Heart of the Phoenix

by A. C. Arthur

  “But it is your job to teach, and since I’ve already passed all my history courses I would suggest you turn around and go back to that room full of ten-year-olds.”

  That was the last place he wanted to be, but he realized that she was right. He was overstepping his boundaries and entering into dangerous territory. This was his last assignment. An assignment was not to be interpreted as opportunity for him to bed a beautiful woman, no matter how much he wanted to. “Go back to your office. I will see you at the end of the day.”

  Tayla blinked, totally confused by his shift in mood and the finality of his tone. Was he telling her what to do? “I have every intention of returning to my office, but not because you told me to.”

  Placing his hands on her shoulders, Thaddeus simply turned her in that direction and gave her a little shove. “Have a good day, Ms. Hampton.”

  Tayla opened her mouth to speak, then turned, only to find him closing the door to the classroom behind him. Clamping her mouth shut, she stalked down the hallway, not at all sure what had just happened.

  * * *

  A week had passed and Tayla and Thaddeus had seen each other several times. After that day outside his classroom they’d developed a cordial friendship—if you could call it that. As a result of her conflicting feelings toward him she’d tried to keep her distance.

  Thaddeus, however, had different plans. He seemed to appear wherever she was. Early in the morning when she’d normally be the only one in the building, he was there, in his room preparing lessons or knocking on her door to see if she wanted coffee or breakfast. He was always around, helping her with this or that even when she refused. Her arguments basically went unheard as Thaddeus made himself useful to her in any way possible. Along with admitting that she was growing used to his constant presence Tayla had to concede that he was great with the children, and that was what mattered most.

  After school was over he’d stop by her office to see how long she’d be staying and if she wanted him to walk her back to her quarters. She always rejected his offers but, like clockwork, he’d appear just as she was locking her door and together they’d make their way through the forest. She had other male teachers, but none of them seemed the least bit concerned whether or not she walked through the forest by herself.

  That only confirmed her suspicions that Thaddeus Delos was different from any man she’d ever met. Though his large stature and domineering presence had been the first clue, there was something else about him that struck a chord with her. He was very watchful, especially when they were in the forest. Tayla chalked this up to his newbie status. If you weren’t used to walking through a thick stand of trees instead of across the open space of the city and an asphalt pavement, the first few weeks could be a bit alarming.

  Still, she couldn’t shake the sense that there was so much more to Thaddeus Delos. It was something that went beyond the chivalrous teacher with the body of a superhero and the demeanor of a refined gentleman.

  * * *

  It was Friday and the staff had planned a movie night for the kids. It was hard being away from home, away from the normal world, so Tayla liked to plan activities that would make the kids feel as if they weren’t really missing much by being up on this secluded mountaintop.

  “Ms. Hampton! Ms. Hampton!” Alisa Conley burst into Tayla’s office. “Ms. Dudley says we’re about to start the movie, but we need you to come and fix the tape machine.”

  Tayla looked up and smiled at the young girl. She was like a little cherub, a seven-year-old with puffy, almond-colored cheeks with deep dimples. Alisa was one of Tayla’s favorites, although all the children held a special place in her heart. Alisa’s mother had died in a violent car accident when she was four. Her father, Daniel Conley, had brought her to Grayson Moore just a few days after Tayla started working there. Alisa was shy and didn’t talk much those first weeks, but with Tayla’s constant attention the little girl had blossomed and was now as cheerful as a sunny day.

  “You mean the VCR, Alisa?”

  “Yes ma’am, the BCR.” Alisa nodded, her ponytails bobbing with the motion.

  Tayla smiled. “Okay, just let me shut down my computer and we can go down together.” She was pressing the buttons on her keyboard when she felt the atmosphere shift. Without looking up, she knew he had entered the room. Since his arrival, each time he’d been near her stomach had performed some sort of acrobatics warning her of his presence.

  “Where are we going?” Thaddeus asked the two females in the room.

  Alisa looked up at him as if he were the giant she’d read about in class earlier, her eyes growing wide. “It’s movie night. We’re watching Aladdin.”

