Paying Daddy's Debt

I look at the ground, not wanting to leave. He gently lifts my chin. “Give me a kiss and I’ll be right here waiting for you.” I lean up on my tiptoesstill not tall enough to kiss himbut he smiles and meets me halfway, giving me a soft, quick kiss.

“That’s all I can give you or I’ll pull you back into the car and have my way with you again.” He squeezes my butt. “Go, sweetheart.” Letting out a sigh, I turn and walk toward the school, avoiding saying bye.

The day drags. My first final goes well, but my mind is filled with sweet thoughts of last night and this morning…and the possibility of what’s next in my life. It isn’t until I’m on my way to my last class do I remember where I’m going. I have to see Mr. Clark.

I slip into the room with my head down and move toward the back of the class. I try not to look at him. When the bell rings he starts giving back our tests. I keep my eyes down on my desk when he passes by and drops the exam down.

I get to work. I plow through all the questions and finish early, I double-check all my answers. When the bell finally rings, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Everyone, drop your test on my desk on the way out,” Mr. Clark announces.

I get to see Ash. Grabbing my bag and paper, I head to the front of the room to drop it with everyone else’s. Unlike any other day, I’m trying to get out as fast as I can. I’m no longer waiting for the halls to clear. My need to get to Ash is stronger than my fear of being around too many people.

“Jasmine. I need a word.” I freeze and turn to look at Mr. Clark. The rest of the students shuffle out of the room and leave us alone.

“I really need to go. My ride is waiting,” I say hurriedly, taking a step toward the door. He moves, blocking my path.

“The man I saw drop you off this morning…” His eyes are accusatory as he takes another step toward me. “You gave him something that didn’t belong to him, didn’t you? Something that belongs to me.”

My throat starts to close up, and I can’t bring myself to move or even speak. Panic is setting in.

“Or maybe he just broke you in for me.”

11

Ash

“Or maybe you should step the fuck away from her before I show you exactly what belongs to you.” I squeeze the baseball bat in my hand and raise it a little. “Maybe I could use this to break you in.”

The teacher’s face pales and he backs away into the corner. Jasmine comes straight to me and I wrap my free arm around her.

“He ever touch you, sweetheart?” I ask, keeping my eyes locked on him.

“No, but he wanted to.” Her voice is strong, like she’s trying to be tough, and my heart breaks for her.

“Why don’t you go outside and wait in the car for me.” I grip the bat tighter, and the little fucker cowers back into the corner.

I’d gotten anxious waiting for Jasmine to finish her last class, and I was going to go in and surprise her. I’d glanced in and saw the way he was staring at her the whole time she was taking her test, the way he was rubbing his mouth and sneaking his hand under his desk while he kept his cold eyes on her. I went out to the limo and got a baseball bat out of the trunk. I carry one for emergencies, because you just never know. Now I’m thankful I put it in there.

“Ash.” My name on her lips draws my eyes to hers. “Let’s go. It’s finished. I don’t want any more of this life touching me or touching you.”

I always told her that I would give her exactly what she wanted. And that includes something I don’t want to give her. I feel like beating the shit out of this guy and making sure he can’t do it to someone else. But a phone call from the limo can take care of at least one of those desires. I’ll get his ass thrown out of this school and make sure he never works as a teacher again.

“Anything your heart desires, my love.”

We exit the school without a backward glance, and I pull her into my lap in the back of the limo.

“I love you, Jasmine. I love you so fucking much. You are the beginning and end of me.”

Her big eyes brim with tears as she smiles at me. “I love you, too, Ash. For making my dreams come true, dreams I didn’t even know were possible.”

“And there are so many more to come.”