Private Lessons

by Dara Girard

  “I want to learn to read.”

  “What do you want to learn to read?”

  She shook her head.

  “Tell me.”

  “It sounds silly.”

  “If it’s something you want, it’s not.”

  “I want to be able to read a recipe and follow the instructions.”

  He nodded. “Okay, then that will be one of our goals. And just so you know, you already can read. You’re better than before.” He wrote down another word. “Read it.”

  “’Wait’.” She looked up at him confused. “Wait?”

  He nodded. “That’s my problem. I can’t do it anymore.”

  “You can’t wait?”

  “No.”

  “Wait for what?”

  He wrote something down and pointed.

  “You,” she read. She paused, then pointed to herself. “Me?”

  He nodded.

  “You can’t wait for me? Why? I don’t understand.”

  He wrote down something else.

  “‘I want to’?” Jodi read. She looked at him. “You want to what?”

  Dylan couldn’t stop a smile. “I want to do a lot of things, but that’s not what it says. It says ‘I want you.’ Don’t guess when you’re reading, take your time.”

  “It’s your handwriting.”

  “It’s not my handwriting and you’re changing the subject.”

  “Because I don’t know what to say.”

  “Write it down.”

  Jodi bit her lip and shook her head. “I don’t think I can.”

  “You can try.”

  With shaking hands she scribbled something then pushed it to him.

  Dylan looked down then tapped the paper. “That’s a drawing.”

  “I know.”

  “And it’s cheating.”

  “I don’t care. Do you understand what it says?”

  He shook his head.

  She blinked, shocked. “You don’t?”

  “I just see two stick figures.”

  “Yes, and they’re—”

  “Show me.”

  She paused. “What?”

  “I need a demonstration.” He stood. “Show me.”

  She looked around. “I can’t show you here.”

  “Why not?”

  “Won’t you get into trouble?”

  He pulled her close, his gaze holding her still. “I’m already in trouble,” he said in a husky whisper then covered her mouth with his.

  14

  She’d expected a kiss, what she got was much more. His lips were like a drug, luring her to a dangerous delight because there was still something about him, a mystery, she hadn’t quite solved. But her body didn’t care. Her mind whispered its caution but her heart soared into ecstasy. Her lips matched his in passion, her arms snaked around his body, drawing her closer to him, pressing his solid body against hers.

  She slipped her hand underneath his sweater, her fingers roaming over the smooth muscles of his back. His skin warm against her fingers. She felt his hot mouth against the column of her neck and sighed with pleasure, his hands sliding down her back and cupping her butt, pressing her closer to him. She obliged, feeling his hard response to her.

  He groaned and drew away. “We have to stop.”

  “You started this,” Jodi said, her heart still racing, her body still warm.

  Dylan swallowed and nodded. “I know.”

  “What do we do now?”

  He took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and then put them back on again. He shook his head.

  “You don’t know?” she guessed.

  He shrugged.

  She lifted up her picture. “I drew a hug.”

  The corner of his mouth kicked up in a quick grin. “I told you I couldn’t understand it.”

  She placed the paper down. “And now you’re toying with me.”

  His gaze sharpened. “No.”

  “But you regret it.”

  “No.”

  She hesitated not understanding his strange behavior. He said he liked her, he’d kissed her, but now he looked at her as if he was a doomed man. “Are you married?”

  “You asked me that before. No, I’m not married. I’m not seeing anyone. I’m single.”

  “Then what’s the problem? What are you hiding?”

  He folded his arms then rested his hands on his hips as if coming to a decision. “Are you free this weekend?”

  “No, I have to be at a party.”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  “But I’m free tonight.” She waited wondering if he’d turn her down.

  “That’s good.” He gathered his things, looking pleased. “I’ll take you somewhere.”

