Page 27 of Capacity
When I reached Knight’s office, I saw him talking to a few teachers so I went to Rosie’s office instead. She seemed happy to see me. “I’m so happy you started working here,” she told me, pressing her palms together.
“Thank you, Rosie. I like being here. Working with you and Mr. Cunningham is awesome.”
Being anywhere near Mr. Cunningham is awesome…
Rosie’s gray eyebrows lifted as if she could hear my inner thoughts. I forced a polite smile and she laughed in response.
“You and Principal Cunningham seem to get along famously. I’ve never seen him take to a newbie like that.”
“Yeah, I guess we do click, huh?”
“If that’s the word you want to use for it, sweetheart.” She opened her mouth to say something else but Knight knocked on the door and walked in. His stare was aimed right at me. My throat tightened.
“Hey, Ms. Foster, it’s lunchtime. You free?”
“Always,” I said before hopping up. Rosie practically vanished from the office. Knight held his arm out and we linked at the elbow before walking down the hall together.
“You know, over the past month, that smile of yours has gotten brighter and brighter, Ms. Foster. I think you might have a friend in your life who helped you find your smile.” We entered his office and he sat on the edge of his desk. His long strong legs were stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankle. A magnet pulled me close to him but my guard wouldn’t let me get too close.
“I think I might have a friend in my life with a really big ego,” I joked. I reached out and poked his chest. It was stiff and chiseled and it nearly crushed my pointer finger.
Knight caught my wrist in his grasp and panic set in. I snatched away from him and shoved my hands in the front pockets on my shirt. I watched his expression melt into an apologetic frown.
“I’m sorry, Lumi. I was just playing around.”
“I know. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s fine,” I told him, smoothing imaginary stray hairs back into my bun. “Now, back to your ego,” I smirked, bumping him with my hips. He tucked his bottom lip between his teeth and pulled me closer with his fingertips hooked inside my pockets.
“What about my ego?” His deep voice rumbled in his chest and even though I wasn’t pressed against him, I felt the reverberation and it made me tingle…everywhere. I pressed my thighs together and swallowed the dense knot in my throat.
Knight’s cologne smelled smooth, rich, and clean. If it weren’t so inappropriate, I’d bury my nose against his throat and draw in his scent.
Stop it, Lumi. He’s your boss. Your friend…
“It’s big. I said what I said.”
“Oh yeah? Am I wrong though?” The cocky look on his face should have annoyed me but it did the opposite. It intrigued me and made me want to push back.
“You’re so wrong,” I teased, holding back a smile.
“So I don’t make you smile, Lumi?” He tugged me closer to him with his fingers still hooked in my pockets. I felt the heat from his hands even though he wasn’t touching me. I wouldn’t be mad if he did.
“Nope. Not even a little,” I lied, batting my lashes.
“Oh, please don’t make that face, you’re killing me.” He flashed that perfect smile and I drowned in his bright sapphire eyes and thick brown lashes.
Golden boy.
“So, in reality,I’mthe one who makesyousmile,” I teased.
“I can’t help it. Who wouldn’t smile at that face?” He took his hands from my pockets and skimmed his thumb along my jawline, holding it on my chin.
My knees were useless globs of water. My chest, a block of stone. My spine, jelly.
“So then it’s settled,” my voice was hushed and throaty. “I’m the one who makes you smile.”
“I can’t argue with the truth.”
“Good. Now order us something to eat,” I quipped, taking a step back. If I didn’t put some distance between us, he’d know how damn desperate I was.
