Incumbent(9)

I tightened my lips, trying to contain my smile as I said, “My parents will thank you.”

Her eyebrows drew together, and two cute creases formed between them. “Your parents?”

“Yes, that incredibly lovely woman I took to the fundraiser is my sister, Gretchen.”

I’d never seen someone blush as quickly as she did. “Oh. I didn’t mean to imply . . .”

“Yes, you did.” When the rosy color on her cheeks faded, and her usual alabaster skin paled a shade lighter than usual, I said, “It’s okay. I’m glad you were curious.”

“I wasn’t curious.” She pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin slightly, obviously lying.

“Yes, you were.”

Lucy cleared her throat and picked up a stack of papers that had to be about three inches thick. It looked like an unbound phone book.

“The assignment was to interpret an event in US history that helped form laws in today’s society. They needed to have at least seven resources cited, and an integrity form had to be signed at the end to ensure they didn’t plagiarize.”

I slid on my black-rimmed reading glasses and flipped through the papers. “Aren’t term papers assigned earlier in the year?”

She stared at me before replying. “They were assigned back in December. I wanted it done correctly and not rushed. They had ample time to complete this assignment.” Her authoritative and slightly annoyed tone made me well aware she was one of those teachers who looked sweet, but was all business. “Each paper should be approximately fifteen pages long, and before you ask, no one complained. Any questions before we start?”

“Yes, one.”

She glanced up, and when our eyes met, I asked, “Are you single?”





CHAPTER 3


Lucy



All my thoughts flitted away when Drake asked if I was single. You’d think my mind would be racing, but it wasn’t. Oddly, a sense of tranquility washed over me, which gave me the ability to look this stunning man in the eye and answer him.

“Yes.” I couldn’t contain my smile when his dimple appeared at my response. “I’m single.”

His chest rose, making his black T-shirt tighten over his expansive chest, and it was difficult to focus on much else.

“I’m glad to hear it.” He clicked the top of his red pen and marked the paper in front of him. He looked even sexier in glasses, while I was sure I looked like a total nerd in mine. So unfair.

My calmness dissipated as my pulse quickened. Why did he ask? Was he single? If he normally took his sister to events, I could only assume it was because he didn’t have a girlfriend, but I wasn’t certain. Maybe he had a girlfriend who hated the limelight, and that was something I could definitely understand.

“Are you really single like you told my class?” My voice practically cracked, but I tried to keep it as steady as I could.

“I am,” he said, and I allowed myself a smile that fell when he added, “But I’ve met someone.”

Well, that was short-lived. It didn’t surprise me he’d have someone waiting in the wings.

“Oh.” My one-syllable response seemed sad to my own ears. I could only imagine what it sounded like to him. “So, you’re interested in someone. Is she into politics?”

Oh my God! Why am I even asking? Maybe he just doesn’t want to publicize their relationship, and here I’m firing off questions like a reporter. I need to zip my lips.

“As a matter of fact, yes, I am, and yes, she is.” He circled a word on the paper and wrote something in the margin before he turned the page.

“That’s wonderful. What position does she hold?”

Curiosity was getting the best of me, and I couldn’t help but ask. After all, I’d already dug myself in pretty deep, so why stop now? But I buried my nose in a student’s assignment to appear almost disinterested.

“She’s in education.” His tone was flat and carried a bit of sarcasm.

My heart dropped a bit to think I was in the same field as the lucky woman who’d caught his eye. When I looked up, he winked and laughed at me.

“It’s you. I’m interested in you.” His dimple appeared, and I flushed hot all over.

“Oh!” His answer brought out such contentment and relief. It also shocked me, leaving me momentarily speechless. All I could do was stare at the handsome, self-assured man in front of me.

“Oh? That’s all I get?” Slight lines formed at the corners of his eyes as he squinted at me.

I nodded. “But you don’t know me.”

“You’re right, I don’t, and it’s on my agenda to rectify that.”

We went back to grading papers until my vision blurred. I tossed my pen on the table and stretched my arms above my head. We’d been staring at papers for a few hours.

Time flies when you’re with a gorgeous man.

A little stiff and sore, I dropped my head back and rubbed my neck to relieve some tension.

Drake got up and stood behind me to rub my shoulders. His thumbs found knots near my shoulder blades. “You’re tight.”

Tight. His husky voice reverberated through every cell in my body and landed between my legs. I shifted in my chair as he continued to knead my aching muscles.