  What he was doing was crazy, but he didn’t care. Dylan walked to his car resolute, the feel of the crisp cold air seeming to give him courage. He’d deal with the consequences he’d have to face with Nikia. He just needed to get Jodi out of his system then he’d tell her the truth. Maybe he’d never have to tell her, his relationships usually didn’t last long.

  “Dylan!”

  He turned around and groaned when he saw Pam Steinberg waving at him. She closed the distance between them in her typical bouncy way like a kid on springs. Her springy reddish brown hair surrounded her face like a cloud, held back by a black headband. “I’m glad I caught you. Nikia told me you’d still be here. I need a favor.”

  “No.”

  She batted her pretty green eyes and pushed out her bottom lip. “Please. He’s in the car.”

  “No.”

  “I realize that losing Roscoe was hard.”

  “Roscoe?” Jodi said.

  “My dog,” Dylan explained.

  “But you’ve got a gift,” Pam continued.

  “It’s cold and I’m really busy right now.”

  “It doesn’t look good for this guy. He’s at least eight years old with arthritis. He briefly had a home with a lady willing to take him, but then her pet pig bit him.”

  “A pig bit a dog?” Jodi asked.

  “Yes, seems he got too close to her piglets. She bit him hard enough that he needed stitches. The shelter was able to find someone to foster him for a while, but they can’t keep him so they called me, but I don’t have the space right now and I thought of you.”

  Dylan opened the door to his backseat and set his bag inside. “Are you finished?”

  “He came through surgery like a trooper,” Pam continued, her voice as eager as a salesclerk determined to close a sale. “The scar is minimal and he’s so sweet.” She turned to her van, which had Basset Hound Rescue, written on the side. “You just have to see him.” She held up her forefinger. “Just give me one minute.” She dashed over to the van.

  Dylan looked at Jodi. “Get in the car before she comes back.”

  “But why is she talking about giving you a dog?” Jodi asked, walking to the passenger side.

  “It’s not important,” he said, getting in the driver’s seat and closing the door. “She—”

  “Here he is!” Pam said before Jodi could close her side of the car.

  Jodi gasped when she saw a familiar sad face. “Gus!” She jumped out of the car and took the dog from Pam. His tail wagged a little then he licked her face. “I don’t believe it.”

  Pam stared at her. “You know him?”

  “Yes, he was Mrs. Kwan’s dog. I dropped him off at the shelter several months ago.”

  Pam clapped her hands together with delight. “Then this is fate.” She peered into the car and looked at Dylan who still sat in the driver’s seat staring straight ahead. “Don’t you think?”

  He sighed and got out then rested his arms on the hood of the car. “You know what I think.” He wrote the word ‘No’ in the light snowfall on the hood.

  “You two could give him such a good home.”

  “Oh, we’re not together,” Jodi said. “And I can’t take Gus.”

  Pam looked at Jodi then Dylan then Jodi again and lowered her voice. “I ca
n see that you’re very fond of him,” she said, scratching Gus behind the ears. “If you want this little guy to have a good home, then convince Dylan to keep him. He’s been fostering older dogs for years and he has a way with them. Even the most depressed dog seems to perk up with him.”

  Jodi turned to Dylan with a hopeful expression.

  Dylan looked at her then Pam and straightened, shaking his head. “No, I told you I needed a break.”

  Jodi held up the dog. “Look at that face. He is so cute.”

  “No, he’s not.”

  Jodi looked at Gus’s sad face. “Okay, he’s not, but I’ve always found dog owners very sexy.”

  “I already have a dog at home,” Dylan said.

  “I’ve always found a man with two dogs sexy.”

  He nodded.

  “You have two dogs?” Jodi said surprised.

  “Yes, both sweet seniors who are a lot cuter than him.”

  Jodi lifted one of Gus’s paws and waved it. “Three times the charm?”

  Dylan stared at the dog for a long moment then sighed and jerked his head towards the car. “Okay.”

  The two women squealed then collected themselves. “I knew you’d convince him,” Pam said while Jodi settled Gus in the backseat. “He’s such a softie even though he doesn’t look it.”

