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She smiles. “I’d like that.”
***
I stop by my office to get some files before leaving and find Dad waiting there for me. I’m surprised to see him in here, but I guess this is still his office so there is not much I can do other than try and hide my irritation. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his presence affects me.
“Can I help you?” I ask, reaching for the files I’d forgotten and sliding them into my briefcase.
He smiles and shakes his head, staring out the window. “You know, I always thought this office had the best view in the whole school. Rolling fields, trees…you see everything from here.”
I stiffen and glower at him. I glance out in the direction he is staring and panic rises inside me. She’s still sitting there, on the grass behind the gardening sheds, her head tilted back as the afternoon sun sets on her beautiful face.
Oh, fuck.
“You still want to tell me there’s nothing going on with you two?”
“Why do you care?” I explode. “It’s not like I’m doing anything you haven’t done before. Why the fuck are you so insistent on trying to run my life for me?”
“I just know better than anyone that some things aren’t worth losing everything for,” he replies. He frowns as he stares at me. Is that disappointment I see in his eyes?
I laugh at the irony, because that’s all he has ever been to me: a disappointment. “Stay out of my life,” I warn him.
“Eli. End this with her today, or I’ll do it for you.”
Chapter Four
Eli
“I have a new rule,” I mumble, trying to pull away from her kisses.
She laughs and pulls me toward her. “You and your rules,” she says with a grin. “Don’t you know by now that you can’t tell me what to do?”
I narrow my eyes, but my smile gives me away. “I’m serious, Jill. You have exams in two weeks, and I want to make sure you aren’t distracted.”
She tugs at my shirt, pulling the hem out from my pants, and lifts it over my head. “Are you listening to me?” I laugh.
“Um, you don’t want me distracted?” she guesses, running her hands over my bare chest.
“Right.” I take her wrists and hold them in front of me. Her eyes narrow as I smirk at her. I’m forcing her to focus. “So that means none of this. You need to study.”
She snorts, then her face drops. “You’re serious? Who are you, my father?”
“No, because that would be really creepy,” I retort. “You need to study if you’re going to get your scholarship. I won’t let you mess that up because of me. Besides,” I continue before she can respond, “it’s two more fucking weeks. Then Christmas break and I’m not your teacher anymore.”
“So?” she smirks. “You’ll still be teaching at my school, hotshot. Remember?”
“I know, but I won’t be your teacher,” I say. “For me, that makes all the difference.”
It’s Friday night, and we’re at my apartment making the most of being able to show our affection. I know Dad has been watching me, looking for any indication that Jill and I are still seeing each other. We’ve been careful, but it doesn’t change the anxiety I feel every time I’m with her. At least over vacation we have a break from having to watch ourselves every fucking second of the day. One simple stare that lingers too long and we’re over. I have no idea how far Dad would go, or what he’s capable of.
She groans and falls against me. “Fine. But this starts tomorrow. Tonight I just want to eat some takeout and watch crappy movies with you.”
“Deal,” I say, kissing her lips. “Crappy movies, huh? I guess that means you’re choosing again?” I duck away as she hits me.
“Watch it, or I’ll really make you suffer,” she teases, and I know she’s telling the truth.
***
My arms shake as I move the king-size mattress from the bedroom into the living room. She’s sitting on the sofa, laughing at me. I pause my grunting long enough to glower at her, which only makes her laugh harder.
