Train Me Daddy

Blurb

 

June

I’ve never been in love, but when I see him, I think this could be real.

The only thing is,…

He’s not just a single dad, he’s the father of one of my students.

He’s rich, gorgeous, and charming.

What would he want with a naïve little girl like me?

All I know is that I’ve never been this turned on in my life. My body is begging for more. But somehow I know that playing with fire is only going to get me burned.

Thomas

After my divorce, I swore off women.

That is, until I saw her. Petite, pale, with masses of black hair and intense eyes.

I know I have to have her. Her sweet body is begging for me to dominate her, to make her mine.

The problem?

I think I might be falling in more than just lust.

Chapter One

June

“Come to order, please!” I stood up and clapped my hands together, staring at my kids and waiting for them to calm down. My words had no effect – the room full of fifth graders was just as loud and noisy as it had been thirty seconds ago.

“Calm down!” I yelled, clapping my hands again and smacking my palms on the desk. This time, thankfully, the room fell silent.

“Thank you all,” I said, smiling tightly. “I know the day is almost over, and tomorrow’s--”

“Tomorrow's Friday!”

“Yes,” I said. I could feel my smile fading. “Tomorrow is Friday, and that means we've got a lot of work before the weekend.”

My class let out a collective groan. “Miss Rogers, it's so warm outside!”

“Yeah, it's like summer!”

“Except not as good 'cause the pool's not open!”

“Please!” I yelled, holding my hand in the air. “Please, guys, calm down. We've only got one more assignment for the day, okay? And then if you all are good, you can have a treat from the Treat Apple.” I pointed to the small, plastic apple on my desk filled with individually-wrapped candies.

The class let out a collective enthusiastic murmur and I sat down behind my desk. Grabbing a handful of photocopied papers, I handed them over my desk to my teacher's assistant, Ruth.

“Thanks June,” Ruth said. She rolled her eyes. “They're really a handful today, aren't they?”

I nodded. “Just tell them to read the paragraph and write a short summary at the bottom – no more than fifty words, okay?”
Ruth nodded. I sighed as she began walking around the room and passing out the papers. I had no idea what was in the water of P.S. 151, but whatever it was, I hoped it wouldn't be around for much longer. This was only my second year teaching, and I was already starting to feel like I needed a vacation.

The year had started off well. Kids were always so well-behaved during the first month or so of school. But now that we were well into October, they were starting to bounce off the walls. It didn't help that the weather outside in New York City was still as warm as summer, albeit with less humidity. Seeing the kids get all excited to go home and play was making me a little nostalgic for my own youth.
Soon, the room was filled with the sounds of pencils scratching on papers. Ruth sat down heavily at her desk and rolled her eyes. She was an older woman – probably in her mid-fifties – who had come back to work after going through a surprise divorce. When she'd first been assigned to me, I'd been nervous. After all, I was only twenty-two...I couldn't stop thinking about how difficult life would be if Ruth tried to boss me around. But thankfully, Ruth had always been a perfect coworker. She was good at calming the kids down, and honestly, I think they respected her a little more than they respected me. It's probably her age, I thought as I watched her. These kids are probably used to teachers as old as their grandparents.

Back in college, I'd had no idea that I wanted to teach fifth-graders. I'd initially thought about younger kids. But I'd been assigned to a sixth-grade classroom for student teaching, and something about the older kids really intrigued me. They weren't babies anymore, but almost on the brink of becoming real little people. I loved the idea of influencing kids, for the better, and helping them to become better people.

The sudden sound of a girl crying out made me snap my head up and stare. Brett March, a particularly difficult student, was standing beside Lily Bulger and tugging at one of her pigtails. Lily's face was red and streaked with tears, and Brett was staring down at the little girl with a cruel, mocking smile.

“Miss Rogers!” Lily cried. “Brett won't leave me alone!”

“She started it!” Brett retorted. “She wouldn't let me do my work!”

I leapt from my chair and strode over. “Brett, you leave Lily alone right now!”

Brett glared at me defiantly. I wondered what his deal was – at the beginning of the year, he'd been so sweet and well-behaved. But over the last few weeks, I'd noticed a definite change in his personality for the worse – almost like he'd become a different person. I knew children at this age were right on the cusp of puberty, but Brett exhibited such anger that it almost frightened me.

Lily was looking up at me, her green eyes filled with tears. Truth be told, I found her fairly annoying. She was a little princess who cried if she didn't get her way, but she was too much of a goody-two shoes to have initiated anything. I sometimes had a feeling the other children were just as annoyed with her as I was, but still – that didn't warrant an attack from Brett.

“Miss Rogers, I wasn't doing anything, I swear!” Brett howled. “I told you, she started it! She wouldn't stop sticking her tongue out at me!”

I sighed. “Brett, I'm going to have to call your parents about this,” I said slowly. “This is the third time this week you've deliberately harmed another student!”

Brett gave me a sulky expression. “Fine,” he said. “Do it. Call them. See if I care.” He turned on his heel and slouched back to his desk.

“Brett,” I said in a warning tone. “Aren't you forgetting something?”

Brett turned to me with a sullen look on his face. “What?”

I jerked my head towards Lily. She was still sitting at her desk, pouting, her cheeks red with anger.

“Apologize, please,” I said.

Brett groaned. “Sorry, Lily,” he muttered.

I knew I should make him do it again, but I was tired. It had been a long day – honestly, I was just as excited for Friday as the kids, but only because I needed a break.

“Thank you, Brett,” I said. “You may take your seat now.”

Ruth collected the papers and shortly after, the bell rang. The kids screamed and ran from their seats. I didn't even have the energy to make them line up at the door like usual, while they waited for their buses and parents to bring them home. I was so drained – part of me even wanted to call in sick tomorrow, or ask Ruth to cover most of the day. But I knew I couldn't be getting so lazy. After all, it was only my second year teaching.

When the kids and Ruth had gone, I settled behind my desk with a feeling of dread in my stomach. I knew Brett's home situation was slightly unusual – he lived alone with his father – and I wondered if in part, that was the reason why he was acting out. Maybe there was something odd going on at home – maybe there was something beyond my control.

I looked up Brett's father's number, then dialed and held the phone to my ear.

“Hello, this is Hannah. How may I help you?”

I frowned. On Brett's contact page, his mother was listed as Marlene.

“I'm calling for Thomas March,” I said. “I'm June Rogers – Brett's teacher.”

“Oh,” Hannah cooed. “Want me to take a message?”

I frowned. She sounded annoyingly chipper. “No,” I said curtly. “I really need to speak to Mr. March, if possible.” I cringed – if possible? Really? I knew I needed to start being a lot more assertive if I was going to make it as a teacher.

Hannah sighed. “Fine,” she snapped. “Hold please.” Before I could agree, I heard a click followed by elevator music. After just a few moments, there was another click and a deep masculine voice filled my ear.

“Hello, this is Thomas.”

“Hi, Mr. March,” I said. “I'm calling about your son – Brett.”

“Oh. What's the problem?”

I sighed. “Mr. March, I'd really rather discuss this in person. Would you be able to come by the school tomorrow evening, say around three-thirty?”

“Of course.” I shivered. Thomas's voice was thrilling and deep. After listening to the sound of ten-year-old kids all day, it filled me with a kind of pleasure that made me blush.

“Thank you,” I said. “I really mean it.”

“Not a problem. Brett is my first priority.”

We hung up and I shivered again, suddenly nervous about tomorrow. I hadn't had very many parent-teacher conferences, and they'd all gone pretty well...but I'd never had to call a parent about a child's behavior before and I wondered how Mr. March was going to take the news.

When I got home, my roommate Angela was sitting on the couch and watching a movie. She grinned when she saw me. Angela worked at an investment bank, from six-thirty in the morning until three in the afternoon. She was the only person I knew who had a similar schedule to me. That wasn't why we lived together, though – we'd been best friends ever since college, when we'd been assigned as roommates, freshman year. I wouldn't have survived Hunter College without her, and I was still grateful that we were close friends.

“What a day,” I groaned. “I felt like I was behind that desk forever!”

Angela smiled sympathetically before yawning. “I know,” she said. “I opened a bottle of wine. It's in the fridge, you want?”

I hauled myself off the couch and walked into the kitchen, kicking off my heels on the tiled floor. Sure enough, there was a jumbo-size bottle of a white blend in the fridge, and I poured some into a plastic wine glass sitting on the counter.

“How was your day?”

Angela rolled her eyes. “Not any better,” she said. “I had to deal with some really needy clients over at the clearing firm.”

We clinked glasses and I told her all about Brett and Lily.

“You did the right thing,” Angela said. “Don't worry about that, June.”

“It's not that.” I shook my head. “I’m not worried that I did the wrong thing, exactly, but Mr. March...I dunno. His voice was so powerful and intense.”

Angela snickered. “Sounds like someone has a crush,” she teased.

I blushed hotly and shook my head. “It's not that,” I told her. “It's just...I don't know. I wonder if he's going to be angry that he has to come in and deal with his son.”

Angela shrugged. “Well, he's a parent, and his kid screwed up,” she said. “Don't beat yourself up, June. You'll be fine. That kid was being a little brat.”

I nodded. As much as I knew Angela was correct, that didn't quell my nerves about the meeting tomorrow. After dinner, when I went to bed, I lay there for hours, staring at the ceiling and wondering how it was going to go.

–

In the morning, I wore my favorite outfit – a grey pencil skirt with a cream blouse – and put on my highest pair of heels. Teachers were allowed to wear jeans on Fridays, but I had a feeling that Mr. March was going to come in looking incredibly professional, and I didn't want him to think that I was just a kid. There was also the fact that I was so young – I wondered if he would blame me, for being an inexperienced teacher? Plus, my wide eyes and pale face had a habit of making me look even younger. My stomach sank when I realized that no amount of fancy clothing would make me look professional enough to teach a billionaire's son.

I didn't know very much about Brett's family, but I did know that his father was incredibly wealthy. Thomas March worked for Steel Visions, Inc – a high-dollar consulting firm. There were always whispers about him at school. One of the other teachers, Michelle, had taught Brett the year before and I remembered her talking about Mr. March in the teacher's lounge. She'd been blushing the whole time.

Thankfully, my students were well-behaved – even Brett, who kept his head down for most of the day. He still seemed sullen and quiet, and I wondered if he'd already gotten into trouble despite the fact that I hadn't disclosed yesterday's events to his father.

By the end of the day, I was a nervous wreck. Thankfully, Ruth had helped out a lot – she'd taught the kids a new song during their music hour, and then she'd taken them to play soccer for the last hour of the day. They were exhausted and sweaty as they waited for their buses, and I sat nervously at my desk, trying to make myself look as organized as possible.

At three-thirty on the dot, there was a knock at my door. I glanced up to see a gorgeous older man walking towards my desk. I guessed he was in his late forties, with tanned skin, brown eyes, and dark brown hair shot through with silver.

“Hi, are you Miss Rogers?”

I flushed. “Please, you can call me June.” I stood up and tried to make myself as tall as possible. I'm not a short woman, but Mr. March was so tall that I only came up to his shoulder.

Mr. March gave me a tight smile. “Call me Thomas,” he said. “Hannah, in here!”

I expected to see a little girl run into the room, but instead a gorgeous girl in her mid-twenties came waltzing in, wiggling her hips from side to side. She was beautiful, with long blonde hair and pale skin. I flushed again – was this his wife? His girlfriend?

“This is my assistant, Hannah,” Thomas said. “Hannah, this is June – Brett's teacher.”

Hannah smiled with her mouth but not with her eyes. “Pleased,” she simpered. She sat down and scooted close – very close – to Thomas.

“Hannah's just helping me out with some things this afternoon,” Thomas said. “I hope you don't mind that she came.”

Hannah glared at me.

“No, it's fine,” I said quickly. “Look, I know you're probably really busy, so I'll get right to the point. Brett is a smart kid – I can tell, just by listening to him talk. But he's been picking on another student, even going so far as to yank her hair. He made her cry yesterday,” I added. “I'm sorry to be the one to tell you.”
Thomas scowled.

“That's just how kids are,” Hannah said flippantly. She tossed her blonde locks over one shoulder. “He probably has a crush on her.”

“Hannah, please,” Thomas said curtly. “This isn't about you.”

Hannah sulked and I had to suppress a grin.

“That's a pretty outdated way of looking at things,” I said, trying to keep my voice as even as possible. “We take physical assault very seriously at P.S. 151, and Brett can't attack this girl again without being written up and sent to the principal.”

Thomas nodded. He looked very stern, and a thrill shot down my back.

“Of course,” Thomas said. “Please, discipline Brett as you see fit.” He sighed, raking a hand through his silver-threaded hair. “The family is...going through a bit of a rough time right now,” he added. “And it isn't fair for Brett to take his frustrations out on any of his classmates.”

I nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and curiosity. Just what was going on with the family, and why was it bothering Brett? I glanced at Hannah again, wondering if she was Thomas's mistress.

“Again, I apologize,” Thomas said. I could tell that despite his apparent lack of emotional warmth, he was sincere.
“It's nothing,” I said. “I just want to make sure Brett is doing alright.”
Thomas nodded. A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. “Of course,” he said. “I promise, I'll have a talk with him and get this sorted out.” He sighed, checking his watch. “I'm sorry, but I have to run. Hannah, is everything ready for the Johnson appointment?”

“Yes,” Hannah said in a chirpy voice. She looked at Thomas and I watched her eyes fill with passion. “But we'll have to leave now or else we'll be late.”

Thomas gave me yet another apologetic-yet-distant smile. “Thanks again, June,” he said. “I hope you'll be in touch.”

I nodded automatically. I couldn't help feeling stunned. The meeting hadn't gone the way I'd expected at all, and suddenly I was wondering whether or not that was a good thing. Thomas obviously cares about Brett, but it seemed like he was so busy that he hardly even had time for his son.

Thomas stood up and reached for my hand. When I slipped my palm against his, I felt a spark leap from his body to mine. My stomach turned to a pile of warm mush inside my body and I shivered as Thomas gently squeezed my hand. No doubt about it, he was one of the most attractive men I'd ever seen in my life.

“Thanks for coming in,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Thomas smiled, showing a mouth full of straight white teeth. “Any time,” he said perfunctorily. “Come, Hannah.”

Hannah gave me a mocking smile before clicking out of the room on her five-inch heels. Thomas looked at me and for a moment, I could have sworn he was about to say something else. Then he sighed, turned on his heel, and followed Hannah out of the room.

Chapter Two

June

Thomas stayed in my head the whole day – the whole weekend, in fact. By the time I went home, I couldn't stop thinking about his handsome face. He was beautiful in a sensual way that I didn't often see in American men. He looked distinguished, educated – almost like some professor of French literature.

Angela was, of course, no help. She teased me endlessly as soon as she heard about “hot Mr. March” and I spent the whole weekend blushing at her jokes. Even when we went out to the movies, I couldn't stop thinking about him. It was totally inappropriate, and borderline creepy...especially considering the fact that he was likely sleeping with Hannah, who had seemed only a year or two older than myself.

Monday morning, I was in the teachers' lounge when Andy, another fifth-grade teacher, came up to me and sat down. He was younger – probably late twenties – than a lot of other teachers at P.S. 151 and we'd sort of bonded over this in the past. But truthfully, I found him pretty uninteresting. He was one of those guys who seemed to only know how to talk about himself, and I could tell that we didn't have anything in common.

“Hey, June,” Andy said. “How was your weekend?”

Well, I spent it obsessing over the father of one of my students, I thought, blushing hotly.

Andy smirked when he saw my blush. “That good, huh?”

His comment made me blush even harder. “Nothing like that,” I said. “I just went to the movies with my roommate, that's all.”

Andy nodded. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. Suddenly I could tell that he was nervous.

“Hey, listen, you wanna go to a play with me next weekend?” Andy kind of shrugged, glancing down. “I mean, I got the tickets from a friend – but he can't go now, and I thought you might want to.”