  “I know.”

  Dylan frowned. “Keep talking like that and I’ll show you how hard I can be.”

  “Thanks a million,” Pam said. “This gets you off the hook.”

  “The hook?”

  “When I went inside, I saw you two kissing. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Nikia.” She turned, jumped in her van and drove away.

  Jodi looked at Dylan, worried. “What do we do?”

  “She won’t say anything. She knows discretion is everything.”

  “I think you should take Gus straight home.”

  “You’re bailing out on me?”

  “You said you don’t date students. It’s a rule. I don’t want to get into trouble—”

  “You won’t.”

  “We can go out another time, we have plenty of time.” She looked down at Gus. “Take him home. It’s the right thing to do. He looks a little stressed.”

  “I think that’s his natural expression.”

  “No, he needs a good warm bed.”

  “So do I.” He adjusted his frames and lowered is voice to a coaxing tone. “Care to join me?”

  Jodi hesitated, tempted. “Another time.”

  Dylan looked down at the dog with mock annoyance. “See that? You’re already ruining my love life.”

  Jodi laughed then walked around the car and kissed Dylan on the cheek. “No, I think it’s improved.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  “Let me walk you to your car,” he said.

  “It’s right over there,” she said, pointing to the sedan parked a few feet away.

  “I don’t care,” he said then began walking beside her.

  She stopped at her car, unlocked the door and opened the driver’s side. “It’s been quite a night.”

  He nodded.

  “If you have any questions about Gus just call me.”

  “Jodi, I can promise you one thing,” he said in a velvet voice, his eyes studying her face. “When I call you, it won’t be about a dog.”

  15

  Jodi lay awake that night, her mind too filled with joy and wonder to let her sleep. Oh, that kiss! That glorious kiss! And he wanted to see her again.

  But what would happen if someone found out about them? Would he get fired? She’d hate to be the reason he got fired again. Perhaps Gus really had come at the right time. If she’d gone out with him tonight who knew where they would have ended up.

  She rested her hand behind her head. She may not have ended up alone tonight. They only had two more months to go. Perhaps they should wait. She didn’t want another tutor. She only wanted him. All of him.

  She wanted him as her teacher and her lover. She wanted him as she’d never wanted anyone before. He made her feel like anything was possible. He made her feel smart. At first she’d been angry and afraid when he’d accused her of not practicing enough, but then he’d asked her forgiveness and said she was…what was that word? Mag-something. But it made her heart leap and then he’d read her letter.

  He said she could read. He made it real. She could read. She knew she still had a ways to go, but she was no longer illiterate, something she feared she’d always be. Her efforts had paid off, but she hadn’t done it alone. He’d helped her and believed in her.

  She’d have to wait three more days before she saw him again. It would feel like eternity. She wasn’t sure how she’d be able to focus but that didn’t matter. She would find a way.

  “You got another dog?” Malcolm said when he saw Dylan’s new resident sitting by the wall in the kitchen while his other two dogs—a white mutt named Rosie and a mastiff named Merchant—ate, the metal bowls clanging against the floor as they devoured every morsel.

  Dylan handed him a beer then closed the refrigerator and sat with him at the kitchen table. “Shut up.”

  “But I thought you said you weren’t getting another one after Roscoe.”

  He took a swig of his drink then set the bottle down. “Why are you here?”

  Malcolm continued to stare at the dog. “He looks depressed. Does he always look like that?”

  “I don’t have all day.”

  “Maybe he’s married to a bitch.” He held up his bottle in a toast. “Brother I understand.” He turned to Dylan with a smile.

  Dylan didn’t smile back. “She’s still my sister.”

  Malcolm sighed. “I know. That’s why I’m here. She wants you to attend her friend’s party this weekend. You were sent an invitation but didn’t reply. She thinks you lost it.”

  “You could have called.”

  “I wanted to get out of the house for awhile.”

