by Romy Sommer
The look on Daniel Walker’s face was difficult to decipher. If she had to put a name to it, she’d have said it combined shock and confusion.
“See you on Monday, Teacher!” Chloe tugged on Daniel’s hand.
“Bye.” With the hint of a wry smile, he let himself be led away.
Chapter Two
As he was the only retained firefighter with a child in Coombethwaite Primary at the moment, Daniel volunteered to do the annual ‘fire-safety’ talk. It meant a morning away from the computer, but he wasn’t getting many words down on paper this week anyway. Not since the chance meeting with Chloe’s teacher on Saturday.
Annabel. Her name danced in his head. Every day since the beginning of term he’d been regaled with stories about her. His little daughter had a serious fixation on her teacher, and he couldn’t blame her. Teacher was gorgeous.
She hadn’t stood, but she was obviously tall, if those long legs were any indication. And her blonde hair cut into a bob had been mussed, as though she’d just clambered out of bed—a look that Chloe’s mother would never have gone for.
He pulled on his fire jacket, and reached for his fire-axe. No, Melanie was more of a ‘polished at all times’ woman. A woman who had everything totally under control. A well-ordered life plan that never included becoming pregnant.
Daniel’s fingers tightened on the axe. At least she’d had the decency to carry their baby to term. And hadn’t stood in the way of his bid for full custody. He hadn’t heard anything from her since shortly after she gave birth to their daughter. She’d breast fed Chloe for two days, two days where he felt sure she’d change her mind about being a mother—who could resist the adorable baby she held in her arms? So even when she’d packed her belongings in the hospital, accepted a cheque to tide her over until she was able to continue her high powered job in the city, part of Daniel had hoped…
He rubbed his jaw, the stubble rough beneath his fingers.
There was no point going back over the past. Melanie hadn’t wanted to be a mother. Ever. And even her beautiful daughter hadn’t been able to jump start her maternal instinct. In the six years since, they hadn’t heard anything from her.
He couldn’t imagine a moment when he hadn’t wanted a child. And the moment Chloe came into the world was the moment his world became complete. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for his daughter. She was part of a warm, strong family. With a granny who took up the slack, picking her up from school every day, while he wrote. She had more aunties and cousins than most of her classmates, all of them local and a very real part of her life. But still, she hadn’t got a mummy. The lack of one was becoming an issue.
He snagged his fire helmet, and strode to his car. She was so excited about him talking in school today; she’d barely been able to stand still as he brushed her hair that morning. She’d even wanted him to arrive in the fire engine, saying Teacher would love that.
At the thought of Annabel Jackson, warmth pooled in Daniel’s stomach. His mother Janice had been diligent in passing on the fact that her granddaughter’s teacher was single. In fact, he almost suspected Janice and Chloe of plotting a match.
Unfortunately romance with his daughter’s teacher wasn’t an option. There’d been women since Chloe’s birth, but none of them had met his daughter—there was no way he’d put Chloe through the heartbreak when they left.
Chapter Three
The headmistress had a thing for firefighters. Who knew?
Although if truth be told, every woman on the planet probably had a thing for wide-shouldered men with hero complexes. The fact that Olga Blakeney was a respectably married woman didn’t seem to affect her enthusiasm at the prospect of this morning’s visit from Daniel Walker. She was a woman aflutter.
“He’s such an interesting man,” she confided to Annabel in the staff-room during their mid-morning break. “So talented too.”
Annabel reached for a chocolate chip cookie.
“He’s a writer, you know. And so dedicated to his daughter.” Olga smoothed back her greying hair with ink-stained fingers. She sipped her tea. “Being a single father must be very difficult.”
“I didn’t know…”
Olga leaned close. “He’s brought Chloe up totally alone. Of course, his mother is a wonderful woman. I was in school with Janice you know. When that woman…” Olga’s lips pursed as though she’d sucked on a lemon. “Well, I shouldn’t really talk about their family’s private business.”