My heart sank. I'd never suspected Andy of having a crush on me – he was one of those guys who was seemingly friendly but distant to everyone around him. But now I was starting to wonder if I'd been too naive.

“I'm sorry, Andy,” I said. I swallowed. “I don't really feel right dating a coworker.”

Andy frowned. “It doesn't have to be a date,” he said stubbornly.
“Ask someone else,” I said gently. “I’m sorry, Andy, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now.” At least that much was true...even if I hadn't been able to get foxy Thomas March out of my head since Friday.

Andy scowled. “Okay,” he said. “Sorry I bothered you.”

I winced. The sarcasm stung, even though I probably deserved it. “Sorry,” I said, feeling lame. Andy pushed his chair back from the table and got up, striding purposefully away. For a moment, I felt guilty. But then the bell rang, and I leapt up from my desk to get to class.

Brett's behavior was much improved. He was quiet all day, even raising his hand to answer a few pre-algebra questions during math hour. I was still dying to know what was going on at home, but I didn't dare stick my nose where it didn't belong.

When the kids were dismissed at the end of the day, I called Angela. She answered on the first ring.

“Hey girl,” Angela said. “What's going on?”

“I was thinking about going out for a happy hour or something,” I said. I gnawed my lip. Bars – especially bars in New York City – weren't really my thing, but after the week I'd had, I like I deserved a drink...or three.

“Sounds good. If you can get to Brooklyn before five, we should go to Tio's,” Angela said, her voice rushed with excitement. “They have a deal – a slice of pizza and two beers for five bucks.”

“Oh wow, definitely there,” I said. “I'll be there as soon as I can, meet you?”

“Sounds good,” Angela said. “See you soon, girl.”

As luck would have it, I ran into Angela while we were walking up from the subway. The grimy smell of the streets mixed with the garbage and fast food stalls. I'd always loved New York, but it was only just starting to feel like home. I'd grown up in New Jersey, and sometimes the idea of living in such a big city was still frightening...but with Angela, I was starting to really find my way around.

“Tio's is right down here,” Angela said, pointing towards the crowded street. We quickened our pace, darting along the sidewalk as if we were running from something. By the time we got to the crowded bar, I was out of breath.

'This is a nice area,” I said. I glanced around, seeing expensive hotels and restaurants. “I haven't ever been here before.”

Angela nodded. “Yeah, I don't come this way very often myself,” she said. “But a bunch of guys from work told me about this place and it's off the chain.”

I wrinkled my nose and peered inside. “It's really crowded. Should we try somewhere else?”

Just as Angela was about to reply, I turned to the street and gasped. There, in a hotel bar right across the street from Tio's, was Thomas March. He was seated in front of a laptop with a pint of beer next to him. My heart skipped a beat and my breath was shaky for a moment as I watched his toned, hairy arms typing furiously away at the small computer.

“That's Thomas,” I said, grabbing Angela's arm and pointing towards the bar. Angela cried out, dropping her hand.

“Oh my god, June, don't be so obvious!” Angela stared, licking her lips. “Wow, you weren't kidding. He's really gorgeous.”

I nodded, blushing furiously. I couldn't believe that I'd just shrieked and pointed at Thomas, like he was an exhibit in some kind of human zoo.

“We should go say hi,” Angela said. She raised her eyebrow and smirked. “You know, just introduce ourselves.”

“Oh, Ang, I can't,” I whined. “Come on, that's embarrassing!”

But Angela was already crossing the street, her long legs making purposeful strides towards the hotel bar. Before I could catch up, she was darting into the hotel lobby and into the bar.

My heart sank. I knew this was a bad idea – besides, what the hell would I tell Thomas. Oh, we just saw you from outside and wanted to say hi?

I groaned. This couldn't be good.

By the time I got inside, I was crestfallen to see Angela standing at the bar, flirting with Thomas. When she saw me, she gave a jerk of her head to the side.

“Hey, June, over here!”

Thomas turned around. When he saw me, he narrowed his eyes. I felt like melting into a puddle of June on the expensive hotel carpeting. After a few seconds, he smiled – but warily, almost the way you'd smile at a dog you suspected might bite you.

“Hello, June,” Thomas said politely. I cringed. He couldn't have made it any more obvious if he'd tried.

“Hi,” I said shyly.

“Will you and your friend join me for a drink?”

Angela made a wide-eyed face behind Thomas's back and I blushed.

“This is my roommate, Angela,” I said nervously.

“Hi, Angela. Very nice to meet you.”

As soon as we sat down, I was sure Thomas was going to want to talk about Brett. But instead, he steered the conversation towards neutral topics. I could barely tear my eyes away from his gorgeous, leonine face. When he touched the back of my hand, I shivered.

“Hey, June, you should tell Thomas about Sundays in the Park!”

I wanted to cringe. “I'm sure he doesn't care about--”

“What?” Thomas gave Angela a charming smile and turned in his stool. I cringed as Angela started talking about Sundays in the Park – a local event every week in the summer, sort of like an open mic in the Brooklyn park across from our apartment.

As Angela talked, I realized that Thomas's glance kept turning back to his computer. Eventually, I grabbed Angela's hand.

“Angela and I really should be going,” I said nervously. Angela kicked me under the bar and I yelped.

Thomas gave me an amused grin. “Everything okay?”

I nodded quickly. “We were just on our way to another bar,” I said.

Thomas nodded. For a moment, I thought he was going to beg me to stay and I felt my heart swell inside my chest. But then he nodded and pulled out his wallet.

“Please, allow me to pay for your drinks,” Thomas said. He smiled. “If I may.”

Angela nodded quickly. “Of course!”

I yanked her arm and glared as Angela mouthed 'what' to me over Thomas's head.

“It was nice seeing you,” I said quickly. “We've really got to go, though.

Thomas looked at me and grinned. It was the first genuine smile I'd ever seen on his face, and it sent warmth shooting through my body in a way that made me tremble.

“Bye, June,” Thomas said. The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine. “I'll see you soon.”

When Angela and I got out to the pavement, she burst out laughing and I glared.

“What?” Angela demanded. “He's nice! And god, he's hot!”

“I know,” I said morosely. “Trust me. I know.”

-

When I woke up the next morning, I knew that something had to change. I couldn't keep moping around, wishing for Thomas to suddenly think that I was the most desirable woman on the face of the planet. I was going to have to take matters into my own hands – and really make sure that I stayed as professional as possible.

Andy was in the break room when I got into work. He was reading the paper and sipping coffee, and suddenly he seemed much more approachable than I'd originally thought. He didn't look up until I'd sat down next to him.

“Hey,” I said.

Andy didn't reply.

“You mad at me?”

Andy shook his head. “No,” he said. He gave me a funny smile. “Why would I be mad, June?”

I blushed and shrugged. “I don’t know. Hey, I was thinking that maybe after school, we could get coffee.”

Andy cocked his head to the side. “Like a date?”

I nodded, blushing harder. See, that wasn’t very hard, I thought as I bit my lip. I just need to learn how to be confident around men. But I didn’t want to let my confidence get the best of me – after all, Andy was nothing like Thomas March.

“Yeah,” I said finally. “I felt bad that I had to say no the other day…I just wondered if maybe we should get to know each other better.”

Andy grinned. “Yeah,” he said. This time, he sounded more enthusiastic. “That sounds great.”

I smiled. “Great,” I said. “Well, I’m going to class now. See you, Andy.”

“Where should I meet you?”

“Just come to my room at the end of the day.” I smiled, then I thought of Ruth. “Actually, no – you know what? I’ll meet you out front, how does that sound?”

Andy nodded. “Cool,” he said. “See you, June.”

I smiled at him one last time, then turned on my heel and walked down the hall.

The day seemed to drag on and on. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’d boldly (at least, I thought so) asked Andy for a date. I was feeling confident and excited…but part of me wondered if I was really doing the right thing.

To make matters worse, Brett was behaving horribly. He dumped paint on one of the other kids, and he pulled Lila’s hair and made her cry twice in one day. Whenever I closed my eyes, I thought of his handsome father…but that didn’t mean I was going to let Brett off the hook. In the end, after multiple time-outs, I sent him to the principal’s office.

Thomas is going to be angry, I thought as I gathered my things together at the end of the day. As much as I knew that I shouldn’t care, I couldn’t help it. After all, teaching Brett was my responsibility as a teacher. I couldn’t worry about what parents would think – even though teaching in modern times was nothing like it had seemed when I was growing up. Ruth, my teaching assistant, had almost gotten fired last year after disciplining a student for bratty behavior. The kid’s parents had threatened to sue, and it had taken a meeting with the school board in order for them to calm down. The worst thing was, Ruth had been praised for her actions by our principal…but now, New York City had become so litigious that we really had to be careful.

After glancing around my classroom to make sure it was in order, I walked down the hall and out the main entrance of P.S. 151. Andy was waiting by the steps, sitting with his legs splayed open and a tattered paperback in both hands. He looked cuter outside than he ever had in the break room, and a nervous thrill of excitement made my stomach twist and cramp.

When Andy saw me, he grinned. “Hey, June,” he said. “You wanna go to the diner around the block?”

I frowned. “It’s so nice outside,” I said. “I was thinking that maybe we could go somewhere with outdoor seating?”

Andy grinned. “Yeah, sounds good,” he said. He stood up and stretched. When he came closer, I realized he was a full head taller than me. “Where to?”

I shrugged. “There’s a little café a few blocks over,” I said.

Andy nodded. “Don’t think less of me,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “But I might have to get a beer instead of coffee. Today was fucking rough.”

I nodded. “Tell me about it,” I said as we began walking in the direction of the café.

Andy chuckled. “Oh, yeah? You too?”

“Yeah,” I said. I rolled my eyes before launching into the whole saga of Brett March and his bad behavior. As I talked, I felt a streak of guilt – what if I shouldn’t be talking about this? What if it somehow got out and Thomas found out? Then he really would be angry with me.

“Wow,” Andy said. “That kid has problems.”

I shrugged. “I had a meeting with his dad last week, and he mentioned he’s going through a divorce,” I said. I puffed out my cheeks and blew. “That’s probably pretty typical for kids, right? To misbehave because they’re acting out?”

“Probably,” Andy said. He grinned. “Hey, thanks for asking me out,” he said. “I’ve really been wanting to go out with you, June. You’re hot.”

I blushed. “Thanks,” I said awkwardly.

We lapsed into silence as we rounded the corner and crossed the street. One of the things I loved most about teaching was the schedule – even if I had work after class, I could always take it home and be in the front door of my apartment by four. I especially loved it in the winter…no more coming out of an office at five-thirty to be greeted with gloomy, dark skies. I’ve always been a cheerful, optimistic person…to the point where Angela makes fun of me. But I can’t help feeling sad whenever it’s dark outside.

“Come on,” Andy said. “This way.”

I nodded and trotted after him. So far, I wasn’t regretting my decision to ask him out, but I did wonder if maybe I’d opened a can of worms that was better left alone. Andy was a nice guy, sure, but I didn’t feel very much of a spark with him. You’re being silly, I chastised myself as I followed Andy inside the café. Sometimes a spark takes time. Your life isn’t a movie – some dreamy guy isn’t just going to walk up and pull you into his arms for a kiss.

Andy and I asked to be seated outside. A cute, young hostess led us in the direction of the outdoor tables and I couldn’t help but notice Andy sneaking a glance at her backside. A flash of irritation crossed my mind. It wasn’t jealousy, though. I knew that realistically, most people check other people out all the time. But I was annoyed – this was our first date! Weren’t you supposed to put your best face on for a first date?

“This is nice,” Andy said. He sat next to me and peered intently into my face. “Are you having a good time, June?”

I laughed nervously. “We just got here,” I said.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of blonde hair and cringed. Hannah, Thomas’s beautiful assistant, was standing there with a smirk on her face.

Please don’t come over here, I thought. Please leave us alone.

As if she could read my mind – and wanted to make me as uncomfortable as possible – Hannah began striding over. All I could do was pray that she was alone, and Thomas was nowhere in sight.

“Oh hi,” Hannah said. “May I sit?”

Andy looked at her with eagerness. “Yeah,” he said. “Come on down.”

“Actually we were just about to leave,” I lied. “I’ve got to get home and get back to work on something.”

Andy narrowed his eyes at me. “June, we just got here,” he said slowly. “What’s going on?”

Hannah snickered. “Thomas is so upset with Brett right now,” she said, raising her perfectly-groomed eyebrows high on her face. “He’s even thinking of other options. I keep suggesting private school – of course a child like Brett shouldn’t be in public – but Thomas is so stubborn.”

I felt weak. If Thomas and his ex-wife took Brett out of P.S.151, I’d never see him again. Why can’t I stop thinking about Thomas, I wondered nervously, clenching my hands into fists under the table. It’s like I’m obsessed with him!

“We have a great school,” Andy said, somewhat defensively. “It’s gotten the highest ratings for any public elementary school in New York City.”

Hannah laughed and tossed her beautiful mane. “Sure,” she simpered. “But private education is just so much better,” she said. She stood up. “I mean, I can’t even imagine how stupid I’d be if my parents had forced me to go to public schools,” she added, emphasizing the word like a curse.

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, Hannah,” I said. “It was great to see you.”

Hannah peered at me with renewed interest. Then she looked at Andy and smiled. “Oh, June,” Hannah said in a voice dripping with fake sweetness. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend!”
“I don’t,” I said quickly, trying to ignore the hurt look in Andy’s eyes. “This is a coworker of mine.”

“It’s the first time we’ve gone out,” Andy added, sounded wounded.

Hannah’s smile shrank. “I see,” she said curtly. “Well, it was nice running into you,” she added. “I’ll have to tell Thomas all about it.”

Inwardly, I groaned. But on the outside, I forced a fake smile. “Right,” I said. “Well, thanks again.”

Hannah lingered uncomfortably for a moment and I could tell that she wanted to say something else. She had a gift of getting under my skin, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that she was able to do so.

“What was that all about?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea,” I said honestly. “I really have no clue.”

Chapter Three

Thomas

“Thomas? Are you ready to go?”

I barely heard Hannah’s voice as she stood in the doorway of my office, knocking loudly at the door.

“Just a sec,” I called, not taking my eyes off the latest expense report, filed just after my most recent business trip. Despite the fact that I was a self-made billionaire, spending money on myself still felt squeamish at times. And looking down at the receipt, I couldn’t believe that I’d spent over four thousand dollars of company money entertaining clients at a steakhouse.

“Come on, we’re going to be late,” Hannah said. She sighed and strode into the room, her heels clacking on the Italian marble floor of my office.

Steel Visions, Inc. hadn’t always been this opulent, but I’d worked my ass off to bring the company into the twenty-first century. Right out of college, I’d started my own consulting firm, mostly working with defense companies. And it had taken years for Steel Visions, Inc. to even be on the map. But I was proud of what I’d done – I thought that I’d really built a solid world for myself, my wife, and my son, Brett.

“Thomas,” Hannah said sweetly, putting her hand on my arm. “I know this isn’t exactly going to be fun for you, but we’ve got to get it done.”

“Please don’t touch me right now,” I said testily, stepping away.

Hannah frowned. “Did I do something?” She batted her eyelashes. “I’m sorry, Thomas,” she said. “I didn’t mean to get in the way.”

I bit my lip. The fuck you didn’t, I thought. You’ve been gunning for me since the first day I hired you.

Hannah had been my assistant for years. I’d initially hired her at the request of Marlene, my ex-wife. She hadn’t been my ex-wife then, though – we’d still been happy together, or so I’d thought. Marlene had wanted me to hire Hannah, someone to “manage my schedule” and give me more time at home with the family.
Thinking of now all made me ill.

Hannah was beautiful – I had to give her that. She had long legs, tanned skin, and long blonde hair. But I hadn’t hired her for her good looks. I’d hired her because she’d been a whiz at scheduling. Despite her dumb-blonde looks, she was one of the brighter women at Steel Visions. I respected her.

