Page 1 of Connected By Love
Chapter One
Sophia
I takea sip of my drink and try to concentrate on my conversation with Frankie and Sam. They’re both teachers with me at Crystal Isle Elementary and two of my closest friends from work. We’ve had to endure teacher meetings all day to prepare for the new school year starting next week and made plans to meet for drinks at a local bar just outside of town.
I was having a good time until I noticed Nathan was here. It only took two seconds for me to feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and feel his presence. After our one date, I’ve told him numerous times that I’m not interested, and he’s not getting the memo. I’ve recently had to block him from my phone because he wouldn’t stop texting or calling me, pleading with me to give him another chance.
I try and ignore his eyes on me and focus on what Frankie just asked me.
“Did you hear what I said?” Frankie waves his hand in front of my face, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You okay, Soph? You look a little pale.”
“What? No, I’m fine. Sorry, I was thinking about the new school year and all I need to get done in my classroom before the first day.” I know if I told them about Nathan, they would cause a scene and make the situation worse. I just want to forget about the whole thing. Eventually, he’ll get the hint and leave me alone.
“Stop stressing about work. You’re going to be the best kindergarten teacher the school has ever seen. Besides, I’ve seen your classroom, and the kids are going to love it. You’ve got everything a five-year-old could want in there.” Sam smiles at me, and I can’t help but relax a little. At twenty-eight, she’s four years older than me and lives with her husband in town. She’s adorable, with her cute brunette bob and glasses making her look every bit like a teacher, but it’s her personality that wins people over the most. She’s like a ray of sunshine and the most positive person you could ever meet. She was the first teacher to come to my classroom and welcome me on my first day, and we’ve been friends ever since.
“Thanks, Sam. I guess I’m just nervous.” I give a small laugh and notice Nathan glancing at me again. I avert his gaze and look away.
“Try walking into a room full of eleven-year-olds. It’s like walking into a lion’s den. If you show them any fear, they will eat you up,” she says, laughing.
“I can vouch for that,” Frankie laughs. “Thank God we’re across the hall from each other and can send SOSs if we need to.” I look over at Frankie and grin. He’s a very good-looking guy with dark hair and blue eyes. We still laugh about the time we first met, and I flirted with him. It wasn’t until later that I met his partner and realized he wasn’t into women. He still teases me about it to this day.
Nathan catches my eyes as he stands up. I breathe a sigh ofrelief that he’s leaving until his eyes hold mine, and he starts to walk over to our table. Oh God, I don’t want to do this now.
“I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.” They both nod at me before going back to their conversation. I get up quickly and walk to the back of the bar where the restrooms are. Glancing behind me, I see he’s following me. I find the hallway for the bathroom and run straight into hard steel. My face is pressed against rock-solid muscle straining against a black tee, and I immediately take in the scent of spice and pure male.
“Are you okay?” A deep voice asks me. I lift my gaze, and steel-grey eyes meet mine. My breath catches in my throat as he furrows his perfect brows and studies me.
“I…” My words fail me, whether it’s from how gorgeous this man is or the fact I have a stalker right behind me. I tear my gaze away and look behind me just in time to see Nathan come around the corner. I notice I’m still in his arms, and he has a firm grip on my elbows from catching me. He looks behind me, and I see his gaze darken.
“Is he bothering you?” He asks quietly. I see his jaw clenched tight as he looks down at me for an answer.
“Soph..” Before Nathan can even finish my name, I do the one thing I can think of to show him that I’m not interested in him. I reach out and wind my arms around this stranger's neck and pull his lips to mine. His eyes widen for a second before something else takes hold in the depths of his greys. He crushes his lips to mine, and I practically moan on contact. His lips are soft and full as my lips part, and he dives in.
He backs me up to the wall and runs his hands up into my hair. His tongue seeks mine as he devours me. He must be around six foot four because he towers over my five foot eight frame. He presses closer, and desire floods my bodywhen I feel how hard he is against me. I bite back a moan as he takes my bottom lip between his teeth before slowly releasing me.
I’m gripping his shirt tightly as I blink my eyes, trying to come back down from wherever the hell he just took me. All I know is that I didn’t want to leave. Both of us are breathing hard, and reality hits me like a freight train. I just grabbed this stranger and threw myself at him. I release his shirt and tear my gaze from him. Nathan must have left because I don’t see him anywhere. Hopefully, it’s loud and clear to him this time that I’m not interested.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…I shouldn’t have…” Words fail me as I look at him. I mean, really, look at him. This guy is beautiful. There are no other words to describe him. His dark hair is slightly longer on top and messed up in that sexy kind of way. Steel grey eyes stare back at me, giving nothing away as to what he’s feeling. His arms are covered in tattoos, and I see them peeking above his t-shirt collar, knowing his chest is covered in them as well. A deep pull of desire has me biting my lip to stop another moan from escaping.
His eyes dart down to my lips, and there’s no mistaking the heat I see flash in them seconds before it’s gone, and his mask is back up.
“Who was that guy?” He gestures toward the entrance, ignoring the fact that I just mauled him. His voice is deep and smooth, and I just want to curl up with a blanket and listen to him talk for hours.
“He’s nobody. I mean, we went out on a date one time, and he won’t take the hint that I don’t want to see him again. He followed me to the bathroom, and I did the first thing I could think of to get rid of him. I’m sorry.”
“That’s the second time you’ve apologized. You didn’t force me to do anything. Has he tried to hurt you?” His jaw is tense, and I can tell he’s fighting the urge toseek Nathan out.
“No, he seems harmless. He’s made a lot of phone calls and texts and shown up a couple of times at places where I’m at, like tonight, but it’s probably just a coincidence. Thank you for, uh, helping me to get rid of him. I should go back to my friends. They’re probably wondering where I am.”
He searches my face before he gives a slight nod. No part of me wants to walk away, but I’ve already jumped the poor guy. I don’t even know if he has a girlfriend or, worse, married. I take him in one last time to commit him to memory and force myself to turn and walk away.
I feel his eyes on me as I walk back to the table. I make myself keep walking even though every fiber of my being wants to turn around and run back to him. Sitting down, I run a shaking hand through my hair, trying to calm my nerves and not make it obvious to my friends just how turned on and rattled I am right now.
“You ok, Soph?” Frankie looks at me, his brows drawn together and concern etched on his face. “You look pale again. I hope you aren’t coming down with something.”
“No, I’m good. Just a little tired,” I lie. “It’s been a long week.” I take a long sip of my beer, wishing it was something stronger. I look over at where Nathan was sitting earlier and breathe a little easier when I don’t see him anymore. He must have finally gotten the hint and left.
“How’s your brother doing? Are they all moved into their place?” I smile at the mention of my brother. He recently got engaged to my best friend, Bella, and bought the house next door to her brother, Noah. His wife, Emma, bought the place when she moved here last year and put it up for sale after they got married. Maverick jumped at the chance to buy it for him and Bella.
