Page 11 of Schooling Lucy (Off Limits #1)

L UCY

I smiled dreamily as I watched my man flip eggs and bacon on the stove.

My body was sore in places I didn't know existed, and I'd come more times last night - and this morning - than I had in my admittedly short life.

I was exhausted from lack of sleep but also felt like I could run a marathon.

I mean, I would never, but I was a big bundle of energy today.

And it was all down to Roman Drake. The love of my life. My teacher.

A bubble of laughter built in my throat at how ludicrous it sounded.

"Oh, how did you two meet?"

"He was my twelfth-grade chemistry teacher."

"What are you giggling about over there?" Roman placed a plate laden with food in front of me before leaning down to place a lingering kiss on my mouth.

"Just how weird this situation is. It's something you read about on news sites or social media. The teacher having a secret affair with their student." Another small giggle escaped me, but Roman fixed me with a distressed stare instead of joining in.

"That's not...that's not how you view this, is it?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

He gripped the table, and a guilty expression crossed his face as he gazed at me intensely.

"Those articles are usually written because the student was underage or had been groomed, and it didn't end well.

I'd hate myself if I looked back and realized that I didn't give you a choice.

Hell -" he ran his hands through his hair as he turned around in agitation.

"I fucking didn't give you a choice, did I? I'm the one who invited your Dad for dinner; I'm the one who jerked off -"

I cut him off by grabbing his shoulders and yanking him down for a deep kiss. When I pulled back, his eyes were at half mast, and a small smile tipped the corner of his mouth.

"How did you feel when you first saw me?" I asked.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply as if he were transporting himself to that exact moment.

When his eyes opened, I almost gasped at the magnitude of emotions that played on his face.

He didn't need to say a word. The shimmering sheen of tears, the clench of his jaw, and the golden hue of his eyes that only softened when he looked at me told me everything I needed to know.

"Like I was looking at my future," he gruffly said. "And my past. I felt like I knew you in a past life. Like something clicked, and it all made sense. Why I was born. Why you moved here from a small town five hours away..."

"Fate," I whispered. Because as crazy as it sounded, I felt like I had found home when I nervously stepped into his class that first day.

He touched my forehead with his, cupping my jaw gently. "Fate," he confirmed before covering my lips with his.

ROMAN

If I knew when I woke that day that my life would implode, I don't know if I would've done anything differently.

I spent a fantastic night loving on my girl. I got to experience being her first. A truly spiritual moment that had me holding back tears. I slept with her in my arms all night. I planned our future.

I wouldn't change a second of our first night together for anything. But there are some things even I couldn't control.

It was 9 AM, and Lucy and I were cuddling on her couch.

I was in my boxer shorts; she only had my T-shirt on.

I had planned on leaving by nine, conscious that Michael was driving back that afternoon.

It took five hours to drive from Koby Plains, but I wanted to leave no trace of myself when he returned.

Unfortunately, I was too relaxed lying on the couch with Lucy. We ate popcorn and occasionally made out. But we mainly just enjoyed the limited time we had to be together before we went back to sneaking around.

I didn't know when I fell asleep. I couldn't even call it that. But I felt comfortable enough with Lucy, secure in my arms, to doze off with her.

I immediately sensed something was off as I was floating between dreamland and lucidness. An energy in the air made the hairs on my forearm prick. Lucy, who was so attuned to me as I was to her, grasped my arm.

"What is it?" She sleepily asked.

Someone was in the house. I could feel it. I knew who it was, too, but before I could react, a loud bellow sounded.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"

We bolted from the couch in a panic. I instinctively placed an arm out, blocking Lucy behind me.

"D-Dad!" Lucy cried, her voice trembling with fear. My heart was beating rapidly, and I was scared for the first time in my life. Not of myself or losing my job or my career. But of losing Lucy.

I thought we had time. That we could stay in our little bubble for as long as possible and step out when we were ready.

I planned on sitting Michael down, man to man, and confessing that I had feelings for his daughter.

Feelings that started after she graduated, of course. I couldn't reveal the whole truth.

But now, it looked like that choice had been ripped away from us.

Because Michael was standing twelve feet away, his furious eyes bounced between us and the couch - as if he was struggling to comprehend what he saw.

I could feel Lucy's shivering length behind me, clasping my back. My naked back.

That was when Michael snapped out of his stupor as he took in our attire - or lack thereof. One look at my naked chest, his hands clenched in rage before he charged at me.

"You fucking bastard! You're her teacher! What the fuck are you doing?!" He screamed.

"Daddy, no!" Lucy pushed in front of me, raising her hands to her Dad, pleading with him to stop. "It's my fault! I-I called him round to help with my homework and seduced him -"

"Lucy, no ," I stepped in front of her, horrified that she would try and take the fall for any of this.

I faced Michael like a man. It would be better if I weren't half naked, but I could hardly whip my shirt off Lucy or leave the room to make myself decent.

"Michael, I know you're pissed. I don't blame you. But I love your daughter -"

Whack!

My head jerked to the side as pain exploded in my jaw. I heard Lucy scream as she grabbed at my shoulder. I straightened, shaking my head and rubbing my jaw.

Well!

I couldn't say I didn't deserve that. If Lucy and I ever had a daughter, I would react the same if I caught her in the same compromising position. The irony was not lost on me.

"You fucking pervert! You're finished, you hear? Done! Taking advantage of my daughter like -"

"Daddy, how could you?!" Lucy cried as she tried again to step in front of me while I attempted to steer her back.

"Lucy," her father growled as he regarded me lividly. "Get away from him. Now ."

"You're going to want to calm down, Michael," I warned, not liking how he spoke to my girl.

He pointed a finger in my face. "Don't you fucking tell me how to talk to my daughter! Get the hell out of my house before I call the police."

I breathed deeply, attempting to rein in my temper. I knew I was in the wrong. I knew I had no business sleeping with one of my students, falling in love with her, and befriending her father. But my soul was protesting at the thought of leaving my distressed girlfriend behind.

Sensing my internal struggle, Lucy clutched my hand in her small one.

Michael growled at the gesture and ordered Lucy to step away from me again.

She squeezed my hand briefly. I could feel her anguish through her shaking fingers, and it took everything in me not to lift her delicate hand to my mouth.

"Go, Roman. I'm safe here." Her voice was heavy with sorrow, almost defeated, as if she was resigned to our fate.

That seemed to erupt Michael. "Of course you're fucking safe here, Lucy. I'm your father! What's the matter with you?"

I turned to Michael, my temper at being separated from my girl, causing my already sore jaw to throb even more. "I'm leaving. Please just...hear her out. Be gentle with her," I pleaded.

"Get. Out. Of. My. House."

With my heart in my throat, I squeezed Lucy's hand before I walked around Michael, careful to avoid more of his wrath. Luckily I left my car keys at the hook by the door, and my phone was with me. My overnight bag was in Lucy's room, but I doubted her Dad would let me retrieve it.

"Oh, and Roman?"

I paused and waited, my back still turned.

"Don't bother going to work tomorrow. Or any day. You're finished."

Lucy sobbed at her father's words, stabbing my heart at the pain I was causing her. It took Herculean effort for me to walk away.