Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Levi turns on his music—heavy guitars and pounding drums. It vibrates so hard, it feels like my teeth and bones are rattling. The drive to the library doesn’t take long and soon we’re pulling into the parking lot. We pass a sleek, silver Audi with dark tinted windows parked up front.
Somehow, I know it’s Callum.
Eyes are on me, burning into my flesh and warming me to my core. I fling open the door and don’t bother with a goodbye to Levi. It’s difficult to walk into the library knowing Callum is watching me and waiting for me.
I barely make it into the building when I hear Levi’s tires squealing over the pavement. He guns it down the road, his engine roaring as he goes.
“Oops, I forgot something,” I say to the person at the front desk as if they care.
Turning on my heel, I rush back outside. From my vantage point, I recognize the sharp lines of Callum’s face, his eyes hidden behind sleek black sunglasses. This hardly seems like real life. He’s so hot and interesting and sweet to me.
I open the passenger side door and toss my bag into the floorboard. Once the door is closed behind me, I lean across the console, eager for a kiss. He’s just as needy for one because his large hand slides into my hair, cupping the back of my head, and he pulls me to his mouth.
The crash of his warm lips on mine sends curls of pleasure racing down my spine. This afternoon he tastes like cinnamon. It makes me wonder if he was chewing gum or ate a mint before he kissed me.
“I’ve been waiting since last night to do that,” he breathes against my mouth. “How is it possible to miss you so fucking much?”
“I missed you too.” I grin at him. “You taste good.” Tugging off his sunglasses, I admire his handsome face. “What are we doing here?”
His blue eyes flash with heat. “Right now, I’m kissing my girl.”
“Your girl?” I can’t help but preen at his words.
“Mine.” He smirks. “You okay with that?”
“All yours.”
“Buckle up. I’m taking you somewhere.”
“Like on a date?” I sound giddy. Too excited. But I can’t help it.
His expression grows stormy for a moment. “I wish I could take you out in public, but—”
“It’s fine,” I rush out. “I promise.”
“Sweetheart…”
“Callum, it’s fine. I know what this is. We have to keep it a secret. Going to a restaurant together isn’t smart. I’m just happy to get to spend time with you.”
He watches me for a beat and then leans forward to press a kiss to my nose. “You really are my sweet, perfect girl.”
Publicly dating is overrated.
I’ll take our secret rendezvous over a regular date any day of the week.
As long as we get to spend that time together, I’m happy.
For once, I’m truly happy.
Callum
I’m a total prick.
Willa, my sweet girl, deserves to be taken around and shown off like the prize that she is. She’s adorable and intelligent. If she were even a year older, and not in my class, it probably wouldn’t be such a big deal.
But since I’m in a position of power over her and am responsible for teaching her, this could go sour quickly if anyone found out.
Dad would take pride in shaming me for doing, essentially, the same shit he did when I was in high school. Wyatt would fire me on the spot. And Hugo?
Fuck.
That’s the worst of it.
My actions directly affect my brother.
“Where are we going?” Willa asks once we’re on the road.
With my fingers threaded with hers and resting on her thigh, it feels natural. Like we’ve been together a lot longer than a few days. It’s a little terrifying how hard I’m falling for this girl. To my defense, I’ve wanted her since she stepped foot into my classroom months and months ago.
“I’m going to take you home and cook for you.” I glance over at her. “Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’m excited to see your house.”
I give her hand a squeeze and try to ignore the swelling anxiety as I get closer to the turnoff to Park Mountain where we all live. My windows are tinted, but you can still see in the front windshield if you’re looking hard enough. I’m hoping Dad isn’t home and that Jamie is busy doing whatever it is Jamie does all day.
“Most of my family lives on this road,” I explain as I turn. “That’s where my dad lives with Dempsey and Gemma, and their mother.”
“Your stepmom?”
I flinch at the term—one that’s bothered me for the past eighteen years or so. “She’s not my anything.”
The icy bite of my words isn’t meant for Willa, but she feels the sting anyway. She goes quiet, slightly fidgeting in her seat. I feel like a total asshole.
“That’s my brother Hugo’s house,” I mumble, trying to change the subject. “He lives there with Spencer. His second wife, Neena, recently pulled a disappearing act on him.”