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)
“You’re a real dick, you know that?”
“It’s not exactly news, Gemma.”
She shoots me the bird before stalking away but stops just shy of the corner of the hallway. “I’ll find out what you’re up to. Or who you’re doing it with.”
Her threats, though they make my skin crawl, don’t work.
“Go before I assign you detention.”
“Fuck off, Callum.”
Holy shit. I barely dodged a bullet.
What the hell was I thinking?
I wasn’t. That was the problem. My dick was calling the shots and it’s fucking brainless. The moment I shared with Willa will have to be enough because it can’t happen again.
It. Just. Fucking. Can’t.
But, oh God, do I hope it does.
Willa
He bit me.
My teacher bit me.
I’m still in a daze, even as I walk home from school.
That really happened. Callum came to check on me, comforted me, and then…lost control. It was hot and thrilling. I’ve been aching ever since.
More. I want more.
It’s easy to focus on Callum rather than my crappy life because he’s such a big presence. Not just his height or muscular frame. It’s him. Something about him commands attention. I can still smell his masculine scent clinging to my clothes. It’s intoxicating.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Eagerly, I pull my phone out, hoping it’s him. I deflate at seeing my mom’s name instead.
Mom: Have you seen my black clutch?
All pleasure at my encounter with Callum disappears in an instant. I glare at her words, angry at her for not being the mother I need her to be.
Me: I don’t exactly go to black tie affairs, so I don’t have it.
The dots move as she responds. I’m not normally bitchy to her, but being with Callum has left me energized.
Mom: You don’t have to be a brat about it.
It’s always like this. When she comes out of her pill fog and decides to be a parent again, I’m just supposed to bounce into line right along with her.
Me: I’ll be home soon to help you look for it.
An ache forms in my chest. Everything in my life seems to be in turmoil lately. Almost daily, I wish we could go back to the days when Darren and Levi weren’t in our lives.
Another buzz from my phone has me scowling. But, instead of Mom, it’s him.
Callum: Sorry about earlier.
I frown in confusion before tapping out a reply.
Me: When you bit me?
The dots move and stop a couple of times before he responds.
Callum: Not sorry about the bite. I meant I’m sorry about making you hide while I dealt with my sister.
Me: You were protecting me.
Callum: I like protecting you.
Energy buzzes through my veins.
Me: It was nice forgetting everything around me for a little while. You’re distracting.
Callum: You’re distracting too. Trust me.
A car honks as they drive by and I recognize Dempsey. He waves his hand through the window before he guns it. I can’t help but wave back.
Me: Maybe I should meet you somewhere. You could give me the lecture notes.
Callum: Bad idea. Seriously. The worst idea ever.
Me: Because you’d try and bite me again?
Callum: Absolutely.
This is flirting. We’re actually flirting. Callum Park is actually into me.
Me: I don’t see the problem.
He makes me feel comfortable enough to put myself out there, especially since he’s doing the same.
Callum: The problem is…I can’t be with you.
His words sting. I frown as I stare down at them.
Me: I’m eighteen.
Callum: Very well aware, sweetheart.
Sweetheart.
Me: So?
Callum: Aside from me being your teacher, there are other reasons why I can’t allow myself to go down this path with you.
Me: You have more reasons than that?
Callum: My brother is announcing that he’ll be running for attorney general. They’re going to pick apart everyone in his life. Politics are fucked up like that.
I’m not an idiot.
If the press discovered a salacious scandal like this, they’d turn it against Callum’s brother and use it on him during the campaign. Not only would that be humiliating to Callum, but it’d be humiliating for me as well. And there’s no telling what Darren would do if I embarrassed him by being involved in an affair with my teacher.
Callum: Say something…
Me: It’s fine.
Callum: It’s not fine, though. It’s not fair.
Me: I knew you were too good to be true.
Callum: I’m sorry. I still want to be your friend, but even that will have to be kept on the down low.
I’m not exactly in a place to deal with his second thoughts and rejection of what happened earlier, so I pocket my phone, unable to reply. The walk home is a blur. I want nothing more than to run to my room, barricade the door, and hide.
Of course, that’s when Mom would choose to parent.
“Willa,” Mom calls out from her bedroom. “In here. We need to talk.”
Grumbling under my breath, I make my way to her room. She’s dressed to the nines in a fitted black dress, impossibly high heels, and her makeup perfectly applied. Her dark hair that matches mine has been twisted into an updo that makes her seem much more elegant than the wife of a weasel of a man who lets his son get away with being a pervert.