  Dylan nodded in understanding. “Which friend?”

  “The gorgeous one.”

  “They’re all gorgeous. My sister has a rating system. Which one?”

  “The lawyer.”

  He swore. Annette Dobson was gorgeous, brilliant and ruthless. She used her cunning to her advantage, not caring whether her actions benefited her clients or not.

  “She likes you.”

  Dylan shook his head. “No.”

  “Please.”

  Dylan tilted his head back as if in pain. “I can’t stand that woman.” He looked at Malcolm in wonder. “Why would I want to go to her party?”

  “Because she likes you. Your grandmother likes her too.”

  He nodded. “She likes slimy, coldblooded creatures.”

  “True, but you have to admit Annette looks great in a—”

  “No.”

  Malcolm pressed his hands together. “For the sake of peace in my home, I beg you.”

  Dylan swallowed his beer.

  Malcolm pushed back his chair as if to stand, the sudden sound of the chair scraping against the floor caught the dogs’ attention. They briefly looked at him before they resumed eating. “Do I have to get on my knees? It’s just one night.”

  “What do I get out of it?”

  “My undying thanks.”

  Dylan waited, clasping his hands behind his head.

  Malcolm sighed. “It was worth a shot. Okay, you do this and I’ll return the favor. I’ll be in your debt. I’ll do whatever you ask me to do.”

  Dylan nodded. “Fine, but you’d better be prepared for the day I come to collect.”

  16

  Although she hadn’t officially been invited to Annette’s party, celebrating an important contract she’d finalized, Jodi wanted to look her best, choosing a pair of stripped black stockings and a navy blue wrap dress. She glanced out the kitchen window. The weather had also seemed to want to appear in its finest, dressing the trimmed grass and willow trees in green elegance, the bright sun warming the air, making eve
ryone forget the light snowfall from a few days ago.

  It wasn’t the first time Annette had asked Jodi if she could use the spacious main level of Jodi’s house and back garden to host an intimate ‘soiree’ as she liked to call it. She usually had a reason why she couldn’t use her own place—workers were redoing the kitchen, the landscaper hadn’t come in weeks, the bathroom was a mess—and Jodi didn’t mind helping out. Even when the last caterer backed out at the last minute and she had to make a dinner for ten. It had been such a hit that Annette had asked her again to assist the caterer by making dessert and some appetizers.

  Jodi was in such a good mood she didn’t mind the work as she looked over her efforts—Jamaican banana fritters, and avocado and orange salad, but she was most proud of her lime tart with coconut crust. Fortunately, she didn’t have to do anything else. She left the kitchen and walked out into the spring air, seeing the well dressed guests enjoying the food feeling a sense of pride. Months ago she would have hidden in the kitchen, but in her new clothes she felt as if she belonged. She only wished Dylan could be there with her.

  Annette seemed just as eager about someone showing up. Minutes ago while in the kitchen, Jodi had overheard Annette talking to one of the guests.

  “Don’t worry,” she’d heard a woman say. “Malcolm said he’ll be here.”

  “He’s missing the best part,” Annette said.

  “He likes to make an entrance.”

  Jodi didn’t like to hear Annette unhappy and hoped that her expected guest would soon arrive. Jodi went to the basement to quickly check on her parents then made her way back upstairs. She was in the main hallway when she saw the front door open and Dylan stepped inside.

  She blinked, not sure if she was dreaming. She’d wanted him to be here, but this was unreal, like an aberration. But as he got closer she knew it was him in a dark suit, his glasses gone, his face a hard mask.

  She opened her mouth to greet him but he looked right past her as if she were invisible. “You don’t know me,” he said, continuing his march down the hall.

  “It’s about time you got here,” a friend of Annette’s said. Jodi recognized the voice.

  She didn’t turn to look at him enter the main area, her mind racing with questions. Why shouldn’t she know him? What was he doing here? Did he know Annette?