Page 10 of Secret Love (The Single Dad Playbook #2)
CHAPTER TEN
PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING
TRU
It's been a busy week. After meeting with Mr. Hanson to discuss Cassidy Ward and my thoughts on her reading, I proceed with his approval. There's no doubt in my mind after her tests that she needs this extra help. I’m amazed that she’s done so well in spite of it, but I come up with a plan that I think will greatly benefit her.
I email the test results to Henley and Bree, mentioning we can meet anytime to talk about it, and Cassidy and I meet two afternoons in a row to work together. On Wednesday afternoon, I get a message from Henley asking if we can meet the next afternoon to discuss everything. Bree emailed, thanking me for the information, but I don’t know if she’ll make it to the meeting or not.
On Thursday, it’s possible that I put a little more effort into my appearance than normal when I get ready for the day. Well, Mrs. Davenport thinks I put in too much effort every day, but that’s just me. For my first day here, I was dressed in my most conservative suit, but now that they’ve hired me, I’ve pulled out the vintage dresses. Why not? Life is short. I like consignment shops and repurposing things, especially clothes. Today’s dress is a ‘50s Kelly green dress with white piping and three large buttons at the top. It’s fitted and hits my knee, modest but fun with the white detailing.
When Henley walks in that afternoon, I try to act unaffected by his sexy, hulking frame in my classroom. It's impossible. He affects me and I wish I were a better actress.
“Your hair.” His voice is gruff as he stares at me with wide eyes.
I put a hand self-consciously on my hair. “Is it going haywire?”
“It goes to your waist…”
“Oh, yes. It does.” I chuckle awkwardly. “I don’t wear it down to school very often, but I washed it last night.” Another laugh from me that makes me sound like I’m one of the students here.
“It’s beautiful.” He smiles.
“Thank you.” I gulp.
“How's your week been?”
“It's been great. How about yours?” I look down at my desk, feeling uncertain of how to even deal with him.
My heart is thundering out of my chest because of his compliment and just being near him…and he's the father of one of my students. I'm attracted to him and things between us have been a little wonky from the get-go.
He’s just a man , I tell myself. An extremely hot man who makes me want to take a bite out of his biceps, but whatever.
“I’ve had a good week too.” His eyes meet mine, warm and friendly, and I have to glance down at my desk again or he’ll be able to see the attraction.
I wasn’t afraid to show it that first day, but we’re on a whole other playing field now.
“I wanted to talk to you about the plan I have for Cassidy and hear your thoughts on it. Are we waiting for Bree or is it just us?” My face heats when I say us and I hope he doesn’t notice.
“Just us. Bree will be on board with whatever needs to be done, but she had to work this afternoon. Thank you for meeting with me. I’d like to understand what’s going on a little better…a lot better.” He clears his throat and looks at me almost shyly. “Cassidy is already encouraged by the things you've worked on together and I just want to thank you for that.”
I set Cassidy’s folder down as I look at him. He’s making this really hard. I preferred being annoyed at him rather than the tidal wave of desire that’s flooding through me. And I’m really touched that he’s so involved in his daughter’s life.
“Oh, it’s…I’m so glad to hear that. I was worried I came on too strong when I met with you and Bree the other day.”
“Not at all.”
I open my laptop and Cassidy’s folder and show him what we’ve been doing, exercises that can help her, and even games that she can play at home that will make learning these techniques more fun.
“This is incredible,” he says, after we’ve talked for almost fifteen minutes. “No wonder she’s been happier the past few days. This is fun.”
“The best way to learn, in my opinion.” I grin. “Another simple trick that will help her: large font. Since each student has an iPad at the school, which I love , I put some of these things I’ve shown you on her iPad, but also, with any book she reads on it, she can increase the size. There are even fonts created for those with dyslexia that show more white space. Cassidy read something for me yesterday using one of those fonts, and her reading was so much faster and more accurate.”
“This is impressive, Tru…is it okay if I call you that?”
