Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
This man needs to stop being sweet because I don’t know how to deal with it. He took care of me all day yesterday, and I loved it, don’t get me wrong, but things between us feel different now. Maybe because I’m looking at everything through a slightly different lens after that Bex call. Or maybe because I’m not used to someone being so focused on my needs.
Either way, this snowbound hand-fasting situation we’ve got going on here is making me feel vulnerable. What? He’s making me a bubble bath. There’s nothing more domestic than that.
You might as well enjoy it. You never did get your hot stone massage.
I have a point. The bath is already running, there are two wine glasses full of cold juice beside a tub that should fit the both of us, and I’m a sucker because I’m totally into this. Where did cynical Win go? The Win who was only interested in one thing when it came to a man?
“I hope it doesn’t bring down all the swelling.”
Whoop. There he is.
Michael’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t take the bait as he studies me. “I thought you said you wanted to be clean for what came next.”
I’m pretty sure that’s me, in case you were wondering. I’ll be the one coming next.
“I did and I do,” I say, my face heating at the steam…and possibly the direction of my thoughts. “No one wants to be the Thomas Paine at the party.”
He sits me down on the wide rim of the tub and kneels at my feet, taking my wrapped ankle in hand. “Tell me what Thomas Paine has to do with being clean.”
He actually asked for it. Voluntarily. How can I resist that?
“Do you know he only had six people at his funeral?” I inform him as he starts unwrapping the bandage. “And it wasn’t just his personality and behavior that alienated everyone he ever knew. He stank because he didn’t believe in personal hygiene. ‘The times that try men’s souls’ were probably times when they were locked in a closed room with that kind of body odor. Then the poor guy got dug up and taken to England by a superfan. And now I want a shower after my bath. And for us to rewind this conversation back to ylang ylang.”
Michael’s lips twitch as he rubs my foot gently. “You do this for your students, don’t you? Your unexpected but situationally appropriate outbursts of trivia.”
“Sure.” I watch as he tosses the bandage aside and gets back to his feet. “When we get to the Boston tea party, I usually take the opportunity to spill some tea of my own about every historical figure I can. Kids can relate to the Kardashian, Real Housewives and Traitors of it all. And if they can relate, they can remember.”
“I see it now. You as a teacher. You’re probably everyone’s favorite.”
“Of course I am,” I answer automatically before clarifying. “Unless we’re talking about the ten percent of parents who’d rather I wasn’t gay. Or the other teachers who wish I’d stick to the boring, test-centric lesson plans and not turn everything into a musical. Or the vice principal who wants a little action in exchange for ignoring the complaints. Ugh. Please forget I said that.”
I told Bex, because she’s Bex, but I haven’t let anyone else know what I was going through for the last year. Dealing with a closeted slimeball who was using my school as a stepping stone for his career. One who actually hated children, by the way, and wasn’t that fond of the educational system in general. Oh, and he thought it would be really cool if I bent over his desk while pretending to be stuck in detention. Skeeve City.
Michael’s smile evaporates and the seductive atmosphere instantly leaves the building. Why didn’t I just agree and shut up? Yes, I’m wonderful, let’s wash up and bone. That’s all I had to say.
“I really do love teaching those kids. I hear from the old-timers that this last decade has been one of the rougher ones to be in the education business, but things should be looking up again soon.” Maybe. “And for the moment, I’m enjoying taking a break from all the stuff that’s not so great.”
“Like the vice principal?” he growls.
“Yes.” And the lack of funding. And the school board’s ridiculous pronouncements. And the constant textbook changes that are based on politics instead of actual history. “But he’s leaving next year,” I add, needing to wipe that look off his face and remind myself there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. “Getting a promotion in another district. Those offices turn over so often at my school, we barely get to know their names. In this case, it’s a good thing.”
Michael doesn’t look any happier. “I’m still sorry you had to go through that.”