Teach Me: A Bad Boy Professor Romance (The Me Series Book 1)

by Penelope Marshall

  "You can trust me you know," I whispered.

  She looked up at me and smiled. "I know."

  I wanted time to stop in its entirety and stand in this moment forever; a moment where we were the only two people in the world. A moment where nothing from her past or mine mattered.

  CELESTE

  I had something to say, so I pulled away from him, clearing my throat before making my plea.

  "What is it?" he asked.

  "I need you to keep me safe until I can figure out where I'm gonna go, but I can't pay you," I said, looking toward the ground.

  I knew how these things worked. You couldn't get something for nothing in this world.

  "Are you kidding? I would never ask you to pay me. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you. I'll rain hell down on anyone who tries."

  He took my hands and pulled me gently toward him, pressing my body against his.

  "Why are you being so kind to me?" I asked.

  "Yeah, why are you being so fuckin' kind to her?" Ari yelled.

  Clasping my hands behind his neck, he slowly ran his fingers down the full length of my arms, snaking his around my waist. I looked deep into his eyes, tugging him close.

  HUNTER

  And here, in these few quiet moments, I realized that by taking her in I was accepting her future as my own, agreeing to enter into a war with Torello in the hopes of keeping her safe. I would need to become the man she needed, to start a war I couldn't possibly win, with a man I knew nothing about.

  The predicament she was in wouldn't end well, and we both knew it. We stood there for what seemed like hours, Celeste turned, burying her face in my chest. Her cold body pressed against mine, shivering from what I could only assume was fear; I unzipped my jacket and draped it over her.

  "Hey, I know you fuckers are havin' a moment. But we probably should get the fuck outta here. They obviously tracked her to the crash site."

  What he said made sense to me. "How did they track you?"

  "The car. I'm sure it has some sort of tracking on it. Those are his babies," she said.

  "You stole the man's baby?" Ari yelled.

  "Don't listen to him," I said to her.

  "No. You're gonna listen to me. I'm in a heap of shit because of your whore ass," Ari cursed.

  I whipped around. "Say another thing to her, and I'll fuck you up, Ari."

  He stepped back, putting his hands up in front of him. "Sorry man, I'm just sayin'."

  "We know where you fuckin' stand. If you wanna leave, then fuckin' leave, Ari."

  "No. I think I'll stick with the SEAL. If shit goes down, you know how the fuck to kill someone with a straw," he said with a smile.

  I shook my head, turning back to Celeste.

  "I'm sorry," she whispered.

  "Let's get you somewhere safe, and we can talk this out," I said, stretching out my hand for her to take.

  We ended up taking the back streets all the way back to my house, to take refuge and regroup.

  CELESTE

  Ari brushed by me as we walked into Hunter's house, lying on the full length of the couch before I could sit down. He was obviously laying claim to what was his. Not wanting to get into a pissing match with a grown man, I backed away and leaned against the wall next to the door, watching as Ari kicked his shoes off and made himself comfortable.

  Hunter headed to the kitchen, and asked, "Are you hungry?"

  Ari chimed in, "Yeah, I could eat a sandwich."

  "Then get up and make it yourself," he said.

  I adjusted my skirt and crossed my arms, feeling slightly uncomfortable with Ari glaring at me like a piece of meat. A second later, Hunter was standing in front of me; his calming presence was wholeheartedly welcomed.

  "Did you want anything to eat?" he asked.

  I shook my head. Food was the last thing on my mind at that point. A good rock to hide under was what I needed. Or a mountain. I think this situation called for a mountain.

  Ari laughed as he flicked on the television. "Like I said, I'll take a sandwich, and I'll eat hers, too."

  "Let me show you where you're going to sleep," he said, turning toward the hallway next to his kitchen.

  I knew where hallways led, and I wanted no part of it. I would rather sleep on the street than have to open my legs for a place to stay. I thought he was different, but I seemed to always be wrong about men. Except Ari of course—he was an asshole.

