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I turn, smiling at the sight of Russ, who’s standing on the threshold.
“It went okay. Thanks again for staying behind last night to help collect everything.”
“That’s okay,” he says, shrugging his shoulders and coming inside. “Hattie was on a late shift, so I had nothing to rush home for.” He perches on the edge of one of the tables, looking over at me. “How’s it going with that parent you were seeing?”
“It’s going really well, thanks. I’m seeing him again tonight.”
He nods his head. “That sounds like it’s getting serious.”
“I don’t know…” I say, although that’s not strictly true. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t think it could be any more serious… and I really hope Tanner feels the same way.
I have a pile of books to check over, and I grab them, waiting for Russ to leave the room ahead of me, so I can close the door.
“Are you gonna look at those here, or take them home with you?” he asks, nodding down at the books.
“I’m gonna start them here. We did some work on seasons today. It might only have been basic, but I think it’s important that I give the children feedback on everything they do.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he says.
“The problem is, if I take this home, I’m slightly worried I’ll find something else to do and won’t get it finished.”
“I know how you feel,” he says. “I’ve got some books to go over, too.”
“In that case, you can fix the coffee.”
I finished my work by just after five and left Russ to complete his, rushing home to take a shower and change into another summer dress.
It’s like the one I wore yesterday, but is pale yellow, with blue flowers, and once I’m dressed, I grab my purse, checking I’ve got my keys, and leave the house.
It’s a warm evening, so I haven’t bothered with a cardigan, and it only takes me a few minutes to get to Tanner’s place, ringing the bell at the back door. I can’t wait to see him, and my stomach flips over a couple of times when I hear the sound of footsteps coming from inside. As the door cracks open, he appears, with a broad smile on his face, and reaches out, taking my hand in his.
“I’ve just closed the store,” he says. “Come on in.”
I follow, letting him lead me up the stairs, and once we reach the top, he turns, looks down at me, and pulls me into his arms, his lips meeting mine. He groans, tilting his head, and our tongues collide, my body aching for his touch. I want more, even if my head is still telling me to wait, and I moan into his mouth, hoping he’ll understand how much of a struggle this is for me.
He pulls back, breathing hard, although he doesn’t let me go, and just stares into my eyes, focusing on one and then the other before he licks his bottom lip and lets out a sigh.
“I’ve been looking forward to that all day,” he says.
“So have I.”
He smiles, kissing me again, much more briefly, his lips barely touching mine.
“Can I get you a glass of wine?” he says as he pulls back again.
“Yes, please.”
He nods his head, and releases me, stepping away, although I notice he pulls down his shirt before he turns around. He did that yesterday, too. And I know why. I’m not that much of an innocent, and I like his reactions. He’s aroused by me, and I feel exactly the same. I just hope he knows it.
He goes to the kitchen, returning moments later with a single glass of wine.
“Aren’t you having one?” I ask, looking up at him as he hands it over.
“If it’s okay with you, I’m just gonna take a quick shower.”
I nod my head. “Of course it’s okay with me.”
“Make yourself at home,” he says, backing away toward one of the doors in the far wall, with a smile on his face. “I won’t be long.”
