Brynne

I’ve been dreading this parent interview since the day I read my student list and saw Penelope Redmond’s name.

In all fairness, she’s a great kid.

Spoiled.

Yes.

Stubborn.

Hell yes.

But then I didn’t expect anything less considering who her father is.

Harrison Redmond III.

The man represents everything I hate. A trust-fund brat who never had to work for a damn thing his entire life. And now that his father is gone, he’s also heir to one of the largest sporting goods companies in North America.

With his playboy status proudly displayed on the cover of every gossip magazine on the East coast, I didn’t have high hopes that he’d be anything more than an absentee father.

I was shocked when he responded to the note I sent home with Penny about her little escapade that ended with two boys in the nurse’s room, and her shouting at the top of her lungs that they deserved what they got.

She was right. The boys had been bullying some of the smaller kids in the class for weeks. I’d tried to talk with them and their parents, but got nowhere, only a slap on the wrist myself from the principal. Apparently, the boy’s parents are major contributors to the school.

Another lesson that money will always cover up wrongdoings.

It took an eight-year-old girl with a fiery disposition to finally put them in their place.

As much as I wanted to high-five her for her display of courage, school policy meant I would finally have to face the man I’d spent ten years trying to avoid.

Harrison was my brother’s best friend. The key word being was. After the shit that went down with my father and brother, no one would ever consider claiming that title. Not that I blame them. It’s the reason I changed my name, the reason I’ve spent the last eight years in hiding.

But the past always has a way of catching up with you.

And it was just my luck that this time it was Harrison Redmond who had finally caught up with me.

Not that I think he’ll recognize me. I was just a gangly kid the last time he saw me. And him - even at seventeen, Harrison had been gorgeous. He was tall, his body already muscled. But it was his eyes - a dark green that held flecks of gold - that made my knees go weak, and butterflies dance in my stomach.

He was arrogant and cocky, but when he looked at me there was kindness in his expression, like I was special. At least that’s what I’d convinced myself at the time.

What a little fool I’d been.

I’d loved Harrison since I was six years old, since he’d saved me from a swarm of bees that had nested behind the pool house. I’d fallen even more in love with him when he’d punched my brother after he pulled all the heads off my Barbie dolls. But it wasn’t until I was fourteen that my body began to yearn for him. That fine line between love and lust had my hormones spinning out of control.

He’d stayed with us for two weeks that summer while his parents were in Switzerland. My brother had a girlfriend at the time, so Harrison was stuck with me most days and nights. We hung out at the pool. Played tennis. Watched movies.

Looking back, I know now that he never looked at me as more than just a kid – the little sister he never had. But at the time, I was convinced he felt the same way I felt for him.

So, the night when I’d come downstairs to kind Jenny Anderson wrapped up in his arms, his mouth on hers, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

I may have only been fourteen. But seeing them together, their lips locked together, I knew I never again wanted to feel the pain I’d felt in that moment.

And I haven’t. I’ve never let another boy or man into my heart.

It’s safer that way. Especially since I can never tell anyone who I really am. At least not without having the media rain fire down upon me.

But I’m fine. I like my life. And I love my job. It’s what makes me happy. And I’ve worked my ass off to get it. I won’t let anything, or anyone mess it up. Especially not Harrison Redmond.

My palms sweat as I glance up at the clock, then over at Penelope who’s sitting at her desk coloring.

He should have been here by now. Maybe he won’t show up. I say a silent prayer that’s the case. But when I hear the knock at the door, I know before I even look up that I’m not lucky.

Like a magnet, my gaze is drawn to him, and for a moment I stand there, speechless.

Holy hell, but the man is even better looking than I remember. I’ve seen the pictures of him in the magazines, but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing.

Six-foot-four inches of lean muscle is outlined in a perfectly tailored suit that has my mouth watering.

His lips twitch up slightly as if he knows what his presence is doing to me. And I can almost hear the small chuckle playing at the back of his throat as he raises an eyebrow, while his gaze skims down and back up my body with an appreciation I can’t miss.

Right. There it is. The arrogance I hate.

I clear my throat and stand, trying my best not to let my voice shake when I say, “Mr. Redmond. Please come in.”

Penelope’s head jerks up from what she’s doing, then she bolts from her desk with her arms outstretched. “Daddy.”

Without hesitation, he crouches down and picks her up as she hugs him. “Hey snuggle bum.”

“Don’t call me that here,” she whispers loudly enough for me to hear, her smile turning into a pout.

“Sorry, smootchems, I forgot.”

“You’re so weird.” She rolls her eyes at him.

He chuckles and she lets out an exaggerated sigh, then wiggles free from his arms.

“Why don’t you go back to what you were doing while I talk to your teacher.”

She gives a small nod, but when she looks over at me I can see the hesitation in her eyes. For all her toughness with the other kids, I can see that she doesn’t want to disappoint her father.

