Page 18 of The Teacher

Skipper winks at me and nods at Mr. Brown. “Oh, don’t worry, sir. Miss Finn and I went to Poseidon’s Academy together, we were actually in the same class. We’re old friends, isn’t that right, Miss Finn?”

I gulp.

I don’t respond.

Mr. Brown’s face lights up. I can see he’s overjoyed by this news. He doesn’t observe how uncomfortable I am, his vision is blinded by Skipper’s wealth. “That’s great! Well maybe Miss Finn can run you over what we’re currently doing at the school, and her role in it,” he turns to me. “Mr. Deep is here as a potential investor into the school, looking to buy a share in it.”

“An investor?”

What?

He’s a potential investor? He doesn’t just want to donate but he actually wants to buy part of the school?

What the hell’s going on?

Skipper casually takes a sip of his wine. It shades his lips darker red. Kissable red. “Yes, I’m looking at investing in my old school. I had some great memories there, Mr. Brown.” He’s staring at me as he says this, and I know what memories he’s talking about. Memories that make my pussy wet just thinking about. Memories that come into my late-night fantasies. Memories only Skipper and I could share. “I’m sure Miss Finn can fill me in on the details of the school as it is now, we have lots to talk about.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do have lots to talk about. Lots and lots, so I’ll leave you two at it.” Mr. Brown turns and quickly leaves with a wink towards me. It’s the first time I actually don’t want to see the back of the man.

I turn to Skipper. He’s still smiling at me.

I’m well and truly trapped here.

God damn, I hate this man. But he does look so handsome in a suit. And he’s so tall. Dark and tall and handsome, my right kind of weakness.

And his smug face betrays that he knows it.

“What are you doing here? Wasn’t last week enough for you?” I ask Skipper quietly so that Mr. Brown or Miss Tweed don’t overhear.

He smirks at me. “My room’s upstairs. I’m staying at the hotel, that’s why I’m here.”

I roll my eyes. He knows mentioning his room might get me a little bit hot under the collar.

And, by God, it’s working.

No, don’t think about him that way.

Remember what he did to you, remember the pain he put you under.

“Don’t you dare start talking to me about your bedroom. What are you really doing here, Skipper?”

“Like I told your principal, I’m here to think about investing in my old school.”

“Why?” I ask, spluttering. “Invest?”

Skipper shakes his head at me like I’m just a stupid schoolgirl who needs to be taught something simple. “I’m shocked you haven’t Facebook stalked me, Miss Finn.”

“Why would I?”

“Curiosity? Maybe you’ll want to know what I’ve been up to all these years?”

“I really don’t care, Skipper.”

“Well, if you did, you’d find out my family’s main business in America is in education, particularly in private schools. We’re looking to expand our education investment portfolio into Australia and Poseidon’s Academy is, naturally, the first place I thought of as a trial run.”

“You’re thinking of buying up a part of the school I work in?”

Skipper takes another sip of his red wine and winks at me. “Exactly.”