But lately, things had been getting really out of hand. Over the last few years, Hannah’s personality had changed. She’d become more forward, less timid – and she wasted no time flirting with me whenever she got the chance.

I was used to the attention of women. I knew I was a reasonably attractive man, and I’d heard Hannah joke more than once that I was “at that dangerous age.” I was forty-six, but I worked out four times a week and kept as fit as I could. And apparently, that was some kind of strange aphrodisiac on the young women of New York City.

Things hadn’t always been this way. When I was younger, I’d had to work my ass off just to get a girl’s number…and it was likely a fake one, at that. Hell, even Marlene had taken a lot of convincing just for one date. But luckily (at least, I’d thought that way at the time), by the time I asked her to be my wife, I’d amassed a sizeable fortune in consulting.

“You’re fine,” I said curtly. “Just please, don’t act up today.”

Hannah made her eyes wide and she licked her lips. “Why would I act up?”

I groaned. “You know what I mean,” I said. “Do you know that Marlene actually told my son after our last meeting that I was sleeping with you?”

Hannah’s cheeks flushed and she couldn’t hide the hint of a smile that spread across her face. “I wonder why she’d think that,” she said sweetly.

“Because you flirted with me the whole time,” I said. “Hannah, look – I can’t have you act like that in front of Marlene, and if you’re going to do it again, please just let me know ahead of time so I can make additional arrangements.”

Hannah looked sulky but she nodded. “Yes, Thomas,” she said. “I understand.”

I went to my closet and pulled my jacket free as Hannah gathered my papers and put my laptop into sleep mode.

“You want me to get you a coffee before the meeting?”

I shook my head. “No,” I said. “I’m fine.”

The truth was, I wasn’t feeling fine at all. My stomach was a tangle of nerves and I felt sick – which was always how I felt right before I had to meet with Marlene. Brett was only ten years old. How the fuck was I supposed to co-parent with a woman I couldn’t stand for at least the next eight years?

Hannah and I rushed downstairs, then into a waiting Lincoln Town Car. The day was sunny and bright and Hannah took off her cardigan, rubbing her bare shoulders and smiling at me in a manner that I knew she thought was enticing.

I ignored her.

The car seemed to take forever crawling through Manhattan traffic. I tried to keep my mind on the most important thing at hand – Brett, and how Marlene and I were going to do our best to raise him without letting our shit get in the middle.

After what seemed like an eternity, the car slowed to a stop in front of Marlene’s office building. Until the divorce, she’d been a stay at home mother…and I know she’d been angling to keep that up with alimony payments. But luckily, the judge had been on my side. While I still awarded her a hefty fee every four weeks (a fee that no doubt would have bankrolled the lifestyle of someone less greedy), Marlene had had to return to work. Now, she worked as a secretary for a fancy law firm.

I just wondered how many of the law partners she was sleeping with at once.

Hannah and I breezed inside. To my shock, Marlene was already standing in the lobby. Her flame-red hair was piled high on top of her head and her narrow face looked pinched when she saw me. She was wearing bright red lipstick.

“You’re late,” Marlene said. “I’ve been waiting here for over five minutes!”

“I’m sure that was very taxing on you,” I said dryly. “Where are we going?”

Marlene sighed heavily before turning on her heel and leading the way through a large, mostly unfurnished office. She turned a sharp left and pointed to a conference room.

“This is reserved for us,” Marlene said.

“Oh, great.” Hannah pushed past her. “Could you bring me a coffee?”

Marlene turned to me and raised her eyebrows. “Thomas, you have to be kidding me,” she said.

“Don’t worry about her,” I said. “We’re here to talk about Brett, Marlene.”

Marlene and I followed Hannah inside and I shut the door.

“Brett hasn’t been doing well at school,” I said. “He’s gotten in trouble a few times over the past week, for teasing and tormenting this little girl.” I stared right at my ex-wife. “Do you know anything about this?”

Marlene sighed. “If you’re asking whether the school has called, yes, I’m vaguely aware of something like that.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I narrowed my eyes. “You knew about this?!”

“Well, Thomas, I’m not sure what you want me to do,” Marlene said coolly. “He’s just going through a phase right now, it’ll pass.”

“He could get thrown out of that school!” I could feel my face turning red with anger but there was nothing I could do to stop myself now. “That’s the best goddamn public school in the city! I had to work so goddamned hard to get him accepted!”

Marlene shrugged.

“I’ve suggested a private school might be better for him,” Hannah simpered. “I went to private school, and I just think it’s such a better idea.”

I rolled my eyes. “Private school is off the table,” I said sharply.
“I don’t know, Thomas, maybe she’s got a point.” Marlene was picking her cuticles, she didn’t even deign to look at me as she spoke. “Maybe we should reconsider where we placed him. You know, a change could do the boy good.”

“It’s not happening,” I said firmly.

Marlene’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’re being a cheapskate,” she said. “You don’t even want to spend money on our son’s education!”

“It isn’t about that,” I said hotly. “It’s about his attitude! I don’t want to reward him for this shitty behavior. Like, oh, son – you’ve been acting out but it’s okay because Daddy is going to put you in an expensive school full of other little rich shits!”

Marlene and Hannah were both staring at me.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “Dealing with all of this is really fucking stressing me out at the moment.”

The rest of the meeting didn’t go much better. Hannah and Marlene turned on each other, and then I was suddenly the mediator. By the time we were done, I was exhausted. I felt a huge amount of resentment towards both of the women in my life, and I knew it was irrational, but I didn’t care.

“In the future, you’re not coming to these meetings unless you can behave,” I told Hannah sharply as we left the building.

Hannah batted her lashes at me. “Oh, Thomas,” she said sweetly. “I just want what’s best for you and Brett.”

I stared at her. My anger was rolling over me in strong, palpable waves.

“I trust that you’ll let me make those decisions,” I said sharply. “Because I’m sure as fuck not going to let you start parenting my son.”

Hannah’s cheeks flushed and eventually, she dropped her gaze.

“Fine,” Hannah muttered. “God, I was only trying to help.”

“We’re done for the day,” I told her. “I’m going home to see Brett, he’s been waiting for me and I know I’ll be late if I don’t hurry.”

“Want me to come?” Hannah looked hopeful. “We can order a pizza, I’ll watch Brett while you work out?”

“No,” I said sharply. “I need to start spending more time with my son.”

Hannah looked at me expectantly.

“Alone,” I added in a sharp voice. “Without you around, got it?”

Hannah nodded meekly. “Fine,” she snipped. “I’ll see you in the office tomorrow.”

I groaned and ran a hand through my hair. I hadn’t looked in a mirror all day, but I could tell that the stress was really getting to me. My skin felt puffy and old, and when I closed my eyes, a dull ache began to spread through my whole head.

I knew that I was going to have to do something about Hannah, but for the moment, I was stuck with her. I couldn’t find another personal assistant who would be as knowledgeable and helpful as Hannah – at least, not without weeks of searching. And with a big project coming up at work, I wasn’t going to be able to take that kind of time off. I supposed I could always organize a committee and put them in charge of finding me a new person, but that would have to wait until things calmed down, just a little.

And Marlene! She was a fucking cipher – she always had been. When we’d first divorced, she’d been almost pleased to be out on her own. But I could tell that it was taking a toll on her, too. She obviously hated the fact that she was “forced” to work in order to maintain her luxe condo, and I knew she probably blamed me.

I also knew that I shouldn’t care. But it was difficult – after all, we had a child together. And Brett was the most important part of my life. I wasn’t going to write off his mother just because she’d been a shitty wife. That would have been incredibly unfair to him.

It was dark by the time I got home. Isabelle, Brent’s nanny, was just starting dinner in the kitchen and the delicious smell of chicken enchiladas flooded my senses when I stepped in the door. When she saw me, she smiled.

“Hi Mr. Thomas,” Isabelle said. She grinned at me. “We had us a nice long day, didn’t we baby?”

Brett nodded and smiled. Isabelle had been with us since shortly before the divorce, and Brett really cared for her. Some of my friends had joked about her – she was young, curvy, and a lot of fun to be around. But dating the nanny was such a cliché…I wasn’t going to become that kind of man.

“I’m glad,” I said.

“Dinner almost ready,” Isabelle said, swinging her hips as she flung a dish towel onto the counter. “Just bake for twenty more minutes and you’re good. I’m going to clean up and then I’ll head out.”

I nodded. “You want a ride home?”

“No, thank you Mr. Thomas,” Isabelle said.

“Alright, then,” I said. “Thanks for everything.” I pulled out my wallet and handed her a crisp fifty. “This is for a good week,” I said, handing the folded bill to Isabelle. She tucked it inside her pocket and smiled.

“Wow, thanks!”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said dryly. “Work is really ramping up, and I think things are only going to get busier from here on out. You okay with spending a lot of time here next week?”

Isabelle nodded. “We’ll have fun, won’t we, Brett?”

“Yeah!” Brett looked ecstatic. It was hard not to take it personally – he was obviously closer to Isabelle than me or Marlene. But I knew I shouldn’t care – at least the boy had someone to be a positive role model, even if she was the nanny.

Isabelle grabbed her coat and left, leaving a wake of heavy orchid perfume behind her. As soon as she’d left, Brett seemed to clam up. He hopped onto a barstool at the island and slumped over a piece of paper, furiously scribbling with a crayon.

“Hey buddy,” I said, walking over and taking off my jacket. I loosened my tie. “How’s it hanging?”

Brett barely glanced up. “Fine,” he said.
“Just fine?”

Brett sighed. “Dad, I’m fine,” he said.

I forced a smile. “Okay. You hungry?”

Brett shrugged.

“How was school today? And don’t say it was fine,” I added quickly. “Because I know it wasn’t.”

That got Brett’s attention. When he turned to face me, his cheeks were pink with guilt.

“I’m trying, Dad,” he said after a long pause.
“I know.” I cleared my throat. “I know you’re trying, but sometimes that’s not good enough. Brett, you know I want the best for you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

It was difficult not to get angry, but I took a deep breath and tried to let my frustration drain.

“I know I haven’t been around as much as I should be,” I said. “Things are really busy at work, but I’m thinking of taking a really long trip over the summer.”

“Oh.” Brett sounded glum.

“With you, together,” I said. “I was thinking about Disney World. Or maybe San Diego, wouldn’t that be fun?”

Brett looked up and nodded. He smiled. “Yeah, Dad. That would be great.”

I tried to smile back. I knew that I shouldn’t be bribing him like this – with offers of a fancy vacation – but sometimes, it was too easy.

“Well, you think about it and let me know,” I said. “I’m going to check on dinner and then get changed.”

“Can we order a pizza?”

“Brett, Isabelle made this just for us.”

“I know.” Brett wrinkled his nose. “But I want a pizza. It’s Friday, Dad. Come on!”

I sighed. “Only if you promise you’ll eat the leftovers,” I said. “We’re not going to be wasting any more food in this house.”

Brett nodded enthusiastically. I stared at him for a final minute, hunched over his paper in concentration and scribbling hard. He was such an intense kid – I knew he’d gotten that from me – but I hoped we wouldn’t ever get to the point where he refused to talk to me. Growing up, I hadn’t been particularly close to either of my parents. But they’d never really tried, either. It had always been about them.

Today, we practically had no relationship save for when they wanted to see Brett. They adored Brett, of course – sometimes it was hard not to feel resentment when I saw how clearly they preferred him to me.

I whistled as I walked through the condo. It was big – four bedrooms – I’d had it since before I met Marlene. It felt like too much space for two people. But moving was a pain in the ass, and this was centrally located right in Manhattan. I wasn’t about to give that up, just for the sake of a cozier condo.

Impulsively, I picked up my phone and dialed Brett’s teacher, June. I didn’t expect her to answer, but she picked up on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“Hi June, this is Thomas March. How are you?”

“Oh! Hi! Um, I’m good,” June said quickly. I could tell she was blushing and fumbling. Strangely, my cock began to stir and twitch inside my boxers as I listened to her breathy voice.

“Look, I was calling to ask about Brett,” I said. “He’s gotten a new tutor, but I’m worried he still isn’t doing very well.”

June paused.

“That can’t be good,” I joked. “Don’t worry about offending me, June. Just be honest.”

“Well, um, Mr. March, Brett is still acting out,” June said softly.

“Please, call me Thomas.”

“Oh, sir, I couldn’t,” June said quickly.

My cock stiffened and I had to suppress a groan. I had no idea what it was about this woman that turned me on, but every time we spoke, I felt a thrill of excitement shooting through my body. She was so young, so submissive – I wondered what she’d be like in bed. The idea of a blushing virgin was somehow appealing.

“Please, June,” I said.

“Okay, Thomas.” June’s voice was a high-pitched squeak. “Brett continues to pick on his classmates, and I sent him to the principal.”

“Good.”

“You’re not mad?” The relief in June’s voice was palpable. I grinned as I imagined her begging my forgiveness, on her knees, with my cock in her pouty little mouth.

“Of course not,” I said. “I want you to let Brett know that you’re in charge, and if that means sending him to the principal, then that’s what I want you to do.”

“Oh,” June said breathily. “Okay, Mr. March. I’ll do that.”

I chuckled. “Please, June, call me Thomas.”

There was a pause.

“Look, Mr. March – Thomas, sorry – I should be going, I’ve got a lot of papers to grade.”

I grinned, picturing her in a t-shirt and panties, surrounded by a mountain of schoolwork. The image of June’s stiff nipples through thin white cotton excited me tremendously. I wondered what kind of panties she wore. Probably prim little cotton bikinis, in white and pastel shades. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the scent of her sex – probably musky, and young, almost like talcum powder. I wondered if the crotch of her panties was wet. I wondered if she’d let me push those young thighs apart and lick her juicy pussy until she squirted right in my face.

By now, my cock was throbbing. My balls were starting to ache. I longed to be buried deep inside June’s pussy, to make her moan and writhe with pleasure.

“Okay,” I said. “You have a good night, June.”

“You too,” she said softly. I grinned. I might have been imagining it, but something told me that she was just as turned on as I was.

Oh, how I wanted to fuck her!

Chapter Four

June

Days passed and I didn’t hear anything from Mr. March. As much as it pained me to admit, Brett was doing much better in school and that meant I didn’t have any reason to interfere. Oh well, I thought one afternoon as I dismissed my class. That’s probably for the best. I’ve already embarrassed myself enough around him. No need to make a bigger idiot out of myself.

“June, I’m going to go,” Ruth said. “You okay to wrap things up on your own today?”

I nodded. “I’m fine,” I said. “Thanks, Ruth. You’ve been a big help – I really appreciate it.”

I’d intended to leave school early that day – before four – but once Ruth was gone, I realized that I felt like working. I pulled my schoolbag up to my desk and shuffled through papers. Normally, I didn’t feel much motivation at the end of the day, so I decided to seize it and grade that week’s math quiz.

I was almost halfway through the papers when my door banged open. My heart leapt. Thomas! I thought irrationally. He’s come to talk to me about Brett!

But when I glanced up, I saw that a gorgeous redheaded woman was making her way through the desks. She wore a luscious fur coat, sunglasses perched on the top of her head, and her pointy features were perfectly made up. She was beautiful in the way that an older movie star is, the kind of woman who would play the “hot mom” in some stupid teen comedy. But she wasn’t smiling. Her face was a tight mask of anger.

“I need to speak to my son’s teacher,” she said, her nostrils flaring. “Can you call her in, please?”

I frowned. “Who is your son?”

“Brett March.”

I cringed. “I’m Brett’s teacher,” I said. “My name is June.”

The woman rolled her eyes. “Marlene,” she said. “Marlene March.”

I bit my lip. “What can I do for you, Mrs. March?”

“I demand to know why my son has been acting out,” she said sharply. “Why aren’t you taking more of an effort to reign him in? Do you know that he’s barely even speaking to me about school anymore?”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not really sure those two problems are relat—“

“Shut up,” Marlene growled. She put both hands on my desk and leaned close, glaring at me with her icy green eyes. “I demand you help him!”

