Always You(38)

How’s life in private schoolgirl wonderland? Still hating it? Ha! You should put in for a job back here.

Keep in touch man.

Cam

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I chuckled at the thought of Cam as a full-time teacher. Early mornings and paperwork were not his strong points. I often wondered if he realized how much work went into teaching, or if he’d chosen it because of the excessive holidays. Either way, he was about to find out.

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Congrats, man, that is fantastic! What will you be teaching?

Things here are the same. Only two weeks left, and I’m free. Not sure what’s next for me. Thinking about going back to college and getting my elementary degree. Less hormones to worry about.

What are you doing over break? We should catch up. There is someone I’d like you to meet.

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I pressed Send, and then second-guessed the last sentence of my email. Cam knew me well enough to know I didn’t do relationships. He didn’t know why, but from my countless one-nighters throughout college, he knew me bringing someone home would be a big, big thing, because it was something I’d never done.

***

Just as I was about to leave, I picked up my phone and saw there was a text from Wrenn.

When you see me tonight, just know the sexy little number I’m wearing is all for you ;)

I smiled and shook my head. She was such a tease.

As long as you know that I’ll be ripping said number off that body later tonight.

Her reply beeped through almost instantaneously.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I groaned and went to get ready. Being in the same room as her was hell. I had to monitor my glances and ensure my attention wasn’t completely soaked up by her. It would be so easy for anyone to see there was something between us. At times, I was honestly shocked that nobody had picked up on our relationship.

I checked my reflection in the mirror as I walked out of the bathroom. In my black cargoes, combined with a shirt and my leather jacket, I looked pretty good. I slapped on some aftershave and tousled my hair. There: done. Knowing I was seeing her made me want to put effort into my appearance. Seeing her and not being able to touch and kiss her drove me insane. I wanted her to feel that; I wanted her to feel as crazy as I felt.

Wrenn was the last person I expected to open the door. My mouth dropped. That oh-so-short black dress she was wearing was almost criminal. She looked f*cking amazing. Her creamy white legs seemingly went on forever, lengthened by a pair of impossibly high stilettos. She grinned at me, wrapping a strand of hair around her finger as she waited for me to react. React was right. She wasn’t playing fair.

How the hell was I going to get through tonight with her in the room? How could I not stare at her the entire time? What red-blooded man wouldn’t be eyeing her and thinking of all the dirty things he’d like to do to her?

“Hey,” I finally said, finding my voice.

“Hi. Come in.” She leaned against the wall as I eased past her, moving at a deliberately slow pace, making the most of our contact. She breathed heavily, which made me smile. I can play that game as well as you.

“Everyone is through there,” she said, pointing to the living room.

I nodded, my eyes leveling on hers. I didn’t give a f*ck where everyone was. Only her.

“You look f*cking amazing,” I whispered. I so badly wanted to kiss her. I wanted to push her back up against that wall and explore her body.

A knock on the door made me jump.

I shook my head, wondering to myself how I’d gotten into this situation. Wrenn went for the door and I went into the living room. It was raining out, so the usual patio gathering had been moved into the inside. Layna waved at me from over near the sofa. I smiled and nodded, saying hello to several colleagues who had also welcomed me.

Throughout dinner, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Wrenn.

God knows I tried, but she kept popping up. Her, in that dress—what hope did I have? I was sure everyone I spoke to thought I was an idiot. I’d be deep in conversation, only to drift off mid-thought as she passed me.

“Hey man.”

I looked up and saw Mark. “Hey. Didn’t even realize you were here,” I said with a shake of my head.

“Yeah. You looked like you had a few things on your mind,” he said pointedly, jerking his head toward Wrenn. I flushed. Fuck. If he’s noticed, who else has? He laughed. “It’s okay, dude. You’re allowed to look. I do it all the time,” he added, chuckling, as he turned to check out Wrenn’s ass.

I wanted to punch him. I wanted to grab hold of his face and wipe that little smirk off it. I wanted to drag him outside and pulverize him for even looking at her. Fists clenched by my sides, I swallowed my anger, willing myself not to react. This possessiveness I felt was so new to me. I excused myself to the bathroom, needing to get away; I needed to pull myself together.

Out of the living room and into the hallway, I leaned against the wall, trying to pull myself together. This is crazy. I was going to crack and ruin everything. I was better off faking a headache and leaving. But of course the fact that I’d had a headache would get back to mom...

Wrenn appeared from nowhere, grabbing my hand and leading me away. She took me upstairs, into a room—her room—shutting the door behind her.