, instead, I focus on not melting from the look that accompanies his words. I catch Dani’s eye and she smiles at me before I can threaten her with a look. Giving me a thumbs up. The tension dissipates and we all dig into our dinners and catch up on old times.

We all chat for a bit until it’s time for the music to play, and then we take our places on the dance floor. Chad takes my hand in his, leading us around the floor like we’ve been dancing together forever. His touch sends electric shocks through my body that make it hard to concentrate on anything else but him—the way he moves, his scent, the heat radiating from him… Every single sensation makes me feel alive in ways I never have before.

---