Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Spencer,” a deep voice booms in the hallway. “My classroom now.”
Spencer grimaces. “My uncle is such a dick.”
“Technically, I’m your uncle too,” Dempsey offers.
“Whatever, cuz,” Spencer grumbles. “See you around, speedy.”
I give him a little wave before sneaking a glance at Callum. He’s pretending to look unaffected by my presence, but I don’t miss the way his gaze sweeps over my entire body or the way he runs his tongue over his bottom lip.
“Spencer isn’t your cousin?” I ask once we start walking again.
Dempsey laughs. “I’m younger than Spence, but still his uncle. My dad had me and Gemma late in life.”
I have a million questions, most of them revolving around Callum, but I manage to keep them bottled up.
“I’m not supposed to be hanging out with you.” I frown at him. “I’ve been banned.”
Dempsey raises a brow. “Because of Levi?”
“Technically, yes. We can thank him for tattling. My stepdad says I’m not allowed to.”
“Your stepdad sounds like a dick.”
“He is,” I agree. “Our fake dating made its way back to him and he’s pissed.”
“Because he thinks I’ll defile his little girl?”
I grimace at being called Darren’s little girl. “No. This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with him.”
“It’s not a crime to be friends with someone.”
Callum’s stare hasn’t left me. I can feel it cutting into me like a hot knife. I want to look back at him, but I also don’t want to be obvious. My cheeks heat knowing I’m the object of his attention. Dempsey is rambling, but I can’t focus on him.
It’s not until Callum steps into his classroom that I finally manage to suck air back into my lungs. I quickly catch up to what Dempsey is saying, something about how wasted they’re going to get on Friday, and nod as though I never missed a word. He walks me to my first hour, gives me a mock salute, and then saunters away.
By the time I’ve settled into my seat and checked my phone, I notice a missed text.
Callum: Should I be worried my family is going to steal you away from me?
He adds in an eye roll emoji that has me smiling. Despite his joking, I think he’s jealous or at the very least feeling insecure. My chest tightens, knowing he’s just as vulnerable as I am. This thing between us has the potential to go sideways or blow up in our faces.
Yet, we’re both here for it.
Me: They invited me to a party Friday night. Even offered to sneak me out of the house.
Callum: And?
Me: It’s kind of nice to have friends. That’s what friends do, right?
I’m eagerly awaiting his reply, but he doesn’t respond. As my teacher starts the lecture, I remain focused on my phone. Finally, it buzzes.
Callum: I just gave everyone a pop quiz so I could get back to this conversation.
Me: You’re so evil.
Callum: You have no idea. And, yeah, that’s what friends do.
Me: So you don’t care if I go?
Callum: Are you asking my permission?
A thrill shoots through me.
Me: Yes.
Callum: Good girl. Let me think on it. Now pay attention in class. I wouldn’t want to have to give you detention for texting in class.
Since I want to please him, I dutifully put my phone away and get busy taking notes. Sure, detention would be fun, especially with him, but obeying him is better.
I don’t want to be the teacher’s pet.
I want to be the teacher’s good girl.
His sweetheart.
Callum
I’ve never done this before.
Certainly not with a student.
But this whole flirting gig is new to me. Maybe, when I was in high school, I flirted like every other guy. After Jamie and my dad did me dirty, it skewed the way I see dating and relationships. Since then, I’ve gone out with women, but usually only as a means to an end.
Sex.
It’s not like I’m a total asshole who fucks and runs, but I certainly don’t stay. If I need to get laid, I go out or meet up with some friends, and then find someone to share a night with. By morning, I’m not keen on the hopeful look in their eyes.
I just want them gone.
Because if you stupidly give your heart to just anyone, they might break it. Jamie destroyed mine. It hurt worse because the man she was fucking behind my back was my own goddamn father. Maybe if they’d had this affair and then broken up, I’d have gotten over it. Since they married and had children together, it’s been a constant reminder for the past eighteen years.
Willa is different.
I don’t know why, but she is.
I can feel it. It’s like I know she won’t fuck with my feelings. She’s too sweet for that.
Jamie was sweet too once…
Shoving that thought from my mind, I reply to Willa’s newest text.
Me: Stay after class. I need to see you alone for a minute. It’s driving me crazy not being able to touch you.