“Yep.” After that Thomas hurried from the class, probably afraid I’d change my mind. “Do you have a minute?”
“Of course. Please come in.” I moved through the sea of kids desks over to my own. I noticed a candy wrapper and bent over to pick it up. There was a deep exhale. I righted myself and looked behind me to see Mr. Huffman staring. He looked up. Our eyes met. He cleared his throat and looked away while I quickly hurried to throw the garbage away.
“How can I help you Mr. Huffman?” I asked trying to diffuse the tension.
“Please, call me August. Mr. Huffman makes me feel like my father.” Not touching that. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I was having a bad week and took it out in the wrong direction.”
“Apology accepted.”
August looked as though he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks. Snap. Like that visions of August in bed, shirtless, danced in my head. I could not go there. He was a student’s parent. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.” My mind ran away with all the things I’m certain August could “handle”. Of course, August was shirtless in all those things.
I pressed a hand to my throat. “Thomas lost his lunch recess for the week because of the fight. Principal Mayson says she’s going to talk to Jayson’s parents, try to work this out.”
“Thank-you. I’m glad Thomas has someone like you in his corner.”
“He’s a good kid.” With a hot as sin father. Shut-up brain. There was an awkward silence that followed. I stared at August. he stared at me. He pushed up off the desk taking a step towards me. He held out his hand. His palms were callused but unblemished. “Have a good day Ms. Quimby.” His voice wrapped around my lady parts and squeezed. As he let go of my hand his middle finger stroked the inside of my wrist. I felt that touch all the way to my toes.
His smile lit me up from the inside out. “You as well.” He gave me a wink before turning and leaving.
Chapter Three
NATALIE
When Friday arrived, I was excited. Tonight, The Martier was exhibiting metal work from one of my favorite artist’s, G.H. His work could be found all the way from New York, to Australia and everywhere in between. His or her pieces used rebar, cement, rocks and water in ways that were so unusual, beautiful and sometimes absurd, that you couldn’t look away.
I polished off my glass of wine as I finished curling my hair. Once finished I dressed in a black lace A-line dress by Gucci. Put on my one carat diamond stud earrings. When it came to shoes I stood in the doorway of my shoe closet staring at the shelving case that housed all my black heels. My heeled gladiator sandals would look killer with this dress. I looked down at my feet. Two weeks since I’d had a pedicure. The paint was chipped and my nails were misshapen. My feet were not sandal worthy.
“Alexa what’s the time?”
“9:15.”
Hmm, maybe I could at least paint my toenails. Alexa chimed in, “You have an incoming call from Dominique.”
I ran down the hall to my bedroom.
“Hey girl. I’m running late. Shoe emergency,” I said.
Dominique responded with a loud sneeze, a cough and then a loud nose blow. I pulled the phone from my ear waiting until she was done before putting it back to my ear. “Don’t say it,” I said after her coughing fit.
“I’m sorry but the crud has got me in its diabolical grip.”
“Oh man you sound terrible.”
“I’m pretty sure this flu is going to kill me after having its wicked way with me.”
Great my date was sick. “Can I bring you anything?”
“My mom is sending Lola over with soup. And Dr. Nelson sent in a prescription for codeine which Lola’s picking up on her way.”
“I guess I don’t need to worry about shoes then.”
She blew her nose. “You have to go tonight I plan to have you snap chat me all the highlights.”
“I don’t know. I don’t do well at these things without my wing woman.”
“Please, you’ll be fine besides Arthur’s going to be there and I need deets on his new girlfriend.”
“You know you dumped him, right? Because he’s an asshole who didn’t deserve you, right?”
“Yes. It’s just … I … I don’t know.” I could hear the tears in her voice. “Also, I heard G.H. is going to be there.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Monica told me so.” This was big. G.H. was as elusive as Banksy. No one knew what he looked like or if G.H. was even as he, scandal like that had the art world buzzing. Everyone was dying to see the (elusive) G.H. If it was one thing Monica knew, it was everything celebrity. She knew where stars would be before they did. “How great would it be to meet him?” Dominique had me there. It would be a dream to see, let alone possibly meet G.H. She added, “You could cross something off your bucket list.”