I smirk. “Yes, Mr. Ward, you may call me Tru.”
He sighs, but he’s smirking back and it’s hot as hell. “But you’re still going to call me Mr. Ward?”
I lift a shoulder. “You are my student’s father. It’s the professional thing to do.”
He leans forward, and the way his eyes take me in feels so far removed from professional, it’s not funny.
“But when we met, we didn’t know that I was your student’s father and I’m having a hard time forgetting that little interaction…”
Damn. I’m having a hard time forgetting it too. Especially with his raspy voice and those eyes drinking me in like he’s been in the desert for years and years.
He frowns suddenly. “Do you mind if I ask how old you are?”
I straighten. “I don’t see how it’s relevant, but I’m twenty-four.”
He leans back against his seat, and I can’t tell if he’s disappointed or relieved. “And that’s also why you’re calling me Mr. Ward…” He clears his throat. “I apologize if I’ve been out of line. You’re right. And I respect you for keeping this professional.”
My head tilts as I study him. What just happened?
“So tell me, Miss Seymour, what can I do to make this process easier for both you and Cassidy?”
One second, I thought he was flirting with me and the next, he’s backtracking faster than a woman who doesn’t want to get her hair wet in the rain.
“Uh, well…I’m happy to keep going with these afternoons with Cassidy, Monday through Wednesday. I’ll be teaching dance on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I start a little earlier on Thursdays.” I give him an apologetic look.
“That’s okay. We’re grateful for any time you have.”
“There’s only one complication…” I hesitate to tell him.
“What is it? I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Well, a kitten showed up at my place and now I’m in love.” I can’t help but smile talking about Earl. “He’s tiny and it was too soon for him to be weaned, so I’ve been running to the house during my lunches and as soon as school is over to check on him. Today, I felt really bad leaving him, but he’s not allowed on the school premises. If Cassidy would be okay waiting just an extra ten minutes or so before we get started…”
“We could do that. Or…and this might not work for you, but…you’d be more than welcome to bring your kitten to our house and work with Cassidy there. The girls would love to play with him and maybe it would stave off their requests for pets.” He smiles and that crinkle-eyed smile gets me every time. “Bree will be neck-deep in wedding plans during the afternoons for the next couple of months. She’s a wedding planner,” he adds. “So I’ll have the girls at my place for a few hours in the afternoons…”
I swallow, pausing to quiet the rush of adrenaline at the thought of seeing Henley Ward in his element.
“You really wouldn’t mind? I’d like to work with her for about an hour on those days. That’s a lot of time to have a guest and pet in your home.”
His smile widens and my whole body sings like it’s on high alert.
“It’s no trouble.”
I pick up a flyer and fan my face. This man is doing crazy things to my temperature regulation.
“Okay, if you’re sure. That would be great. And then on the days I’m not with her, if you could still work with her for ten or twenty minutes each day. You’ll see a huge improvement, I promise.”
“You’ve got it,” he says. “I’ll follow your lead, Miss Seymour.”
His tone is slightly teasing, but his eyes are serious and genuine.
I stand and his gaze slides down my body, making me feverish, but then he gives his head a slight shake and his eyes squint, focused on mine. I cannot read this man.
“I hate to cut this short, but I should go check on Earl and then get to dance.”
“Earl, huh. Cute.” He stands and it’s my turn to get a better view of him.
His broad shoulders and tapered waist should’ve been a clear indicator that he’s an athlete. It’s obvious hours have been spent honing this body. My mouth goes dry.
“We’ll see you on Saturday,” he says.
“What?”
“At dance…”
“Oh, right. Yes, Saturday. I’ll see you then.” I nod and go for cool, calm, and collected as he smiles and walks to the door.
For a second, I wish I had any job but this one because otherwise, I would be exploring whatever this is with Henley Ward.
He makes me feel things I’ve never felt.
Two things specifically come to mind.
Number one: No guy has ever made me sweat.
And number two: I’ve never felt the urge to lick my way up a man’s neck until I reach his lips…until right now.