“Of course.” Annabel wanted to know more. He was a writer? The fact that he’d grinned at her choice of reading material stung even more with that revelation. The news that he was a single dad was welcome—despite her best efforts, she hadn’t been able to banish the inappropriate thoughts that had snuck up on her when she wasn’t guarding against them. There had been heat in their brief encounter, heat she hadn’t been able to deny, or to deal with. The fact that he wasn’t a shameless cheater was a huge relief.
“Should we bring all the children in to the assembly room straight after break?”
Olga nodded. “Yes, we should set up before he arrives.” Her eyes took on a glazed look. “I hope he comes in full firefighter gear.”
Annabel schooled her features into a neutral expression. With an entire school’s complement of female teachers, there would be quite enough hero worship to go around; there was no need to add herself to the collection of firefighter groupies. Although she did secretly find the idea of Daniel dressed as her private fantasy, pretty well…hot.
Fifteen minutes later, all ninety children were seated on the floor of the assembly room. The buzz of childish conversation, after much shushing, was slightly quieter than usual.
The door cracked open, and the headmistress walked in, casting her gaze back and forth, wordlessly demanding silence. Daniel walked behind her, in full firefighter kit—his helmet on, and his fire axe held across his powerful chest.
“OMG, be still my beating heart,” whispered Susie, teacher of Year Two.
Oh, mine too. When Daniel reached the front of the room, he took off his helmet and placed it on the desk, shaking his head slightly, like in a shampoo commercial.
The children cheered.
Annabel couldn’t blame them, she felt like cheering herself.
He turned to the teachers. “Good morning, ladies.”
Wow, was Olga actually blushing?
He smiled at their mumbled responses, making brief eye contact with Annabel.
She smiled back, feeling her face warm with a flush. Which was totally ridiculous. Before she had time to analyse her response, he turned to the roomful of children.
“Good morning, children.” He reserved a special smile and nod for his daughter, who beamed with pride. “Today we’re going to talk about all the things you can do to make sure that your house is safe.”
Annabel’s heart clenched at the sight of all the rapt faces taking in his every word. As he spoke about making sure that everyone in their family knew what to do in case of a fire, carefully stressing the need to have an emergency plan, her heart melted into a puddle.
The allocated half hour of fire safety talk flew by, and before she knew it, they were handing out the fire-safety notes he’d brought with him, including badges for the children depicting cartoon firefighters.
“I think we should show our appreciation for Chloe’s dad’s visit today, children,” Olga said, giving her approval for the enthusiastic clapping that followed. “Now, get into your lines, and it’s back to class.” She turned to Annabel. “I’ll see your class back to the classroom. Could you see Mr Walker out?” Was there a twinkle in her eyes?
“Of course.” Annabel reached for the axe as Daniel picked up his helmet.
The sky was dark with threatened rain as she pushed the door open. “The children really enjoyed that.”
“I did too.”
They strode to his car, and she waited as he stripped off his bulky jacket and tossed it on the back seat. As he reached for t
he axe, their hands touched. Neither moved.
His hand was warm atop hers. His gaze held her captive.
Electricity seemed to hum in the air, sparking as his gaze fell to her parted lips.
“Would you like to go to dinner with me, sometime?” The words were spoken quickly, as if he hadn’t considered them, but was acting on impulse.
“I…” Dating a student’s father was…well, was there anything wrong with it?
“We could talk about your choice of reading material.” His mouth curved into a grin.
Another superior male who considered her reading tastes trashy? Annabel felt her mouth compress, as her hazy, romantic mood shattered. “What have you got against WD Daniels, anyway?” The harshness of her words was punctuated with her shoving the axe into his chest.
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Nothing!” He rubbed the back of his neck as realisation dawned. “God, you don’t know, do you?”
Crossing her arms felt satisfying. As if she was conveying ‘hands off’ without even having to say it. “What?”
