by Tiana Cole
That was true too, but no more. “Well I did manage to get all the utilities in my house turned on without much help. I have a job and my own car. That’s pretty regular stuff.” He hadn’t spread his wings much other than that, but he would. Soon. He planned to use this time wisely, pursuing his passions. His dreams.
“You need a girlfriend.”
Alex looked at Seb. “Why would I need one of those?”
He shrugged. “Women are amazing. Also because you will get to know what you do not know. Trust me,” Rafael told him, wearing a smug smile.
He smiled, surprised the man said so much. “What makes you such an expert?”
“That’s easy. I love women and I treat them well. They have taught me a lot over the years.” Rafael looked at him, studied him while Gina set down their plates and flirted with Seb. “I will help you.”
“Oh yeah?”
He nodded. “Yes. Just wait until you meet someone and then I’ll help you out.”
Alex could only laugh at the certainty of Rafael. He didn’t know the man well enough to say whether it was bravado or fact. But he would learn. Over the next year these men would likely become close friends of his. “If there are any someones to meet around here. I don’t imagine many pretty young things want to waste their best years here.” It wasn’t exactly his first choice either, but Colorado had great winter sports and Elite Academy had a world class equestrian program, of which he was privileged to be a part.
“Maybe not, but this is a wonderful place to begin a career in education, is it not? You may find your future bride here.”
Alex laughed at that, but he couldn’t deny a slight thrill went through him at the prospect. “Falling in love would certainly be a new adventure for me. But don’t hold your breath Rafael, I’m not in the market for a wife.”
Rafa smiled and sipped his beer. “That’s what my father and grandfather said before they fell.”
Shaking his head Alex held up his icy cool mug. “Shut up and drink.”
Chapter 2
Amanda gave herself a few minutes to stand outside the main building of the Elite Academy campus and enjoy the beauty of it. A beautiful red brick building with a steepled roof. It had a very prairie schoolhouse feel, only on a much grander scale. Gold scripted letters welcomed visitors to the ‘home of our future’, shiny copper knobs and door handles were just the details of understated wealth that EA was known for. She smiled. This is where I work now.
She would help shape thousands of children throughout her career, but here at EA was where she would likely influence a future Pulitzer, Nobel or Grammy winner. That was an uplifting thought, filling her with pride and motivating her up the concrete steps and into the marble foyer. Inside was just as grand as she remembered, with a double sided staircase with pillar embellishments. It was over the top and intimidating. But there was also a history about the place, knowing such great minds had been formed here. And now she would be a part of that legacy. For a while anyway.
At the second floor landing she found the auditorium style classroom where the first staff meeting of the school year was being held. Pulling open the cherry wood door, Amanda stepped inside and all eyes turned to her. “Hi Amanda Haze. Literature.” Dark brown eyes glanced around the room in search of a friendly face. Not that any of the faces were unfriendly per se, but the staff was a bit more mature than she was expecting. Everyone got her patented nice to meet you smile and she noticed there were maybe three people in the room under forty and she was pretty sure one of them was a really good looking woman in her mid forties.
I will not be disappointed. She repeated those words to herself as she found a seat behind a petite redhead in denim coveralls. The age of her coworkers didn’t bother her, but they all likely had families and very little time for friends. I’ll make it work. She always did. From where she sat Amanda could see at least a small part of everyone’s face. The auditorium classroom was updated with tables instead of those inflexible desk and chair combos.
Dean Herbert Hart walked into the front of the room with a stack of bound papers. He was a stocky man with a military buzz cut, a broad chest and a gut that rivaled Santa Claus. He looked like the meanest son of a gun but he was kind, gentle and so intelligent it was hard not to admire the man. But he was in boss mode with a flat expression as he checked his watch and scanned the room obviously in search of someone.
The door opened and it sounded like a heavy metal door, giving her a new appreciation for how disruptive her own entrance had been. Her gaze went to the intruder and she bit back a gasp. The man was incredible. And big. He was over six feet with a flop of golden blonde curls that gave him a rakish air, thanks to those close cropped sides. What color are those eyes. She looked up at him and his eyes—blue, cobalt blue—were fixed on hers. And then, oh my god, he smiled and revealed a dimple on his left side. She knew she should look away. It was completely unprofessional to openly gawk at a man, likely her coworker, like an infatuated teenager.
“Sorry I’m late, I got turned around.” With a charming smile he made his way to her row and took a seat as far as away from her as possible.
Message received. Amanda turned her attention back to Dean Hart and the myriad announcements, committees and handbooks he’d prepared for the new school year. For the next seventy five minutes she kept her attention on the meeting, the upcoming school year and the extras she wanted to be a part of this year. She did not pay attention to the sexy blonde who wasn’t interested.
Not much, anyway.
~
It was a good thing Dean Hart was a man who liked to print things, because Alex had hardly been able to focus on the staff meeting. That dark beauty with those piercing almond shaped eyes. Even from the door they’d captured his attention. There was heat in her eyes and fascination, and to Alex that felt like something new. Most places he went, people at large knew who he was and they usually wanted something from him. No, they always wanted something from him.
