All of Me

“Please don’t. We dated for over two years, and his betrayal hurt me.”

“I promise I will never cheat on you.” Her vulnerability gave him pause because she was always so self-assured. Her ex must have really done a number on her. “Do you still see him?”

“Since I’ve been back from the cruise, he’s been calling and even showed up at the school wanting to get back together.”

He went still.

“He’s out of his damn mind if he thinks I’m taking him back.”

“I’m glad to hear that because he’s not getting you back. If he harasses you again, let me know. Kyle knows how to get a restraining order. He used to be a detective.”

Karen sat up. “Do you think that’s necessary?”

“Probably better than me kicking his butt if I catch him even looking your way.”

She chuckled. “I never would have figured you for a brawler.”

His shoulder lifted in a careless shrug. “Only when necessary.” Damian didn’t usually start fights, but he didn’t back down from them, either.

They sat awhile longer, and as much as he didn’t want to leave, both of them had to get up in the morning. Besides, he was emotionally drained and needed some time to process everything. He removed his arm from around her shoulders and sat up.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I’d better leave. It’s getting late, and I know you have to prepare for your kids.” He stood and pulled her up. “Walk me to the door.” When they got to the door, he turned and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist.

“Are we good now?” Karen asked.

“Since I was the one who kind of messed things up, you tell me.”

She angled her head and smiled. “Yeah, we’re good. So I guess that means you’ll be wanting that daily little bitty kiss.”

“You’d better believe it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He slipped into his jacket, bent to kiss her and stepped out into the night.

Truth be told, he wanted more than just that little kiss. Sitting across from her today, even with things not straightened out between them, Damian wanted to strip her naked, kiss every spot on her beautiful body, then lay her on the table and make love to her until neither of them could move. He didn’t know how long he was going to be able to last without having more than a few minutes each day with her.

An idea came to him, and he smiled. He just had to get through the rest of the week.

Chapter 14

Karen sat in her classroom the next morning finishing her lesson plan. After Damian had left last night, she was too mentally exhausted to do anything except shower and go to bed. She tapped the pen against her chin, still shocked by what he’d shared with her. A widower at twenty-eight years old. Never in a million years would she have guessed that as the reason for his behavior. The mess she had been through with Andre didn’t hold a candle to what Damian had suffered. She couldn’t imagine going through something like that at such a young age. Just thinking about it, she felt tears stinging her eyes.

The fact that he had felt comfortable enough with her to reveal his story in that way floored her. And when he broke down and cried in her arms, she was a goner. At that moment, Karen fell hopelessly in love with him. She still planned to tread lightly because, even though Damian said he was no longer in love with his late wife, he might never be able to give his heart completely to another woman.

Glancing up at the wall clock, she completed the task and made sure she had copies of the graphic organizers the students would need to start their book reports. She found that the sheets—broken down into introduction, body and conclusion—helped the students arrange their thoughts and notes in a logical way and made it easier for writing. The bell rang, and she walked out to meet her students where they lined up.

She passed Damian on the playground. “Morning,” she said with a smile. Just the sight of him made her pulse race.

“Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well? You look a lot better than yesterday.”

A soft smile curved his mouth. “I did, and thank you. I hope you did, too.”

“Yes. Very well.”

“I’ll see you later,” he said and sauntered off. She stared after him until he disappeared. When she turned back, Nikki stood across the way with her arms folded, frowning. This woman better not say anything to me. Karen kept walking toward the playground.