“All right I’m in.”
“You won’t be sorry.” Dominique punctuated her statement with a coughing fit.
“I’m sure I will be, but I better get going.”
“If you’re wearing the black Gucci tonight but can’t show your feet then go with the black ankle boots with the gold heels.”
“Oh my gosh. Yes. Those are perfect.”
“Don’t forget to snap chat me.”
“I won’t. Feel better. Call me if you need anything.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too, good night.”
We hung up. I stared at my phone. Really, not feeling going to this exhibit anymore. I didn’t want to go alone. I didn’t fully trust myself in a social situation like this. I’d worked hard to shed my socialite persona, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t there, itching to get out the second I let my guard down.
August Huffman popped into my head unbidden. Our interaction on Monday played in my mind. The look on his face when I bent over. No man had ever looked at me like that. The hunger in his eyes. I shook it off. Thomas’ father was too good-looking. He had a strong body. Mix that with his long dark hair and killer blue eyes. Phew. If Thomas took after his father he would be one looker when he was older.
I needed to stop thinking about him. It was wrong. He was my student’s father. Yes, I needed to get out tonight if for no other reason than to remove that sexy man from my thoughts. I put on the shoes Dominique suggested, grabbed my clutch then headed out.
After studying the third piece of art in the exhibit I was glad I’d come. G.H. outdid himself with this collection. The emotion, the raw energy (emitting) from each piece was overwhelming to the senses. I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter. This was a small showing only about twenty people were here. All big names. Big contributors to the arts. I recognized one couple. They were friends of my father. Luckily, I didn’t see anyone from my old social circle here. As I moved into another room a bell chimed from a hidden speaker. I followed the guests to the main room where the owner of the gallery stood on a box putting her a foot above the crowd. She struck her wine glass.
“I’m Martina. Thank-you all for coming out and supporting The Martier. The silent auction winner will be announced at midnight. I hope you’re enjoying the show because I have a very special guest with me. If you can believe it, the artist himself is here tonight. G.H. please come up.”
She waved her hand across to a small group to her right. To my shock I saw August Huffman among that group. Martina was waving to him excitedly. “Come on up here,” she said. Voices erupted around me, followed by clapping.
AUGUST
I knew coming tonight was a bad idea. I was outing myself. Something I never planned on doing. Being in the spotlight made me sweat. I preferred to mingle among the crowd as one of the them so I could get a real feel for how my work affected others. I didn’t create art for the buzz or becoming the next best thing. I did it solely for the art and people’s reaction to my work. I told Lauren I didn’t want to work with Martina, she was a gossip who was obsessed with her own cele
brity, but Lauren brushed my concerns aside saying I was paranoid.
“G.H. please come up here.”
I took a deep breath, exhaled. Fuck. Martina would be getting an earful. The spotlight fell on me as all eyes in the crowd followed. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. The shadows were no longer a friend. Fuck! I held up a glass but didn’t move.
“Please come up here,” Martina said again. Lauren was in big trouble if she didn’t fix this and fast. Lucky for me there was no media here. I begrudgingly made my way over. I’d learned enough about Martina in the last week to know she didn’t let go until she had what she wanted, and right now that was me.
There was fevered whispering as people parted to let me pass. I wasn’t theatrical. Drama didn’t live in my veins. Once I was on the box beside Martina she handed me the microphone. I looked out into the crowd. There she was. Natalie Quimby. Looking more beautiful than she had a right to. Her hazel eyes widened as she stared at me. Her cheeks turned red.
“Thank-you for coming. Enjoy the show.”
I handed the microphone back to Martina and headed in Natalie’s direction.
