Page 86 of Class Act

He cleared his throat. “How do you feel about dating a man ten years older than you?”

I pursed my lips thoughtfully. “A man of experience, with roots, and an understanding of real-life responsibilities? I’m good with it.”

“I’m already going gray, and you’re still so young with so much available to you.” His hands coasted up and down my back, making me want to arch against his fingertips. “I’m a father.”

One side of my mouth tilted up. “So, you’re saying that’s a permanent thing? I wasn’t sure if they were on loan or . . .”

He chuckled. “I want to make sure you really know what you’re taking on. It’s a lot. I’m busy with a business and my kids and community involvement.”

I tucked in closer. “It sounds to me like we’ll take it slow. Maybe your assistant could pencil me in for some sort of face-to-face every couple of weeks.”

“My assistant is staying out of this.”

I smiled. “I know you’re busy. I’m not asking . . .”

“Hailey,” he stopped me. “Start asking. You deserve things, and I’ll do my best to give them to you.”

Pesky tears filled my eyes, and I had to work my throat to not sound weepy when I replied, “I’m asking for you to take a chance on me. And I’ll do the same with you.”

“I’m afraid you’re the one taking the biggest risk, here,” he said against my hair. “Older man, single father, busy business owner, extrovert . . .”

“The only risk is not trying at all,” I replied.

He tilted my head back and found whatever he’d been looking for in my eyes because his own grew warm and serious. “Just so there’s no wondering here, I’m more than half in love with you, Hailey Thomas. I am one hundred percent all yours.”

One of my dimples flashed, and his warm mouth came against mine, giving and taking until I was a breathless, mindless heap in his arms.

Everything I needed to know was in that kiss. Everything.

THE END

EPILOGUE

September . . . The following year

I put down my lesson plan and glanced at the clock. Five p.m., time to wrap up my day. Smoothing my hair behind my ears, I looked toward the classroom door when I saw movement. A blonde head, followed by another, followed by Ford filling the doorway. The butterflies I always felt at seeing him launched, rising up in celebration.

Hillary hurried toward me, waving an envelope. “You should come to my dad’s birthday party next week,” she said, giggling at the end.

I took the invite from her and read it over. “I don’t know.” I made a serious face. “Your dad doesn’t really know me, and this seems like a special occasion.”

Hillary laughed again and ran back to Henry, grabbing his hand and tugging him out into the hall as Ford came to stand next to my desk. He brought his familiar scent with him, and I breathed it in.

“I really hate to push myself onto the guest list,” I said with a grin.

“No, no, by all means, come.” He scratched at his chin. “It’s just, I wonder if Hillary is plotting something.” He reached for my hands and tugged me up to standing, pulling me flush against him.

I leaned forward and onto my toes, pressing a light kiss to his lips. “I have no idea why you feel the need to tell me that.”

“You know, Hillary has been having daydreams about getting a new mom.”

His hands skated down my back, causing the same familiar shivers they always did, and I snuggled in closer as I said, “To be clear, I really don’t want anything from you.”

He bent and kissed me again, this one a little deeper than the last. My hands slid up to his shoulders, and I deepened the kiss further, forgetting for a moment that we were in my classroom in a new school, a place where I was still trying to make a good impression.

“Do you think your new principal is okay with you doing this in your room?” he teased against my mouth, having somehow read my mind.

“I guess I’ll just have to avoid you from now on.”

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