Listen to Your Heart(46)

But that discussion will have to wait.

Right now, I’d settle for a kiss.

After a quick glance around the classroom to make sure the students are occupied, I slip out the side door and make my way down the small hallway. Skye’s still peeking through the window of the music room when I grab her from behind, wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my face in her hair. She melts against me, and I take her by the hand, leading her to a nearby classroom. I don’t even bother turning on the light before I kick the door shut and press her against it. Skye’s soft moan vibrates through me as I capture her lips with mine. Her arms wind around my neck while my hands roam every inch of flesh I can reach without completely ripping her clothes off.

“Wow,” Skye whispers breathlessly.

“Missed you.”

I trail my lips along the corner of her mouth and down to her chin before dipping to her throat. She slides her fingers through my hair and holds me close as I breathe her in.

“I missed you, too.”

“I’m glad. My day is absolute shit when you’re not within touching distance.”

“Same.” Skye laughs lightly. “Wow, we’re really pathetic, aren’t we?”

“Nah. Just in love.”

She smiles and kisses me softly.

“Class is almost over. Let me take you and Eli out to dinner.”

“You’ll have to settle for just me. I’m supposed to drop him off at his mom’s. It’s their Wednesday night thing. Jill loves to say it’s her son’s only chance for a decent meal. She’s not wrong. I rarely cook and Nick always orders take out.”

“Speaking of Nick, I think Eli’s missing his dad.”

“Did he say something?”

“He was just asking me questions about adults falling out of love with each other. He wonders if they fall out of love with their kids, too.”

Her eyes fill with tears.

“Nick’s not a bad guy. He’s just immature. Always has been. Jill’s out of town so much with her job that the two of them agreed that Eli should live with Nick, especially since I offered to help. But then he got promoted and started dating that girl. Now, he’s rarely with his kid. I honestly wouldn’t blame Jill if she filed for sole custody. It scares me to death, though.”

“Why?”

“Because she could move away and I’d never get to see my nephew.”

“She wouldn’t do that. You’re too good to him.”

Skye shrugs. “I don’t know. I try not to think about it. But if Eli’s upset then I probably need to have a Come to Jesus conversation with my brother. Again.”

“I’d like to meet Nick.”

“No, you wouldn’t. He’s a little on the protective side. A thousand times worse than my father.”

“I’d like to meet him, too.” I smile and press a kiss to her nose. “But right now, I better get back to my class. They might be talented and gifted, but they’re still kids.”

She grins, and I kiss her one last time before taking her by the hand and leading her to the music room.



“Why can’t I stay with you guys?” Eli whines as we pull into his mom’s driveway.

A tall woman with short blonde hair stands on the sidewalk, hands on hips and scowling like she’s pissed at the world.

“We’ve been over this, Eli. It’s Wednesday. You spend Wednesday nights with your mom.”

“But I don’t want to. All she does is say mean stuff about Dad the entire time and feeds me crap that tastes like cardboard.”

“That crap’s good for you.”

“It’s cardboard, Aunt Skye. And then, when I get home, Dad wants to know what she said about him. I’m not a yo-yo.”

I’ve never seen Eli this . . . whiny. Then again, I haven’t been around him when he’s about to spend the night with someone who’s marching toward our car like a woman possessed.

Skye takes a deep breath and parks the car. With a frustrated growl, Eli angrily opens the door and pulls his guitar case out of the backseat.

“He forgot his backpack,” Skye says softly. “Could you grab it for me while I deal with the banshee?”

Jill’s waiting for us when we step out of the car. “This is ridiculous. Where’s Nick?”

“Hello, Jill. It’s nice to see you.”

“Where is he, Skye?”

“He’s working.”

“Sure he is.”

I close the back door and offer Jill her son’s backpack. She eyes me warily.

“Jill, this is Caleb. He’s Eli’s guitar teacher and my boyfriend.”

“It’s very nice to meet you. Your son is a wonderful guitarist.”

“Thanks.” Jill eyes the two of us. “So . . . my son’s guitar teacher is also dating his aunt?”

We nod.

“Okay. Whatever. So, Skye, you’re picking him up at eight?”

“I can, but doesn’t he usually spend the night on Wednesdays?”

“Not this week. I have a meeting at nine. I tried to get it rescheduled but the guy flew in from New York and has to leave first thing tomorrow. I told Nick, but obviously it went in one ear and out the other. Like always.”