Page 31 of Regaining Integrity

Is he fucking kidding me? A second chance? Shouldn’t he be asking for a third one?

And that’s how I know for certain Chase Thorne doesnotremember me or what he did that left a mark on my soul and made me a laughingstock until I graduated.

Chapter Seventeen

Chase

I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my life.

Seriously, I’m nervous. I’ve always been confident since I took my first step to taking my first piss standing up, which continued from there.

But this, standing here in a classroom my nephew is in during the day and waiting for an answer from Angie, I’m nervous as hell. My palms swell with moisture as I try to relax them only for them to tighten again.

Why can’t she just give me a straight answer now?

How simple is it to give me another chance? I can change, and I want to. Ireallywant to change. I want to be a good man like my brother and dad, like Duke is with Patience, and Holt with Jody.

A part of me—the old part—the one I want to get away from feels ridiculous standing here waiting for a woman to decide whether I’m worthy of another chance. Her jaw is set, and I can see the wheels turning behind her gaze, but I can’t determine if it’s angry or not.

I’m fearful of the unknown packaged in a hot-as-hell teacher.

Quit being a sissy.

My teeth grind together as I continue to wait. If I walk out of here with a second chance, I’ll be happy, but if I have to leave on the tail of rejection, I won’t be afraid to get my hands dirty to prove myself to her. If I come out as the latter, I will never hear the end of it from my brother. He told me it was stupid to try to talk to her here, but I didn’t listen. I had to talk to her, and if I had to corner her in her classroom during open house to do that, then that’s what I would do.

The other half of me really wants her to open her pretty little mouth and say something …anything.

This is torture in itself. The worst kind. I’ve never actually been subjected to torture, but I would like to think this comes pretty fucking close. She’s messing with my mind by not saying anything while leaving me stressing and pooling with sweat.

I’m not going to break, not even a little.

You’ll have to say something first.

I’m not going to break.

A slow smile tilts up the side of her beautiful mouth. It’s teasing and slightly unnerving. Fidgeting under her gaze, I brace myself for her rejection. I have no right to demand another shot with her.

Taking a deep breath, I’m ready for her to turn me down when her lips form words. “All right.”

“I understand—wait.” I stare at her in disbelief. “What?”

“I said, all right.” She smiles warmly at me, taking a few steps closer until I feel her heat beating off the chill I let myself fall under.

“Seriously?” I want to drop to my knees and kiss her feet. I won’t, but the gesture is in the back of my mind. I can’t believe I’m hearing this. This has to be a dream.

“Yes.” She nods. “But—”

There’s no way in hell I’m going to give her a chance to say another word. I don’t want there to be terms and conditions. I’m too worried about any of that. I’m not fucking this up. I’m ready for this new Chase to take life a little more seriously while still finding fun.

So the one way I can stop her is by grabbing her around her waist, pulling her flush against me, and slamming my mouth down on her parted one.

Her lips are soft with a hint of her lip gloss or whatever along with a taste of a cookie she was trying to shovel down before I closed the door. I don’t care that we’re in her classroom with students and parents wandering the halls where anyone could easily walk in on us.

My dick doesn’t care, either. I’m not going to push itthatfar … yet.

Her hair is silky smooth against my fingertips as I thread them through it. Her body feels flawless against my own, melding to me in a way that leaves me wondering if she was always meant for me.

Over everything, I’m fascinated with the feel of her lips. She’s as hungry for me as I am for her. She isn’t shy as we kiss. She takes just as much as she gives. The same passion I felt Saturday night comes back and powers its way through her body into mine.

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