  “Oh really?” Thaddeus had read through his manual so he knew what movie night was and had to admit to being a little excited about it himself. He’d seen a few movies during his mortal assignments, but not nearly as many as he’d like. There were some things about this modern world that appealed to him, one of which was standing right next to him. She wore slacks today, a dark brown color, and a blouse that looked like spun gold. The effect the color had on her eyes was nothing short of amazing, and for a moment he could only stare.

  “Will you be joining us tonight, Mr. Delos?” Tayla asked. He was looking at her with a strange glint in his eyes. All week long she’d been trying to read him, to figure out what was going on in his mind when he watched her like that, but she was still unsuccessful. However, the spurt in her pulse gave a slight hint.

  “I most certainly will.” Thaddeus smiled down at her. He’d been doing his teaching job very well while still keeping a close eye on Tayla. He’d made sure her quarters were securely locked and had even found a shortcut from his lodgings to hers. Over the weekend he’d work on a spot in the woods for their safe house. There had been rumblings in the sky last night, a message from the gods that danger was imminent. He would be prepared. “And I’ll gladly escort you two beautiful ladies to the auditorium so we won’t be late.” He held out an arm to Tayla, simultaneously lowering his other hand for Alisa to grab.

  Tayla smiled, enjoying the light rapport between them, and looped her arm in his. She pulled her office door closed and walked down the hall with Alisa chatting excitedly about the movie, thanks to Thaddeus’ encouragement. For a moment she felt as if they were a family—mother, father and child. She’d always wanted children, but Jerome had had other plans.

  The auditorium was full of chattering youngsters excited about the upcoming movie and the break from studies. Teachers were spaced throughout the room, monitoring the children, while Marilyn Dudley, the administrator, stood watch at the center of the room in front of the table that held the VCR.

  Tayla stooped down until she was eye level with Alisa. “I have to go to the front to help Ms. Dudley. Do you think you could show Mr. Delos where your class is sitting so you can take a seat?”

  Alisa bobbed her head, smiling up at Thaddeus with definite stars in her eyes. Tayla grinned and pinched one irresistible cheek. “Good girl. Now hurry up, the movie’s going to start soon.”

  Thaddeus watched her with the little girl, saw the etchings of longing in her face and wondered why she didn’t have any children. Why was she holed up in the solitary school all alone? What could have happened to chase such an obviously vivacious creature like her into hiding? For he was sure that’s what she was doing.

  Tayla clearly did a wonderful job with these children and the running of this school, but in the week that he’d known her Thaddeus hadn’t missed the fact that she didn’t belong here. She had the look of a supermodel or, at the very least, a woman used to bright lights, big parties and lots of people. She simply did not fit the description of a schoolmarm. But, then, what did he know about this world?

  “The teachers usually don’t sit. They can’t keep an eye on all the kids if they do. But there’ll be light refreshments afterwards.” He’d been looking at her oddly and Tayla wasn’t sure what to say to him. At times he seemed to be deep in thought, al
most in another world while he physically stood in front of her.

  “You take care of the equipment and I’ll get her settled,” he told her.

  Tayla nodded and moved away quickly. Every minute she was near him her attraction grew. She knew that it was silly, most likely a result of her going without real sex for so long. Still, it was becoming increasingly harder to resist her urges.

  He’s a teacher, just keep reminding yourself of that fact. He is so off limits, yet he’s so delicious…

  “Ms. Hampton. We’ve been waiting forever for you.”

  Ms. Dudley’s voice quickly tempered her daydream about Thaddeus. She looked at the woman who was old enough to be her mother and gave her a guilty grin. “Sorry. I had a few things to finish up.”

  Ms. Dudley’s lips were set in a tight line. “Well, let’s get on with it. The children have a curfew. And you…you look like you could use some rest yourself.”

