One-on-one
instruction never felt so right—or so wrong.
There’s nothing unusual about Mia Page’s
attraction to the young science teacher at the middle school. After all, she’s
not the only one who finds him enticing. But when he pulls her son aside to ask
for her phone number, she knows she’s in serious trouble. Since her divorce
four years earlier, she’s been out of circulation, choosing to focus on
parenting instead, and she’s not entirely sure she can handle an entanglement
with the sexy Mr. Walden.
There are also other reasons why getting
involved with Curt would be a bad idea. He’s two years shy of thirty, and she’s
on the downside of that unmentionable number. He’s adamant about never
having kids, and she has a son. Even the guy’s romantic gifts are
suspect. Energy saving light bulbs? He has to be kidding.
On the other hand, he’s fun, sweet, and smart.
He stimulates her intellectually, emotionally, and Lord help her,
physically, opening her eyes to life outside her comfortable world. Yet their
differences quietly gnaw at Mia even while she succumbs to their
undeniable chemistry.
As their romance deepens, so do Mia’s fears
that Curt will eventually hurt her. On edge, all it takes is an
innocent comment to provoke her into drawing first blood. Mia
recklessly wounds Curt, learning only too late that this blade cuts both
ways. Frantic to make amends, she fears it might be too late to admit the
feelings she’s tried so hard to suppress.
Excerpt
Mia
pulled against the curb and put the truck into park.
“Do
you want to come in?” Curt’s eyes picked up the greenish glow of the dashboard
lights and flickered seductively back at her.
The
guy didn’t make things easy on her. Her heart wanted to answer yes but that’s
not what her mouth was saying. “I would, Curt, I really would, but I can’t.
It’s too soon.” The look she gave him begged for patience. “I’m sorry. I just
need more time.”
“I
understand.” Then he grew serious. “I don’t think it’ll come as a shock that I
want to take you to bed, but I’m willing to wait, within reason, for you.”
“Within
reason?”
His
smile was back. “Well, you can’t expect me not to try,” he said, leaning in to
take a kiss. “I’m going to do everything in my power to change your mind. But
ultimately, it’s up to you. Let me know when you’re ready, okay?”
There
was a battle going on inside her. She wanted to take him up on his offer now
but this was such a big step for her. All told, Curt would only be the fourth
man to ever see her naked, counting her old obstetrician. Intimacy with another
man was suddenly a pretty terrifying thought.
Still,
her heart raced like a hummingbird’s at the expectation in his eyes, the
confidence that he was going to be her lover. If she was capable of lying to
herself she might have felt offended by his presumptions but who was she
kidding? She knew the minute she mentally undressed him that she’d be an idiot
not to jump at the chance to get close to the real deal. Other women would have
tripped her down the stairs for the opportunity he was offering. She’d already
met one.
“I’ll
keep you posted,” she said softly.
Curt’s
smile warmed and he squeezed her thigh, giving her an intoxicating kiss that
lingered on her lips after he drew back.
Mia’s
eyes slowly opened and locked on his. The corner of his mouth twitched and she
copied his expression. Curt leaned in again, but this time Mia took his head in
her hands and kissed him first, feeling his hands bunch in her hair as they fed
from each other one last time.
She
was sorry when he slipped his hands free and turned to open his door.
“We’re
still on for tomorrow, right?” Curt asked, looking back as he climbed out.
“Absolutely.”
“Good
night, Mia.”
His
glowing smile could have drawn moths if he stood still long enough, but he shut
the door and strode across the grass. She put the truck into gear and pulled
away, certain she was right to hold off, but miserable just the same.
She
had no idea how she was going to make it through tomorrow.
Thanks for having me, Ella.
ReplyDelete