I grit my teeth as I realize I don’t know what to do with this fresh onslaught of feelings, especially when I have an upcoming date with Sherlock4Love in just a few days. Is it even fair to meet her? Because I know I’d sure as hell be exponentially increasing the size of my current issue. There’s no way I won’t get along with her. But can she come close to Piper? I hadn’t realized until she’d been in my arms just how much she would shake me to the core.
I hurry into the school building early, wanting to put the final touches on the activity I’d promised Jake I’d have ready for the students on the way home from the screening. I’m pretty sure I have everything I need ready to go and with a quick glance at my phone, I realize it’s almost time to leave. The buses need to pull out at seven thirty so we can be out of the way before regular buses transporting the student body arrive for the school day.
I gather the materials we’ll need later and put them into the crossbody bag I’ll be taking. With a last glance at my desk to make sure I’m not leaving anything important behind, I sling the bag over my head, letting it hang across my lower back.
A noise alerts me to someone’s presence behind me, and I know from the warming of my body who it is. Funny that I’m this attuned to her. I never noticed that before. Playing it as cool as I can, I turn around, one brow raised.
She studies me—aloof, almost calculating, and oh so beautiful. “Almost ready? We leave in ten.”
“Yeah. I just need to check my box in the office, then I’ll be right out.”
“Okay.” She turns to go and stops at the door, resting a hand on the door frame. She presses her lips together, drawing my eyes to her pink-painted lips. Fuck me, those lips were on mine just last night. I can’t believe she hasn’t said anything about it. “See you in the back parking lot.”
My dick hardens as my eyes drift from her lips down over her fucking outstanding figure and slowly back up. I feel dizzy with desire and want nothing more than to cross the room and kiss her all over again.
To part her lips and taste her on my tongue.
To feel her soft breasts crushed against my chest.
To feel just how perfectly her curvy body fits with mine.
How did I start thinking about her like this? My mind can’t wrap itself around the thoughts, and before I even have a chance to attempt to process it, the little minx eyes my crotch, smirks at me, and winks before walking away, leaving me to readjust the situation in my pants and calm myself before I can head to the office.
I hurry all the way to the back of the school, as time is tight, but when I arrive, there’s no one back here—no buses, nothing. Something is very wrong. I come to the logical conclusion that I’ve been had—outsmarted and outplayed.
Oh, Piper, Piper, Piper … you’ll pay for that, one way or another.
Taking off at a sprint, I circle the building. Thank goodness for my training regimen or I’d never have made it. The first bus has just pulled away when I get to the remaining one and slap my hand on the door just as it starts to roll.
The bus jerks to a stop and the doors open. The bus driver gives me an exasperated look as I climb in. “Sorry. I was told we’d be loading the buses in the back.”
He just shakes his head and chuckles. “Nope. We always load for trips in front.” He jerks his head over his shoulder. “There’s a seat open right here.”
As I climb in, my eyes land on Piper’s smiling face, and I swear she’s trying hard not to bust out laughing. “Nice of you to join us, Mr. Madero.”
I glance toward the back of the bus where Jake is sitting, keeping an eye on the kids back there. I give him a quick wave before I address Piper. “Thanks for letting me know where we’d be loading the bus, Ms. Mathison.” I slide onto the seat next to her, getting comfortable. “That was very helpful of you.” The look on her face at my choice of seats is comical.
Her brow pinches together and her face goes a little pale as she looks over her shoulder. “Isn’t there another seat open?”
“Nope. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Oh, goodie.” She mumbles, her voice low, “Just keep your hands to yourself.”
I lean in next to her ear. “Is that how we’re going to play this? How about other things, then? What else should I keep to myself?”
She puts her hand on my shoulder and shoves, frowning. She mouths, Stop.
I nod. “No problem.” I cross my arms over my chest and shift my legs around, trying to get as comfortable as I can while jammed into the bench seat. “Want to tell me why you tried to ditch me, then?”
“Nope. I’m pretty sure you already know why.”
“All right. Fair enough.”
A sound made by her phone vibrating in her lap gets both of our attention. She looks down at it and shifts away from me. With a sigh, I look down at my own phone and when I realize our conversation is over, resign myself to scrolling through social media to pass the time.
Every once in a while, I sneak a peek at her out of the corner of my eye. She looks upset. I can’t even help myself; the question rolls off my tongue without any thought. “Who is responsible for that look on your face?”
Her head whips around, her lips parted in surprise. “None of your business, Damon.” Her gaze drops to her lap. “But if you really have to know, it’s just an everyday conversation with my parents. No big deal.”
My jaw clenches. I had a feeling it was something like that. I manage to huff out, “I’m sorry they’re giving you a hard time.”
“Are you? Really?” She looks at me like I have two heads.
“Are you mad at me about work stuff or yesterday?” I give a brief glance over my shoulder to make sure no one is listening. Fortunately, most of the kids in the next several rows back all have their earbuds in, listening to music. Many of them are napping.