“I’m trying,” I said quickly. “But Brett – your son – has been an incredible disturbance in class, and I can’t spend as much individual time with him as I should.”

“Why not?” Marlene’s voice was high and indignant. “This is supposed to be the best public school in the city!”

“It is,” I said. “But ma’am, I have over thirty students in my class. If one of them keeps acting out, I have to send them to the principal. I can’t just pause the education of twenty-nine other children because one of them is misbehaving!”

“You’re a bad teacher,” Marlene said. “My child is in school to learn, not to get pushed aside just because he’s acting out!”

“And he will learn, as soon as he can behave himself and control his anger,” I said firmly.

“You little bitch,” Marlene spat. “You don’t give two shits about these children!” She crossed her arms over her chest and tossed her red curls. “I should have you fired!”

A stab of cold fear pierced my belly and I shivered.

“Yeah, you don’t like that idea at all, do you,” Marlene growled. “But I think it’s only fair. You’re pushing my son to the side, I push you to the side.”

My lip began to quiver and I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes.

“Please, ma’am, I’m doing the best I can with your son,” I said quickly. “I really, really am! I swear!”

“I bet you are,” Marlene said. “You’re weak. You can’t even handle an angry parent! How the hell am I supposed to trust that you’ll handle my son?”

I stood up and glared at her angrily. Hot tears streamed down my face. I’d never felt more humiliated in my life.

“Your son is a child,” I spat. “And children listen to their teachers, unlike you!”

“Oh yeah?” Marlene smirked. “Then explain why you have to keep sending him out of class! My son is a perfect little boy, and you and this goddamned school have been treating him like he’s some kind of delinquent!”

When I opened my mouth to speak, nothing came out. In frustration, I buried my face in my hands and cried.

“You can’t even handle the lightest of criticism,” Marlene spat. “You are not fit to teach my son!”

I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to slap her, to stamp my foot, to throw a fucking fit. But I knew that wouldn’t accomplish anything. I knew that would only make myself look worse, and possibly open myself up to a lawsuit.

“I’ll be in touch,” Marlene said smugly. She turned on her heel and clacked her way out of the room, humming under her breath.

I flopped down in my chair and wiped my face with tissues. Just as I was starting to calm down, the door burst open again and my heart sank.

But this time, it wasn’t Marlene.

It was Thomas March.

He strode towards me, smiling and looking sexy…until he saw my face. Once he realized how distressed I was, he rushed closer.

“June! What the hell happened?”

I sniffed. “Your wife happened,” I said flatly.

Thomas’s face fell. “Let’s get out of here,” he said darkly. “There’s a coffee place around the corner. Come with me and I’ll tell you everything.”

--

Ten minutes later, Thomas and I were sitting side by side, sipping cappuccino.

“I’m so sorry about Marlene,” Thomas said, after I’d told him the whole bloody story. “She’s angry with me right now, and she’s taking it out on you.”

I licked my lips and shivered. “She threatened to have me fired,” I said, trembling. “She sounded serious, too.”
“She won’t do that,” Thomas said firmly. “And if she does, you bet your ass I’m going to your boss and telling him that she’s full of shit. Marlene likes to throw her weight around to get her away. She’s not going to win this time, June. I won’t let that happen.”

“Why is she so angry?” I turned to look at Thomas, to stare at his gorgeous face and hair streaked grey and silver.

“Fuck if I know,” Thomas said bitterly. “She’s the one who cheated on me.”

My jaw dropped.

“Oh, yeah,” Thomas said casually. “She was thrilled when we first split up, she said it meant she could finally get everything she wanted.”

I took a long sip of my coffee. It was both creamy and bitter, just the way I liked it.

“What a horrible woman,” I said softly. “Sorry,” I added quickly. “I know you were married to her and everything.”
Thomas shrugged. “I had no idea what she was capable of when we first got together,” he said. “Trust me – if I’d known, I’m not sure I would’ve gone through with it.”

I shivered. “She’s really gunning for me,” I said. “She’s doing everything she can to make me doubt myself.”

Thomas nodded. “I swear it won’t happen again.”

“Oh god,” I said. I could feel my cheeks growing pale. “Please, please don’t say anything! It’ll look like I went and tattled to you!”

Thomas chuckled. I blushed – the sound of his voice was so melodious, so deep that I couldn’t stay afraid for long.

“June,” Thomas said heavily. “You’re an adult. You’re not a little kid. What the hell do I care if you ‘tattle’ or not? My ex is being a nasty bitch, and she’s not going to get away with it.”

I slumped down against the seat. “I really am trying,” I said softly. “But Brett keeps acting out, and I can’t take time away from the rest of the class in order to discipline him.”

“I know.” Thomas sighed. “This is all really hard on him. I’m sure he blames me – hell, he might even blame himself.”

We lapsed into silence. “Thanks,” I said quietly. “I just don’t want you to think that I’m ignoring your son, or anything like that.”
Thomas smirked. “You’re a good teacher, June,” he said. “I know you wouldn’t do something like that.”

I shivered. “Thanks,” I said softly.

Thomas got to his feet and sighed. “I hate to rush off,” he said. “But I need to pick Brett up. You want a ride home?”

I shook my head, too embarrassed for Mr. March to see where I lived.

“No thanks,” I said softly.

Thomas grinned. “Okay, June,” he said.

I blushed. The way he said my name always made me shiver with happiness. He had such a beautiful voice. My body always responded to him. At least he didn’t ask you for a drink, I thought. Then you really would’ve made a fool of yourself.

“See you, June,” Thomas said. He winked at me and I blushed.

“Bye,” I stammered.

Thomas whistled as he walked away. I couldn’t tear my eyes off his tall, handsome silhouette. I knew it was wrong, but I wanted him so badly.

I need a distraction, I realized. I just need to find someone my own age, who won’t belittle me. Someone who doesn’t have an ex-wife and tons of baggage.

But the problem was, I didn’t want someone like that.

I wanted someone like Thomas March.

That evening, I was lying on my bed and grading papers when my phone buzzed. Angela hadn’t come home yet, and I didn’t even have to look at the caller identification to know that it was her.

“Hey,” I said. “Could you pick up a pizza on the way home? I’m starving.”

A deep masculine laugh filled my ears and my cheeks burned bright red.

“I’d bring you a pizza, but I don’t know where you live, June.”

I blushed even harder. “Mr. March! I’m so sorry!”

Thomas chuckled again. “How many times do I have to tell you – call me Thomas, June.”

I gulped and swallowed. “Okay.”

“Look, June, I was calling to ask you out to dinner on Friday night.”

I bit my lip. “Did something happen with Brett? Is everything okay?”

Thomas laughed. “Brett’s fine. He’ll be with his mother this weekend.”

“Oh,” I said quietly. “Why, then?”

“Because I want to take you out,” Thomas said. “On a date. A real date, to a nice restaurant.”

I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head.

“You can’t be serious,” I said quickly. “Me?”

“Yes, June, you.”

I bit my lip.

“So, are you free? Can I pick you up at seven-thirty this Friday?”

I nodded quickly, forgetting that Thomas wasn’t in the same room to see me.

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Yes, yes!”

Thomas laughed. “That’s the response I was hoping for,” he said in a deep growl that sent a shiver of arousal crawling down my spine. “I’m looking forward to it, June.”

I blushed hotly. “Me too,” I said softly. “Me, too.”

When we hung up, I had to pinch my arm to make sure that I was really awake. It stung, but I still felt delirious and happy. I couldn’t believe that Mr. March had asked me, of all people – me! – out for a fancy dinner date night. I was grinning so wide that both of my cheeks ached.

I couldn’t believe it. Me and Mr. March…together, out on a date!

Suddenly, life was really looking up.

Chapter Five

June

For the next few days, all I could think about was Mr. March. I still couldn’t believe that someone like him would want anything to do with someone like me.

“Come on, June. You’re so pretty,” Angela whined one morning as we were finishing up breakfast before work. “Of course he’d want to go out with you!”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m closer to his son in age than I am to him,” I said. An image of Marlene, angry and flustered, popped into my head. “And besides,” I added miserably. “I might be pretty, but his ex-wife is beautiful.”

“Well obviously, he doesn’t want anyone like her,” Angela said.

“Thanks,” I muttered sarcastically.

“June, I didn’t mean it like that!” Angela flushed. “You know, I just meant…he likes you. He wants to get to know you.” She batted her eyelashes at me. “He’s falling in love!”

“Oh, my god, stop,” I said, getting up from the table and wiping my hands on a dish towel. “I can’t think about that right now. He’s probably just bored and wants to be friends, you know?”

Angela giggled. “I guess you’ll find out,” she said.

I yawned. When I glanced down at the time display on my phone, I yelped in surprise.

“I need to get a move on,” I said quickly, grabbing my coat. “I’m going to be late.”

Angela waved and I opened the door and darted down the hall.

By the time I got to school, I was so distracted that I knew I wouldn’t be able to focus, no matter what. I ran into the break room and stuck my lunch in the fridge, praying that I wouldn’t be late to class. The kids were already here, and I hoped that Ruth was taking charge of the class.

Just as I was about to go to my classroom, Andy stepped into the break room. He grinned when he saw me.

“Hey, June,” Andy said. “Nice morning, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. “I’ve gotta go, I’m gonna be late.”

“Hey, wait a sec.” Andy grabbed my shoulder. “June, look, I really want to talk to you.” He glanced into my eyes and I flushed hotly.

“I’m really sorry,” I said quickly. “But I’ve got to run to class.”

“I didn’t mean here,” Andy said. He smiled, like it was a joke.

I forced a smile right back.

“How about we go out to dinner this Friday?”

“Oh, god, Andy, I’m sorry – I can’t. I actually have plans that night.”

Andy’s eyes flashed. “Oh yeah? With another guy?” I could tell he was struggling to keep his voice neutral and calm.

I blushed. “Uh, no, I’m just going out with my roommate, Angela,” I lied.

“Oh?” Andy raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

Why are you giving me the third degree, I thought in exasperation. Just let me go!

“I don’t know yet,” I said. “Look, I’ve really got to run. Bye, Andy!”

Andy narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know how you can be like this, June.”
“What?” I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I don’t like being toyed with,” Andy continued. “And I hate how you’re trying to play me. Hot and cold, which is it?”

Thankfully the bell rang just as I was about to open my mouth.
“I can’t talk,” I said quickly. “Bye, Andy!”

Andy stood there, glowering at me as I ran off towards my classroom.

Thankfully, the kids were just starting to file in as I took my place at the head of the class. Ruth raised an eyebrow at me.
“Sorry,” I mouthed. “Bad traffic.”

Ruth nodded.

As I called the class to order, I couldn’t quite get Andy’s words out of my mind. What had he been talking about? Hot and cold? I wasn’t even sure what that meant!

The day, thankfully, seemed to speed by. I was afraid of running into Andy, so I stayed in my room for planning and lunch. It was pouring rain, and the kids were so restless by three-thirty that they were practically bouncing off the walls. I was more relieved to see them dismissed than usual, and my stomach was in knots by the time I left school.

At home, Angela was making a batch of sangria. She poured some into a glass and held it out towards me.

“Rough day?”

I rolled my eyes and took a sip. It was good, and I closed my eyes as I savored the fruity tastes bursting on my tongue.

“It was okay,” I said. I shrugged and carried my glass into the living room before flopping down on the couch.
“What happened?” Angela narrowed her eyes. “You nervous about tomorrow?”

I blushed. “Yeah,” I said. I wrinkled my nose. “I dunno. Someone I work with said something kind of odd to me.”

Angela snickered. “Oh, girl,” she said. “Like what?”

“It was Andy,” I explained. “You know, that guy I had coffee with last week.”

“He totally has a thing for you,” Angela said.

I laughed. “That can’t be true,” I said. “I think he’s just bored and I’m there, you know? Like he wouldn’t approach me if we didn’t work together every day.”

Angela shook her head. “You’re so naïve,” she said. “He totally wants you.”

My stomach twisted into a knot. “Well, whatever, he told me I was hot and cold with him.”

Angela laughed. “See, girl? He’s totally got it for you, and he’s mad that you’re not draping yourself all over him.”

“Ew!”

“Well, it’s true, he probably wants to sleep with you,” she said smugly, taking a long sip of her drink. “He probably senses there’s some other dude in your life. Men are like that. They can practically smell competition from a mile away.”

I flushed hotly. “Mr. March isn’t anything like Andy,” I said. “And that’s a good thing – definitely.”

“So, why’d you ask him to coffee if you don’t really like him?”

I bit my lip. “I felt guilty.”

“June!”
“What?”

“That’s such a dumb reason,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes. “You can’t do that! It just leads guys on.”

“Well, I felt bad that he asked me out and I said no, so I thought I’d make things right by asking him out.”

“God,” Angela sighed. “You are never gonna learn!”

I frowned. “It was just a coffee thing,” I said. “It didn’t even feel like a date. Besides,” I added. “We ran into Hannah – that assistant that Mr. March has.”

“And another thing,” Angela said sternly. “You’ve got to stop calling him Mr. March! He’s going to be your boyfriend soon.”

I blushed hotly. “It just doesn’t feel right,” I said. “He’s so much older than I am.”

Angela groaned. “Girl, you are going to have so much fun with him. Just please, relax and promise that you’ll start calling him Thomas.”

I could feel my blush deepening into a bright crimson. “Okay.”

“And don’t ask out that other guy again, what’s his name?”
“Andy,” I supplied.

“Yeah, Andy. You stay away from him. If he asks you out again, tell him something came up and you’re no longer available.”

“It doesn’t seem right to lie,” I said slowly. My stomach churned just thinking about it. “I’m sure he could tell.”

Angela sighed in exasperation. “Trust me, June, if he calls you on your lie…is that really the kind of guy you want as a boyfriend?”

I wrinkled my nose. “I guess not.”

“Good,” Angela said. “Now come with me.” She stood up and brushed her hands off on her jeans.

“Where are we going?”

“My room,” Angela said triumphantly. “If you’re out with this silver fox, you’d better have something good to wear.”

I bit my lip. “Oh, you’d really do that?”
“Duh,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes for emphasis. “June, you’re going to kill it on this date. Just trust me, girl. If it goes well, he’ll probably ask you for a second date before he even takes you home. He’s older, men that age don’t like to play games.”

I nodded. “I hope you’re right,” I said softly. “Because I like him so much. I get butterflies in my stomach just listening to his voice.”
Angela pretended to swoon. I threw a couch cushion at her and it bounced off her head. We collapsed in peals of laughter over our sangria – the alcohol was starting to relax me, and take the edge off of some of my nervousness. I didn’t really like being drunk – I’ve only been drunk twice in my life – but a glass of wine (or in this case, sangria) was always nice after a long day.

Angela led me into her room and I flopped on the bed as she opened her closet doors. Immediately, she began grabbing dresses and tossing them towards me. I laughed and dodged the barrage of fabrics as Angela turned around, breathless and excited.
“This one would be perfect,” she said, raising an eyebrow and holding up a tight, black cocktail dress.

“Oh my gosh, no way,” I said, shaking my head. “I couldn’t wear something like that!”

“Why the hell not?” There was a devilish gleam in Angela’s eye. “This would look so great on you, June!”

I blushed. “It’s so tight.” I wrinkled my nose. “Mr. Mar—I mean, Thomas, would think that I was just trying to have sex with him.”

Angela laughed. “Well, you do, right?”

“No!”

“Really?” Angela laughed. “I doubt that, June.”

I colored deeply. “I mean, yeah, I do,” I said softly. “But I want more than that. I want to get to know him.” I swallowed – a lump had been forming in my throat ever since Thomas had first asked me on a date. “I don’t just want him to think that I want him for sex.”

Angela rolled her eyes. “You’re so principled,” she said with a snicker. “But fine, point taken.” Tossing the black cocktail dress on the floor, she started combing through her closet once again. I sat awkwardly on her bed, watching as Angela fumbled with different dresses and outfits, all while making noises under her breath.

