Page 161 of Deadly Sweet

Can you guess which teacher that was?

Ding, ding, ding. The bitch from the hallway.

We hate her.

He hasn’t worn them to school since. And because I think her opinion isn’t worth shit, I’m painting his nails anyways. And because he doesn’t like to upset me, he’s gonna keep it on. At school. Because fuck what anyone else thinks.

“All done. Next hand.” Jake gives me his other hand, and I wink. “Good boy.”

His cheeks go bright pink, and I grin wider as I continue to paint his nails.

“You play dirty,” he leans in and whispers.

“I’ll show you just how dirty I can be later.”

“Can... can you do mine?” Carter asks after Jake is done.

I want to say yes, but if his father is anything like what I think he is, I don’t want him to go home with polish on his nails and get in trouble. The idea of anything happening to that little boy makes me sick.

“Tell you what.” I reach over and grab the pack of markers from the shelf next to me. “How about we use these, that way you can wash them off before you go home.” I look down to see that his nails are short. He bites them. “Nail polish isn’t good for you if you bite your nails. It will make you sick. This is better.”

“Okay!” he agrees right away.

We get lost in the moment, Carter picking different colors from the pack and telling me which finger he wants the specific color on.

By the time we’re done, the lunch bell rings.

“Oh man,” he sighs. “I was having fun.”

“How about I come back in a few days?” I tell him as I get up and grab the stroller.

“Really? That would be awesome.” He grabs my legs and squeezes me hard. “Bye, Savvy.”

“Bye, Carter,” I call after him as he takes off.

“Bye, Mr. Holloway!” Carter calls out from the hall.

“I think you’ve taken my spot as his favorite person.” Jake chuckles.

“I mean, can you blame him? I’m pretty awesome.” I grin.

Jake wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me towards him. I can’t help the whimper that leaves me from his simple touch, and the smell of candy apple fills the air, making him groan. “You're amazing. You’re kind. You're loving. Thank you.”

“For what?” I whisper as he looks down at me with emotion in his eyes.

“For having a big heart. For caring for that little boy when he needs more people on his side. For not allowing me to hide myself because I care too much about what other people think sometimes.”

“You're with me now. I’m not going to let you be anyone else but yourself. Because you, Jake Holloway, are pretty fucking amazing.”

He growls, leaning in and kissing me hard.

“You better go before we scare these poor children,” Jake murmurs against my lips.

I don’t wanna go. I wanna lock that door and demand he take me right here and now over his desk.

“Tonight. You’re mine.” I kiss him before taking a step back.

“Always.”

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