  "No. I can sleep on the floor in here," I said, clutching onto his wrist to keep him from walking any further.

  He turned to me, shaking his head. "You're gonna sleep on the bed, and I can sleep on the floor in here."

  "I can't ask you to—"

  "You didn't," he interrupted.

  That's when I knew he wasn't going to take advantage of the situation and force me to sleep with him for a place to stay. Maybe chivalry wasn't dead?

  Who knew?

  I nodded and proceeded to follow him to the room.

  "Wrap it up, homie. No tellin' about these loose jainas," Ari yelled as we were halfway down the hall.

  Hunter glanced over his shoulder to me. "Don't pay him any mind. He's an asshole to everybody."

  "He must be fun at parties," I muttered under my breath.

  He laughed as he pushed the door to his room open, revealing the sparsely decorated space.

  "Lacking the woman's touch in here I see," I joked.

  "Well, it's kinda hard to have a woman's touch without a woman."

  "So you're single?"

  "A little late for that question don't you think?" He laughed as he pulled and extra blanket and pillow from the cedar chest at the foot of his bed.

  "I guess you're right." I chuckled, sliding off my shoes.

  He brushed by me as he headed out the door. "There are towels in the bathroom, and I'll be right outside if you need anything."

  I pressed my hand to his arm. "I think I'd feel safer if you slept in here."

  He glanced over his shoulder to the bed. "Are you sure?"

  "The floor, I meant," I stuttered, realizing how my offer came across.

  "Oh…yeah…that's what I meant, too," he replied with a curl to his lip.

  He turned and threw the blanket and pillow on the floor next to the bed. "Just gimmie a second to let Ari know I'm staying in here."

  "Good luck with that conversation," I said sarcastically, as I slid my jacket off and laid it on the cedar chest.

  I walked to the bathroom and leaned into the mirror. My smeared mascara made me look like a raccoon, and I was horrified to think Hunter had been staring at this wretched face all night. Quickly I wiped the smeared mascara from underneath my eyes with a piece of toilet paper, taking another moment to tousle my hair, just in time to hear the bedroom door open.

  He's back.

  I nonchalantly stepped out of the bathroom, grazing by him as I sauntered over to the bed.

  The electricity—Lord Almighty the electricity.

  I was wet before my head touched the pillow. He lay down on the floor, reaching up for the lamp on the nightstand to turn it off.

  The room went pitch black.

  "How's a guy like you single?" I asked out of sheer curiosity.

  "The real question is, how's a guy like me not single?"

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "I'm in and out of the country all the time. A week long op here, a month long op there. The women I end up with are too needy and can't seem to find it in their hearts to wait around."

  "Occupational hazard?"

  "I guess you could call it that," he said with a yawn.

  It had been a long day, and I knew he was tired from all the action, so I turned over and stared at the moon which sat right outside the bay window until I slowly drifted off to sleep.

  WRATH

  The sun shone brightly through the window the next morning. It crept slowly over the stark white comforter and my face, nudging me to wake up. My eyes fluttered open to my new surroundings, and for a brief moment
, I forgot where I was.

  Rolling over to my side, I peered over the edge of the bed to see that he was still fast asleep. In all my life, I don't think I'd ever met anyone like him—until last night, of course. His tough SEAL exterior was just a disguise for the world to see, but I knew better.

  Studying his face in the light of day, I noted how even more ruggedly good-looking he was. I almost couldn't believe my luck. Running straight into the arms of a gallant knight, charging to sweep me off my feet and save me from the evil monster I had just escaped from, just like in my books.

  Thank you, God.

  Slowly, I got out of bed and walked over to the window. The water was thrashing against the shoreline like there was a storm headed our way, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Good thing I didn't believe in bad omens.

  What a view.

  Staring out at the open ocean in front of me, I felt so free. I had almost forgotten what freedom felt like. Almost.

  A strong hand rested on the small of my back. It was Hunter.

  "I didn't even hear you wake up," I said.