After what felt like an eternity, Angela turned to me and held up a green silk dress. “This would be so pretty with your eyes,” she said. “And you’re so pale, you’d look really pretty.”

I bit my lip. “I don’t know….”

“What?” Angela rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong with this one?”

“It’s low in the bust.” I blushed. “I don’t want to make myself look slutty.”

“June!” Angela sighed loudly. “Come on. It’s a gorgeous dress.” She walked closer and dropped it in my lap. The rich silk slithered down to the ground and I picked it up, gazing at it with skepticism.

“Just try it on,” Angela encouraged. “Come on. For me?”

I sighed. “Fine,” I said. “But I’m not making any promises.”

Angela grinned. “You don’t have to,” she said cheekily. “Just try it on and have a look.”

Although the dress looked big, I had a hard time getting it on and zipping it up myself. When I looked in the mirror of Angela’s bathroom, I gasped.

“What? What’s wrong?” Angela came rushing in before I could stop her. “June, what happened?”

“Nothing,” I said. I couldn’t suppress my smile any longer. “It’s perfect.”

Angela grinned. “I told you,” she said.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my reflection in the mirror, even though I knew that was vain. The green silk perfectly set off my green eyes, pale skin, and black hair. I didn’t look like June Rogers anymore – I looked like a real woman, someone confident and sexy. The dress wasn’t overly complicated – just a simple, sleeveless A-line. But it made my waist look nipped in and the skirt billowed around my legs, making them look shapely and much smaller than I was used to seeing.

The kind of woman who would be perfect for Mr. Thomas March.

“You’d really let me borrow this?”

“Oh, my god, yes,” Angela said.

I cocked my head to the side. “This had to be expensive,” I said, fingering the folds of the skirt as it swished around my hips. Somehow, the silk had a sensual feel that made me feel…sexy.

“I don’t care, I know you’ll take care of it,” Angela said. “Besides, you’re my best friend. I want you to succeed.”

I threw my arms around Angela and hugged her tightly.

“You’re the best,” I said softly. “And I won’t forget it.”

Angela grinned. “I know,” she said.

We burst out laughing. At least I could always take comfort in her. No matter what happened with Thomas, I’d still have my best friend.

Chapter Six

June

Friday seemed to take forever. After school, I rushed home and gave myself a quick manicure and pedicure, in pale pink, my favorite color. Angela had taken the dress to the dry-cleaners, and it was hanging on the back of my door.

I nervously killed two hours watching reruns of television, barely even paying any attention. The second the clock hit seven, I wriggled into Angela’s dress, then applied two coats of mascara, lipstick, and a little blush. When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t believe the girl I saw.

I just hoped Thomas would like her, too.

At twenty-five past, I spritzed on some perfume, grabbed my clutch, and shoved my feet into a pair of Angela’s black patent platform pumps. Her feet were slightly bigger than mine and for a moment, I wobbled nervously as I walked into the foyer of our apartment. I’ve got this, I thought, trying to stay positive. I can do this.

As I walked outside, my heart was pounding like a nervous drum. I bit my lip and glanced up and down the block, looking for any sign of Thomas.

I didn’t have to wait long. At seven-thirty on the dot, a silver Porsche cruised by the building and braked hard. Seconds later, Thomas climbed out from behind the driver’s seat and beamed at me. He was so handsome that it almost hurt to look. His silvery hair was pushed back and he was clad in a black button-down shirt and black slacks.

“Hi,” I said, blushing furiously and biting my lip.

“Hey yourself,” Thomas said. He winked at me. “You look stunning. I’ve never seen that before. New?”

My blush deepened and I was glad it was twilight.
“I borrowed it from my roommate,” I confessed with a small laugh. “I don’t really need stuff like this for school.”

Thomas laughed – it was a nice, deep sound – and grinned. “No, I guess not,” he said. “But damn. Your kids would really pay attention if you did.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling as I walked carefully to the car, making sure not to wobble too much in my borrowed heels. Thomas opened the passenger door and held it open for me, carefully tucking the silk of my skirt inside before closing it. When his skin brushed against mine, I shivered.

“So, I thought we’d go to Daniel,” Thomas said.

I giggled nervously. “I have to admit, I’ve never heard of that place.”

“You’ll love it,” Thomas said confidently. “It’s French, and very new.”

Oh, no, I thought nervously. I don’t know how to read French!

“Don’t worry, everything is fantastic,” Thomas said. He steered the Porsche smoothly down the street. Being there, in the car with him, I could barely remember to breathe. In Angela’s silk dress, I slid sensually against the black leather seat. It was all too much to take in. The sound of Thomas’s voice made me shiver every time he spoke.

“I’m really glad you asked me out,” I said softly, taking a nervous gulp. “I…I don’t really date much.”

Thomas chuckled. He reached across and briefly rested his hand on my bare knee before shifting the car into a different gear.
“I’m glad you said yes,” he said, his voice booming through my chest. “I’ve been wanting to ask you out ever since we first met.”

I licked my lips. By the time Thomas took his hand away from my knee, I was trembling with excitement.

“Are you okay?” Thomas eyed me. “Are you always this quiet?”

“No! I mean, yes,” I babbled, blushing deeply. “I mean, sorry. No. I’m just nervous.” I glanced down at my hands twisted tightly in my lap. “Like I said, I don’t really date much.”

“I don’t mind,” Thomas said. Now his voice was lighter, teasing.

“Good.” I gulped again.

“June, are you nervous being with me?” Thomas glanced at me, raising an eyebrow.

Yes, I thought quickly.

“Um,” was all I could say.

“Don’t be nervous,” Thomas said. He smiled. “I promise, I’m not some big bad wolf.”

No, I thought. You’re just gorgeous and rich and sexy and I can’t believe you’d want anything to do with a little nerd like me.

“I am, a little,” I said quietly. I glanced out the window and watched the shops and restaurants whizzing by. The warm, leathery Porsche felt like a different world, somehow like I was seeing everything in Manhattan for the first time.

“Would it help if I said that I’m nervous, too?”

“What?” I narrowed my eyes and whirled around in the seat. “Why?”

Thomas laughed. “Because I haven’t dated in a long time,” he said. “Probably fifteen years or so.”

I blinked. “You…you haven’t dated since the divorce?”

“No,” Thomas said. He swallowed. “I didn’t want to jump back in right away, you know,” he said. “The divorce was such a headache, it took all of my energy. I didn’t think that would be very fair.”

“I see.”

“And besides, it’s not going to be easy for Brett,” Thomas added in a low voice. He pulled the car over to a little area marked ‘valet.’ I blinked – the outside of Daniel was as beautiful as a luxury hotel.
“I know,” I said quietly. “He…he hasn’t been taking this well.”

“No,” Thomas said dryly. “And I’d want to ease him into the idea that I’m seeing someone.”

“Especially his teacher,” I added in a quiet voice.
Thomas laughed. “June, don’t worry about it,” he said. “This is just a first date. I’ll handle Brett, okay?”

I nodded.

A tuxedoed valet swooped down and pulled open the passenger door. I was careful to keep my knees together as I climbed out of Thomas’s fancy Porsche. Once I was on the ground, I wobbled once again and almost fell but steadied myself with a hand against the car.

“These are my roommate’s, too,” I said, giving a guilty glance down to my heels.

Thomas laughed. “I’d like to see your closet,” he said. “But I have to admit, that dress is perfect for you.” He reached out and swept my black hair across the nape of my neck. The slightest touch of his fingers made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I shivered.

“Thank you,” I said softly. “That means a lot.”
Thomas grinned. He offered me his arm and after a moment, I accepted.

“Wouldn’t want you tumbling down,” he said with a smirk.

I blushed as Thomas led me inside. The inside of Daniel was breathtakingly beautiful, with elegant marble and gold fixtures everywhere I looked. The plush red carpet under my heels felt like walking on a lush bed of grass, and the ceilings were so high that I felt tiny, like a dwarf.

“Like it?” Thomas gave me a bemused smirk.

“I love it,” I said, craning my neck and glancing all around. “This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen!”

Thomas nodded. “I love it, too,” he said. “I hosted a business dinner here last month and everyone agreed that it was phenomenal. I hope you like escargot,” he added with a smirk.

I blushed. “I don’t know what that is,” I said quietly.
Thomas gave me a wicked grin. “We’ll order some and let you decide for yourself,” he said.

A beautiful brunette hostess gave Thomas a warm smile. When she saw me, it faded a little. She was poured into a tight black dress – much like the one I’d rejected from Angela – and as she led us to our table, I couldn’t help but notice that she was salaciously swinging her hips from one side to the other.

I had to bite the inside of my mouth so I wouldn’t roll my eyes. Thomas was so gorgeous that I knew he was probably used to this kind of attention, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t find it rude.

After we were seated, the brunette turned to Thomas and gave him a megawatt grin.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No, thank you,” Thomas said. His voice was polite but his eyes were firmly fixed on me. I blushed hotly.

The hostess’s smile faded. “Of course,” she said. Then she turned on her heel and sashayed away, showing off her perfectly heart-shaped butt.

“She was pretty,” I said quietly once the hostess had left.

“I didn’t notice,” Thomas said. He winked at me. “I’m here with you, remember?”

I blushed.

We hadn’t been seated for more than two minutes when another very attractive woman came up to the table and smiled.
“Hello, my name is Katharine and I’ll be your server tonight,” she said with a smile. I frowned when I realized her whole body was turned to face Thomas. It wasn’t like she didn’t even realize I was there.

“We’d like to start with a bottle of the ’93 pinot noir,” Thomas said smoothly. He turned to me. “June, do you like red wine?”

I nodded. Katharine turned, too. When she saw me, she smiled.
“It’s so nice that you’re taking your daughter out to dinner,” Katharine cooed to Thomas. “I can’t tell you how much I love seeing that.”

My cheeks were burning red and tears sprang to me eyes. Thankfully, Thomas laughed politely and shook his head.

“June is my date for the evening,” he said. “She isn’t my daughter.”

Katharine’s smile vanished. She glared at me, almost as if she were angry that Thomas wasn’t single.

“Oh,” she said shortly. “I’ll be right back with your wine.”

After she left, Thomas laughed. When he saw that I wasn’t smiling, he reached across the table and put his hand on my shoulder.
“June, relax,” Thomas said. He chuckled. “That was kind of funny, wasn’t it?”

“I guess,” I said sourly. “She’s jealous,” I added. I swallowed a lump in my throat. “It’s like she can’t believe you’re with me.”

“Well, I can hardly believe it myself,” Thomas said. He winked at me and I felt my frown melt off my face. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the room. I’m sure she’s just insecure, and she wanted to make you feel bad.”

“Stiff her on the tip,” I said dryly, winking at Thomas.

Thomas burst out laughing. “I should, shouldn’t I?” He snickered. “This menu is incredible,” he added smoothly, switching gears in less than a second. “What looks good to you?”

I glanced down. “I don’t know,” I confessed. “It’s all in French.”

“The lamb is fantastic, as is the hangar steak,” Thomas explained. “Do you like seafood?”

“Sometimes,” I said. I wrinkled my nose. “Not when it’s too fishy,” I added. “I only like it when it’s with a cream-based sauce.”

Thomas laughed. “You’re in luck,” he said. “That just about describes everything on the menu.”

We fell silent as Thomas perused his leather-bound menu. I glanced down at mine. The foreign words and accents intimidated me. The only thing I recognized was the word “entrée.”

“What’s chicken cordon bleu,” I asked, forming my lips around the strange words.

Thomas chuckled. “It’s a chicken dish with ham, cheese, and a creamy sauce,” he said. “It’s good, but very rich. Would you like me to order that for you?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Just get whatever you think is best.” I closed my menu. “I’m hungry, but this all sounds really good to me.”

Thomas nodded. “If that’s what you’d like, then that’s what I’ll do,” he said.

Katharine returned with the wine. She barely acknowledged me as she poured Thomas a taste. I watched, fascinated, as he swirled the glass around in his hand, releasing fragrant aromas into the air. As he sipped, he closed his eyes and relaxed his sensual, leonine features. I blushed hotly – it was somehow sexual, watching Thomas drink.

I wondered if that was the face he made when he came.

“Yes, this is perfect,” Thomas said after a long pause. “June, I think you’ll love this.”

Katharine turned to me with a sickly sweet smile on her face. “Ma’am, may I see some ID please?”

“Sure.” I pulled my wallet out of my clutch and handed over my driver’s license. Katharine stared at it longer than necessary, squinting hard at the date.

“Come on,” Thomas said. “She’s twenty-two.”

Katharine flashed him a big, fake smile. My stomach curdled as I heard her speak.

“Yes, sir, I’m sure – it’s just our policy to card anyone who looks underage.”

She handed my license back to me and flounced away.
“She forgot to fill my glass,” I said miserably.
“June, don’t let this bother you, please,” Thomas said. He chuckled. For a second, he almost looked nervous himself.

I swallowed. “I’m sorry.” I stuck my license back in my wallet and tucked my clutch away. “It just bothers me.”
Thomas sighed. “I know,” he said. “Look, it bothers me, too. But I don’t want it to ruin our evening.” He leaned closer and touched my hand, sending a thrilling warmth through my body. “Besides,” Thomas added with a wry smile. “As much as I hate to admit it, if we keep seeing each other, this kind of thing will happen.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I hope not,” I replied. “I mean, I hope that it doesn’t keep happening.” I covered my mouth with both hands. “Not that I hope we don’t keep seeing each other.”
Thomas laughed. “June, relax,” he said. He poured me a huge glass of wine and passed it over. “Drink this. It’s good, you’ll like it.”

I took a few sips and discovered that not only was the vintage wine good, it was the best thing I’d ever had. Closing my eyes, I took a long swallow and let the flavors burst in my mouth.

“This is incredible,” I said softly. I’d seen the price on the menu – one bottle was over two hundred dollars! – and part of me still couldn’t believe that a man like Thomas was so eager to spend money on someone like me.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Thomas said. He refilled both of our glasses, then we clinked. Just as I was starting to feel happy and relaxed, Katharine came bustling back up to the table.
“We’re going to start with escargot and baked brie,” Thomas said. “And then we’ll both have the rack of lamb, medium rare, with mint jelly and bordelaise.”

Katharine nodded. She started to open her mouth but Thomas held up his hand.

“Please, only speak if you have something kind to say,” he said.

Inwardly, I cheered.

Katharine’s cheeks flushed with anger and she looked pained. “I was going to tell you that our special tonight is a maple infused salmon terrine,” she said. “Would either of you be interested in trying that?”

Thomas looked at me expectantly. “June?”

I shook my head. “No, thank you,” I said. “I prefer the lamb.”
Thomas grinned. “As do I,” he said. He handed the menus to Katharine, who looked as if she’d been sucking on a lemon. “Thank you. That’ll be all.”

Katharine glared daggers at me as she stalked away.

“June, I really am sorry,” Thomas said in a deep, husky voice. “I had no idea we’d be treated like this, at least, not here. The previous times I’ve had dinner at Daniel, everything was perfect. The servers were very polite.” He reached up and adjusted the collar of his shirt. “I’ll be speaking to a manager after the meal.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said quickly. “I wouldn’t want her to lose her job.”

“Really?” Thomas arched an eyebrow.

I nodded. “Yeah,” I said. “I mean, she was rude. But she shouldn’t be fired just because she thinks you’re hot.” I blushed. “I mean, you are hot. No wonder she couldn’t help but stare at you.”

Thomas chuckled. “That’s very flattering, June,” he said. “Thank you.”

I bit my lip and took another long sip of wine. When I felt Thomas’s hand on my knee under the table, I froze. He looked at me and raised his eyebrows, not speaking. After a few moments, I nodded, blushing furiously.

Thomas’s fingers caressed my bare skin, stroking my knee. He slid up, inch by inch, until the tips of his fingers were stroking the inside of my thigh. I blushed hotly and squirmed. It tickled, but it also felt exquisite. No one had ever touched me like this – no one had ever turned me on more than Thomas March.

