Rowan
My legs feel like rubber by the time I make it from my car to the Assistant Principal's office. I'm nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. I have no idea why Sebastian wants to see me…I kept forgetting to ask. But I don't think it has anything to do with my job here.
That thought is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. I spent way too much time last night thinking about him. Okay, so maybe thinking is putting it mildly. I obsessed about him. All freaking night long. I like him, a lot more than I think I should. He's my boss. Even if there aren't any rules strictly forbidding us from dating…this could be bad.
Principal Johnson already hates me. He does not need any more ammunition when I give him plenty just by being myself. I'm always too something for him. Too happy. Too nice. Too compassionate. Too stubborn. He's sought out and ticked off my list of perceived faults one by one over the last four years. I ignore him for the most part because I'm pretty sure he was born under a drawbridge to extort money from travelers and simply passes as human…but I don't think the school board would be as quick to discount his opinion if I were to date Sebastian.
Somehow, I manage to make it to his office without falling flat on my face. My heart pounds against my ribcage. My throat feels like it's on the verge of closing up. And I'm pretty sure my panties aren't even salvageable at this point. But I tap softly on the door, caught in that precarious position between hope that he's forgotten about this meeting and excitement over this meeting.
"Come," he growls from the other side of the door. His wicked voice works like a wrecking ball on my insides, turning me into mush. I want to hear him growl that while he's inside me, grunting and cursing and sweating. I bet he's as bossy in bed as he is outside of it. Dominant. Self-possessed. Completely capable of ruining me for any other man.
I've never wanted to find out for myself as badly as I do right now.
Bad, bad Rowan, whispers the angel on my shoulder.
Hell yeah, girl, shouts the devil on the other.
"Oh, jeez," I mutter to both, smooth my hair down, take a deep breath, and then open the door and step inside. My gaze lands on Sebastian instantly. He's leaned back in the executive chair behind the desk, his long legs stretched out in front of him with his hands crossed over his stomach. He's rocking another dark suit today, paired with a blood red tie and matching cufflinks. His hair is a mess, as if he's been running his hands through it.
"You wear glasses," I blurt…the first thing that pops into my mind.
His lips curve into that panty-melting smile I memorized, his dark eyes lighting up behind his wire-rimmed glasses. "So do you."
I push mine higher up my nose, dropping my purse onto the chair beside the door.
His smile grows.
"I came."
His lips twitch with devilish humor. "Not yet, you haven't, but you will, Paradise. Repeatedly." His gaze runs down my body, the desire in his onyx eyes unmistakable. I guess the asymmetrical white V-neck top and black slacks was a good choice. He seems to like the way I look in them.
I fidget where I stand, his gaze licking like a kiss across every inch of me. The fact that this man finds me beautiful is a hell of a confidence boost. Without even meaning to do it, I sway toward him, only to stop at the edge of his desk to fidget again.
"Come here." He holds out a hand toward me.
I take it, allowing him to pull me closer to him. As soon as he wraps his hand around mine, my skin starts humming like it did yesterday.
"I didn't imagine that," I mutter.
"What?"
"Um, nothing."
He stops pulling me toward him, leaving a foot or so between us. He rises to his feet as gracefully as a big cat. Once again, I have to tilt my head back to look up at him. He's a giant, as big as Goliath. Something about that is incredibly attractive to me.
"Here," he says, nudging me toward the chair. "Sit."
I do as instructed, sinking into the chair he just vacated. He watches me for a minute and then grabs a chair from the other side of the desk and pulls it up near mine, blocking me in. I don't mind though. I kind of like being trapped in here with him.
He grabs a coffee cup off the desk that I didn't even notice and holds it out to me. "I wasn't sure how you take it, so I went with sweet."
"You brought me coffee?"
"Figured I owed you for coming in so early." He gives me an easy smile before sitting his glasses aside and grabbing the other cup from his desk. He also grabs a paper bag and holds it out toward me. "I brought you a muffin too."
God, he's sweet.
"Thank you." I take a sip of the coffee and groan as the rich, sugary taste hits my system. I was too nervous to eat or drink anything before leaving. "It's perfect."
"How is Colton doing?"
"Oh, he's good." Guilt flickers through me. I've been so nervous all morning that I honestly forgot all about Colton. I'm a bad friend. "They kept him overnight for observation, but Lisa says he's going to be just fine. It's mostly scrapes and bruises."
"I'm glad he's doing well. You're close with his sister?"
I nod, smiling. "She was my babysitter when I was younger. Now, she's my best friend. I've known her for most of my life. She's such an amazing person and mom."
Sebastian sips on his coffee, eyeing me over the rim. "I didn't sleep worth a damn last night, little owl," he mutters. "Kept thinking about you."
"Same," I whisper.
He seems to like that. Little lines crinkle around his eyes when he grins at me. I hate to steal that smile from his face, but I don't think it can be avoided.