I was the same way when I was her age. And I know what it’s like to be the child of someone as affluent as Harrison Redmond. Your entire life is lived in a glass house. The problem is, glass houses shatter, and when they do, it will either destroy or set you free.

I chose the latter. My brother and parents decided to let it destroy them. Sure, they still live the lifestyle that they can’t afford, every year sinking deeper and deeper in debt. Fighting to save their name and their dignity. But they’re still caught up in the game of money.

Me. I left the moment I could. Changed my name, and learned, albeit slowly, how to budget and live off an honest income.

“Ms. Sweet,” he says, studying me.

For a second, I fear that he recognizes me. But instead of recognition in his eyes, I only see curiosity and a hint of appreciation.

It’s a look I’m used to now, but not from him, never from him.

“Mr. Redmond. Why don’t you take a seat?”

He raises an eyebrow at the kid-size chair that I nod at and chuckles. “I think I’ll stand.”

“Fine.” I’m frazzled, and I’m pretty sure he knows it. I can feel the heat creeping into my cheeks as his gaze lingers on my face. “Thank you for coming in.”

“Of course.”

“You already know what happened on the playground. I just wanted to remind you that the school has a no bullying policy and-”

“From what Penelope told me, she was sticking up to the bullies. If the school really acted on the no bullying policy, then those boys would have been disciplined weeks ago.”

“I agree.”

“Good,” he says with a finality that suggests he’s finished with the conversation.

“But we still have to deal with the fact that she hurt two boys. We have a no hands on policy.”

He grunts, clearly not convinced. “I’ll talk with her about it. But she won’t be disciplined, at least not from me, for sticking up for what’s right.”

Despite school policy, I can’t argue with his assessment. I realize now how very much like him Penelope is. He’d always been quick to defend me from my brother who bullied me mercilessly. And Penny was only doing the same for those who couldn’t stick up for themselves.

A small sliver of affection stirs in my chest. Not just for him, but for the little girl who is so much like him.

Harrison takes a step towards me, coming into my personal space, and I can feel the heat, the chemistry, the attraction that radiates off him.

Does he remember me?

No. He’d have said something. Wouldn’t he?

His chin tilts down, and his lips quirk up in a seductive smile. “Is that all, Ms. Sweet? It is Ms. Sweet?”

He definitely doesn’t remember.

“Yes.” I give a small nod.

“I didn’t catch your first name.”

My defenses go up. Not only because I don’t want him prying, but also because a small part of me hoped he’d know me. That I’d made some impression on him.

Again, I’ve always been a fool when it came to him.

“I didn’t give it.”

One eyebrow shoots up and his gaze lingers on my face. “You seem familiar. Have we met?”

Shit. My heart speeds up – hope. But my brain goes every disastrous scenario if he realizes who I am.

“No,” I say a little too forcefully.

He narrows his eyes, and I can tell he doesn’t believe me. But he still hasn’t placed me, and that’s a good sign. I don’t look anything like the awkward fourteen-year-old I’d been the last time he’d seen me. The braces are gone, my bright orange hair has darkened to a pretty shade of red, the thick rimmed glasses have been replaced with contacts, and I’m able to cover most of my freckles with foundation.

I’m not beautiful by any means, but I’m not the ugly little duckling my brother used to tease anymore.

“You’re right,” he says, moving even closer. “I would remember if I’d met you.” He leans in and says softly so that only I can hear. “And I definitely would have gotten your phone number.”

I take a step back, but I bump into my desk, causing the can of pencils to scatter across the floor.

“Shoot.” I drop to my knees, my nerves frayed.

There’s a small chuckle above me, and I feel heat warming my cheeks.

I can feel his gaze on my backside, and I realize what a sight I must make, my short skirt riding up my thighs.

“Here, let me,” he says, crouching. He helps pick up the remainder of the pencils, putting them in the can, then takes my hand and helps me stand.

The instant our skin touches, my body turns to liquid heat, and my knees practically give out on me, or maybe they do, because the next second his hand is resting on my lower back, his other one cupping my elbow, and his lips are merely a breath away from mine.

I swallow hard, my tongue darting across my lips nervously.

Something flashes in his eyes.

Heat.

Desire.

Lust.

I know the look. I’ve seen it before. But never this intense.

“Daddy,” Penelope’s voice rings out, breaking whatever spell was cast upon us. “Come look at this.”

Harrison’s brows snap down and he frowns.

“You should…go,” I stammer.

He clears his throat, and his hands drop to his side. “Right.”

As he turns and walks away, I try to gather what’s left of my sanity.

I knew seeing him again would be hard. I just hadn’t realized the effect he’d have on me – still.

“I-I have another meeting to attend,” I lie, gathering my purse from my desk, and rushing towards the door, not looking back.

I need to get out of here quickly, before I say or do anything that I’ll regret, or something that will remind him who I really am.