This can’t be happening.
This can’t be happening.
I stare at Principal Renner from the kitchen when he emerges from his bedroom freshly showered. Somehow, he becomes impossibly hotter. Dad never mentioned Adam was so gorgeous. I’d expected some old, graying man in a brown suit. Not this.
Not well over six feet of lean muscle and piercing green eyes.
Not a rugged-faced, ax-wielding lumberjack of a man.
His wet brown hair has been combed back, but a piece falls over his brow, giving him a boyish look despite being just as old as my dad. The gray Brown High School T-shirt he’s wearing molds against his sculpted body. Principal Renner definitely works out. His jeans are old and worn but somehow look stylish on him. He’s barefoot and my gaze falls to his masculine feet.
Who knew feet could be sexy?
“Did you find dinner?” His voice is deep and throaty. It rumbles its way deep inside of me. I’m embarrassed that his voice freaking turns me on.
“I don’t like meatloaf.” I lift my chin in the air. “Sorry, dude.”
His jaw clenches and a flash of fire flickers in his eyes. It makes me want to do it again—to see how the greens in his eyes seem to flame with darker hues. “Call me Adam around the house. It’s Principal Renner at school, though.”
I roll my eyes and text my best friend Rita.
Me: This fucking bites.
Rita: I still can’t believe you left me. This is so unfair. Who’s going to party with me?
And by party, she means me watching her crazy ass so she doesn’t get taken advantage of. More than once she’s gotten high and nearly lost her mind. It’s one reason why I never did any drugs. Someone had to take care of Rita.
Me: Jason? Last weekend you had no issues ditching me to make out with that asshole.
Rita: He’s totally an asshole. I should have stayed with you. I miss you.
“Elma,” Adam barks, making me jump. “Put the phone away.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. “Excuse me?”
“It’s not the time, nor the place.”
“Okay, Dad,” I mock. All thoughts of him being hot are squashed as irritation flits through me. I start to reply to her when my phone gets pulled from my grip. “Hey!”
He slides my phone into the pocket of his jeans and I narrow my eyes at him. If he doesn’t think I’ll go after it, he’s crazy. But then he crosses his muscled arms over his sculpted chest and gives me a look that says: try it.
“Give it back,” I order.
“Not until you show some respect. We’re two strangers and I’m tasked with taking care of you. The least you can do is talk to me like a normal human.”
“Do you talk to all your students like this?” I snap.
“Only the little shits.”
I gape at him. “I’ll tell my dad.”
He arches an eyebrow in challenge. It sucks he’s so hot because he’s a total douchebag.
“He’ll come right back.”
Something resembling pity softens his features. “He’s not coming back. At least not any time soon.”
My gut hollows out and I peel my gaze from his. Tears sting at my eyes, but I quickly blink them away. He’s right and I know it. Dad’s always so focused on work. I love him, but once Mom died, he became obsessed with the company he part owns. I’ve practically raised myself since her death.
“Whatever,” I grumble. “I won’t eat.”
He grunts as he makes his way over to the fridge. I pout with my arms crossed over my chest, ignoring the shiver that runs through me. I was warned it was cold here, but it’s not like I had anything better to pack clothes wise. I’ll be damned, though, if I ask this guy for something warmer to wear. I’m still lost in my thoughts, staring out the window as snowflakes blow around, when I get a whiff of something savory and delicious. My stomach growls.
“Eat,” he instructs as he sets down a plate on the table.
I turn to see a slice of meatloaf, some mashed potatoes, and green beans steaming from the plate. My stomach whines again. With an eye roll meant to piss him off, I throw myself down into the chair and try not to look so desperate to eat a home cooked meal. Now that Mom’s gone, I usually fend for myself since Dad always works so late. Cereal. Mac and cheese. Pizza. Mom used to cook the best dinners. Just thinking about her and her nightly meals where she’d flit about the kitchen as though it came natural to her has me once again fighting tears.
This sucks.
Leaving Florida.
Coming to this cold hell.
Staying with the freaking principal of the high school I’ll be attending.
It just sucks.
“My mom makes the best meatloaf,” he tells me as he settles across from me with a piping hot plate of his own. He pushes a can of Coke my way before diving in.
I pick up the fork that’s on my plate and stab at the meatloaf. One bite later and I’m in heaven. Apparently, I do like meatloaf. The food settles my attitude and I wolf it down greedily. When I finish, I find him staring at me with a brow arched.
“Hungry?”
Heat floods my cheeks and I’m suddenly self-conscious. “Are you saying I’m fat?”
His eyes widen. “What? No. How the hell would you come to that conclusion?” Sincerity flickers in his green eyes and I relax slightly. I’ve got some curves—more than most girls I know—and it makes me constantly worry that people are judging me for it. I’m happy with my breasts and usually my ass. That is, until I’m hunting for jeans and none of them seem to fit my round rear.
“Can I have my phone back?” I ask, changing the subject.
He leans back in his chair and assesses me. I want to squirm under his intense stare.
“Later. For now, I want to talk.”
I let out a huff. “Okay, so talk.”
“What do you do for fun?”
The laugh that escapes me is mocking. “What do I do for fun? Oh my God.”
He glares at me. “I’m being serious.”
“I play on my phone,” I deadpan. “So, as you can see, I’m bored.” I smirk at him and revel in the way the vein in his throat pulsates.
“What else do you do? Sports? Band?”
“Band?” I shriek and scrunch my nose. “Ew. No.”
“Don’t be such a princess. Band is hard work.”
Another eye roll. “Okay, Principal Renner.”
A muscle in his neck ticks and if he wasn’t so annoying, I’d have the urge to lick it. But he’s annoying and rude. I definitely don’t want to lick it.
Well, maybe just once to see what he tastes like.
“You’re going to find something to do with your time while you’re here. Something constructive. Something useful for your future.”
Holy shit, he’s worse than Dad. He’s like a double dose of Dad. Ugh. My life is over. I retract my neck licking thoughts effective immediately.
“No. Hell to the no.” I lift my chin and hope I’m putting up my best glare of intimidation.
He rises from his seat and I try not to focus on the way his bicep bulges when he leans across the table to pick up my plate. With his head lowered closer to mine, I get a whiff of his manly scent that has me thinking even stupider thoughts than simply licking his neck.
“You will. My house, my rules.” He flashes me a panty-melting grin that has me flushing all over. “My school, my rules.”
He starts loading the dishwasher and whistling. Cheerful asshole. There’s no way in hell I’ll be joining any extracurricular activities. Five months and I’m out of here. I’ll go back to Florida with my friends and…
And what?
I’ll figure it out when I get there.