“You’re flushed,” Thomas said with a smirk. “Are you feeling unwell? Is it too warm in here?”

I bit my lip and shook my head. Thomas’s fingers moved higher and higher, until he was practically at the crotch of my panties. A strange, hot arousal flowed through my body – unlike anything else I’d ever felt before. It almost felt like my crotch was burning. I realized all too late that I was straining my body towards Thomas, spreading my legs and allowing him greater access to my soaked pussy.

As Thomas teased my inner thighs under the table, my clit tingled and swelled. Soon, I could feel that my clit hood had rolled back and my bare clit was rubbing against the fabric of my panties. I bit my lip and suppressed a loud moan as Thomas’s fingers stroked higher. He slid the tip of a finger around the edge of my panties, where my leg met my body, and my eyes rolled my back in my head. I wanted him to take me right there. My whole body was on fire as Thomas teased me, stroking me gently. When his fingers moved to the crotch of my panties and began to touch me there, I thought I would die of pleasure.

Suddenly, Katharine swooped over the table. Thomas yanked his hand back and sat up straight, looking every inch the immaculate billionaire. Flushing furiously, I sat up and yanked my skirt down. My breath was coming in hard little pants and I could feel that my whole face was bright red.

Katharine eyed me with cold amusement as she set two dishes down on the table. One of them was vaguely familiar – brie baked in a puff pastry crust, served with fruits and crackers. But the other, a small white dish with nine round holes, was something I’d never seen before. Tiny little lumps of meat filled each hole. Melted butter and herbs covered the dish and it smelled heavenly.

“Escargot,” Thomas said, nodding to the white dish.

I nodded. “Oh,” I said.

“Would you like to try?” Thomas took a small fork with three tines and dipped it into the dish. He speared one of the small hunks of meat and lifted it to my lips. Obediently, I parted and let Thomas feed me.

“Delicious, aren’t they?” Thomas asked.

I chewed. The meat – whatever it was – was surprisingly tender and it fell apart in my mouth. The butter and herbs soaked into my tongue in a sensual blend. I closed my eyes, savoring the small morsel of meat.

“That’s incredible,” I said. “Wow.” I opened my eyes and smiled at Thomas. The sexual energy was still flooding my body, and all of my senses were heightened. When I tasted my wine, it tasted different than before – richer, with more body. It was almost like being incredibly turned on just made things more delicious.

“I’m glad you like,” Thomas said. He speared another tiny piece of meat on the fork and popped it into his mouth. “No one makes escargot like Daniel does.”

I nodded. “It was really good,” I said. I dabbed my lips with the napkin. “What was it?”

Thomas gave me a puzzled look. “Escargot,” he said.

I blushed. “Yeah,” I said. “But, um, I don’t know what that is.”
Thomas raised his eyebrows in amusement. “Snails.”

My jaw dropped. The delicious, buttery flavors in my mouth turned to ash and I spit some wine back into the glass.
“Oh, June, I’m sorry,” Thomas said. He looked apologetic this time. “I assumed you know.”

The blood drained from my face and I wiped my lips with the napkin, not even caring that I’d likely smeared lipstick all over my face.

“Snails?” I gasped. “You fed me snails?”
Thomas chuckled. “They were good, though,” he said. He smirked at me. “You were fine with it before you knew what they were.”

I blushed. “It…was good,” I admitted grudgingly. “But that’s so gross! How can anyone eat snails?” I shuddered.

Thomas speared another on his fork and popped it into his mouth. He gave me a devilish smirk. “Because they’re delicious,” he said. “And come on, you can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy them.”

I wrinkled my nose. “You’re right,” I said. “But I think I’ll stick with the baked brie.”

Thomas laughed heartily. “Fine with me,” he said. “More snails for me.” He wriggled his eyebrows at me and I burst out laughing.

The brie was heavenly, and thankfully it didn’t contain a single trace of escargot. I smeared some on a cracker and topped it with the fig preserves that had come with a tiny dish. Already, despite Katharine’s bitchy behavior and the discovery of escargot, I loved Daniel. I loved the posh opulence, I loved the attention to detail in every dish.

Most of all, I loved being there with Thomas.

When our lamb came, I couldn’t believe how delicious it was. Every bite seemed to melt in my mouth.

“I’m glad you like lamb,” Thomas said. He took a small bite, then a sip of wine.

“Why?” Thomas shrugged. “It’s one of those things, people either love it or they hate it.”

I laughed. “Whoever hates it just hasn’t tried the lamb here,” I said, raising my eyebrow. “It’s incredible.”
Thomas nodded. “It is,” he said. “But I’m often prone to liking things that many people don’t.” He raised an eyebrow at me and I blushed.

“Like me?” I giggled.

“June, I can’t believe you think that way about yourself,” Thomas said. “You should know – you have so much to offer. You’re young, you’re beautiful – you’re obviously smart, you teach at the best public school in New York City.”

I bit my lip. “I just feel so dumb,” I said. “And so young. It’s so cliquey at school! I thought everything would change, you know. I thought people would grow out of catty behavior.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they rarely do,” Thomas said. He shook his head. “My ex, Marlene…you’ve seen her. She still acts like the queen bee, like someone just elected her prom queen.”

I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t know what to say – I didn’t know Thomas very well yet, and I felt like criticizing his ex would only make me look bad. So I just nodded.

“You’ll be fine,” Thomas said. He grinned at me. “I’ve got faith in you, June. You’ve got no reason to ever feel like you aren’t good enough.” He leaned closer. “And besides, you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

I blushed hotly. My panties were still soaked with my own juices, but I was feeling so overwhelmed – with the food, with Thomas, with the wine – that I could barely focus. By the time the check came, I felt like I was floating on air.

Thomas paid, refusing to look at Katharine when he handed her his credit card. After the bill had been settled, Thomas stood up and offered me his arm. We walked out into the chill New York City evening and I closed my eyes, resting my head on Thomas’s shoulder as happiness flooded my body.

The valet pulled up in Thomas’s silver Porsche and again, Thomas opened the passenger door for me. I knew that I should be thrilled – after all, I’d just had a wonderful time with one of the world’s sexiest men. But part of me was sad, too – I didn’t want the night to end. I wanted to stay with Thomas forever, smiling and happy by his side.

And now that I knew how much he wanted me, I desperately wanted to have a passionate encounter with him.

“I had a wonderful time with you tonight,” Thomas said. The Porsche rolled silently through the bright streets of Manhattan. I pressed my nose to the glass, staring at all of the bright young people who were just getting a start to their night.

“I did, too,” I said shyly. “Thank you so much for asking me out.”
Thomas grinned. “I’m glad you said yes.” He reached over and I shivered, thinking that he was going to slip his hand between my legs. Instead, he twined his fingers with mine and squeezed. The simple gesture somehow felt almost more intimate than when he’d been stroking my cotton-covered pussy back at Daniel.

I squeezed back. Thomas lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers, sending a blossoming warmth through my body. When he pulled up at my apartment complex, he unfastened my seatbelt and slipped his fingers under my chin. I blushed hotly as Thomas pressed his lips to mine. At first, the kiss was chaste. But then he slipped his tongue into my mouth and I moaned softly as the sensual, slick muscle wormed into my mouth. I was putty in Thomas’s arms as we kissed and I was barely aware of wrapping my arms around his neck and sliding closer to him.

Thomas smelled musky and expensive, like three-hundred-dollar cologne. He nibbled on my lip and took my face in his hands, kissing me deeply. I moaned softly and gave myself over to him, tangling my hands in his thick, silver hair.

“Mmm,” I purred, unable to control myself. “I want you so much.”

Thomas chuckled against my mouth. The sensation tickled and I giggled. We kissed again, and Thomas nipped at my lower lip almost hard enough to draw blood.

“I want you, too,” Thomas said. He slid his hands down my body. In Angela’s silk dress, I felt practically naked. My nipples sprang into stiff little pebbles as Thomas moved his hands over my breasts. Touch me, I begged silently. Touch me again, make me yours.

“Oh, god,” I moaned, biting my lip and throwing my head back. Thomas’s hands felt hot through the thin layer of silk and I practically shoved myself at him, desperate and craving more of his touch.

Thomas chuckled and pulled away. “I haven’t made out in a car since I was a kid,” he said. His silver hair was ruffled and he smoothed it neatly back into place.

“I’ve never done that before,” I said softly. My heart was pounding in my chest and my skin felt hot and flushed.

Thomas leaned over and kissed me gently. “I had a wonderful time with you tonight,” he said. “I’d love to take you out again soon.”

I blushed. “I’d love that,” I said softly.
“Have a good night, June,” Thomas said. As always, the way he said my name sent shivers crawling down my spine.

“You, too,” I said softly.

I felt like I was floating on air as I walked into my apartment building and began climbing the stairs. I was still in a magic spell from Thomas that hung around me like a rainbow fog, but it was slowly starting to fade. By the time I got to my front door, I realized how uncomfortably Angela’s shoes were pinching. I sighed and took them off, gasping when I saw my feet were swollen, red, and covered in blisters.

Angela was waiting on the couch. When she saw me, she leapt to her feet and grinned.

“You’re home late!” Angela exclaimed. She grinned lasciviously. “I take it that means you had a good time?”

I flopped down on the couch, grinning. “It was the best night of my life,” I said softly. “I feel like I’m falling in love.”

Angela grinned. “Good,” she said. “That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear.” She winked at me and together we burst out laughing.

I had no idea what the future would hold, but that night when I went to bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about Thomas and the way he’d touched me. I’d never experienced anything like it…and I’d do anything to make sure that I felt it again.

Chapter Seven

Thomas

As I watched June’s perfect ass walk away from me, my cock was so hard that it ached. I could barely wait to get home – I desperately hoped Brett was asleep – so I could lock myself in my bedroom and jack off. June was intoxicating. Everything about her was fresh, lovely. I’d never been around such a naïve woman, but then again, I’d never met anyone as charming as June, either. In the jaded world of New York City, June was a fresh breath of air. She was magic, she was perfection.

And I wanted to fuck her so hard that she wouldn’t be able to walk for a week.

By the time I got home, Manhattan was dark. I handed the keys of my Porsche over to Ernesto, the valet of my building, then took the elevator to the penthouse suite. I’d known that I was going to be late, so I’d asked Hannah to watch over Brett. It was much too late for Isabelle – she normally got here at five in the morning, and I’d given Hannah three hundred bucks just to order a pizza and hang out with my son for the night.

The foyer was dark.

“Brett?” I called quietly. “You awake, bud?”

Inside there was no sign of Brett or Hannah. I frowned, kicking off my shoes and unbuttoning the first buttons on my shirt. In the living room, the television was stuck on muted cartoons. I frowned. As I got closer, I saw Brett curled up on the couch, fast asleep with a throw blanket over his lap.

Anger ripped through my body. As gently as I could, I shook Brett awake.

“Hey, buddy,” I said. “Where’s Hannah? Why didn’t you sleep in your room?”

Brett yawned in my face, sending a wave of pizza-breath over my senses.

“Come on,” I said. I scooped him up in my arms and carried him down the hall, nudging his door open with my foot and carrying Brett inside. By the time I set him down in bed, he was practically asleep once again. After I tucked him in, I gently closed his door and started stalking down the hall. I had no fucking idea what made Hannah think it was okay to let my kid fall asleep on the couch and then leave. She’d had explicit orders from me to stay until I returned home. And even if some kind of emergency had taken place, she could have left a note! She could’ve called me!

I pushed open the door to my bedroom. Hannah was lying on my bed, clad in a jade silk robe that barely covered the round cheeks of her ass. When she saw me, she gave me a sexy smile.

“I thought you’d never come home,” Hannah said in a sleepy, purring voice. She stood up and stretched. The dark green silk parted, showing a black lacy bra and panties.

“What the fuck is going on,” I asked, trying to keep my voice low for the sake of my sleeping son.

Hannah pouted and walked closer, swaying her narrow hips. “I thought you’d be pleased,” she said. She stuck out her lower lip.

I drew back my arm and slapped her across the face.
“You fucking ignored my son all night,” I growled, grabbing the collar of the robe and pulling Hannah close. “You fucking let him fall asleep on the goddamned couch and then what? Stayed here, waiting for me? What the fuck were you thinking?”

Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. She puckered her lips and tried to kiss me but I shoved her away.

“No,” I snapped. “This is fucked up! You don’t get to try to seduce me, you fucking understand?”

“Thomas, I love you,” Hannah said. “We should be together. I’ve always wanted to be with you, and now is our chance.”
“You’re fucking insane,” I roared. “And you’re fired. Now!”

Hannah crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t fire me,” she snapped. “I could sue you for sexual harassment!”

Up until then, I’d tried to keep my anger as contained as possible.

“Fuck you,” I snarled in her face. “You think you could sue me and win?” I laughed hollowly, throwing back my head. “I could crush you in court,” I said. “No one would ever believe you.”

Hannah’s face fell – I could tell that she knew I was right. Still, she tossed her long blonde hair over one shoulder and smirked.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Hannah said icily. “You know better than to do that, Thomas,” she added, spitting the last word like a curse. “You wouldn’t want that kind of publicity, and you know it.”

I rolled my eyes and threw my hands into the air. “Get the fuck out of my condo before I call the cops and tell them you’re trespassing,” I said.

Hannah sulked. She turned towards me and licked her lips. “Thomas…don’t you want me?” She put her hands to her breasts and rolled her eyes back in her head. I watched as she slid her hands down her body. Hannah was beautiful – almost all men stared at her – but somehow, I’d never felt attracted to her as anything more than a passing glance.

“No,” I said shortly. “I don’t want you, Hannah. I want you to get your things and leave. And I want you know that if you ever try to trespass at my office or in my home, I will have you arrested on the spot.”

Hannah blinked. It seemed like the severity of the situation was finally starting to sink in that thick, blonde skull of hers.
“Now,” I said sharply. “Come on.”

Hannah still didn’t move. Her feet remained firmly planting in the plush white carpet. When another second passed and she hadn’t moved, I grabbed her by the arm and began dragging her out of my bedroom.

“Wait,” Hannah shrieked. “My clothes!”

“Shut the fuck up,” I snarled. “If you wake Brett, I’ll make you regret it.”

Hannah glared viciously at me as I dragged her towards the front door. When I got to the foyer, I wrenched open the door and dragged her into the harshly lit hallway.

“Stay here,” I ordered. I slammed the door in Hannah’s face before stalking through the apartment and grabbing her clothes, shoes, and purse. When I returned to the hall, Hannah was standing there, leaning against the wall and smirking.
“You think you’ve won,” Hannah said softly. “You think you intimidate me.” She threw her head back and laughed. “The truth is, you asshole, you don’t know anything about me.”

“Good,” I snarled. I dropped her clothes and purse on the floor, taking satisfaction when the bag spilled all over. “Now leave.”

Hannah gave me one last, lingering sulky glance before pulling her jeans on and grabbing her things. I stood in the door and watched as she got into the elevator and disappeared.

With a sigh, I turned and walked back into my condo. Brett was standing in the hall, looking small and scared.
“Dad, what happened?” His voice was trembling.

“Nothing,” I said. “Don’t worry about it,” I added.

“Dad, I’m hungry,” Brett said. “Hannah never ordered dinner. She just told me to watch TV until I fell asleep.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry,” I said. “She’s not coming back here. I fired her.”

“Oh.” Brett frowned. “Are you okay?”

I sighed. “Yeah,” I said. “I’m fine. Come on, let’s order a pizza.”

Brett grinned and raced into the living room, jumping on the couch. After a few seconds, I smiled. This wasn’t exactly the end of the night that I’d wanted, and all thoughts of sexy June had been pushed from my head. But if it meant that I had a chance to finally bond with my son, I didn’t care. After all, Brett was the most important thing in my life. And I would’ve done anything to make sure he realized that.