  Leave it to Ms. Dudley to be frank with her. At any other time Tayla would have ignored her, because it was simply the old woman’s way. She mothered everyone at Grayson Moore, from the janitor to Tayla, and they all accepted it and loved her for it. But today, at this moment, her comment had Tayla looking down at herself wondering if she really did look a fright. That would be something, wouldn’t it? Lusting after a man that was off limits while she looked like death warmed over.

  Her slacks were a bit wrinkled from sitting down in her office for the better part of the day, but her blouse was in good order and although she couldn’t see her hair, it was pulled back into a ponytail so she doubted it looked that bad. Maybe it was her makeup. She wore very little, so she wasn’t sure if that was the problem.

  “Ms. Hampton, if I knew how I would fix this contraption myself and relieve you of the duty you seem so hesitant in fulfilling. But as it stands I cannot—”

  Tayla snapped out of her silly musings about her appearance and cut Ms. Dudley off. “I apologize, Ms. Dudley. Now if you’ll just step to the side, we’ll get things rolling.” She didn’t look at the older woman, nor did she wait for her to move; she simply scooted around her and pressed the appropriate buttons. It must be an age thing because each movie night Ms. Dudley swore she couldn’t work the VCR when all she had to do was push the ‘Power’ button and then the ‘Play’ button. “There. Could you tell Mr. Parsons to dim the lights?”

  “Hmph.”

  Ms. Dudley turned quickly and stomped off, apparently not liking Tayla’s curt response. Tayla grinned to herself and moved closer to the wall, out of the way of the big screen television, so the children could see.

  * * *

  “Larry tells me you’re still looking for her.” Lorraine Ranier sat back in her chair, her jeweled fingers and perfectly manicured nails resting on the desk blotter. She was in her office behind the antique Victorian desk, surrounded by the lavish furnishings she’d picked out herself. She was in her element. And her son…he was on her last nerve.

  Jerome shrugged and walked across the Persian rug, his hands stuffed into his pants pockets. He knew the moment his mother had summoned him what she wanted to talk about—the same subject that had been a sore spot between them for the last seven years. Frankly, he was tired of going over it again and again. “Actually, I think I’ve found her this time.”

  “Think?” Lorraine didn’t raise her voice, but the cool edge to it said she was not amused. “You’ve wasted a considerable amount of time and money looking for her. I would have hoped by now you’d either found her or given up the task. Really, Jerome, is she worth all this trouble?”

  His back was to her, which was a good thing. He wouldn’t have to look at her and pray that she couldn’t see the depth of his feelings on his face. Was she worth it? Was Tayla worth all he was doing to get her back? Hell yes! But of course he didn’t say such a thing to his mother. “Yes, Mother. She is. She’s my wife and she belongs with me.”

  Lorraine raised a brow, wondering if now was the time to tell her son the truth. No, it wouldn’t make any difference now. The woman had been gone for two years, out of sight and out of their lives. Lorraine had been ecstatic the day she left, not because she wished her son pain but because she’d despised the woman that had come into his life. Tayla Simmons was a nobody; she came from nothing and aspired to be nothing. By attaching herself to the Ranier name she thought she’d secured herself a stable future. But Lorraine had known better.

  The woman had displayed her body until Jerome was utterly besotted with her. Not long after the marriage, Jerome had come to his senses and begun to lay down some ground rules. The unschooled, no-class person that she was, Tayla rebelled and she and Jerome had fought it out until the bitter end, when Tayla packed her stuff and left in the dead of night. Jerome had been devastated, and since then had devoted an abundance of his time to hiring detectives and following leads, searching to no avail.

  “There are more than enough women to interest you. Obviously she did not want the life you provided for her and that’s why she left. I wish you’d just let it be.”

  Jerome continued to stare out over the Boston harbor. He heard his mother’s words but dismissed them. What he and Tayla shared was special. From the moment he met her at the Waterfront Park he’d known she was meant to be his. It was almost as if they were destined to be connected, their lives intertwined forever. He believed that with all his being and that’s why he swore he’d never stop looking for her. She needed him, and he’d vowed to take care of her until the end of time.

