What, or who, was on my mind was Damien. His reluctance to leave me. The way he took charge of the situation. He didn’t know, but I had watched him confront Andy across the street. I saw the way Damien stealthily approached the building, then dragged him from the doorway. I couldn’t hear them, but the difference in their postures said it all. Damien—tall, commanding, determined. Andy—hunched, hidden, no doubt belligerent. When Damien stepped closer and Andy hurried away, I felt only relief. When Damien had sat in my apartment, for the first time since moving to the city, I didn’t feel as alone as I had. He was calm and collected, yet I felt his wrath at Andy’s behavior.
The way he used my computer, I had no doubt the man had downplayed his skills. His fingers flew over the keyboard, and his concentration was intense. The questions he asked and his subtle way of taking control were sexy and comforting at the same time. The attraction I felt toward him was undeniable, and from the way he had kissed me before leaving, he felt it as well.
And we were having dinner, not because he felt the need to protect me, but because he wanted to. Since I’d gotten his texts, he’d been on my mind all day. I could hardly wait to see him.
The door opened, and the principal walked in. “Raven,” she greeted me. “All go well with your parent interviews?”
“Yes, they did, Tracey. Except the Flynnes. They feel Aaron should be in the advanced reading class.”
She rolled her eyes. “Did you point out the child can’t read a full sentence yet?”
“I did. They think he’s just shy. But brilliant.”
She shook her head. “He’s a normal student. A lovely child. I dislike it when parents push their own desires on their children. Let them develop at their own speed. It only harms them in the end.”
“I assured them I would work with him one-on-one when I could. That seemed to satisfy them. For now, at least.”
Tracey beamed. “That is why you are one of my best. Besides that, are you all right? I can give you a lift home.”
“No, a friend is picking me up. I’m good. I’m going to go get my purse and wait for him by the doors.”
She lifted one eyebrow quizzically. “Him?”
I felt the heat in my cheeks. “Yeah. Him.”
“Not—”
“No. He helped me out with Andy. Scared him away. He seems like a really nice guy. He owns a company called Elite Security.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Elite Security?”
“You know it?”
She nodded. “My husband does some hours with them. On occasion, they need off-duty cops. Mike thinks the whole organization is top-notch.”
“Well, Damien seems to be.”
She smiled, her eyes gleaming. “I met Damien once. He was top-notch in many ways, I think.”
I had to laugh at her words. “I agree.”
She laid her hand on my arm. “Okay. You go get ready. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
I went to my classroom and grabbed my purse. I shut off the lights and hurried to the front doors. Damien was waiting, leaning against the hood of a car, scrolling through his phone. I took a moment to admire him. Tall, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, he was sexy and intense-looking. I was suddenly anxious to be close to him again, and I stepped outside. He glanced up at the sound of the door opening, tucking his phone into his pocket and watching me approach him with a wide smile.
“Damn, girl,” he breathed. “Teachers didn’t look like you when I was little.”
I grinned. “Or maybe you were too young to notice.”
“No. I remember my grade one teacher. She had a furry upper lip. I got sent to the corner the day I asked her why a caterpillar lived under her nose.”
I began to laugh, and he bent down, brushing his lips over mine. “You are so beautiful when you smile.”
“You make me smile.”
“Glad to hear it. Did you have a good day?”