I can only see one of her cheeks now because she won’t look at me; she just stares straight ahead. As I watch, color blooms under her skin, embarrassment showing itself on her face plain as day.
Piper gives me the side-eye. “All of your joking around aside, this isn’t the place to discuss that, Damon.” She turns back to her phone, her thumbs flying over the keypad before she sets her phone in her lap. “I swear, you just set out to humiliate me.”
I consider her accusation, grimacing all the while. Is that what she thinks I’m trying to do? I’ll admit to trying to get under her skin, but I’d never purposefully set out to humiliate anyone, much less her.
My phone gives a ping notifying me of a new message on Tryst, distracting me from responding right away. I glance at the phone, then at Piper again, instantly feeling guilty. Who would have ever thought I’d be juggling more than one woman at once? Certainly not me. I take in the message, and instantly regret looking, but only because it widens the breadth of my current issues with Piper.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: I’m really, really ready to meet you.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: I’m a little nervous, though, and I thought I should be honest about it.
For a few seconds I just stare at the screen. I don’t know what the right move is here. Grumbling to myself, I tap out a quick response, then silence my phone so I don’t disturb the entire bus. As I watch her replies come in, I become engrossed in the conversation, trying to gauge where I stand with Sherlock4Love because the chill in the air coming from Piper’s direction makes it clear just where I am with her.
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: I think it would be unusual if you weren’t.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: Are you at all nervous?
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: I’m confident we’re a good match.
I refocus on the woman next to me, unable to stop myself from asking, “Piper, what makes you think I’ve been trying to humiliate you?”
Incredulous laughter erupts from her. “Every last thing you do is a ploy to mess with me, including yesterday.”
With a shrug, I clear my throat. “If you say so. It’s not true, but if you say so.” I
look back down as my phone vibrates in my hand again. I read and respond, choosing to lose myself in a conversation with a woman who doesn’t think I hate her.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: Have you ever wondered why you chose a username featuring a character that is the nemesis of mine?
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: Nah. It doesn’t matter. Moriarty and Sherlock were able to challenge each other mentally. I think that’s what we’ve been doing so far.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: And we’ll see if the other part follows?
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: I already told you I know it will. I can’t wait to see you this weekend. Hold you. Kiss you.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: After all this build up, you’d better do more than just politely kiss me. You’d better have your hands all over me.
Piper shifts in her seat next to me, and leans against the window, phone pulled in close near her chest. I wonder if she’s still talking to her parents. Doesn’t seem like it. There’s a hint of a smile on her lips. It makes her look absolutely lovely. With a sigh, I duck my head again and tap out another response to Sherlock4Love.
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: Who said I was going to be polite about it? I have every intention of ravaging your sweet lips. And I’ll touch you anywhere you want me to.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: …
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: Promise?
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: There’s my naughty girl. Listen, I have to go—work stuff calls—but everything will be fine. You’ll see.
Sherlock4Love to Prof.M.: Okay. Talk later.
I tuck my phone in my pocket, glad I was able to coax out a little of that sass that I love so much. She does seem a bit nervous about meeting me, but also excited. I’m hoping that when we see each other, everything will fall into place. Because the honest truth is if we don’t meet soon, I’m going to have to set the idea of a relationship with her behind. I didn’t start messing around on Tryst to find a chat friend. The whole idea behind it—why Arabella set up my account—was because I’d been alone for a long time. Alone and lonely are two very different things. Lonely is easy to cure—I’ve had zero problems finding women to warm my bed, but not one of them was someone I’d introduce to my family. And family is of the utmost importance to me. The women already in my life are my world. The older I get, the more difficult it is becoming to deny the fact that I want to settle down, find that certain someone who can be part of our world.
But which woman is the one?
I’ve got one woman who infuriates me on a daily basis and the fire between us has gone from campfire to inferno with just one kiss. I’ve got another woman whose real name I don’t even know, but I daydream about. I find myself constantly imagining what it would be like to be with someone physically when we have such a strong mental connection.
It’s a toss-up. I only hope I can determine which path is the right way to go and I don’t end up with my heart in tatters over it.
I’m ready. I don’t want to be alone anymore. But now I’m even more confused. Which one is the right woman for me?
Chapter 20
Piper
Hot, cocky jerk. All day long, he’s been on my last nerve. Everything has just grated on me, from students being super excited that he was able to make it at the last minute—ha!—to him sitting in the seat next to Jake at the theatre that I would have preferred, to Jake being completely pleased with the activity he’d brought for the kids to do on the way home. I wrinkle my nose as I recall Jake’s happy voice when he’d said, “Mr. Madero, excellent work. The kids love this.”
Okay. I admit it. Damon’s History Comes to Life through Song activity is pretty great. It centers around analysis of the poetic lyrics and has the students absolutely hooked. The best part is they’ve all got their earbuds in listening to the songs as they work, so apart from some occasional humming, it’s relatively quiet.