The sexy pixie looked like she just wanted him. It was probably wishful thinking on his part since she hadn’t spared him another glance the rest of the meeting. He wanted to meet her, which was why he took as long as he possibly could packing up the flyers, booklets and memos handed out over the past hour. He’d taken the long route to the door but still she stood at the front of the class, as comfortable as you please, laughing with the Dean.
Finally he gave up, figuring he was bound to see her around campus this semester. She worked at EA. He would find her. For now he would enjoy walking through campus on his way home.
Another delightful thing about the town of Elite was it’s scenic beauty. There were hundreds of shades of green for as far as they eye could see and off in the great distance were white tipped peaks jutting into the sky. The gentle rush of Lake Whinbey provided a soothing soundtrack to his lonely days. As much as he loved spending times with his security team, he refused to lean on them. If this was his only chance to spread his wings, to be free, then he wanted to make the most of it.
He would make the most of it.
Alex came to a stop at the sound of a horse neighing and smiled. He was near the stables. A few moments later he figured out which direction the sounds were coming from and made his way to what looked like a brand new stable, with a glossy burgundy paint and white trim. But as nice as the outside was, the inside rivaled the palace stables. Glossy varnished blonde wood, black steel gates with the drop down v-front fronted every stall for horse comfort. Going down the line, he introduced himself to every horse, letting them smell his hand while he rubbed them between the ears.
Horses were uncomplicated creatures but they were also incredibly smart and intuitive. They listened and learned to work with another being to achieve a goal. He would be working with students on show jumping and dressage, but he would also provide lessons to those who wanted them. Dean Hart told him not to expect any lessons but be prepared to get one or two.
The tack room, wash rack and offices were l
ocated in the back of the deceptively large stable. It would be no hardship to have this place as his office. Making his way back toward the horses, Alex paused at the sound of light footsteps, an adorable giggle and then low talking. “You’re a talkative fellow, aren’t you?”
He turned the corner and smiled. His pixie, no his pinup, he amended after catching a glimpse of her curves in those jeans, was right here waiting for him. The gods must have been shining down on him for such a fortuitous occasion. “I hear he’s got all the good gossip.”
She gasped and turned, looking up at him with those fathomless brown eyes. “Hey…you.” Her smile was surer than her words and that made him smile. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
She smiled, turning back to the horse to hide her pink cheeks. “I like horses and I’ve been visiting everyday this week. I keep saying I want to take lessons but I think I’m really going to do it this time. I kind of have to, don’t I?” She looked up at him and clamped her lips shut adorably. “Sorry I don’t know why I’m rambling.”
She was nervous, he realized. “I’m Alex, equestrian coach and instructor. He beamed a smile, filling with satisfaction when she smiled in return.
“Amanda, literature teacher. And I’m sure several other clubs,” she laughed prettily. Up close he could see that her dark brown eyes held flecks of gold in them. And she was much tinier than he thought, barely over five feet would be his guess.
“Pleasure to meet you, Amanda.”
“You too, Alex. Your accent is lovely, what is it?”
He tensed. His security team and his assistant had urged him to stick as close to the truth as possible without revealing his royal heritage. “A small island nation off the coast of Spain, called Silmaña.”
Her smile brightened. “Sounds exotic and tropical. Is it beautiful?”
“It is incredibly breathtaking, but this place comes in a close second.” Alex smiled down at her and when she smiled back he felt an answering tenderness for her.
“Sounds amazing.” Stopping at the entryway of the stables she turned another blinding smile on him. “What made you choose Elite Academy?”
Telling her the truth wasn’t an option so he flashed a charming smile and told her. “The equestrian program, what else? Two of my students are apparently preparing for the Olympics.” He didn’t feel bad because all of that was true. Too.
“Wow that’s pretty cool. How’d you get into horses? I mean, I assume you grew up around them if you’re teaching Olympians.”
That drew a laugh from Alex. “I did grow up with them, working in the stables for this big outfit close to home. What about you, literature?”
She smiled and her whole face lit up, with the afternoon sunshine behind her she looked beautiful. “Oh you know, a book nerd had to figure out if she wanted to work in a library or teach and I chose the latter.”
He loved her self-deprecating laugh, showing she didn’t take herself too seriously. “Not writing? Don’t all great lit teachers have a burning desire to be the next Hemingway?”
Amanda laughed again. “I don’t know about a burning desire but I have thought about it, children’s books though.”
That made him smile. “Of course, always a teacher right?” She genuinely wanted to help people and he was drawn to that, he realized. Most of the women he knew did charity because it was expected of their station in life, but they’d never help people if there was no money in it. Like Amanda.
She tilted her head to the side and looked up him with a thoughtful stare. “I guess you’re right. I never really thought of it like that, I just think I’ll be better at it than other stories.” Her smile was nervous. “Kids are easier than adults.”
They’d walked around most of the town by the time they stopped talking. “I guess we’ve walked quite a bit.”
Amanda looked around, chocolate-y eyes round after checking the time. “Nearly three hours, wow! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to babble your ear off.” She blushed and it was so damn arousing it was all Alex could do not to reach out and pulled her to him, kissing her senseless.