“I love the fact that you read my books.” He grinned, after a stunned moment of silence. “Watch out, you’ll catch flies.”
She closed her mouth. Shook her head. “You’re WD Daniels?”
Daniel reached for her hand. “The very same. Want to have dinner tomorrow night, and find out about Harper’s newest adventure?”
Chapter Four
Daniel picked her up promptly the following evening. He wore plain black trousers, and a black shirt open at the neck, and topped it off with a thick sheepskin jacket. Snugglicious. His hair was brushed back. “I thought we’d go over the hill to Morton and have dinner there at a little Italian restaurant I know.”
Annabel reached for her coat and handbag, ready on the side table next to the door.
“Let me help you.” Daniel took the coat from her hands and held it open.
She turned her back, sliding an arm into the wool coat’s slippery silken lining. Felt the brush of his fingers as he flicked her hair from the collar in a gesture that was innocent yet strangely personal. A shiver chased up her spine. The electricity between them was impossible to ignore. “You found a babysitter okay?” She locked the door behind them, and followed him to his car.
“My sister has taken Chloe for the night. The cousins jump at any chance for a sleepover, and it’s easier than pulling my sister out of her house to babysit in mine.” He opened the car door with a smile.
So there’d be no need to hurry back. Annabel linked her hands on the lap of her scarlet dress, feeling the floaty layers of material slide against the stiffer lining. She’d worried about meeting up with other parents or teachers in the couple of places to eat in Coombethwaite. The fact he’d chosen a restaurant further away meant they would be less likely to bump into people they knew.
“I’ve signed off duty for the fire service too.” His mouth curved into a grin as he cast a glance her direction in the darkened car interior. “There’s nothing worse than getting dragged out in the middle of a meal.”
The car crested the top of the hill and below, the lights of Morton shone in the darkness. Before long, they’d driven into the centre of the village, found a parking spot, and hurried into the warm restaurant.
In mere moments, they were seated at an intimate table in the corner. A candle in a clear glass candlestick set the scene, and a small posy of red roses and carnations looked pretty in the flickering light. The waiter brought them menus, and left them alone.
“This is lovely.” Shyness tied Annabel’s tongue, now that the date was actually happening. It had been months since she’d been out with a man alone. Before she left London, a few friends had dragged her out with them in the hope of introducing her to a new man—she’d refused the blind dates they’d tried to set her up with. Being alone was better, way easier than jumping into the dating pool. Because when it came down to it, men couldn’t be trusted, not with her heart. She’d given it once to someone she thought she loved. His betrayal had shaken her belief in her own ability to weed the good guys from the bad.
“You’re frowning.” Daniel spoke quietly. “Is there a problem?”
Annabel tried a smile, but it felt false. “I was just thinking of something.” She concentrated on the menu. “Everything looks good. I’m going to have trouble choosing!”
Earnest blue eyes gazed into hers. “You can tell me, you know.” He wasn’t talking about food. “We can be friends.”
Friends were the one thing missing from her new life. She had a great job, somewhere nice to live, but hadn’t really found a friend. If friendship was the only thing Daniel wanted…
“I’d like us to be more.” His hand covered hers.
Annabel swallowed. “I’ve had my heart broken.” The words sounded bleak. She hadn’t wanted to reveal so much, so soon.
“Tell me.” His hand squeezed hers.
“I’m sure we can think of something else to talk about rather than my sad story.”
The waiter started across the room, notepad at the ready.
On the point of answering, Daniel spotted the waiter’s approach. He released her hand. “Let’s order.”
She’d been rude. Once they’d ordered and were alone again, Annabel regretted her response. “I’m sorry, I…”
“I understand. I’ve been there.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “Chloe’s mum didn’t want to be pregnant. She stayed long enough to have the baby, then left Chloe with me.”