  “I’m sure it’s her this time.” His investigators had given him a final report this morning. It was Tayla. They’d finally found her. She’d been using her mother’s maiden name, but they’d managed to track her down and had given him an address.

  Jerome turned to face his mother. Lorraine Rainer was still an attractive woman. At fifty-three she didn’t have one wrinkle on her smooth, mocha-colored skin. Her long black hair was never out of its neat chignon, and her wardrobe remained impeccably stylish. She was the epitome of grace and social status and he’d expected his wife to be just like her. But Tayla had disagreed. “I’m going to go get her.”

  “You’re what?” Lorraine slowly stood.

  “I’m leaving tonight to get her and bring her back.”

  Lorraine opened her mouth to speak again but was stopped by Jerome’s raised hand. “She’s my wife, Mother.”

  Lorraine shook with rage but decorum dictated she not show it. “No, Jerome, she’s not.”

  Jerome looked at her quizzically. “What did you say?”

  Standing with her back rod straight, Lorraine looked her only child directly in the eyes. “She is no longer your wife.”

  “The fact that she left didn’t sever the marriage vows or the way we feel about each other.” He still loved Tayla, and he knew in his heart that she still felt the same for him. She had to. She had simply needed some space, some time to realize that she belonged with him. Now that he’d given her that, it was time for her to come home.

  “When she left she filed for a divorce.”

  “I never received divorce papers.” Jerome moved closer to his mother’s desk, wondering what she’d done now. Lorraine Ranier had a knack for getting whatever she wanted, no matter what the cost. Hadn’t he been raised to be the same way?

  “I received them and signed them on your behalf. It’s done. The marriage is over. So there is no need for you to go on this fool’s chase.”

  Through the windows a furious wind suddenly howled and rattled against the panes in the office. Lorraine arched a brow, then tilted her head toward her son.

  “You had no right.”

  “I had every right. She was destroying you and our name. I could no longer deal with her foolishness. It was past time someone put a stop to it.”

  Jerome’s hands fisted at his sides, and his lips were drawn in a thin line as he tried to remain calm. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “What doesn’t matter?”

  “Tayla belongs to me,” he
said in a measured tone.

  Lorraine shook her head, waved her hand in dismissal. “Not anymore.”

  His fist came down on the desk with a thunderous bang, and Lorraine flinched. “Always,” Jerome growled. “She will always belong to me.”

  * * *

  About ten minutes into the movie Tayla felt Thaddeus’ presence. He was standing behind her, very close behind her. If she took a half a step backward she’d feel his hard length against her. She sighed with the thought. That was exactly what she wanted to do. Instead, she held her body rigid, attempting unsuccessfully to concentrate on the movie.

  The scene began where Genie made his first appearance and began granting Aladdin’s wishes. Apparently the sight of a big blue genie wearing shades and a Hawaiian shirt was hilarious, because Thaddeus laughed as if it were the funniest thing he’d ever seen. The deep, rich sound vibrated off the walls, settling around her with the comfort of a wool blanket in winter. She found herself smiling along with him, but didn’t dare turn around. Then he touched her shoulder and she jumped.

  “Sorry,” he whispered. “I wanted to know if you need anything. Can I get you something to drink?”

  Tayla shook her head, wondering what had prompted him to ask her that. Then she remembered how he always seemed worried about whether or not she was okay, whether she had everything she needed. That was especially strange to her since she’d been taking care of herself since she was seventeen years old.

  Strange and disconcerting.

  Jerome liked to take care of her, to make things just perfect, just the way he wanted them. “No, thanks. I’m fine. We’ll serve dinner after the movie and then put the kids to bed,” she answered.

  “And then I’ll walk you to your room.”

  He told her this as if it were a given. He didn’t ask, didn’t wait for a response. This was nothing new. Finally, Tayla did turn to face him. He was looking at the television again, grinning at something happening on the screen. He had the best smile, broad and reaching his eyes so that they twinkled with his delight. Her stomach plummeted and she felt her body swaying uncontrollably toward him.