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But I couldn't do that to her. Couldn't do that to her father, either. I knew how close they were; taking her away from the person she loved and admired would break their already fractured relationship. As pissed as I was at Michael for scaring my woman and separating her from her man, a part of me understood his anger and pain. If Lucy and I were lucky enough to have a daughter, you bet your ass I would be an overprotective Papa Bear. So I couldn't blame him for doing what he needed to protect his daughter against someone he thought was a danger to her.

Truthfully, I was surprised he hadn't done more to punish me. After Michael found us, I immediately contacted the school to take an emergency leave of absence, citing a family issue. I hadn't taken any vacation days in years, so they were very accommodating. I helped sort cover, not wanting to leave my students in the lurch. Throughout it all, I kept expecting their tone to change from understanding to distaste. I expected Michael to have contacted the school in his haste to alert them of my inappropriate behavior with a student and a call from the Superintendent to come in for a meeting. But no reprimand came.

As the week stretched on, I started to suspect that my sweet Lucy made a bargain with her Dad. Nothing would've stopped me from protecting my daughter...except perhaps a pair of littleblue eyes that matched her mother's. Did my girl plead for my job?

By Saturday, I'd had enough. I knew Michael was still in the city, which angered me. Who was taking care of my girl?

In a moment of madness, I thought, "fuck it," and grabbed my car keys. I sped to Michael's house, my hands shaking with fury. Or was it withdrawal symptoms from being without Lucy for so long? Either way, I had nothing to lose.

As I hopped out of my car, my frantic gaze locked on the front door. But as I strode to bang on it and demand he speak to me, it suddenly sprang open. I paused in the street as Michael strolled out, carrying an overnight bag.

His head jerked up when he saw me approach, and his features darkened in rage. He yanked open the door to his car and threw his bag inside, slamming the door shut.

He watched me approach with his hands on his hips; his brow furrowed at my audacity.

"You have some fucking nerve," he spat out.

"Where is she?" I rasped, ignoring his words.

He let out a choked sound as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his head before striding around to his driver's door.

"I know she's in Koby Plains. You think I won't go down there and take her?" I threatened.

He whirled to face me, storming forward like a raging bull until he grabbed my shirt. "You stay the fuck away from my daughter!" He yelled in my face.

"She's eighteen. There's nothing stopping us from being together," I goaded.

His face turned red, and he pushed me against his car, my back hitting it with a thump at the force of his shove.

"Then you can kiss your career goodbye," he sneered.

"You think I give a shit about my career?" I laughed in derision, shaking my head. He didn't get it.

His eyes shifted with puzzlement at my words, and his clenched fists loosened. I took advantage of his relaxed stance and pushed him away from me. "I love her," I simply said, my shaking voice betraying my desperation. I was a broken man and had no shame in portraying it.

Michael stepped away from me, breathing deeply. His face still displayed a wave of unrestrained anger, but some of his animosity started to bleed out.

"Not here," he gritted out. "Inside." He turned and strolled back to the house, opening the door and disappearing inside. He left it open.

I took a few deep breaths, ashamed of myself for provoking him. I looked around the neighborhood, realizing where I was and hoping no one saw or heard our outburst.

I was hit with a bittersweet deja vu as I entered their home. Memories surged from the last time I was here. Making love to Lucy, lying in bed with her, and feeling her soft hair spread out on my chest. Making dinner with her, which had to be re-heated due to our inability to keep our hands off each other.

Now that I think back on it, what we did was so reckless. Yes, her Dad was away for the weekend - five hours away - but we were so lost in our bubble of love, our sex marathon, that I should've taken better care in protecting her. I didn't regret popping her sweet cherry, but I should've taken her away for the weekend. Booked us into a five-star hotel where we could've spent all weekend in bed, ordering room service and worshipping her body.

As I walked through to the living room area, I found Michael standing by the mantel, staring at a picture of Lucy. She was grinning at the camera with pigtails and two missing front teeth. I knew from my weekend here that she was seven when that wastaken. I couldn't help but picture if our daughter would look like her. God, I hoped so.

"You said you love her." Michael's low voice pierced the strained silence. He gently placed the frame back on the shelf and turned to me. His arms were folded, his face was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"You don't know what love is until your child is placed on your chest for the first time. You're scared, amazed, and overcome with a deep kind of love that you've never experienced."

He paused, his mouth tense with the effort it took to hold back his emotions. After taking a shuddering breath, he continued. "When Lucy was placed in my arms, I promised her that I would always protect her. From anything." He fixed me with a pronounced stare. "Andanyone," he emphasized.

I stepped forward with my hand out, needing him to hear me. I understood what he was saying. I agreed one hundred percent with it. I would be the same with our daughter. But as hypocritical as it sounded, I needed Michael to know that I was the last person he needed to protect his daughter from.

"I know you think I'm some sick pervert. That I took advantage of Lucy -"

"Youdidtake advantage of Lucy! You're a person of authority over her. You should know better! You came into my home with the intention of groo-"