“Miss Bailey says we can have water cannons on the fun day as well. It’ll be so cool.”
“It will.” Landon looks over at me and winks.
I smile back before biting my lip. I take in the tattoos covering his left arm, the tautness of his torso, and the lines of ribbed muscles adorning his abs, but it’s the ‘v’ leading down into his jeans that has me hot and bothered the most. I know I’m lusting after one of my pupil’s fathers, but I don’t care.
Landon and I have spoken on the phone most nights this week. We’ve really got to know each other, and I’ve loved every second. My biological clock has been ticking for several years now. Maybe I’ve finally found someone who could help me with that—someone who I’d consider to be well above my normal level of achievement.
“Dad is so happy.” Noah and Kevin are back at my side. “He says they’ll keep cleaning the cars until we at least double this money.”
“We should have charged more. I think we’d still have had a lot of customers.”
“Can we change the price now?” Noah looks at me optimistically.
“I’m afraid not, but don’t worry. Your dad and his crew are working hard to make lots of money.”
I look over to where Landon is washing yet another car. His backside is looking tight in his jeans, and I can feel myself getting even more hot and bothered.
“Do you like my dad, Miss?” Noah questions. “I mean, do you like him so much you want to kiss him?”
“Er, no.” I’m completely flustered that he’s caught me checking his father out.
“Oh, because he really likes you. I’ve seen him looking at you the way you were just looking at him. It’s that weird look adults get when they want to give someone a kiss. I’d like it if you did. I mean, you’d be good for him. I know he misses having someone to talk to. I think spending all his time with me at home must get a bit boring for him at times.” Noah smiles widely at me. “You should go on a date with him. I can always go and stay at my granny and grandpa’s house for the night. If my dad was to date a teacher, I’d like it to be you. You’re the best one at the school. Why don’t you think about it?”
I shake my head at him. “Noah Stewart, you are the kindest boy I’ve ever known.”
I look over to Landon again. He’s staring back at me and seems happy to see Noah and me interacting so well. He notices me watching him and his eyes darken—I see heat in them this time.
He cocks his head in the direction of the fire station, inviting me to go inside.
“Do you think you and Kevin could look after the payments for a minute?” I ask Noah. “Make sure you stay at the table and don’t go anywhere else.”
“That’s fine, Miss. I’ll get one of dad’s crew to look out for us if we need any help.” Noah turns away from me and starts counting out the money again.
I get up from the chair I’ve been sitting on, and grabbing my handbag, I make my way into the station. Landon’s already gone inside and is standing next to one of the fire engines. He’s leaning casually against it, still topless.
“It’s going really well out there.” He pushes off the engine and walks over to me.
“It is. I’m surprised there are so many people. I think you’ll be washing cars all day.”
“Definitely.” We stop in front of each other. He reaches out and takes my hand in his. His fingers are cold from being in water for the last few hours. “Watching you with Noah makes me so happy.”
“He’s a really good kid. He tells me he wants you to be happy.”
“Please don’t tell me he’s been matchmaking,” Landon groans.
“Oh, is it something he does often?” I’m instantly deflated. I was silly to think this might have been a one-off.
“No.” Landon shakes his head. “But he mentioned something about me and you last night. It’s the first time he’s ever been willing to share me with anyone else. I’m stunned, quite frankly.”
“Wow.” I’m left shocked at his declaration.
“Samantha, would you like to go on a date with me?”
Our bodies move closer to each other, our foreheads almost touching.
“Yes,” I reply instantly.
If I don’t get to go on a date with him soon, I might explode.