“Hey,” I said once I was standing in front of her.
“Hey,” she said back. I could see a group of benefactors walking over. I linked my hand in hers. “Want to get out of here?”
She licked her bottom lip. “Sure.”
Great, we would be out before the wolves could descend. We made a b-line for the exit at the back of the gallery. People tried to stop us but I didn’t give them a chance. Martina ruined the showing for me, but feeling Natalie’s hand inside mine, was turning it all around. “Thanks for saving me. I had to get out of there. Care to get a cup of coffee?”
She didn’t say anything just nodded. We walked down the street at the corner was a coffee shop. We went inside. Natalie found a table as I waited for our drinks. Once I had our coffees I took a seat across from her then handed her a coffee. She’d been silent this whole time but finally spoke, “Are you really G.H?”
“Can I trust you to keep a secret?”
“You can trust me, there’s a teacher’s confidentiality oath or something I’m sure. Like a priest.”
“I mean you won’t say a word to anyone?”
“I swear on my Artist’s Quarterly I won’t say anything to anyone.”
I smiled at that. “Yes, it’s true, but no one was supposed to find out, ever.”
“But August Huffman. A.H.”
“August Garris Huffman actually.”
She stared awestruck. “So legit you’re G.H.? This isn’t like a social media ploy?”
“I am G.H. Though if I have my way no one but you will ever know that it’s true.”
She started to laugh and wiggle in her seat. “Oh. My. God,” she said.
Her breasts bounced up and down with her movements. She definitely wasn’t wearing a bra. And she definitely had my full attention. Those full C’s begged to be released from her lace dress. They needed to be explored by my hands, my mouth. She’s your son’s teacher.
Shit.
I looked down at my coffee taking a sip trying to rid the dirty thoughts from my mind.
“I’m sorry I’m acting like a spaz, but I mean I’m having coffee with G.H. How is this my life?”
I met her eyes. She smiled. She was gorgeous. Fresh-faced, but polished. Sin wrapped inside innocence. Brown doe eyes. Lush full lips that I wanted wrapped around my cock. Dammit now I was pitching a tent. It’d been awhile since I’d had spontaneous wood. I wanted this woman under me. Now. I adjusted myself under the table.
She gushed about my work. My talent, or as she put it, my genius. Great, now both my heads were swelling with desire. This woman made me feel good everywhere. Something I hadn’t felt in a long time. She pushed her coffee aside as she placed her elbows on the table leaning forward. Her new position lowered her neckline exposing more of those luscious C’s. Her soft floral scent filled the air around me.
Fuck.
My dick was so hard it was painful. I sat back hoping space would help. Shit. I was thirty-one not nineteen.
“Can I ask you something?” Right now, I would do anything, answer anything she wanted to keep her close.
I nodded afraid my voice would giveaway my desire for her.
She cleared her throat. “I got the impression your wife wants to move?” Her words were like a bucket of ice water. I cooled. Thank goodness.
“It’s ex-wife. And yes, she wants to move to Georgia to be closer to her new boyfriend. She wants to take Thomas with.”
“He doesn’t want to go,” Natalie said.
“He doesn’t?”
“No, but he’s afraid his mom will think he doesn’t love her. I think it’s the reason for his behavior lately.”
“Shit.” I looked up into those brown eyes. They emanated warmth and understanding. I wanted to tell her everything. Give her all my secrets to do what she wanted with them. I ran a hand across my forehead staring down at the table. “Sarah is a good mother, a bit overbearing at times, but a good mom. I don’t want my son to go with her, but I’m afraid of doing this on my own. What if I screw him up?”
She reached across the table grabbing my hand. She gave it a squeeze getting me to look up. The smile she gave me warmed me up. “The fact that you’re worried about it means you’re a good dad and he’ll be just fine.”
