“You’re very funny, Miss Derringer.”
She gave a shameless shrug, and I loved the way it made her ponytail sway. Maybe I could blame that for putting me in a trance long enough to allow the next words to pop out.
“I struggled a little as a teen. Drinking helped.”
She hid her shock at my confession pretty well. Not that it was much of a confession, just probably not something a teacher talked about with his student. I could see her eyes widen a little before she nodded her head like she understood.
She had no idea how much was really behind those two sentences. I’d struggled with my anger—my loss of control—and drinking helped me numb myself enough that I didn’t find the need for an outlet. But it wasn’t long until my parents had had enough and got me into therapy. My therapist recommended getting involved in school and then came physics club. As lame as it sounded, it was the first thing to get me excited about something in years.
Fucking stars, man. Saved my life.
I laughed at that, then admitted, “Physics club was my jam. Gave me something else to focus on.”
I didn’t know why I’d shared so much of my past. Something about her, the innocence and acceptance that emanated from her made me want to confess all my secrets. I needed to change the subject before more word vomit came out.
Thankfully, Donna popped her head in. “We’re getting lunch from the sub shop. You want anything?”
Oaklyn’s stomach growled right on cue and her cheeks blushed.
“I’ll take a large club and two bags of potato chips.”
Oaklyn’s head popped up at that. “Dr. Pierce, no. I packed a PB&J. I’m go—”
“Two, Donna,” I interrupted Oaklyn and held up two fingers to Donna. She gave me a nod, smiling at Oaklyn’s protest.
“Let us treat you every once in a while,” she said before walking out.
Us. Like it was the office that wanted to gain pleasure from watching Oaklyn’s lips move with every bite, and not just me.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Oaklyn said, hopping up from her seat and whirling around to dig in her bookbag.
My eyes trailed to the way the soft material of her skirt swayed higher as she moved. The expanse of thigh entranced me and shot straight to my cock, making it twitch under my slacks. She stood, and I looked away before she fully turned and faced me.
“Brownies!” She held up a Tupperware container victoriously. “And I made sure to add peanuts just for you. Although I hear Mr. Erikson likes them too, so you may have to share.”
“Hmmm.” I pretended to think about it. “I don’t think so.”
Her soft laugh filled the office, and I couldn’t help smiling too.
Oaklyn set some brownies on my desk before taking the rest out to the main office for everyone to share.
After lunch, I put on some music to help distract me from the soft noises she created as she filed. It seemed every swish of paper drew my eyes to her, like she was shouting at me, demanding my attention. However, the music backfired on me when I glanced her way to find her standing in front of the cabinet, swaying her hips to the beat of the song.
I wasn’t even sure she was aware of what she was doing, but the motion sucked all the moisture from my mouth and I struggled to swallow the desire choking me. Fuck. I wanted to place my hands on her hips and inch the skirt up until the cheeks of her ass peeked out. Then I’d rub my hand across the soft skin and sway with her. Work my hands around the front as I pressed my cock against her soft globes and buried my fingers between her thighs.
“Dr. Pierce.” Her soft voice interrupted my fantasy and I jerked, blinking away the image to find her staring at me.
My heart thundered in my chest as I realized she’d turned to find me staring at her ass. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I took deep breaths to stop the blood rushing to my cheeks and swallowed, hoping my voice sounded normal and not at all nervous about what she’d say.
“Sorry. I zoned out a bit.”
Her teeth dug into her bottom lip and she seemed to be trying to hide her own blush as she walked forward to put a paper on my desk. I scooted further under my desk, hoping she didn’t notice the tent in my pants.
“I was wondering where you wanted me to file this one.”
I looked over the paper she handed me, and just stared at it, trying to regain my composure. “Bottom cabinet.” Giving her what I hoped was a reassuring smile, I returned to my work, berating myself the whole time.
Before I knew it, the day was over.
“Is there anything else you need before I head out?”