Page 18 of Scarred

The kitchen is open to the living room, and although it’s small, it’s the perfect setup and has all I need. I was sold on the updated stainless steel appliances and white granite countertops. I’ve always felt the kitchen and bathrooms can make or break a place, and luckily, this place has done both beautifully.

I grew up with big family dinners and everyone cooking together in the kitchen. It was the center of everything and where we would spend the most time sitting at the table or propped up on the island barstools.

Even though I don’t host a lot of family dinners here due to the size of our big family, I still love to cook and spend a lot of my time in here.

Taking my freshly brewed coffee, I add a touch of cinnamon and some oat milk before walking over to the glass door leading out to the small balcony.

There is just enough room out here for two chairs and some plants as I take a seat like I do every morning before work to enjoy the view.

This apartment complex was the first one I went to when I started looking for a place. Both my brother and Maverick shared their first apartment here, and a couple of years later, my sister and Sophia moved in a few buildings down until they moved out and bought homes of their own.

I used to come here all the time growing up to visit them and still remember all the days we would grill out down by the water and end up in the pool later, sunburned and happy.

The pond is large enough to provide a nice water view to the tenants who live on the backside of the building. More apartments are spread out around it with small docks and gazebos to give you better access to enjoy the water and nature it brings.

My eyes scan the glossy water that sits below before I spot what I’m looking for.

I smile softly as I see the mama duck swimming with her six little ducklings in a row, doing their best to keep up as they learn to swim. I’ve been watching the mama duck in the mornings and was surprised when she showed up a few weeks ago, proudly showing off her new babies.

Taking a sip of my coffee, I watch them for a few more minutes, fascinated by how she keeps them in line and doesn’t lose a single one. She swims gracefully in the water, and the little crew mimics her movements, reminding me of my youngest dance class.

This must be what I look like when I’m teaching.

I smile at the thought of my little ducks following me around the room. I guess I am like a mama duck for that hour we are together, as I lead them single file around the room.

Blue eyes and blonde curls enter my mind briefly as Scarlett flashes through my head, but are quickly taken over by intense greens and a face I haven’t been able to get out of my mind.

There’s just something so beautifully broken about him that has me wanting to understand what he’s hiding beneath the surface. The way he made me feel in those brief moments is something I’ve never felt before and can’t stop thinking about.

Until now, only dance has ever made me this alive.

The rush of adrenaline…

The feeling of being surrounded by something much bigger than you can ever imagine…

Teetering on the edge of safety and leaping into the unknown.

The flutter of a thousand butterfly wings as my body comes alive.

The desire…

God, did it burn.

My fingertips drift to my neck as I close my eyes, briefly remembering the way his gaze drifted over me.

Never had I felt such a need…such a longing.

But I also sensed his turmoil…the desperation to make it all go away, even though it felt impossible to break the bonds that were pulling us together.

My lips part on a sigh as my hand moves to my heart. The steady thump under my palm increases as a deep ache I can’t explain forms inside.

How is it possible that a stranger I just met can have this effect on me?

But he’s also the dad of one of my students, I remind myself as I blink my eyes open, forcing myself to face reality.

A single dad who looks every bit guarded, with a strong, protective force that feels impenetrable.

If his rigid body language and daunting, piercing eyes are any indication, his daughter isn’t the only thing he’s protecting.