Bad Teacher

Fuck, no. I can’t go through that again.

I promised myself I would wait until I got a steady job before I’d try my hand at someone new in my life. And I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet. Especially when it comes to TJ Morrows; eccentric, powerful, playful, a go-getter attitude, and above all … sexy as hell. Not only is he exactly my type but he’s also the one person I shouldn’t go anywhere near.

But dammit, when he’s all up in my face like this with those lickable lips and those swoon-worthy eyes … it’s almost impossible to say no.

From the corner of my eye, I spot something that could be my savior. “You might wanna look behind you …” I murmur as his lips are inches away from mine.

He glances over his shoulder, and his jaw drops as he sees Dozer humping the bean bag in the corner of the room. “Dozer, no!”

I snigger and say, “Pepper, c’mon!” Clapping my hands makes her jump into my arms.

“Wait, don’t go,” TJ says, picking up Dozer while looking at me.

I quickly open the door and say, “Good luck with that!”

And as I close the door, I kiss Pepper’s face. “Good job, girl. Getting the boys horny so I can make a run for it. You’re a real lifesaver. And you know what that means, right?” Her face perks up. “Treats!”

Chapter 16

TJ

A few days later, she’s still avoiding me like the plague. Every time I walk past where she sits, she’s magically disappeared. It’s like she sees me coming. That or Beau is filling her in on my day-to-day business. Wouldn’t be unlike him to warn her because he always likes to stir shit up and piss me off. It’s just what he likes to do, his hobby or something. If he wasn’t such a great asset to this company, I would’ve fired his ass a long time ago for being such a cock-block. If that’s even allowed.

I sigh, staring down the bannister with a cup of coffee in my hand. Lesley’s playing with Pepper, swaying that new disc-type toy she made then throwing it around the room. Everyone seems to love it … even her. She’s really fitting in.

Which begs the question of whether I should continue chasing her.

Is it worth it if we end up getting hurt?

Part of me wants to quit. She’s making it so hard.

But another part of me refuses to let go, wanting to know where this could lead. I can’t deny these feelings, this attraction I feel.

But I can’t ignore the risk either.

“Pondering the meaning of life again?” Gillian muses.

I turn around as she walks up to me. “Oh, I was just thinking about that new product placement ad.”

“Sure, you were,” she replies, smiling coyly.

“What?” I mutter.

“Nothing.” She chews her lips.

“Why is everyone around me acting like they’re suddenly seeing things?”

She shrugs. “Guess we’re all enjoying the ride.”

“What ride?”

Still smiling, she hands me an envelope and says, “Here. Received it this morning.” She’s completely ignoring my question.

“First Beau and now you. What’s going on here? Is there some gossip going around that I should know about?”

“Stop hiding it. We know what’s going on.”

“Know what?”

She narrows her eyes and playfully says, “Everything.”

“Okay …” I frown. “I think I should go check my office for bugs.”

She laughs wildly. “Oh, don’t be silly, TJ. Of course, we’re not tapping you.”

“Then what do you know?”

“You know …” She makes a weird gesture with her eyes. “That girl.”

“What about her?”

She grins. “Like I said … nothing.” And then she turns around and sashays away, leaving me scratching my head.

I knew she was talking about Lesley, but there’s no way I would’ve brought it up myself. Yet apparently, she already knows. Must’ve been Beau. I wonder who else knows.

I turn around and enter my office, opening the envelope as I sit back down in my chair behind my desk. I take out the letter and read it, but the further I get, the more my smile disappears.

It’s a request for comment … on an article written by some dirty magazine. Topic? Me, stealing panties.

“What the hell,” I mutter, as my eyes scan the paper.

They’re literally writing a piece about me stealing girls’ panties, and they want my opinion on it. Doesn’t matter if I tell them it’s not true, they’ll run the article anyway. This letter is just a courtesy.

Fuck. Just when I thought this was over, it comes back to bite me in the ass. I knew I should’ve dealt with it when I had the chance. And now it’s too late.

“Dammit!” I smack my fist down on the desk to blow off some steam.

Suddenly, my door opens, and I glance up from my rage-induced glare at the letter on my desk. I was literally hoping it’d burst into flames. That is until Lesley showed her face.