Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Ever since then, I can’t keep my eyes off her. I find myself watching every student, trying to be two steps ahead of them to thwart any threats.
Why do these kids keep picking on her?
She’s gorgeous for fuck’s sake. I thought kids picked on the losers or the kids who smelled bad. Addison smells like expensive grapefruit whatever the hell that means. I just know it’s unique and powerful. I’m growing way too fond of it.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Since I’m early, I go ahead and sneak it out to take a peek.
Everett: Nabbed the big one this morning. He gets to see my pretty face all next week. Figured you’d want to hear it.
I grin at my phone. I like Adam and Everett. Adam is more reserved, and well, nice, which is good considering he’s my boss. Everett, on the other hand, is an asshole to everyone. Everyone except me and Adam. Mary Ellen always accused me of being pathetic because I had no friends and now I have two. I’m glad I casually mentioned Duke being a tyrant in my class so that Everett would be on his ass.
Me: I owe you one. Need me to stay after today so you can bug out early to be with the fam?
Everett: I knew I liked you. Thanks, man.
Staying after school for detention is worth knowing he got Duke’s big ass for something. It might not be for assaulting Addison, but it’s something.
As if summoned by thoughts alone, I get a whiff of grapefruit. I snap my head up to find Addison gliding into the room, her long, toned legs on full display. When our eyes meet, she grins at me.
“No. Phones. Ever.” She sighs dramatically. “Practice what you preach, Langford.”
I shove my phone into my slacks and arch an eyebrow at her. “Are you always this sassy?”
“Always. You’ve been seeing a side of me that doesn’t come out often. Sassy is the real me. It’s my middle name, in fact.”
We both chuckle as she takes a seat at the picnic table.
“You’re doing better,” I say, still smiling but with more seriousness. “I’m glad to see it.”
“A bit,” she admits as she pulls off her backpack to set it beside her. “It’s been a rough week.”
“Want to talk about it?”
She opens her mouth like she might do just that, but then several students enter the greenhouse, loud voices carrying. Her body stiffens. “Another time.”
As much as I want to push, I know I can’t. Not if I really want to find out what’s been going on with her. These other students know, though, to a certain degree, because they all give her nasty looks. My blood boils and I irrationally want to grab each one of them up by their shirt to demand what their problem is with Addison.
“I’ll hold you to it,” I say under my breath so only she can hear.
I hold her gaze long enough her cheeks turn pink, and satisfaction is thrumming through me. I’m playing a dangerous game with her, but something deep in my gut tells me to protect this girl at all costs.
As if I could ever argue against that.
Detention isn’t bad. I’m happy to help a fellow teacher and new friend out. If it means he gets to go home earlier to see his family, I’m good with that. At least one of us has a happy family to go home to.
While the students sleep or work on homework, I open my laptop to look through the FFA and Greenhouse Club applications. My heart sinks when I see only one in each folder. For FFA, school policy requires at least five participants. It’s a bummer. Luckily, Greenhouse Club is on my own dime and time, so I can still hold it even if it’s just one person.
Addison Monahan.
She’s the only applicant on each one.
My stomach tightens with nerves, and I wonder what the hell that’s about. I feel bad I’ll have to tell her FFA is out. A part of me is already looking forward to time alone with her in the greenhouse.
Sick fucker.
It’s not like that, though.
Liar.
You can’t keep your eyes off her legs or her supple lips that always look deliciously wet.
I shift in my chair behind the desk, fully aware my cock is thickening in my slacks. It’s ridiculously inappropriate. Thinking about Mary Ellen’s cruel sneers and vicious words has it flagging. I knew she was useful for something.
“Anyone want to join FFA or Greenhouse Club?” I ask to the silent classroom.
Several people laugh as if I’m joking and a few emphatically shake their heads no.
Looks like it’s just me and Addison.
Or I could cancel Greenhouse Club altogether. That would be the wise thing to do. Yes, I have to do it.
My heat sinks but I ignore it, determined to be strong against my inappropriate desires. Having Addison in my classroom with a room full of people is hard enough. I don’t know how I’d do if it were just the two of us.