Annabel’s heart clenched. How could any woman abandon her baby? “She…”
“She hasn’t been back.” Daniel reached for a breadstick, and snapped it. “Chloe is better off without her, and I love her enough for both parents.” His jaw was tight. “My family are great; they’ve given Chloe the extended family that she needs. Others to love her as well as her father.”
Annabel breathed deeply. “I was engaged. My fiancé Steven slept with my best friend two weeks before the wedding. He’d probably been sleeping with her for a while—I didn’t wait around to find out.”
Daniel’s eyes closed. His face contorted in a wince. “God, that must have hurt.”
Lingering pain burned in Annabel’s chest. She’d been such a blind fool. “It did. I guess I wanted the happy ever after so badly I blocked all the signs. He was a salesman, and was always away on trips. Looking back, I should have suspected…”
Daniel’s eyes opened. “Why should you? You thought he was honest. Don’t blame yourself because you weren’t suspicious. How long ago did this happen?”
“Six months. I switched schools and moved to Coombethwaite for a new start.” Her once-upon-a-time friend’s daughter went to Annabel’s previous school. The prospect of facing Steven at the school gates had been much too painful to contemplate.
Daniel raised his glass and clinked it against hers. “Let’s drink to that.”
“I got defensive in the café when we first met, because I thought you were criticising my favourite author.” Annabel grinned. “Steven wasn’t a fan.”
“No loss, by the sound of him.” Daniel grinned back. “So, I’m your favourite author?” There was warmth in his eyes.
“Well, Harper is my favourite character.” She gave in to an unexpected urge to flirt, leaning in close and fluttering her eyelashes. “I don’t suppose he’s based on a real guy? Someone who works in the fire station, maybe?”
“I guess you’d like an introduction?”
“You guess right.”
Daniel laughed. “I can’t imagine a loner like Harper settling in Coombethwaite, can you?” His gaze fell to her lips, and suddenly the humour evaporated, replaced by a heat that seared. “Luckily, as his creator, I guess I’m the next best thing.”
Silence hung in the air between them for a long moment.
“I guess you are.” Her voice sounded husky.
Daniel lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
The breath left Annabel’s lungs, and instantly all sh
e could think of was his mouth trailing slowly down her neck. Heat pooled in her stomach.
A cleared throat. “Your meal…” The waiter stood by the table, balancing two plates aloft.
Without a trace of embarrassment, Daniel released her hand. “Let’s eat.”
Chapter Five
Every moment of the evening was pure magic. The attraction that had smouldered inside since Chloe’s introduction in the café, sparked to life with every glance from Annabel’s green eyes. Daniel didn’t want forever, but didn’t know how to damp down the feelings she brought to life in him as they talked through the night. Maybe it was crazy even to try.
The fact she didn’t know she was gorgeous turned him on. And the way she responded to his touch, the way her eyes darkened when he asked if she was ready to leave… well it hinted that he wasn’t the only one feeling the heat.
She’s Chloe’s teacher. If things go wrong…
Resistance was completely futile. He could no more say no to her than he could resist breathing. He reached for her hand as they walked out into the dark night across the car park to his car.
“I enjoyed this evening.” Annabelle’s breath puffed out in little clouds in the frigid air. She stopped as he pressed the tab to unlock the car, and turned.
His arms came around her in a predestined move, and without hesitation, she stepped close, resting her hands on his chest as her face tilted to his.
Her lips parted the moment his touched, allowing him access, and when their tongues tangled she pulled him closer on a moan. Her soft breasts encased in the red dress that had ignited lust the moment he’d seen her at her front door, pressed against his chest. His hands skimmed her back, sliding over her bottom as he brought the rest of her body in line with his.
He was always in control, always.
Not now. The urge to have her in his bed, stripped of the filmy red fabric, blazed.
Daniel cracked open an eye to see a sliver of light as a car circled. He pulled his mouth from hers as it accelerated quickly past them. He caught a brief glance of the car’s occupant. A woman. Driving much too fast in the icy conditions.