Love in Chaos (Curvy Women Wanted)

“I’m not interested in what you have to say, Snots.”

The voice … she vaguely recognized it. Frowning, she had no choice but to look up, curiosity getting the better of her and as she did, she froze to the spot.

She would have known him anywhere. Even after three years.

Pressing her lips together, she didn’t think he’d recognize her. He’d never given any indication of even knowing she existed in his classes.

Now as she looked at him, she felt sick to her stomach.

Before her stood her teacher, Mr. Knight. She didn’t know his first name. Back then, he was her History teacher, but he’d also taught gym and had been the football team’s coach as well. He was loved and adored. She’d crushed on him for a long time, but being the fat girl, she’d never acted on it. Never even talked to him. In class, she always kept to herself and never drew his attention. He never noticed her, but she always wanted him to. It was so absurd. A student having a crush on a teacher, was such a cliché.

As she looked at him now, though, she wondered if he even remembered her.

“Well, well, well, if it’s not Miss Hunt,” he said.

Yep, he definitely remembered her. She didn’t know if that was good or bad.

****

Clayton, or Clay to the crew he’d managed to rummage out of thin air, stared down at his ex-student. He’d long given up thinking about the days when he was just a high school teacher. He’d been in his office grading papers when a couple of students had crashed through his door, attacking each other before they actually killed one another. From that day forward, nothing had ever been the same.

He didn’t have a clue what happened. No one did. Just the whispers and rumors that had followed the last few years. All speculation, none of it accurate. When the satellites went out, all forms of modern-day communication went out with them. No one knew where it started, or how it happened, just that his life of helping the future generations had ceased. He’d stopped caring long ago.

Probably after his first kill. He had way too many to count now, but as he stared down at Maggie Hunt, all his old feelings started to stir.

She was beautiful back then, forbidden to him. Now, she’d be twenty-one, maybe. Not that age and the law had much respect around here.

Much to his surprise, she still had her curves. They weren’t as round as they were back in high school. She’d sit in the back of his class, but he’d recognize her. It was the first time in his life he’d ever recognized a student and looked forward to classes with her. He’d notice her during gym, when again, she’d try to blend into the background.

Maggie lifted her head. Her blues staring back at him in shock. She recognized him. “Hello, Mr. Knight.”

“Did I do good, boss? Did I make it right?” Snots asked.

“Go away.” Clay wasn’t interested in Snots. Yes, the asshole had brought him a ripe peach, but that didn’t mean he’d forgive him. The asshole had accidentally blown their stash of supplies, which was why he and the crew had to move. They had to find another location where they could set up for the coming winter.

Snots had been trying to make it up to him since. He wasn’t having any of it. The man was a weak link, and Clayton’s biggest mistake so far was failing to get rid of the man who was bringing them down.

As much as he liked Maggie being on her knees before him, he held out his hand. She looked at it as if it would in some way offend her, which pissed him off. “Take it,” he said.

She put her hand within his, and he felt the slight tremble in his grip. “You’re afraid.”

“I was hiding,” she said. “That’s all I’ve been doing since my parents died. Hiding. Surviving.” She pressed her lips together. “I thought everyone I knew was gone.”

He covered her mouth with his own, kissing her hard. “Do not think for a second I’m your savior, Maggie. I’m not.” He grabbed her arm and his men and women all stood up.

Over the years, he’d helped so many. Three women he’d stopped from being raped. Their faces bore the scars of the fears they’d faced. Men were the same. Two were quite small and he’d freed them from gangs who’d been using them for their own pleasure. Each person had a horror story to tell, and united in his group, they all took care of one another.

However, Snots was proving to be rather difficult. Clayton couldn’t force his members to try to protect those that seemed intent on harming others, and he wouldn’t do it.

Entering the motel where they’d set up for the night, he threw her away from him and locked the door. She caught herself before hitting the floor. She whirled around to face him and he looked his fill.