Page 36 of Uproot

"That's wonderful, angel. These kids are so lucky to have you," I praise, smiling proudly.

She looks over at her students, "I'm the lucky one. They make me want to be a better teacher."

I smile at her and she moves over to a bag on her desk. "Thank you for lunch today," she says. "When I said I didn't want to eatout for lunch, that didn't mean I needed you to send me a packed lunch."

She hands me the lunch bag I sent with Dragana this morning when she and Helen brought Edison to school. I asked Dragana to prepare lunch for Selah along with Edison's today. She was more than happy to make her a nice sandwich, and prepare some fresh fruit and vegetables.

I knew that Selah would just go back to eating air, and reading her smutty novels during lunch if I didn't bring her something myself.

I take the lunch bag from her and shake my head. "I did need to, and I'll bring another one for you tomorrow, angel," I say, giving her a look that tells her not to bother arguing with me.

"Ok. Thank you Beckett," she says, looking down at the tin in my other hand.

I hand it to her, "How about you give these to the kids who are still here," I suggest looking around at the few children playing at the stations.

She gives me a puzzled look and opens it, revealing about two dozen sugar cookies.

"Wow! These look so good, Beckett! Did Dragana make them?" she asks, walking over to set them on a table.

"No. They actually came from the red head's mom," I say unable to hide the irritation in my voice.

Selah pauses, twisting her mouth. "Monica Bell? Sh-she brought them foryou?" she asks, and I swear I hear a hint of jealousy in her voice that makes my cock twitch.

"Yes. She brought them as a welcome gift I guess. I think they were really just a way to have an opening to pry some information out of me she could take back to her friends to gossip about. But I don't want them," I respond, looking her in the eyes. "I'm sure that they aren't nearly as delicious as yourcookies."

Her expression softens and she smiles at me again. "That's sweet of you to say, Beckett. Sorry if she bothered you. I'll just bag these up so the kids can take them home."

She moves to a cabinet, taking out some Ziplock bags. I go to wash my hands at one of the small sinks so I can help her, then we get to packing them up.

Edison finally spots me and runs over to give me a tight hug around my waist. "Uncle Beckett, are those cookies for us?!" he asks eagerly.

"They sure are, little man. Do you want to help give them out to everyone?" I ask, and he nods enthusiastically.

"Yes I can!"

He moves to distribute the bags to his classmates and I go to get his backpack, then turn my attention back to Selah. She is wiping down the table, and I take the time while she is unaware of my eyes on her to drink her in.

She finally notices me watching her and bites back a smile, coming back over to me. I reach out to her, unable to keep myhands to myself any longer. I run my fingers along her bare arm gently, and feel her shiver under my touch.

She bites harder into her lip and I restrain myself from leaning down and adding my own teeth to it. I clear my throat, taking a half step back from her before I do something that isn’t appropriate for the classroom.

"I'll see you tonight, sweetheart. I'll pick you up around six, ok?" I say, as Edison comes running over to us.

She gives Edison a hug and then nods at me. "I'm looking forward to it, Beckett."

Not as much as I am, I think as I take Edison and head back outside.

20

Selah

Beckett is due to be at my house in ten minutes and my bedroom looks like a clothes tornado hit it.

I've changed into five different outfits, none of them looking nice enough to be seen out with a man that looks like walking sex.

I pout at the white wrap skirt and pink top I have on, deciding that it will have to do for now. I normally love wearing this outfit, but tonight I'm just too nervous to think anything on me looks amazing.

I hurry to my bathroom to rub some lotion on my legs and arms, then take off my head scarf and fix my hair.

---