--

In the morning, I woke up and sat in bed for a long time, reading the paper. I could hear Isabelle and Brett chatting animatedly in the kitchen, and the whole condo smelled of bacon and soft-boiled eggs.

When I finally got into the kitchen, Brett grinned. I grinned back – maybe this was for the best, maybe the departure of Hannah would finally mean that Brett and I would be close.

“Hey, Dad, Isabelle brought a surprise,” Brett said. He held up a bunch of comics.

“Oh, that’s nice, did you say thank you?” I raised my eyebrow.

Brett nodded.

“He was very polite,” Isabelle said. She smiled. “Would you like some eggs, Mr. Thomas?”

I nodded, helping myself to a piece of bacon from the platter on the island. It was perfect – not too crisp, not too soggy.

“Thanks, Isabelle,” I said. I took the plate she offered, neatly cutting the top of one soft-boiled egg and taking a bite.

Brett smiled again. “Hey, Dad, can we go to the zoo this weekend?”
“Sure,” I said. “Is Saturday okay? You want any friends to come?”

Brett nodded. He put his dishes in the sink and then raced into the living room. Isabelle threw an affectionate smile towards him.
“He’s growing up so fast,” she said.

I nodded and reached for my laptop, pulling it closer. As soon as it booted, I opened my email and frowned. Sixty-three emails…a bit high for a Saturday morning.

But when I saw the first subject line, my heart sank. It was from Hannah.

“Urgent – Need To Discuss Last Night.”

I groaned inwardly as I opened it and was greeted with a solid wall of text. Frowning, I leaned closer and began to read. As I scanned the page, my stomach twisted into a furious series of knots. By the time I was through, I was shaking with rage. That little cunt, I thought, slamming my laptop shut. She isn’t getting away with this shit.
“Mr. Thomas?” Isabelle looked up at me with concern. “You okay?”

“No,” I said shortly. “But I will be.”

Chapter Eight

June

On Saturday, Angela and I went out shopping. I wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone other than her, but I was desperate to find something that wouldn’t made me look like a little kid in the eyes of Thomas. We went from department store to department store, looking at dresses, lingerie, and shoes.

“What about this?” I held up a grey silk bra, La Perla, with the cups done in lace.

“It wouldn’t look right on you,” Angela said. She frowned and stepped closer. “Let me have a look.” She shuffled the shopping bags from one arm to the other, hoisting them high on her shoulder. “What about this?”

I frowned. Angela was holding up a white cotton chemise, slightly sheer.

I wrinkled my nose. “I’d look like Anne of Green Gables,” I said, twisting my lips.

Angela laughed. “It would be sexy on you!”

“I want something sexier,” I said, pushing the chemise aside and rifling through a table of brightly-colored silk panties. “Like this,” I added, holding up a pair of black silk undies.

Angela burst out laughing. “June, those are crotchless.”

“What?!” I dropped the black silk on the table, blushing hotly. My flush deepened when I realized that people all over the store were staring at us.

“June, come over here,” Angela said. “Put those down,” she added, pointing to an emerald pair of undies clutched in my hands.

Frowning, I followed Angela out of lingerie and into outerwear.
“Getting a coat would be just covering up even more,” I said in irritation.

“No, I’m not talking about that,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes. “Give me a break, okay?” She pulled me over to the shoe department. “What about just…you know, kind of modifying your everyday wardrobe?”

“I don’t know,” I confessed. “What exactly do you mean?”

Angela sighed and rolled her eyes. “Like, I don’t know.” She gestured down at my outfit. I glanced down, half-expecting the solution to pop into my head. I was wearing slim jeans, a white blouse, and a black cardigan with the first button fastened.

“I still don’t get it,” I said.

“So, you look cute,” Angela said. “But what if you traded your pants for something that came above your ankles, and then wore heels?”

“That sounds painful.”

“And ditch the cardigan,” Angela added. “And get a cuter blouse – you know, something that actually fits you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You can stop insulting my whole wardrobe now,” I said testily.

Angela laughed. “June, I didn’t mean it like that.” She sighed. “But a dramatic change is too much, at least, for now. Unless you feel comfortable in something, you won’t look sexy.”

I stared at her.

“Remember the black dress?” Angela gesticulated with her hands, drawing them tightly from her bust line to her hips. “You know -- the first dress I picked out for you to wear on your date.”

“I wouldn’t ever wear something like that,” I said quickly.

Angela grabbed my hand. “That’s the point,” she said. She tossed her hair, looking smug. “Because you wouldn’t feel comfortable in it.”

I blinked. “I guess I get that,” I said.
“So, for now, we just…upgrade a few things,” Angela said. “And we branch out, until you start feeling sexy. Then you can rock stuff like this,” she added, pointing towards a trench coat.

I frowned. “I could wear that now,” I said.

Angela stared at me for a few seconds before she burst out laughing. “June, I mean like, wear it without anything on underneath.”

I blushed and gaped. “You can’t mean that,” I said hotly.
Angela smirked. “Thomas would love it,” she said, tossing her hair. “Come on,” she added. “Let’s go to sportswear. I’ll pick some cute stuff for you, okay?”

I frowned. “Okay,” I said. “I’m not feeling very optimistic, though.”

Angela laughed. “You don’t have to,” she said. “It’ll come. Don’t worry, June. I’ll make sure you look super hot.”

I rolled my eyes.

But an hour and a half later, I was surprised to see that Angela had been right. She picked out a pair of black cigarette jeans for me that hit just above the ankle and a pair of sandals with a low heel that looked deceptively sexy once I was wearing them.

“You do innocent well,” Angela said. She narrowed her eyes and surveyed me. “So, you should stick with that and make it work.”

I sighed and twisted my long black hair into a knot.

Angela held up a blouse. It wasn’t like most of my tops. It was navy cotton, with puffed short sleeves and ribbon threaded around the eyelet cuffs.

“Try this on,” Angela said.

I took it and slumped into a dressing room. I was tired – even on the best of days, I hadn’t always enjoyed shopping. It always felt like tedious work to me. And even though I knew I had a decent body, I always looked so puffy and fat in the florescent store lighting. Even expensive stores, like Neiman Marcus, didn’t seem to have very flattering fitting rooms.

I sighed as soon as the blouse was on and stomped out of the dressing room. Angela grinned when she saw me. She tugged the neckline of the blouse down and moved the short sleeves so they sat just off my shoulders.

“That looks sexy,” Angela declared. She spun me around and pointed to my reflection in a mirror. “You agree?”

I bit my lip. “I hate to say this,” I said. “But you’re right.”

Angela grinned triumphantly. “Come on,” she said. “I need a new pair of shoes, and then we can go get ice cream. You look like you’re ready to drop dead.”

I nodded. “I hate shopping,” I told her as I carried my purchases to the counter.

“This was worth it,” Angela said. She gave me a satisfied smirk. “Thomas is going to flip when he sees you in that shirt.”

I blushed. The truth was, I’d been really hoping to hear from Thomas. But two days had passed since our last day and he hadn’t called. I knew that it was the twenty-first century, that men didn’t always have to make the first move. But somehow, I also knew that Thomas was a guy who enjoyed making the first move, that he was the kind of man who would be turned off by a woman who was actively pursuing him.

On Sunday, Angela and I went to the park and I did some schoolwork while she read. The days were growing chillier. I had a feeling by the end of October, I wouldn’t want to be outside at all. As it was, I was wrapped up in a blanket cardigan and enjoying the feel of the sun warming my black hair.

I tried to ignore the growing feeling of dread in my stomach. Thomas seemed to really like me, I thought as I rolled over onto my belly and stuffed the paperwork back into my bag. Why hasn’t he called me yet?

Monday morning, I woke up almost too late. I managed to pull a dress over my head and match it with tights and boots before stumbling out of the apartment and catching a cab all the way to P.S. 151. Cabs were normally a forbidden luxury for me, especially on the salary of a public teacher. But I couldn’t risk another tardy, especially not when it was so early in the school year.

It started raining in the middle of the morning, which put all the kids in a bad mood. Brett was acting especially terrible. Now that I was dating his father, I knew I had to walk a very thin line between Good Teacher and Possibly Dangerous Teacher. Still, I wasn’t going to tolerate any more bad behavior. At ten-thirty, Brett slipped out of his chair and yanked Lily’s pigtails so hard that she shrieked. I dropped the chalk onto the ground and whirled around, glaring angrily at him.

“Brett March,” I said angrily. “Come with me.”
The other students were silent as I took Brett’s arm and walked him down the hall to the principal’s office. He was silent the whole time, his face clouded with anger and rage.

“I didn’t even do anything,” Brett whined. “Why are you picking on me?”

“Because you’ve been a really naughty little boy,” I said angrily. “And I’m not going to tolerate that kind of behavior in my classroom.”

The principal was in a meeting, so I left Brett with his secretary and pushed my way into the hall. My face was flushed with anger and my heart was pounding. I knew that Thomas wouldn’t be happy with Brett, and I desperately hoped that I wasn’t killing our relationship before it had even gotten off the ground by disciplining his son.

“Hey June.”

I jumped. Andy was standing right behind me, smirking.

“Oh, hi,” I said quickly. “I’ve got to run back to class, Andy, I just had to take a kid to the principal.”

Andy raised his eyebrows. “So, when can I take you out again, June?”

“I’m really busy,” I said quickly.

Andy laughed and looked hurt. “I didn’t even mention a date yet,” he said. He crossed his arms and frowned. “Why don’t you want anything to do with me?”

I swallowed, feeling uncomfortable. “I’m just really dealing with a lot of stuff,” I said.

“Well, I’m not asking you to marry me,” Andy said. “Come on, June. I’m asking you for a date. Just one more date, okay?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Andy, I really don’t know.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.

“Just say yes.” Andy’s eyes flickered with anger. “Just say yes, June. Just one dinner.”

“Okay,” I said quickly. “Fine. But I’ve got to get back to class, Andy. Bye!”

Turning on my heel, I jogged in the other direction. I was only grateful that Andy didn’t follow me.

Back in my classroom, Ruth had things under control. I flashed her a grateful smile as I took my place at the front of the class. In a span of just a few minutes, I’d gone from feeling bad to worse. I couldn’t believe that Andy had pressured me into saying yes. I didn’t even like him! I just felt obligated, and he was so pushy that I couldn’t stand it.

I sighed. “Okay, class,” I said. “Please take out your copies of Misty of Chincoteague and turn to Chapter Two.
“Yes, Miss Rogers,” the class echoed in unison.

At least I’m doing one thing right, I thought as I lifted my copy from my desk and began to read. So at least there’s that.

--

By the time the bell rang at the end of the day, I couldn’t wait to get home. A low-grade migraine had started to throb at the back of my neck and my eyeballs were aching with tension. The only good thing was that Andy was leaving me alone…even if I was trapped into going on a date with him sometime in the nearby future.

When I got home, Angela was still at work. I took a long hot shower until the water ran cold, then wrapped myself in a fluffy bathrobe and made a mug of hot chocolate. Just as I was curling up on the couch with Wuthering Heights, the door flew open and Angela stalked in.

“I can’t believe it,” Angela said. She groaned. “There’s something outside for you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
Angela smirked. “Go and see,” she said. “It must’ve come after you got home.”

I frowned. “I thought I heard someone ringing the buzzer,” I said. “But I guess I thought I imagined it. I was in the shower,” I added.

“You’re so spacey,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes. “Go and see. I promise, you’ll like it.”

Cramming my feet into an old pair of slippers, I went out into the hall. When I saw, what was waiting for me, I gasped. An enormous display of white roses, shaped perfectly like a cube, was waiting for me. It was easily the most beautiful display I’d ever seen. When I saw, the card marked with ‘June,’ I shivered.

“Can you help?” I called. “These things are heavy!”
The flower cube had a convenient little pedestal stand and Angela and I worked hard to push it into our apartment. Soon, the whole flat was filled with the delicious scent of roses.

“You’re lucky I like floral scents,” Angela said sarcastically. “That’s the biggest bouquet I’ve ever seen!”

“I know.” My mouth felt dry and I walked in slow circles around the cube of white roses, gently brushing the tips of my fingers against the petals.

The card read: “June – I can’t wait to be with you again. You’re even softer than these roses. Thomas.”

I blushed. “I can’t read this out loud,” I confessed. “You read it.”

Angela held the card in her hands. As her lips moved over the words, she blushed and her mouth formed a small ‘o.’

“Wow,” Angela said. “He really likes you!” She laughed. “And I hope you didn’t do anything that would make my dress need to be dry-cleaned.”

“Definitely not,” I said quickly. I recounted how Thomas had touched me in the restaurant and in his car. “But it didn’t go further than that,” I said, blushing hotly. “I wanted it to, though.”

“I bet,” Angela said dryly. She tucked the card down into the beautiful white roses. “These really are gorgeous,” she said. She sniffed. “No one has ever even sent me carnations,” she added sourly.

I laughed. “Want me to ask Thomas if he has any single billionaire friends?”

“Oh, could you?”
We burst out laughing together. “I’d feel so weird,” I said. “Ugh!”

“So, how was your day?”

I shrugged. Something told me I shouldn’t bring up Andy, but I couldn’t help mentioning it.

“It was so creepy,” I added. “It was like he was so persistent, but he wasn’t even being nice about it! Like, why the heck would he want anything to do with me when he has this much disdain for me?”

Angela eyed me for a long time. “June…someone sent you this,” she added, pointing to the white roses. “And you’re thinking about going on another date with that loser?”

“I don’t want to,” I said honestly. “I just…well, I don’t really know what to do. I feel like I have to! He wouldn’t take no for an answer, Ang.”

“Call him and tell him that it’s off,” Angela said. “He can’t possibly back you into a corner when you’re just on the phone with him.”

I sighed. Just as I was about to reach for my phone, it started to buzz. I leapt up in excitement when I saw Thomas’s name on the caller identification.

“Hello?” I was flushed and breathless as I answered.
“Hello, June.”

“I love the flowers!” I gushed quickly. “They’re so, so beautiful, Thomas! I’ve never seen anything like them before!”
Thomas chuckled. “I’m glad you like them,” he said. “I picked them out with you in mind.”

I squirmed and flushed, biting my lip.
“June, come out to dinner with me this Saturday,” Thomas said firmly. “I’ve got this great new wine bar – you’ll love it. Lots of vintage blends and little tapas.”

“Yes,” I said instantly, not even thinking about it. “Yes, I’d love to.”

“I’m sorry that it’s going to have to be around eight,” Thomas said. “I have a meeting earlier in the evening, but I’d love to see you. If that’s too late, let me know – I could always send you dinner first.”

“No, no,” I said quickly. “That’s not too late. Eight sounds perfect.”

“Good,” Thomas said. I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was smirking. “I can’t wait to see you, June.”

His voice was full of dark promise. I shivered, closing my eyes and thinking about what would happen between us.
“I can’t wait, either,” I whispered hotly into the phone.

We hung up and I clutched my phone to my chest, smiling happily and swaying from side to side.

“Thomas?” Angela asked.

“Oh, yeah,” I said smugly. “He called me and asked me out on Saturday. We’re going to a wine bar,” I added. “With vintage blends. And tapas!”

“That sounds great,” Angela said enviously. “God, can you bring home your leftovers?”

I laughed. “It’s tapas,” I said. “Unless I only have like one bite of each thing, there won’t be any!”

“Find an invisibility cloak and take me with you,” Angela said. She smirked.

I didn’t reply. Something had just popped into my head.
“What? June, it was a joke,” Angela said. “I didn’t actually mean—“

I grinned. “I don’t have to go out with Andy,” I said.
“Duh, now just call him and tell him.”

“No,” I said impatiently, shaking my head. “I don’t have to go out with him because Thomas asked me for a date at the same time I was supposed to meet Andy.”

“You’re just going to ghost him?” Angela raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think he’ll be pissed?”

