Page 5 of Teacher's Pet

“Yes. Volunteering. Everyone else has already done it this year and it’s your turn.”

He’s full of shit. I know he is. I know for a fact that Mr. Campbell and Miss Miller have not volunteered yet but I also know that this is my punishment for his bruised ego. If I try and get out of it he’ll just find another way to harass and possibly humiliate me.

“Fine. I’ll be here tomorrow.”

“You need to help the committee set up in the gym.” He turns away and basically dismisses me.

I groan internally but walk out the door and close it behind me, keeping all of my anger and upset inside me. I’m not giving that dick the satisfaction of knowing that he’s upset me. It will just make him happy.

Margie smiles at me. “I’m sorry, Tally. Here’s the paperwork for the dance. I’ve got the list of kids that signed up and the other chaperones that are on the list to participate.”

I nod and take the papers, not saying one word.

My shoulders sink as I walk back to the gym, hearing the buzz of adult voices in the large room and cringing.

I’m not feeling the parent thing today. Not when every damn night this week I’ve been dreaming about a certain older father that for some reason makes me want to sit on his lap and call him daddy.

I’ve never had a kink in my life but apparently the older, muscular single father has got my imagination running riot and the dirtiest thoughts playing like a movie in my mind.

I never knew that I had a thing for big, scowling giants either. I’m just learning all kinds of new things about myself.

I push the door open and stalk inside, forcing a bright smile on my face as I meet the five parents inside.

No surprises. They’re the ones that usually volunteer so they could probably set all of this up themselves.

But I hand out assignments and start folding huge paper flowers for hanging from the ceiling. The spring fling is one of two dances and the kids love the break in the end of the school year activities. It’s not a sport that they need to work for and it’s not assignments to study for the end of the year exams. It’s just fun.

The door slams behind me and my back stiffens, a low-level buzz shooting up my spine. I close my eyes.

No, no, no!

There’s only been one instance where I felt that and I can’t see that guy again.

“Sorry I’m late,” his deep voice grumbles and I hang my head, taking a deep breath.

I turn around and smile but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “It’s fine. We’re just getting started.”

He pauses, his foot in the air, his silver-dark eyes blazing at me. “Well, well, well. It’s you,” he snarls and I have to force myself not to flinch.

“It’s me,” I chirp back at him, hoping he’s as uncomfortable as me.

He grunts and stalks off to stand over in a corner as far away from me as he can get.

“Alright, so most of you have done this before,” I smile at the usual suspects that volunteer every time. Then I frown at Harley’s dad. “And some of you are brand new and may need a little help so I think that we should split up. So all you newbies pair up with one of the regulars and we’ll get this knocked out in no time. I’m sure you’re just as excited as me to get home and relax tonight.”

Everyone starts pairing off and that’s when I realize that I just screwed myself royally. The one person standing alone is Foster Marcone. He’s got his arms crossed over his broad chest and he looks freaking amazing. Like superman or something.

And I don’t need to be thinking that. I pull myself up short and sigh inwardly.

“Fine,” I grumble under my breath and stomp over to his big body. “I guess we’re working together. I’m working on the folded paper flowers. If you don’t have a problem with heights, you can hang them. I don’t like heights.”

He nods and I’m shocked when that’s all he does. I expected a lot more snark out of him. “Fine. Is there a ladder around here?”

“Yeah. It’s in the custodian closet just down the hall. I’ll show you where it’s at.”

He follows close behind me and I struggle to control my wayward thoughts which seem to be locked on the heat of his big, muscular body so close.

It takes just a couple of minutes to go down the hall and open the closet door. We walk inside and I spot the ladder leaning up against the far back wall.

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