Page 65 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

I laughed, and it must’ve surprised her because she snapped her focus to me.

She sounded exasperated. “How is that the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard?”

I shook my head, still laughing as she stood and walked away.

“You’re unbearable,” she said softly. “You’re supposed to avoid me, remember?”

I shoved my hands in my pockets and shrugged. She made a frustrated noise in her throat.

“And those dimples.” She put her face in her hands. “This isn’t fair, Theo. This was easier when I thought you were a dick.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “This isn’t easy for me either. Every time I see you, I feel like…” I let out a breath and shrugged again. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”

She folded her arms and glared at me, but her cheeks were flushed. She might have been genuinely irritated, but all I could focus on was the way her tongue flicked out to lick her bottom lip.

Then she rolled her eyes and admitted, “Me too. I’ve thought about it so many times, I had to replace my vibrator.”

I laughed as she broke into a grin, and her smile… fuck. This was the first time I’d seen it since that meeting.

I hoped that something would change after that kiss. I thought that maybe I’d wake up and it’d click into place. That some small part of this would work itself out of my system. But the minute I saw her, I was back here again, wanting more. And it was worse this time. She had no idea what she did to me. Even now, all I could think about was how she felt in my hands.

“I knew you were trouble.”

She poked her tongue out at me, then sang, “Trouble or not, I’m still your daughter’s teacher.”

That little… I wanted to push her against the desk and kiss her, but she turned away just as Loretta rounded the corner.

“Miss Walker?” Loretta lowered Mia’s file.

“That’s me. And you have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

Loretta let out a good-natured laugh at Mia’s teasing, charmed like most people were by her. “Let’s get started then. Follow me.”

She spun on her heel and led Mia down the hallway. I watched them go. Mia looked back just once and stared at me. It almost looked like she was afraid.

I understood. This feeling scared the shit out of me too.

Chapter 27

Mia

SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL

Friday

Loretta’s massage was fine. Mike’s treatment on Monday was fine. But the relief I needed had nothing to do with my back. There was still a dull twinge when I moved, but it had nothing on the ache Theo left me with.

Well, at least my new vibrator was getting well and truly broken in.

I was in my classroom with my program students, staring at the whiteboard when Kira asked, “You okay, Miss?” and I swallowed back a surprised yelp.

“I’m fine, love.”

“She’s not the one who has to do all this work,” Diago grumbled.

I rounded my desk and peeked at his paper. “No, but I am the one who has to read it.”

Natasha groaned, then faceplanted on her desk. “I can’t think of anything else to write.”