Page 81 of Rags to Royals

But I decide not to be a bitch and point out that he’ll have full classes of students depending on him to teach them something. I’m making a bigger deal out of this than I need to. And I’m projecting my suspicions that long-term commitments aren’t really Cian’s thing onto this situation that is very much not a long-term thing. Everyone understands that. The people who hired him, Cian himself, the kids. He’s asubstituteteacher. He doesn’t need to commit.Not to the school. Not to me.

“I guess it’s only three weeks,” I say. “So that’s also different.”

He doesn’t say anything to that. “So what are the chances that someone will walk in on us if I kiss you right now?” he asks.

I’m surprised by the shift of topic, and I guess the fact that he stillwantsto kiss me after I was clearly being judgy about his ‘adventures’ being less serious than mine.

He pushes away from the counter and comes toward me. “And what are the chances of it being a really bad idea if they did?”

I swallow. “I don’t think the chances are very good. But it would be bad.”

He looks surprised as he stops in front of me. “It would? You don’t think that Mariah and Ruby and Greta are expecting that we’re kissing?”

“It’s more the fact that I think the kissing will turn intoa lotmore. Things they won’t appreciate having happen on the surfaces where they eat.”

His gaze heats as his mouth tips up at the corner. “Are you saying you have no self-control around me?”

I nod. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

“That’s an excellent answer.”

I step closer to him, his heat wrapping around me. I take a deep breath that’s scented with his soap and cologne. “I need to tell you something before we kiss. And more.”

“Anything.”

“I think there’s a good chance I will be using you for sex.”

His right brow arches. “Is that right?”

“Yes. I still don’t think anything can happen between us past the next sixteen days.”

He sighs as if frustrated with my mental countdown.

“But I want to keep having sex. And I just want to be up front about that so you don’t think it’s a sign that I’m getting attached or that this is more serious. And to give you a chance to say no.”

God, please don’t say no.

He nods slowly, lifting a hand to my hair and pulling on the ponytail holder again. He drags the elastic loop down the length of my hair. When it’s free, he slips it onto his wrist and then slides his hand up into my hair, dragging the strands between his fingers.

“You are a witch, you know that? I’m spellbound. You know very well I have no ability to say no to you.”

I grasp his wrist. “You do. You can say no. You want more and it’s not fair of me to lead you on.”

“Hey, Glinda?”

“Yeah?” I ask softly.

“You go right ahead and take whatever you need from me. I’m here for you. Use me. Whatever you need.” He slides his fingers through my hair again, then his hand comes up to cup my face.

“Cian—”

“Shh.” He leans in and puts his lips against mine. “I’m okay. I’m in. You let me worry about all the other stuff.”

“What stuff?” I whisper, my hands going to his sides and gripping his shirt.

“The falling in love stuff. The forever stuff.”

Oh, shit. See that’s the messy stuff. “Cian?—”

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