´My uncle says that he·ll pay for private tutoring,µ he blurted, shifting from foot to foot. ´He wants me
to do better. He·s been gone for a while, but he·s back now, and he and I had a talk. Could you tutor me? I
talk about you all the time to my uncle.µ He laughed and blushed.
Sienna smiled. Í·m sure I can arrange something. If I can·t tutor you, I·ll find a good tutor for you,
Daniel. We have plenty of university students who offer that type of service. Among your mother, your
uncle, and me, we·ll work something out.µ
Úncle Mac helps me and my mom out a lot. I·ve told him a lot about you since he got back last week.
He·s a private detective. He·s gone a lot on cases. He wants to know if you could tutor me? I mean, do you
do that sort of thing for your students?µ
When he said his uncle·s name, along with his job, a strange feeling swept over Sienna.
Sienna felt dizzy and gripped the corner of her desk tightly, her fingers curling, biting, into the scarred
wood until her knuckles ached.
She shook her head in denial.
There was no way his uncle Mac was the same man she·d met nearly two years ago, the same man
she·d made love to and left after one of the most incredible nights of her life. A night that had marked her,
one she·d never forgotten, not one moment, for nearly two years.
´Do you and your mother live with your uncle?µ she asked with feigned nonchalance, her breath
hitched in her throat, waiting for his reply. She remembered everything Mac had told her about his nephew
and sister.
Ńo, not anymore we don·t. Used to when I was a kid, though. I·m the man of the house now,µ he said, puffing out his chest.
Despite the strange sense of impending doom, she inwardly smiled at the way
he poked out his thin chest.
´What·s your uncle·s full name?µ
She racked her brain, trying to remember the name on Daniel·s personal information on his school card. She shut her eyes briefly.
Before he could answer, the door to the classroom opened.
Sienna·s eyes flew open.
She stared across the room at the one man she didn·t think she·d ever meet again; yet in her subconsciousness, she·d known all along that she would. That she·d picked this small town near Hampton,
Virginia, because she
remembered he said it was where he and his sister lived.
She was forced to acknowledge that she had chosen to move her and her brother from DC to Langston, Virginia, with the hopes of seeing him again, no matter how she denied it to herself.
Garrett McAllister.
19
I t was her.
Sin.
Mac strolled across the room, his gut tied in knots.
As he approached her, she nervously bit at the full rim of her bottom lip, her cheeks flaming with
color.
Her startled gaze behind her glasses roamed over his face.
He saw that her breaths
increased, her
chest rose and fell, her breasts pushing against the silk blouse she wore.
His own gaze lit on the buttons of her blouse straining with every deep breath she took, the pink lace
scalloped edge of her bra visible.
For two years, her face, her body, still burned a hot memory in his mind.
In two years, he hadn·t forgotten how good she·d felt lying beneath him. The way she
moved,
wrapped her body around his as they·d made love, calling out his name as he catered to her body.
In two years, he hadn·t forgotten the feel of her hands feathering over his body as he rocked into her
hot, wet sheath.
In two years, he hadn·t forgotten her casual dismissal of him as a onetime momentary diversion.
No.
Mac hadn·t forgotten one thing about her. He felt his jaw tighten in anger.
He forcibly unclenched his teeth and relaxed his tightening facial muscles.
He stretched his lips into a semblance of a normal smile and casually ruffled the top of his nephew·s
hair, his gaze still locked with hers.
Úncle Mac, I·m not a kid!µ
Daniel protested, but he didn·t try and remove his uncle·s arm from where
it settled across his shoulders.
Śorry about that, Daniel.µ
Moodily Mac watched her hop down from the desk and take two steps
back.
Áren·t you going to introduce me to your teacher, Dan?µ he asked, his eyes never leaving hers,
hungrily taking her in, from head to toe.
There were small changes in her appearance. She now wore her hair much longer than before. It lay
like a thick, heavy curtain down her back in a riot of curls.
She was wearing a prim short-sleeved silk blouse and a demure midknee-length black skirt, where
Mac caught a glimpse, when she hopped down from the desk, of her well-formed knees.
He gritted his teeth in anger when his body reacted, fierce and immediate, to being in her presence.
Úncle Mac, this is my teacher Ms. Featherstone. Ms.
Featherstone, this is my uncle Mac,µ his nephew
introduced them proudly. His introduction brought them out of their absorption of each other.
Mac offered his hand for her to shake. Reluctance clearly on her face, she placed her small hand in
his, her tongue coming out to snake at the lush rim of her bottom lip.
Ít·s nice to meet you, Mr.
McAllister. Daniel has told me a lot about you,µ she said, quickly trying to
extract her hand from his.
Mac held on.
´Hey, how did you know his last name, Ms. Featherstone?µ
Mac hid his grin, wondering how she would answer the question.
