Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 34206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
That wasn’t the hard part of this. Wanting her went without saying. He needed to accept that he wanted her. All the freaking time. Not a moment went by when he didn’t think about her. He’d never been this consumed by a woman before.
Teal wasn’t some giggling schoolgirl. She was all woman. Every single part of her. He wanted her, craved her, but that didn’t mean he had to succumb to his desires. There was no reason to. He was stronger and could deny himself.
“I’m as new here as you. There is nothing else for me to do, and I’ve got no problems tutoring you. I’ve got coffee, and if you give me a few minutes, I’ll mark your exam and we’ll take it from there.”
She nodded at him and then glanced at the door.
This was now up to her. “So long as you don’t mind.”
“Unless you have other plans.”
She shook her head. “Nah, I never have any plans.”
“So, I guess you miss being around your friends.”
She frowned. “Not really.” She snorted. “I’m part of the loser squad.” She shrugged. “Not that I mind. I don’t make friends too well.”
He moved past her to the dining room table and sat down.
“I guess you never had those problems,” Teal said.
“Wow, aren’t we judging now?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve seen the way people are with you. Even my mom, and she can be a bitch to new faces until she gets to know them. You got a dinner invite and polite conversation, and you’re not a client.”
“Well, for your information, I was the kind of kid no one wanted their kid hanging around with.”
“You were?”
“Oh, yeah. I wasn’t a nice kid or a good kid. I was a pain in the ass, and I thought I knew best, and guess what, I do.” He winked at her.
Teal laughed. “So you were a badass.”
“Pretty much. Teachers hated me. Kids loved me. It was a whole big thing. I hated authority.”
Teal rested her cheek on her hand and shook her head. “I find that so hard to believe.”
“Trust me, I had a past.”
Chapter Four
Teal failed that first exam. Then the next three exams.
Jaxson was nice about it, but he did think the overall problem was the fact she didn’t test well.
She didn’t know what it was, but she hated looking dumb in front of him. After each test exam, he’d go through all the questions that she answered wrong. What she hated most, while they were going through them, she always answered them correctly, which only infuriated her more.
This was the first Saturday.
Sunday, she spent at home, listening to her mother on the phone again.
Then it was back to another week of school.
Another Saturday of being taught by Jaxson, another Sunday, and then another week of school.
Three weeks in, and she had settled in well. She hadn’t made any friends, and she didn’t mind. Even before they moved, she hadn’t been good on the friends front and often preferred her own company to that of anyone else.
By Friday night of the third week, she was tired and looking forward to Saturday. That was the highlight of her week, spending time with her teacher.
She opened the door to her home to find two suitcases.
“Mom?” She yelled to be heard, and her mother suddenly appeared from the kitchen.
“Teal, it’s good that you’re home.” Her mother finished typing on her cell phone and then looked up. “So your father and I, we’re making progress. I’m traveling to England to go and see him.”
“England, that’s where he is?” Teal asked.
“Yes, and we need to come to some kind of agreement. So, I’m flying out there. I wasn’t able to book you a flight, and with school and tutoring, you can’t take the time away. Senior year is important.” Her mother stepped toward her and cupped her face. “Don’t worry. I’ve made Mr. Rebel aware of the situation. He knows you’ll be here on your own. You’re an adult now, and you can take care of yourself.” She pulled out her purse from her bag and handed her a card. “For groceries and whatever comes up. You know the drill.”
This wasn’t the first time she’d been left alone. “Yeah, I know the drill.”
“I know I’ve been all over the place, but I’ve got a good feeling about this, Teal. I’m going to bring your father home, and we’re going to fix all of this. You won’t have to worry.”
She wanted to ask her mother if it was really worth it, but she kept her thoughts to herself and merely smiled.
“If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to call. No wild parties. No boys over. I want you to be good. Got it?”
“Got it,” Teal said.
Her mother blew out a breath and then giggled. “That’s my cab.” She cupped her face once again and kissed her. “Love you. Already miss you.”