I returned her smile. “Thanks.” We stayed like that, hand in hand, staring at each other. I stroked my thumb over hers. She inhaled a sharp breath. Her shoulders and neck started to redden. It was then I knew with all certainty I wanted this woman. “So—”
“Is that the time? I’m so sorry but I have to go I have an early morning appointment.” Before I could say what I was thinking she was gone.
Chapter Four
NATALIE
Today I was at Molly’s Dairy Farm with all four third grade classes. We’d broken into class sets. I was partnered with Annabel and her class. Forty-four students. Two teachers. One teacher’s aide and four parent chaperones. One of which was August. Whose eyes I could feel on me as we lead our group of students to the milking station. Ever since the art show he’d been all I thought about.
It was nothing but the stroke of his thumb across the skin. Yet, that simple touch had set my entire body on fire. That’s why I left abruptly. Having a crush on a parent didn’t lead anywhere good. Didn’t matter my body was still on fire. Especially, now.
“Over here …” our guide (droned) on. I’m sure what he was saying was interesting but I couldn’t focus. My mind kept drifting to August and the gray t-shirt he was wearing that hugged his chest. He was wearing black cargo shorts that were quite worn and hinted at what was hiding beneath.
“Right Ms. Quimby?”
“Huh?”
Vienna gave me a dramatic blink as she shook her head. “Never mind. Ugh.” She rolled her eyes then stormed away. What had I missed while dreaming about August? I made to get her attention but the handsome devil stepped in front of me. He was laughing. “Never seen an eight-year-old give an adult the business before.” He winked then followed Vienna and Thomas around to the silver tanks. What did I miss?
Our guide talked about milk production. How they collected it, and the process of pasteurizing it, giving a side bit on Louis Pasteur the creator of pasteurization. Now I was behind August tracking him with my eyes. When our tour was finished we loaded kids onto the bus. I counted heads, made sure all twenty-one of my kids were accounted for. They took their seats with their partners. Two by two. This time Thomas didn’t sit with his dad but instead sat with Vienna my previous bus partner. Annabel’s class was moving in behind me. Before I knew it all the seats were filled. The only open seat was beside August. The bus driver was giving me eyes in the above mirror. I took the seat next to August. His arm brushed mine. I hated how those simple touches affected my body.
“That was fun,” August said. Again, with the arm brush.
“We’ve done it the last four years. The k
ids seem to really enjoy it. Though this was the first year we didn’t have a horde of parent volunteers.”
“A horde eh?”
“Yeah, I’m not sure who’s more into the field trip the kids or the parents. When we planned the zoo trip last year we had a volunteer for each student. Actually, had to do a lottery.”
“A behind the scenes meeting of the baby gorilla was a big draw for everyone.”
“Of course, I was in the lottery, but I didn’t win.”
“I’m pretty good friends with Norbert’s handler if you ever wanted a behind the scene meeting.” I don’t know why I said it. I just wanted to impress him.
“Seriously?”
I nodded, not wanting my voice to give away my excitement.
“Then it’s a date,” he said. My heart raced at the thought of a date with August and therein lay the problem. August was dangerous for my heart. He checked off every one of my boxes.
Artistic? Check.
Smart? Check.
Kind? Check.
And hot as fuck? Double-check. Not to mention he was single. No possibility of my past behavior screwing this up.
Not to mention he was G.H. My favorite artist. He was wearing glasses as he looked over a brochure from Molly Farm. There was no ignoring how my body reacted to him either. His arm brushed mine sending a wave of goosebumps over my skin. His touch alone made me believe he could make me scream. I scooted over to put a little space between him and my libido.
“I’d say the farm was a success?”
“Definitely.” My voice cracked. Was I sixteen again? Embarrassing.
“I never knew there was so much work to making a gallon of milk. Now, I feel like I should use more on my cereal.”
“For sure.”
He laughed. I loved the sound of it. Once we arrived at school and the students were unloaded, August pulled me aside. “You have a second?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
Happily Ever Alpha: Until The Summer (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 2