She broke eye contact with Mac. Í·ve read all my students·
files. I believe your uncle is listed as a
contact in case of emergency?µ
Although angry with her, Mac gave her cool points for the handy response. Lame, but handy.
When she tried again to remove her fingers from his, he
reluctantly released his hold.
Úncle Mac, Ms. Featherstone has agreed to tutor me!µ
Óh, wait. I haven·t agreed to that yet, Daniel. Perhaps your uncle would like to choose another tutor.
I can refer you to some
excellent tutors who would be able to give you³µ
Í·m sure you·d be perfect for the job, Ms. Featherstone,µ Mac interrupted. Únless there·s another
reason to prevent you from tutoring Daniel«µ He allowed the sentence to dangle. When she threw eyeball
darts at him, his mood was strangely improved. She quickly schooled her features into a tight grin.
Ńo, there is no other reason.
Although I wouldn·t accept money for tutoring Daniel. That wouldn·t be
ethical.µ
Í understand that. I·m sure your ethics are very important to you, Ms. Featherstone. I wouldn·t want
to compromise your«integrity,µ
he murmured.
With a tight smile, she turned away from him and spoke to Daniel. ´We can arrange a time later to
arrange for some extra tutoring, Daniel.µ
´Thanks, Ms. Featherstone!µ
Daniel looked from her to Mac, a puzzled look on his young face.
He may
not know exactly what was going on, but he was astute enough to pick up on the strong undercurrents
running back and forth between them.
´You two don·t know each
other«do you?µ
´Yes.µ
Ńo!µ Sienna said
simultaneously, and Daniel·s face became even more
confused.
&n
bsp; ´Which is it?µ His eyes darted back and forth between them.
Mac took pity on Sienna and answered,
´Ms. Featherstone reminds me of someone I knew once, that·s all, son.µ He turned to give Sienna a hard
glance. ´But, obviously, I was mistaken. Right, Ms.
Featherstone?µ
There was an awkward pause.
Sienna·s eyes widened and she cleared her throat. Í believe you were,
Mr. McAllister.µ She, too, gave Daniel her attention. ´Your mother should have my home phone number,
Daniel. Have her call me, and we can set up a time,µ she said, smiling at Daniel.
She turned to Mac and he noted the facsimile of a smile on her face was much more strained; the
fine lines bracketing her mouth, more pronounced.
Í didn·t catch your first name, Ms. Featherstone.µ
The look she cast his way, from beneath the dark fringe of lashes, clearly said it was because she
hadn·t thrown it.
Ít·s Sienna,µ Daniel
volunteered, and blushed wildly.
Mac made a mental note to add a few bucks to
his nephew·s weekly allowance.
Ít was nice meeting you, Mr.
McAllister.µ She stuck out her hand and he grasped it. Unable to resist,
he ran a caressing thumb over her knuckles. He saw the goose bumps run along her arm from the contact;
he felt satisfied at the telling reaction.
Í·ve got to get ready for a late-night session. I look forward to hearing from your mother, Daniel.µ
The dismissal was friendly, but direct. She wanted Mac to leave.
Fine. He·d go. For now.
But as soon as he got his nephew safely home, a few blocks away from the school, he·d high tail it
back to the damn school before she had a chance to escape him³something he had no
intention of
allowing her to do.
Mac turned to his nephew.
Ókay, buddy, let·s go. Your mom is waiting for you.µ
He turned and gave Sienna a final look. Í·ll be back,µ he promised. A thrill of anticipation coursed
through him when her eyes widened and a look of pure fear, mingled with desire, lurked in her deep brown
eyes.
As soon as the door closed behind the pair, Sienna rushed to gather papers on her desk and stuffed
them, sans protective covers, inside her briefcase with shaky hands.
Dear God, there was no way she wanted to be here when Mac returned. And return he would, no
doubt about it.
The wicked, almost predatory look on his handsome face promised her he would. It also promised
there would be no talk of her tutoring his nephew.
Hell no.
The look in his light gray eyes, along with the heated glances she·d received from him,
promised he
had an altogether different type of tutoring in mind.
She glanced at the clock. The impromptu conference with Daniel, along with Mac, had cost her time. It
was well after four o·clock. It was Friday, so the school would be empty or near empty,
especially since
spring break was around the corner.
She·d told Principal Skinner she·d be available after school to go over a proposed change in the
curriculum for next year, and she knew she needed to be there. She enjoyed teaching, and was damned if
she·d allow another man to have her running scared. She·d go by his office before he could make it to her
room and make her excuses«.
´Ms. Featherstone?µ the cackle from the intercom on her desk startled her, and she dropped her
briefcase.
´Damn it,µ she mumbled under her breath. She caught herself from falling just in time.
´Yes, sir?µ she called out, hoping the principal hadn·t heard her cursing.
Í·m going to have to reschedule our meeting for next week, if that·s okay with you?µ
´That·s fine, sir. I think I·ll leave now as well,µ she answered in relief.
