eight
Lucy
It doesn't helpthat I dream of being wrapped up in Luke's arms all night. My mind keeps playing back the way he took me that first time and the deliciously filthy things he whispered in my ear.
I remember the way he brought me to my knees with just his mouth in the classroom yesterday. That was completely unprofessional of me to let him do that, and I vow to myself that I can't be alone with him anymore because he's too good at breaking down my defenses.
Of course, it would be easier to avoid him if he didn't live right next door to me.
When I walk out to go to school in the morning, he's up bright and early, sitting on his porch, staring at me as I wait for my Uber to pull up.
I throw myself into my work and try my best not to think of him, but I’d be lying if I said that my mind didn’t constantly wander to him.
At the end of the school day, I’m just ready to hurry up and get home, but I wince when Coach Tomlin calls my name just as I'm walking out the doors.
“Lucy!”
I close my eyes and take in a deep breath before I turn around and greet him with what I hope is a passable smile. “Coach Tomlin, how are you?”
I take in the man's buff physique and sandy brown hair. He's not a bad-looking guy. Many women would love to have his attention, and he's asked me out several times, but every time, I come up with a reason to put him off. I just don't think it would be good protocol to date a co-worker, even though he's a teacher and I'm technically just a teacher's aide.
Not only that, I'm just not interested in him.
“Oh, you know, same old, same old. Looking forward to a night off from coaching,” he laughs, and I brace myself for what I already know is coming.
He rubs the back of his neck before he begins, “I was wondering since I had some time off if you'd have dinner with me tonight?”
“Oh,” I'm already shaking my head and trying to come up with a feasible reason why I can't. I've already killed off all of my grandparents to get out of going out on a date with this man, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe I shouldn’t just tell him as gently as I can that I'm not interested.
I'm getting ready to do just that when I spot Luke sitting astride his motorcycle across the street. His fiery blue eyes are pinned on me, and I can see how hard his jaw is all the way over here.
My eyes flick between the two men. It looks like I have two choices. If I get out of a date with Tomlin, there's no way Luke is going to let me get by him.
My eyes slip back to Tomlin. I won't have any problem resisting him, so it looks like he's the safer of the two options.
Plus, maybe if Luke sees me with another man, he'll finally get the picture and give up, realizing that we can never be.
I look back at Tomlin and smile. “I'd love to.”
He blinks in pleasant surprise and then smiles a wide grin that splits his face. “Yeah? That's wonderful. Well, my car's right this way.” He motions for me to walk ahead of him, and I do, feeling Luke's fiery gaze on me with every step I take.
A pang of remorse hits me at letting Luke watch me walk away with another man, but I tell myself that it's necessary. I have to be cruel to be kind. Isn't that how the saying goes?
I try to keep up with the conversation as Tomlin makes small talk with me on the way to whatever restaurant he has picked out for us. He doesn't even ask what I prefer, and I'm honestly okay with that because the last thing on my mind right now is food. I don't think I could choose a place if I had to.
He pulls up to the curb of some Italian place he swears is the best restaurant in town, and I let him lead me into the building. He secures us a table in the back corner of the room, and I glance halfheartedly at the menu to pick something out to order. I'm not super hungry, but I know that if a girl just gets a salad when she's on a date with a guy, the guy will automatically assume that she's just trying to look dainty in front of him. I don’t want Tomlin thinking I’m trying to impress him’ so I pick a mid-sized meal to order as I absently wonder what Luke would order.
I start when I suddenly feel a hand on mine. I look up to find Tomlin regarding me with adoration in his eyes, and I feel the prick of guilt at leading him on like this, knowing that I am not at all interested in him.
I move to pull my hand from his, but before I ever get the chance to, Tomlin is violently ripped from his seat by the scruff of his collar.
I gasp as I look up and see Luke staring down at the man, his eyes blazing furiously. “Keep your fucking hands off her,” he growls at Tomlin.
Tomlin sputters as I hiss at Luke, “What are you doing here?”
His blue eyes turn to me with molten fury before he throws Tomlin roughly back in his seat and bends over to pick me up and fling me over his shoulder.
My cheeks color as I feel the stares of the other patrons in the restaurant watching the scene we’re making.