Page 79 of Rags to Royals

“Ongoing.”

I stare at him. He lifts a brow.

I don’t know what to say. I know he can afford it. I appreciate that he understands the need and wants to help. It was just a matter of making him aware of it, I suppose. “Too bad there aren’t many billionaires that want to go into teaching,” I say. “Or nursing. Or a bunch of other jobs. We could probably solve a lot of problems if they saw it up close.”

“We could,” he agrees. “Though I have some special privilege. I can dabble in all kinds of jobs. Most billionaires tend to stick with whatever made them rich.”

His mouth has a strange twist to it as he says the words. Almost as if he’s tasting something unpleasant.

“I suppose you have a point,” I say about the other billionaires. There’s not really anything else to say, so I just add, “Thank you, Cian. For doing that for Emerald.”

He frowns. “It’s not something I need to be thanked for. I’m simply supplying funds for something that needs to be funded. There must be a better way, and I’ve reached out to some peopleso I can understand the process better.” He blows out a breath. “But for now I can buy some fucking markers and paper towels.”

I want to kiss him so badly right now.

Smiling, flirty, charming Cian is hot. But outraged on behalf of teachers and kids Cian is nearly irresistible.

“And tampons?” I ask, looking at the bag on the floor.

He glances at it. “A bunch of high school teachers were saying how it’s important to have period products available. They need to be easily available, and a lot of teachers keep a stash in their desks.”

“Where were they saying this?” I can easily picture him already making friends in the teachers’ lounge.

“Online. In some forums I’ve joined.”

He’s joined online forums for teachers. For a two-week subbing gig.

I’m not prepared to be this attracted to him.

“I texted Mariah and Greta to ask what kind to get, though.” He meets my gaze and frowns. “Is that okay? Is that weird?”

If Henry wasn’t here, I would throw Cian on my dining room table, strip him down, and ride him right there on top of the bags of school supplies for elementary school students.

I have to clear my throat before I say, “That’s totally okay. In fact, that’s amazing.”

He looks relieved. “Good. It occurred to me after I got everything home that Emerson might already have stuff, but I suppose it’s better to have too much than not enough.”

Home. He referred to my house as home. That’s…shit. Tempting. That’s what that is.

“Oh, I also bought a new coffee machine, like a whole cappuccino-espresso thing, for the teachers’ lounge.” He frowns. “That was overkill right? I just know the girls in Autrelovethat fucking thing they have in the office at the animal park and thecoffee pot in the lounge there looked really sad today. Teachers shouldat leasthave good coffee.”

“You’re going to make quite an impression on Emerald High School while you’re here,” I tell him.

His smile is bright. “If people don’t remember you after you leave, what was the point of being there in the first place?”

Oh, boy. What a motto.

I don’t think Cian O’Grady needs to worry about Emerald, Ohio, or the people of the town, remembering him when he leaves.

Which is more unfortunate for some of us than others.

Chapter 17

Scarlett

Cian’s casserole is not as good as Diane’s are, but it’s pretty damned good. LikeI could come home to this every nightgood. The conversation around the table, and the way Henry and Cian both interact with Mariah and Greta, is alsoverygood. Tempting. Dangerously so.

I could easily fall for all of this.

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