Sienna looked at the clock, anxious to get away before Mac could return. After more idle talk, the
principal finally said good-bye and Sienna quickly picked up her things, pulled her
lightweight sweater from
her chair, and prepared to leave.
With her nerves on edge, Sienna dropped the sweater and bent down to retrieve it. She missed her
door quietly opening. The click of the lock registered and she whipped her head around, doom settling in
her gut.
Śo this is where you·ve been hiding out. You·ve been a bad girl, Sin«. It·s taken me a long time to
find you.µ
Sienna gasped in surprise and horror when she saw the man lounging casually against the door. The
jeering look of arrogance on his thin face, one she·d hoped she never would have to encounter again.
Damian Marks.
20
M ac turned into the private cul-de-sac and drove into his sister·s driveway.
He·d made the ten-minute drive in less than five minutes, and thanked good fortune he hadn·t gotten
busted by a cop.
Daniel had thrown him curious glances during the short trip.
But, thankfully, he hadn·t asked his uncle
any probing questions³the kind most kids his age seemed to enjoy³along the drive.
He parked the car, without cutting the engine.
Áren·t you going to come in?
Mom·s making pizza,µ Daniel quizzed, one hand on the door handle, the
other hooked on his backpack.
Ńo, son, not tonight. I have something I need to take care of.µ
´Going back to talk to Ms.
Featherstone?µ
Mac looked in surprise at his nephew. Obviously, he·d passed some of his intuition, or overall nosiness,
to his nephew.
´Maybe,µ he conceded, and ran his hands over Daniel·s head, knowing it would irritate him. He laughed when Daniel ducked away. ´How ·bout I take a rain check on dinner? Tell your mom for me, okay?
µ
Śure, Uncle Mac,µ Daniel
agreed, and opened the car door to leave. Before he closed the door, he
leaned in, his face serious.
Úncle Mac?µ
´Yeah, son?µ
Úh, Ms. Featherstone is real nice. I like her a lot.µ His young face had a look of maturity stamped on
it; Mac got a glimpse of a much older, grown-up Daniel and felt his heart clench.
´Yes, I can tell.µ
´Well, I think she·s kind of had a rough life.µ
´What makes you say that, Dan?µ
Í don·t know. She never really talks about her personal life or anything. Some of the kids ask her
questions all the time. Stuff about her family, what she did before she taught, stuff like that.µ
Ánd?µ Mac prompted.
´Well, once, Sean, one of the kids in class, was talking about his sister. I guess she has something«
wrong«with her.µ
Daniel looked away and bit his lip, his face scrunched.
Śean got piss«mad when one of the other guys made fun of his sister. He got in a fight and got
suspended from school.µ
Knowing that Daniel had
something more to say, Mac waited for him to continue.
´Well, the next day, Sean was back at school. He told me that Ms. Featherstone got him out of trouble. She went to the
principal for him.µ
´What did she say?µ
Śhe said that no one should get in trouble for defending their family. If family couldn·t rely on family
to take care of them, who could they rely on?µ
With that, Dan eased his face out of the open window. Í·ll see you later, Uncle Mac. I·ll tell Mom wha
t
you said about dinner.µ With a cheerful wave good-bye, his nephew pulled his backpack farther up his thin
shoulders and galloped toward the house.
As Mac watched his nephew walk inside, his thoughts focused on the enigma of Sienna Featherstone.
´Ms. Featherstone, you and I have a lot to talk about. And this time, you·re going to open up.
I·m not
letting you go, again,µ Mac said aloud.
´What are you doing here? How did you³µ
´Find you?µ Damian laughed and strolled toward her.
Sienna glanced nervously
around.
Damn. She was alone. The
school was nearly deserted and he·d locked the door.
Unless someone came by her room, specifically looking for her, no one would know she was still there.
Then she remembered the
intercom. Maybe she could catch Principal Skinner before he left.
She spun around, ran back to her desk, and pressed the intercom button. Before she could open her
mouth to speak, it was covered with Damian·s hand, while his body covered hers from the back.
Í wouldn·t do that if I were you.
You and me got unfinished business, bitch,µ he snarled, low, in her
ear.
Sienna spun around and shoved him away, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
´What business do we have?µ
She cried out when he snatched her by the shoulders and yanked her
back toward him, her body slamming into his so hard, her teeth jarred.
´You still owe me.µ He ran his hand up and down the side of her cheek, and Sienna flinched in
revulsion. Ánd I·m here to collect.µ
Although Sienna couldn·t believe he found her, she wasn·t
surprised. When she·d escaped Damian and
the Sweet Kitty, she knew she hadn·t seen the last of him.
´What final debt?µ
´The one for your brother.µ
Í don·t owe you a damn thing, Damian, you know that! You took almost everything I earned when I
worked for you!µ She slowly backed away from him.
Get Your Sexy On Page 10