  "Well, I have been trained in stealth tactics." He chuckled as he looked out the window next to me.

  "So, what do you think I should do?"

  He turned to me, his eyes poring over my dress. "As much as I love seeing you in that, you're gonna need to blend in. Maybe I have something that will fit you. Come with me," he said, smiling.

  He led me through the oversized bedroom towards his closet, digging through neatly stacked totes in the back of the closet.

  "These are clothes from when I was in high school. I don't know why I just don't get rid of them."

  "Well, you need them for all the women that you rescue who have forgotten to bring an extra set of clothes," I said sarcastically.

  He chuckled as he continued to rifle through the clothes.

  He handed me a shirt and a pair of pants. "These are probably still going to be three sizes too big for your frame."

  "It's better than walking around in what I'm in now," I said, holding up the pants against my waist.

  "I want to take you shopping. You can't wear my clothes forever."

  "Shopping?"

  "Yes, shopping."

  "Outside?"

  "You are going to be with me, and besides, Torello doesn't have a clue where you are. I can go myself, but you might not like what I come back with."

  "No, no. I'll go," I said, realizing that shopping for women was not something he was trained to do.

  "Okay, well the towels are in the bathroom. I'll be in the living room with Ari."

  "Good luck with that," I said, winking at him before I walked into the bathroom.

  He smiled as he closed the bedroom door behind him.

  I turned the water on, looking at myself in the mirror as the steam began to fog it up. I still looked like myself, but different…if that made any sense. I studied myself until the steam was so thick there was no more of me in the mirror, only an indistinct blur of color.

  I stepped into the shower, letting its warmth envelop me. I couldn't remember the last shower I took without having to worry about listening for locks clicking open. I didn't want the shower to end, but I didn't want to keep Hunter waiting. After all, he was doing me a favor, putting his life on the line for someone he just met last night.

  I got dressed and made it to the kitchen where Ari and Hunter were sitting at the kitchen table talking.

  "Hey," I said, alerting them to my presence.

  "Hey, we were just discussing your situation, and since Torello doesn't know where you are, you are safe here until you figure out what you want to do," Hunter said.

  "Oh, I couldn't impose. I need to get out of town. I have an aunt in Phoenix, and I know she would take me in. I think a fresh start is the best," I replied.

  "Yeah, the quicker you get outta town, the better for the rest of us," Ari retorted, chomping on an apple.

  I glared at him.

  "Shut the fuck up, Ari. You're asking for an ass beating," Hunter growled.

  "I wish you would bring your SEAL ass over here. I'll show you the tactical shit jail taught me," Ari joked.

  "Man, I could kill you with this napkin," Hunter said, throwing a napkin from the table at Ari's face.

  "I wish a muthafucka' would try to kill me with this napkin." Ari laughed, using the napkin to wipe some apple juice from his mouth.

  I stood and watched as they went back and forth.

  Men.

  "I'm gonna go home. I need to see if mom needs anything," Ari said, walking to the door.

  "When are you gonna move out your mama's house?" Hunter asked.

  "When she starts asking for rent." Ari laughed.

  As we made our way outside, the bright sun felt warm on my face. The air was calm, and the birds were chirping.

  How nice that must be…not to have a care in the world.

  It almost seemed like the chaos from last night's escape had never occurred. I took in a deep breath of the salty sea air, filling my lungs with its relaxing spell.

  "Are you coming?" he asked.

  I smiled and then hopped into the passenger seat.

  "That's usually my seat, "Ari claimed.

  "Oh, I'm…" I was interrupted by Hunter's hand, grabbing my wrist as I was stepping back out of the car.

  "It was your seat. Sit in the back," Hunter said, smiling at me.

  Ari shook his head, mumbling something in Spanish under his breath. I could feel daggers shooting at the back of my head from the back seat. Luckily, the trip was a short one, stopping in front of an old brown stucco house in the middle of Logan Heights.

  "Tell your mom I said hi," Hunter said, lifting the emergency brake.

  "Tell her your damn self," Ari said, stepping out of the car.