Instead he reached out and tucked a lock of her swept bangs behind her ear. “Don’t apologize. I haven’t had such good conversation in a long time.” He smiled at her flushed skin and laughed. “You’re an interesting character Amanda.”
That pulled a full-bodied laugh from her, shaking her petite frame violently. She dabbed the corners of her eyes. “Thank you Alex. No one has ever said that to me before.”
Her pleased smile gave him a warm sensation he’d never felt before and he wanted to keep feeling that way. “Since I like you and you like me,” he gave her a charming smile to take the sting out of his arrogant words, “and we’re both the youngest people here by at least a decade. I think we should be friends.”
She smiled but the light had gone out slightly. “Friends, sure. I need to make a few stops before I head home so I should get to it. It was really nice to meet you Alex. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
He nodded and waved to her back as she sped off. Frowning he turned in a circle to get his bearings and then started the quick walk home. He’d messed up with Amanda somehow and he had to fix it. If nothing else it would be nice to have a friend, not being paid to be here.
Chapter 3
“Equestrian coach? Sounds fancy, and hot. Is he hot? How hot is he?”
Amanda laughed at Misty’s barrage of questions about Alex, which she was eager to answer. “He is incredibly hot, a solid ten. An eleven when he laughs for real. But he’s also nice and funny. And he’s got a sexy accent.” She was happy to gush for a few minutes about the man who had captured her attention and kickstarted her imagination. Then reality set in. “None of that matters for me anyway. He wants to be friends, Misty.” Not that she couldn’t use a few friends, she could. But he’d cut off all possibility with the dreaded ‘F’ word.
“Don’t worry about that, all great couples start out as friends.” Misty was ever the optimist and after the rollercoaster that ended with an engagement to the man of her dreams, Amanda understood why. It just wasn’t helping her at the moment. “No guy spends three hours talking to a woman he’s not interested in.”
She wanted to believe that, she really did. “But most guys don’t toss out the friend word unless they’re not interested. You know I’m right Misty.”
Her friend’s silence was answer enough. “Maybe he can be your wingman?”
Amanda laughed. “Yeah because nothing says I’m single like a giant blonde Adonis at your side.” She sighed. “It’s fine. I could use a friend here anyway.” A week into the new semester and Amanda learned that her initial assessment of her colleagues was correct. The other teachers in her department were all over fifty and they were also all married. With families. The pretty middle aged woman she’d spotted during the staff meeting was Nancy Walker, physical education teacher and volleyball coach. She was the next youngest staff member aside from Amanda and Alex, but she was also dating a pilot which meant she spent most weekends somewhere with him and most nights chatting with him.
That left Alex. Her friend, Alex.
“Don’t tell me you’ve already given up? Come on Manda, go after this sexy blonde knight on a white steed.”
She laughed again. “No Misty. I’m not risking that kind of humiliation with someone I’ll spend the next few years working with. If there’s no one in town my age I guess I’ll set up an online dating profile.” What a sad and pathetic thought, but it would be sadder and more pathetic to end up all alone.
“If you’re sure,” she said, knowing full well Amanda wasn’t sure at all.
“I am.” She was sure that she wouldn’t be making a play for a man who’d made it crystal clear he wasn’t interested. “Anyway I’m going to rent a bicycle and do a few circuits around the lake, so I’ll talk to you later. Give that man of yours a hug for me.”
“Will do, honey. It’s just the first week, keep yo
ur head up.”
She jumped in her workout gear, grabbing a few bills, her keys and phone. A little fresh air and some beautiful scenery should cheer her right up. Not that she needed cheering up, not really. She just needed to feel more like her old self. Capable, independent and ready to roll with the punches. The way she always did.
A cute little wooden shack was set up just off the paved path for pedestrians and cyclists. The shutters were open and rock music blared from the speakers. With only a little hesitance she stepped up to the counter and looked at the different rental options.
“You don’t look like any professor I’ve ever met.” The man behind the counter wore a NYU sweatshirt that had seen better days with a backwards baseball capped that flipped the bird.
She looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Who said I was a professor?”
He flashed an adorable grin that showed straight white teeth and dimpled chin she was sure got him more than his fair share of dates. “You’re new in town and while you do kind of look like a student, there’s too much behind those eyes for you to be a teenager.”
“Well thanks, you big ol’ flirt. I’m Amanda, lit teacher not a professor.”
He shrugged. “I’m Baker. Graphic novelist and bicycle rental expert, at your service.”
“Nice to meet you Baker. Do you have any published? I’ve never read a graphic novel before.”
He smiled and rattled off a few titles. “Next time you swing by I’ll have copies for you. I’m happy to fill the hole in your impressive literary education.”
She laughed and nodded. “I love finding new books so you’re in luck.” With a smile and a wave she walked away with the bicycle and put one ear bud in, letting the voice of Alicia Keys sooth her soul. Starting her life over again had been more stressful than she realized and the only thing that worked was music therapy. And thinking about a certain blue eyed equestrian, which she should be quitting any moment now.