Teaching Rowan (Claimed 2)

"'Kay," I whisper…because what else am I going to say after that? I already love when he isn't inside me, so I'm pretty sure he's right. And then reality intrudes, worry creeping in to steal a little of the peace between us. "We can't do this at school, Sebastian. The kids…"

"Fuck." He rests his forehead against the top of my head for a split second. For a superintendent, he curses a lot. Not that I can judge or anything. I do too. "I know, Paradise. I didn't mean to kiss you here at all. But you looked so fucking cute rambling about being bad at sex. I couldn't help it. I promise, I'll be more discreet from here on out. That is, if…"

I wait for him to say more, but he doesn't. Curiosity goes to work inside me, so I pull back to look at him. My eyes are all blurry or else my glasses are smudged because I can't see him clearly. I pull the glasses off and blink a couple times.

"You really are a little owl," he says, chuckling at me.

"Maybe that's why I'm farsighted," I mumble, using the hem of my shirt to clean my glasses. I plop them back on my nose to look at him.

He's staring at me, a little smile hovering on his lips.

My stomach flips. I can't seem to get used to how gorgeous he is. Just when I think I remember that he's basically the hottest man I've ever seen, he somehow gets hotter. It's ridiculously unfair.

"So beautiful," he murmurs, reaching up to touch my cheek as if he thinks the same thing about me. The thought that he might gives me another little confidence boost.

"If what?" I ask, running my fingers through his hair. It's so soft.

"If you're willing to give me a shot," he says, holding my gaze. "I know I'm asking for a lot here, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since you ran into me yesterday. I think that's worth exploring."

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you either," I admit, making him smile. Hmm. Interesting. Maybe he isn't as confident as I assumed he was. He seems equal parts surprised and pleased that I've been thinking of him.

I nibble on my bottom lip, trying to give this the consideration it deserves. I want to jump right in like I do with everything else…but I don't think whatever is happening between us is like everything else. I've never wanted anyone like I do him. My job here is important to me…but I think this might be just as important.

I decide to take the leap.

"I'm in."

He blinks those ridiculously long lashes at me. "Yeah?"

I nod.

"Thank fuck," he growls, pressing his lips to mine in a hard kiss. "If you'd said no, I was going to have to take drastic measures to change your mind. I'm not giving you up with a fight, Paradise."

"I thought the choice was mine."

"I lied."

I laugh quietly, not really surprised. He's all alpha, bossy as can be. But he's also really sweet and kind of nerdy. It's an endearing combination, one that is quickly proving to be my favorite.

"Come to dinner with me tonight."

"I thought we were being discreet."

"We are. I'm discreetly going to cook you dinner and then eat you for dessert," he says, hitting me with a cocky smirk. "I know what you sound like when you're coming now, Paradise. Don't think I'm not going to have you making those sounds at every available opportunity."

"But not at school."

"Right," he agrees, though it's obvious he doesn't like it. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and then lifts me off his lap, plopping me down on the desk in front of him. "Not at school."

I tip my head back, watching as he rises to his feet and then picks me up and puts me back in the chair. I've always been short, but I've never felt dainty before. I think I like the way he manhandles me, moving me around however he wants. It's kind of hot.

"I'll come to dinner with you," I murmur, picking up my coffee to take a sip. It's cooled considerably, so I set it to the side and reach for the muffin instead. "Is that why you wanted to see me this morning?"

"Yes and no." He grabs both of our cups, carrying them across to the microwave set up on the far side of the office. He pops the lids off both cups and then sets them inside and hits a button. "I have some questions for you about Johnson."

My stomach twists at the mention of our principal.

Sebastian notices. He scowls, his dark brows slashing together. He looks formidable and intense again, like he's fully capable of running a criminal syndicate instead of the schools of San Francisco. "You don't like him."

"I didn't say that," I protest.

"Paradise."

"Sebastian."

He cocks a brow.

"Fine," I sigh, giving up with an annoyed huff. I need to learn to lie better. I'm not very good at it. It never works out for me. "I don't like him."

"Are you afraid of him?"

"I'm leery of him," I say, picking at the muffin.

"I want to talk about why," he says. The microwave beeps, so he pulls our cups out, pops the lids back on, and then strides toward me, handing mine over. "Talk to me, little owl. I can't help you guys if you don't let me."

"He's not a bad guy," I say, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "He means well. He's just…very old-fashioned, I guess. He has certain ideas about education that haven't held up well over the last decade. He expects teachers to be stern taskmasters instead of partners in education."

"So he thinks you aren't tough enough on the kids?"

"Honestly? He thinks I don't measure up, period. I'm too nice to the kids, too accommodating, too compassionate. I'm not tough enough on them and I don't expect enough from them." I tick off the list on my fingers, irritated all over again with the man. "I'm too loud and too happy. I don't take the job seriously enough. Oh, and my favorite—my resistance to authority is troublesome."

Sebastian arches a brow. "He's said all of that to you?"