  "Another time."

  Ari shook his head. "Pussy always makin' men do dumb ass shit. Don't say I didn't warn you about this, jàina!"

  "I'm sitting right here, you know," I said sternly, looking out the window.

  Hunter rested his hand on my knee, and whispered, "Don't egg him on."

  The second Ari closed the door, Hunter peeled out, leaving Ari standing in the middle of the street. I watched his body language from my side mirror, and he didn't look happy at all.

  "You think he's gonna be alright?" I asked.

  "Ari? He is always alright—just a little territorial," he said with a slight curl of his lip.

  "Over another man?"

  He laughed. "Over a fuckin' piece of toast."

  I smiled as we zipped over the freeway toward Hillcrest, a bustling little city just outside downtown San Diego, the crowds making parking a nightmare. Finally finding a spot, I opened the car door to the scent of every food and coffee I had missed over the last few years. Standing there, I took it all in, remembering all the times I had run these streets as a teenager—remembering the freedom. It was that freedom I missed the most while being held captive by Rez.

  "Are you just going to stand there?" Hunter asked.

  I turned to him. "Where are you taking me?"

  "You'll see," he said, stretching out his hand to me.

  We walked into a small boutique, littered with sparsely stocked racks of overly priced clothes.

  Does he know how much this shit costs?

  One shirt was around fifty-seven dollars. Either he didn't know, or he was trying hard to impress me, but little did he know that money was the last thing that would do that. I had just left that life. I pretended to shop as I watched him have a heated conversation on the phone, standing on the sidewalk. I wondered who was on the other line, but I guess it was none of my business. I had already caused him enough trouble, and I was going to watch my step and my tongue around him.

  "Ma'am, do you need any help?" the saleswoman asked, startling me from my surveillance.

  "No, no. I'm fine. Thank you," I said, shifting my gaze back down to the rack, and away from Hunter and his phone call.

  If I had been shop
ping with Torello, I would've picked the most expensive thing, even if it was horrid, just to spite him, but I knew this man didn't make that kind of money, which in my opinion was a load of shit. Any man who offers his life in service to his country and others should make more than a low life bastard who used fear as a means to control people.

  Hunter walked back in the store and found me near the back. "Find anything?"

  "No. None of this stuff is my style," I said, not wanting him to spend any money on me.

  "Really? Nothing?"

  I shook my head. "You know, I remember a thrift store down the street. You think it's still there?"

  "Let's find out," he said, twining his fingers with mine.

  We headed down the street, and there it was, just the same as it was all those years ago. We walked in, setting off the chime on the door. The saleswomen crowded around me like bees to honey, raving over my long blonde hair, and my 'perfectly flawless' skin. Well, at least that's what they were saying. Too bad they couldn't see how dirty my skin was—how dirty I was. I bet if they looked close enough, they would, but I wouldn't let them. I pulled away, thanking them for their kindness as I chose a few dresses off the rack and slid into a dressing room.

  I settled on the plainest outfit I could find, a black tank top and a loose pair of jeans. The less attention I attracted, the better.

  I walked out of the dressing room to find Hunter patiently waiting for me at the cash register. "Find everything you wanted?"

  I looked at his soft eyes, wanting so desperately to kiss him, but I restrained myself. "I think I have."

  The cashier giggled as she rang up the two dresses. "You two are so cute together."

  I shook my head and smiled. "Oh no, we aren't…"

  "Yes, we are, aren't we?" he said, shooting me a quick wink as he handed the woman his credit card.

  She swiped the card and handed it back to him with a small bag containing my clothes.

  My heart melted at his words. I hadn't been shown this sort of kindness in two years, and it felt a little foreign to me. It was a silent walk back to his car, neither of us knowing exactly what to say. In the span of an hour, we had gone from acquaintances to something indefinable.

  Stepping back out onto the sidewalk, I thought I caught a glimpse of Angelo. Startled, I jumped into Hunter's arms, wrapping mine around his neck.