Page 54 of Weather the Storm

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Seated behind my desk, I address my first class of the day. “All right, world historians, I’m gonna be real with y’all: we have a whopping two days of school left, and I don’t want to work any more than y’all do. So, here’s the deal…those of you needing extra credit can help clean the classroom to receive it, and those of you passing with flying colors…yeah, y’all can clean too.” A resounding groan ripples through the classroom, causing my lips to tip up into a smile. “C’mon now, knock it off. I could be springing a last-minute quiz on y’all, but out of the kindness and goodness of my heart, I’m not. Nope. All I’m askin’ is for y’all to clean up the mess you helped make.”

Like clockwork, Desi’s hand shoots into the air. Acknowledging her, I say, “Miss Reyes…”

“Seriamente, Mr. M?”

“Seriously, Desi.”

“How is it fair for us to have to clean everything? Are your other classes helping? They made as much of the mess as we did!”

I fight back my grin and nod my head at her, as if she’s just caused me to have an epiphany. “My goodness, you’re right. That’s not very fair, is it?” Desi nods, looking proud. “Which is why I’ve split the classroom into sections so each class has work to do. It’s like I’m a genius, right?”

I smirk. Desi sulks.

“With that said, y’all are gonna work on the bookshelves and taking down the bulletin boards.”

“Tan ridiculo,” Desi mutters under her breath.So ridiculous.

All the same, she gets to work with the rest of the class.

§

Finally, the last day of school is upon us. I’m up before my alarm, watching my girl sleep. I stretch lazily, the feeling of Magnolia wrapped around me begging me to stay put. A quick glance at the clock on my nightstand tells me I still have a good half hour before I need to be up—plenty of time for some early-morning lovemaking.

I drag my hand up from where it’s resting on her hip, running it over the dip in her slim waist and over the side swell of her breast. She stirs in my arms, moving her body closer to mine. “Wake up, Goldilocks,” I say huskily into her ear. She moans softly, the sound traveling straight below my belt—you know, if I were wearing one.

I press my lips to her neck, just below her ear, in an open-mouthed kiss before trailing a path down to her collarbone, which I nibble lightly. “Oh God, Simon.” Magnolia arches into me as she blinks her eyes open, letting me know she’s fully awake and wanting this as bad as me.

But, still, I need the words. “I want you, pretty girl.”

“Yes,” she hisses. “I want you too.” And that’s all it takes. I relieve her of the nightie she’s wearing, tossing it to the floor, my boxer briefs quickly joining.

“My God, I love you,” I murmur, showing her how much with my hands and mouth before bringing us both home.

Once we’re cleaned up and dressed, Magnolia walks me to the door, kissing me thoroughly. “Have a good day, Simon.”

“I will. It’s a half day today, so I’ll come grab lunch with you, if you can swing it?”

She beams at me. “That sounds amazing.” She kisses me once more before locking up after me.

Jesus Christ, I love that woman.

§

MAGNOLIA

The salon is pretty empty today, my appointments are few and far between. Myla Rose is out due to Brody being sick, and Azalea won’t be in until later. She and Drake went to some concert last night, and I have a feeling she’s slightly hungover. Thank God Seraphine’s here to keep me company.

“Only two more haircuts and you’re done,” Seraphine singsongs as my third appointment of the day walks out the door.

“Too bad I have t-two hours in between them,” I lament.

“That’s true, but you have your man joining you for lunch, and we both know that’ll kill time.”

Her words cause me to smile. With Simon being a teacher, he rarely gets to meet me for lunch, so to say I’m looking forward to our little date is an understatement.

“Maybe I’ll call in an order at Dream Beans for some chicken salad sandwiches? I can grab them before he gets here.”

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