“Yeah,” I replied nervously. “But like, maybe he’ll get the message this time, you know?” I frowned. “I don’t want to be rude, but if he asks me about it afterwards, I’ll just tell him I was honest when I said I was busy. That way he shouldn’t ask again.”
Angela laughed. “That’s bold for you, June,” she said. “But yeah, you’re probably right.” She sighed enviously. “I’m so glad Thomas asked you out again.” She leaned in close. “Do you think you’re going to sleep with him this time?”

I flushed. “I hope so,” I said quietly. “God, I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be!”

“I am,” I said. I bit my lip. “You know I only slept with Aaron a handful of times.”

“And he was a college boy who didn’t know shit,” Angela said firmly. “Thomas is a man. Don’t be nervous, June. I’m sure he’ll be great in bed.”

I blushed. “I’m just worried that I won’t be,” I said.

Angela laughed. “Don’t be,” she said. “You’ll be fine.” She sashayed into the bathroom and closed the door, humming merrily.

I sank down on the couch and looked at my hands. As much as I wouldn’t have wanted Thomas to know, I was nervous. I’d only had sex with one guy before – Aaron, my college boyfriend. We’d been together for two years, although I hadn’t felt nearly the same way about him that I felt about Thomas. It was more like we were just friends, who started dating because it was the right thing to do. Aaron had always pushed me for more seriously commitments, but I hadn’t been ready to give him anything even close to what he’d wanted.

I just hoped Thomas didn’t view me in the same light.

 

Chapter Nine

Thomas

After my meeting on Saturday, I was dying to see June. We’d made arrangements to meet at La Toscabelle, since I was coming from Jersey. I couldn’t believe how crazy I acted whenever June popped into my head. I hadn’t been this crazy over a girl since I’d first met Marlene…and that obviously hadn’t worked out.

When I walked into the restaurant, I saw June instantly. She was sitting at the bar, bare-armed and beautiful in a white dress that set her pale skin and black hair off in a perfect contrast. She was sipping something that looked sweet and fruity. My skin crawled when I thought about how it would feel to tear that white fabric away from her pale, sweet body.

Still, I knew I had to restrain myself. June was young, and obviously inexperienced – it was part of her charm. But I couldn’t frighten her off. I had to play the gentleman until she was all but ready to throw her lithe little body in my arms.

“June,” I said in a deep voice.

June blushed. She spun around on the barstool. I grinned as she stuck her little pink tongue out of her mouth and licked her lips. Like a goddamned kitten, I thought. My cock twitched inside of my briefs. I wanted to pick her up and crush her to me, kiss her deeply until she was moaning and purring in my arms.

But I restrained myself.

“Our table is ready,” I said. I offered June my arm and she slipped her silky fingers through my elbow and rested them on my bicep. We walked to the table together. I knew, as always, that I attracted the attention of every woman nearby. But with sweet little June on my arm, I barely noticed. Look at this goddess, I thought, juicily hungering for the curve of June’s ass pressed against my crotch. She doesn’t know how perfect she is.
We were seated at a back table – the most intimate in the restaurant. This wasn’t an accident. I’d arranged everything beforehand with the maître d.

“Wow,” June breathed. Her voice, as always, was slightly husky. “This is really something, Thomas.”

God, I love the way she says my name.

“Yeah,” I said. I felt weak. “It’s a really nice place.”

June could barely tear her eyes away from me as I ordered two white wine flights for us.

“I thought you just liked reds,” June said. I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed like there was a touch of coyness in her voice.

I smirked at her and lifted the first glass, a beautifully woody chardonnay, to my lips.

“I like all wine,” I said. I sniffed. “And La Toscabelle does a beautiful job.”

“Mn,” June purred. She closed her eyes and took a long sip. “This is delicious,” she said softly.

When it came time to order, I laid the whole menu down and smiled.
“We’ll take two of each tapa,” I said. I smirked at June. “My date hasn’t ever been here before. I’m sure she’d love to be impressed.”
The waiter’s eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. “Oh, yes sir, very good sir,” he said quickly. He bowed and gave a polite smile to June before taking our menus and disappearing.

“This is nice,” June said quietly. She smiled happily. “I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying myself.”

I grinned. “Good,” I said. “That’s what I like to hear.”

June blushed. “This sounds silly,” she said quietly. “But I’m glad we don’t have another bitchy waitress.” She rolled her eyes and I laughed.
“I know,” I said. That also wasn’t an accident – I’d called ahead of time, when requesting the private table, and asked for a male waiter who wouldn’t comment on our appearances.

June grinned, obviously oblivious of my scheming. “It’s just a nice change,” she said. “I know it’s stupid, but that idiot Katharine almost ruined my time last time.”

I smirked. “Not stupid at all.”

I scooted forward in my chair and reached my hand under the table. When June realized what I was about to do, she bit her lip and blushed. I began stroking her knee. Her skin was as soft and smooth as silk and I could barely keep my eyes from rolling back in my head as I moved my fingers higher and higher.

June let out a soft little sigh. Her pink lips parted and she tilted her head back, moaning too quietly for anyone to hear but me. By the time I was touching her soft, narrow thighs, my cock was rock hard in my pants. I wanted to tear her panties away from her skin and fuck her right then and there, throw her over the table and ram my cock inside her soaked pussy until we were both sweaty and spent.

A warm, musky scent filled the air and I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

“I love your scent,” I said in a low voice.

June flushed. It was a delicious pink that spread all over her cheeks, down her neck, and across her smooth white chest. She had small tits, but they looked juicy and bite-sized to me. I imagined that her pink nipples were stiff in her bra, eagerly scratching against the fabric and wanting my touch.

“God, I want you,” I growled. My fingers brushed against the crotch of June’s panties. This time, I could feel that they were silk instead of cotton. But this time, they were also soaked by the time my fingers brushed against her clit. Her legs were spread so far that her thighs were dangling off the chair. June pushed her hips forward and bit her lip. By now, her face was bright red. I grinned eagerly, feeling like the Big Bad Wolf as I stroked her pussy through the thin layer of cloth.
“Next time, don’t wear this,” I said. I pulled the soaked crotch of her panties to the side and slipped a finger inside. June gasped audibly, covering her mouth with both hands.

“Shhh,” I said sternly. “Don’t make any sound.”

June was obedient and quiet as I slid another finger inside her tight, wet cunt. She moaned and arched her back, brushing her hips against my hand and I groaned with desire.

Just as I was about to slide another finger inside of June’s lovely body, the waiter appeared with a huge tray full of dishes. The scent of June’s pussy juice and the wine mingled with the scents of roasted meats, vegetables, and cheeses. I closed my eyes, loving the blend of smells that were floating right under my nose.

“This looks incredible,” June said in a strained voice. She was still bright red.

“Please, more wine,” I said to the waiter, gesturing to the wine glasses with my free hand. June gasped as I pulled my hand free of her body and licked my fingers, right in front of the waiter. I closed my eyes, savoring her warm, musky scent on my fingers.

When the waiter had gone, June was staring at me with her wide green eyes.

“I can’t believe you,” June said softly. “You’re so bad!”

I grinned and winked at her. “Baby, you bring it out in me,” I replied wolfishly.

I could barely get through dinner. All I could think about was June – and how I needed to fuck her as soon as possible. The more wine I drank, the more I wanted her. By the time I paid the thousand-dollar tab, I was ready to grab June and possess her.

June was swaying on her heels when she left the restaurant. She almost stumbled and I reached out to grab her, holding her tight.

“Are you okay?” I gazed down at June’s face.

She was flushed and giggly. “I’m just tipsy,” she said.

Shit. As much as I wanted to fuck her, I didn’t want our first encounter to happen while she was drunk. I wanted it to be magical, perfect.

Still, once we were in the car, I didn’t stop June from climbing into my lap and kissing me passionately. Hot arousal pumped through my body and my cock twitched hard against my leg as June’s delicious weight sank into my lap. She still smelled like her own pussy juices and wine, and I kissed her deeply, shoving my tongue in her mouth and licking all the secret places where I hoped no one had been before.

June took my hands and held them to her breasts. She moaned and rubbed my fingers over her nipples. I could feel they were hard and stiff through the thin white cotton and I groaned, biting June’s lip until her eyes rolled back in her head. I ground against June’s pussy, spreading her legs on my lap and wishing my cock was about to slide into her wet velvet cunt.

“Thomas,” June moaned. Her face was slick with sweat as we kissed. A frenzy of passion was building in my stomach and it took all of my self restraint not to rip her dress away from her pale, porcelain skin. June twined her arms around my neck and pushed her body against mine. I could feel that her crotch was once again damp with juices as she ground against my cock through my trousers.

Lust was clouding my vision. Everything was bright red as I tangled my hands in June’s soft black hair and yanked her head back, exposing her lily-white neck. I bit and sucked and nipped at the delicate skin. June growled and moaned, whining and twisting in my arms. I could tell she was loving every minute of it, and I could tell no one had ever ravished her like this before. Her heart was beating like a drum behind her narrow chest and she moved like supple silk in my arms.

When June bent her head to me and began kissing and sucking on my earlobe, I nearly came in my pants. My cock and balls were throbbing in agony. I’d never felt anything like this before. It was invigorating and frustrating as we moved together in a tangle of clothing and panting breath. June arched her back and nudged my chin up with her head. She kissed my neck and it felt so good, but I pushed her gently away.

“No hickies,” I said sternly.

June was panting. Her little pink tongue stuck out of her mouth and she licked her already-wet lips. A hot surge of lust went through my body and I felt powerful, like a god.
“If you leave a mark,” I growled in deep, shaky voice. “I’ll have to punish you.” I raised an eyebrow. “But you wouldn’t do that, would you, June? You’re going to be a good girl – a very good girl indeed. You’re not going to be a bad girl who needs to be spanked.”

June’s cheeks flushed. As I imagined how it would feel to spank June’s soft ass, I shuddered with lust. God, I want her, I realized. I want to own her. I want her to be mine.

“I want to possess you,” I growled at June.

June flushed. The straps of her white dress had slid down her shoulders. She was panting with obvious lust and her green eyes were open and beautiful.

“I want you to take me,” June said hotly. “Please, Thomas.”

I growled. “Soon.”

“Not tonight?”

I sighed. “I really want you, June.” I paused and took her hand, licking her palm and making her shiver. “But you had a lot to drink. I need to make sure that when I take you, it’s what you really want.”

June blushed. “Yes, sir,” she said softly.

I grinned. “And I want you to keep calling me sir,” I added.

June nodded.

As we kissed one last time, I could tell that I was falling into something strange and deep. It didn’t matter that June was probably fifteen years younger than I. It mattered that we had chemistry – it mattered that she aroused me more than any other woman I’d ever met.

I just hoped she wouldn’t wind up getting hurt.

 

Chapter Ten

June

I was walking on air when Thomas dropped me off at home. This time, he walked me to my front door and we kissed for a long time. I was just about to invite him in when he said he had to go, kissed me one last time, then left.

I closed my eyes, savoring the moment for a long time before I opened the door. Angela was curled up on the couch, reading a book. When she saw me, she laughed.
“What?” I narrowed my eyes. “Do I have something on my dress?”

Angela shook her head and gave me a guilty smile. “You smell like sex. Look in the mirror,” she added.

Frowning, I turned to the mirror and gasped. My lips were pink and swollen and the rest of my face was flushed. My black hair was a mess and my forehead was damp with sweat. And my whole body felt different – almost like something had slipped inside of me and changed me forever when I was out with Thomas.

“Did you fuck him?”

“Angela!” I blushed. “No!”

“You look like you fucked him,” she said dryly.

“Well, I didn’t.” I sighed and flopped down on the couch, right on top of Angela’s feet. We tussled and laughed for a moment as she tucked her legs underneath her body.

“What happened? Why not?”

I shrugged. “He said I had too much wine. He said he wanted me to be more sober for the first time we had sex.”

Angela raised her eyebrows. “Wow, a gentleman,” she said. “You don’t really see those around anymore.”

“We made out in his car again,” I explained. “It was so hot.” I shivered. “It hurts, you know,” I added, blushing and making a quick gesture towards my crotch.
Angela hooted with laughter. “It’s like a female version of blue balls,” she said. She snickered with laughter. “I know. It does hurt. But it’ll go away.” She smirked. “Unless you want…to help yourself.”

“Oh, my god, ew, no!”

Angela shrieked with laughter. “Oh, June,” she said affectionately. “My little prude. Don’t ever change,” she added.

I glared at her. “Ha, ha,” I said sarcastically.
“So, I take it you had a good time?”

I sighed with happiness and flopped against the back of the couch. “It was the best night of my life,” I said dramatically. “He ordered so much wine, and seriously every tapa on the menu. I’m stuffed. Everything was so nice.”

“I bet,” Angela said. She yawned. “I’ve been trying to have a quiet night.”

I frowned. “What happened?” I glanced around. Our apartment, though not the greatest, wasn’t plagued with some of the common problems in New York City. We rarely had rats, and we weren’t close enough to the subway for it to be too loud…which was both a blessing and a curse, as I’d come to discover over freezing winter mornings of running to work.

“Someone sent up a bunch of messages,” Angela said in a neutral tone. “I assumed they were from Thomas, until I realized that you were already out with him.”

I blushed. “Maybe he did them for me to find when I got back? That kind of seems like something he’d do.”

Angela shook her head and gave me a wary look. “I wouldn’t get too excited,” she said. “They’re not flowers, if that’s what you’re asking.”

I frowned. Angela pointed to a bunch of small manila envelopes by the door.
“Whoever it was, actually used a courier service,” she said, turning her attention back down to her book and yawning once more. “I didn’t actually know that those were still around.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said. “Weird.”

Angela was clearly finished talking, so I took the envelopes and dumped them in my room, on my bed. Then I went into the bathroom and washed my face, taking a long, hot shower. I couldn’t even touch my own body without thinking of Thomas’s huge, sensual hands…and suddenly, I wished that he were inside that cramped stall with me, covered in soap and water and making love to me until I was blind with passion.

When I was sick of standing in the tepid water, I wrapped myself in a big fluffy towel and braided my hair. The messages were still waiting for me on my bed when I got back to my room, and I sat down, crossed my legs, and opened the first envelope.
“June – where are you? Call me. Andy.”

My stomach twisted into a knot and I frowned, tossing the note away. A slight pang of guilt hit me in the chest and I swallowed, trying to make it disappear.

“June – where the fuck did you go? We had a date, remember?”

“That’s not very nice,” I said under my breath, balling the message up and tossing it away. My slight feeling of sympathy for Andy vanished. What a jerk, I thought as my trembling fingers opened the third message. Thomas would never speak to me like that.

“June – are you fucking with me? Why the fuck would you do something like this? Are you a bitch? Are you trying to fuck with me?”

The bad feeling returned with alarming speed, but this time it wasn’t guilt. This time, I felt nothing more than shame and fear.

“Angela,” I called in a trembling voice.

Seconds later, Angela was standing at the door.
“June, what’s going on? What’s wrong?”

I pointed to the opened notes scattered around my bed. There were still four notes, unopened.
“They’re from Andy,” I said shakily.

Angela picked one of them up and read it. “What the fuck,” she murmured under her breath. “What an asshole! Where the hell does he get off talking to you like this?”

I shuddered. “I don’t know,” I admitted softly. “But I’m scared.”
Angela frowned. “Don’t be,” she said. “He’s probably just fucking with you.”

“I hope so,” I mumbled. “I really do.”

--

The rest of the weekend was quiet. It stormed all day on Sunday, so I curled up by the window and planned my lessons for the rest of the week. Thankfully, there was no word from Andy…but troublingly, there wasn’t word from Thomas, either.

Monday morning felt warmer than it had in weeks. I only wore a light sweater over my knit dress as I took the subway to P.S.151. I wasn’t looking forward to Andy. Angela and I had decided that if he confronted me, the best thing to do would be to lie. Say I was sick, that I forgot, anything. And then I had to be firm with him – I had to tell him that I wasn’t interested, or that I was dating someone else.