And the quiet allows my mind to drift. I close my eyes, and before I know it, I’m in Damon’s arms and he’s kissing me. The passionate encounter is all fire and lashing storm, heat and raging river—and I want it to go on and on. I shiver remembering how his rough hand had felt against my neck, how the other hand had fanned itself out right above my ass and drawn me to him … I’ve never felt such a powerful need surge through me in my entire life. Every second with him had seemed like hours, yet it was nowhere near long enough. I’d wanted more.
But he’s been taunting me. Teasing me. Preying on my emotions. I can’t have that. I’m going to have to redouble my efforts to stay the hell away from him and just do my best to make sure Jake sees I’d be a great department chair. I can’t afford to let him win. I’ll never live it down if I’m not chosen.
He’d decided to sit right beside me on the damn bus on the way home, too. I’ve got to get some advice. I really freaking wish Hadleigh could have ridden on this bus with me, but she and Sawyer are on the other one. I couldn’t exactly ask Sawyer to trade places with me.
I mean I guess I could have—and he’d have done it if I’d asked, I’m sure—but then I’d just look pathetic. I slick my tongue over my lower lip, peering at Damon out of the corner of my eye. He’s partially turned in his seat, involved in a discussion with one of the kids about his analysis of a particular song.
He eases himself back around, careful not to bump his knees against the back of the seat in front of us. He chuckles under his breath. “Everyone seems to like my little activity.” Eyeing me carefully, he goes for the jugular. “Jake really likes it. Did you hear him?”
Out of frustration, I simply say, “Shut it, Damon.” I edge away from him, and under my breath say, “You’re taking up the whole damn seat. You and your big shoulders.”
Oh, someone help me, I’m being rude as hell. I give myself a good eye roll. This man obviously has what it takes to drive me insane.
He studies my features, which I know probably look strained at best. “You look like you wish you could knock me out right about now.”
“Yeah, well, occasionally you get things right.”
“Are we talking about the Hamilton activity or the fact that you’d like to put your fist in my face right about now?”
I cross my arms over my chest and turn away from him. “Both.” After several quiet minutes, I glance over my shoulder only to realize he’s put a pair of earbuds in and is listening to the songs from the musical along with the kids.
It’s actually after school hours at this point, but we aren’t due back until five. Seems as good a time as any for me to shoot off a couple of texts to my girls. Scowling the whole time, I text them my grievances.
Me: Girls. Today has not gone well.
Hadleigh: What? What’s wrong? We had so much fun!
Madison: Well, that doesn’t sound good.
Me: I’ve been stuck with freaking Damon on the bus.
Madison: When I heard he was going on that trip, I kind of wondered …
Hadleigh: I totally just turned around in my seat as if I could see you on the other bus or something.
Zoey: I’m confused. Do we like him or not?
Quinn: I thought she kind of liked him.
Sophia: That’s what I thought.
Me: He’s pushing all my buttons today.
Hadleigh: Sounds like you need him to push a particular button …
Quinn:
Sophia: You should totally have him do that—I mean you.
Me: OMG, Sophia, Had is rubbing off on you.
Hadleigh: Did someone say rub one off? Because that could help, too.
Madison: You are totally embarrassing her. Not that I don’t agree with all of the above.
Finally, I can’t hold it in anymore.
Me: Um. So …
Zoey: Uh-oh.
Me: We kissed.
Me: It happened after barre class yesterday.
Quinn: WHAT?
Sophia: How did we not already know this?
Hadleigh: That’s my girl!
Hadleigh: Was it hot AF?
I need details.
Madison: Gotta say, I kind of expected that after the way you were ogling him yesterday.
Me: I was not.
Me: Okay. I’m a liar. I totally was.
Me: Damn lickable abs and biteable biceps!
Hadleigh: More deets, please.
Me: I don’t know what to tell you. He was sweaty and hot and we were arguing.
Sophia: I feel like I need wine for this.
Madison: I just opened some.
Quinn:
Hadleigh: I’ve heard of hate sex. In movies, it seems totally hot.
Zoey: This sounds like the foreplay version …
Me: Well, it’s never going beyond that, trust me.
There’s quiet for several moments, no additional texts at all. Confused, I shake my phone and look at it again.
Sophia: Oh, sweetie.
Quinn: Never say never. I’ve learned that one the hard way myself.
Hadleigh: Good luck with that. That man is a sexy beast.
A few minutes later, Damon gets out of his seat and carefully makes his way to the back of the bus. When I glance over my shoulder, I realize there actually is another seat back there. The rat. He delights in making me suffer.
No sooner have I turned back around to get back to texting my girls than Elena slips into her brother’s seat next to me. “Hi, Ms. Mathison.”
I give her a tired smile and turn my phone over in my lap. “Hi, Elena. Did you have fun today?”
She nods. “I did. I’ve been playing the soundtrack to this musical for months. I just love it. It’s great.”
Burn for You (Flirting with Forever Book 3) Page 11