Page 11

TEN

DRAKE

Why am I nervous? I am never nervous and I’m putting this down to the impossible situation I’m in.

Earlier, I texted Imogen after securing her number from the database and told her to meet me in my classroom at six. It’s not original, but I’m unsure how to move this on under the radar. I would love to take off and conduct my business outside of the grounds, but I must tread carefully.

If anybody saw us together here, they would only imagine it had something to do with history, which is exactly what I want them to think.

On the dot of six, the handle turns and Imogen enters with a slight hesitation, her nerves mirroring mine, and I push them down and smile.

“Hey, right on time. Take a seat.”

She smiles briefly and heads to the chair by my desk and I battle my fascination for her because hell, she is blowing my mind.

Her long blonde hair swings to her shoulders, her slight fringe dusting against those smokey blue eyes.

She is wearing yoga pants and a tight top that I’m trying not to stare at too hard as it accentuates the soft swell of her breast. She is wearing sneakers and as outfits go, she has dressed down for the occasion but wouldn’t look out of place in a magazine spread.

Imogen could be a model easily so. She has the figure, the looks and the height and a wholesome vibe that is more alluring than her looks.

“So–” She smiles shyly, “I brought a notebook with me. We may as well make a list.”

I arch my brow. “A list?”

“Of action points.”

I watch as she removes a pencil from her purse and immediately chews on the end while staring up at me from under her long lashes.

Fuck! This is unbearable and as my cock hardens in my pants, I picture the principal in mind because I need to douse these flames and fast if this is gonna work.

“Do you have a theme in mind?”

“Do you?” I’m curious to hear her thoughts on it and she nods, her eyes flashing with excitement.

“I thought of ancient Rome.”

“Okay.” I perch on the edge of her desk and she blushes adorably before glancing down at the blank page in front of her.

“I thought we could stick with the original plan of a masquerade, but theme it with Romans and centurions. Togas would be good, lots of gold, and it gives us the scope to be creative.”

She raises her eyes and smiles. “It would also be easy to find some props, you know, the kind of thing, marble pillars, ivy, golden statues and decadence.”

I’m trying hard not to picture Imogen dressed in a toga, looking so adorable any gladiator would kill to win her fair hand.

“It’s good.” I nod my affirmation. “It would tie in nicely with the history department and allow the students to feed their imagination. Good call, Imogen, we’ll run with it.”

“Really?” Her smile brightens and something hits me hard. If anything, I am stunned by my reaction to her. I never, for one moment, entertained the idea, but from the second she stared into my eyes, I was lost.

Fuck and double fuck. This is bad.

I stand and move to the window, desperate for distance and heave in a deep breath and say carefully, “I’ll put the idea forward to the principal and she can circulate it among the other departments. They will work on that theme, leaving us to research the props.”

“What would you like me to do?”

Her soft voice washes over my raging libido like a soothing balm, and I swallow hard.

“There’s a warehouse on the outskirts of the next city that I understand provides props for movies, theater and events. Perhaps we could take a trip there and select some items.”

“We?”

I turn and note the excitement in her eyes and God knows I should turn and look away, but I can’t.

“Are you free tomorrow after final period?”

She nods and I quickly add, “The warehouse closes at six, so we’ll need to leave dead on four. It’s an hour’s drive which only gives us one hour to choose our pieces.”

She nods. “That’s fine by me. I have a free period last thing tomorrow, so I can be ready when you are.”

“Same.” I heave a deep sigh and plunge head first into oblivion.

“Then we’ll leave at three. It will give us longer and may prevent a few curious eyes from watching us leave together.”

“That could be a problem.” She shakes her head. “Students don’t need much of a reason to gossip. Perhaps I should meet you by the gates and you can pick me up as you drive through them.”

“As if we have something to hide?” I raise my eyes and she giggles, a sound that is pure torture for my tainted soul.

“We don’t, but they would find a reason to spread gossip, so it’s best this way.”

Part of me is pissed that she has agreed to ride out of the protection of Rockwell with a stranger.

I really must educate her in that, but I’m relieved she is doing exactly what I planned all along.

This entire orchestration was to get her alone in the first place, and I am still dealing with what that means for me.

She stands. “I should go. You must be busy.”

As she prepares to leave, I call out like a lovesick freshman. “It’s fine. I was, um, going to order pizza. They have an offer, two for one. I’m happy to share it with you in return for your help.”

Her eyes widen and a soft blush steals across her perfect face and she nods shyly. “Sure, I am quite hungry.”

I jerk my head toward the grounds.

“If you like, we can eat on the veranda of my house. It’s hidden away and only visitors can see it and I don’t get any of those. Why not give me thirty minutes and I’ll meet you there?”

She hesitates and I find myself holding my breath and then she nods, a shy smile causing damage to my rusty heart.

“Sure, I’ll bring soda.”

“It’s a–” I stop as she raises her eyes and I add, “plan. It’s a good plan.”

She smiles brightly before turning and making a swift exit, leaving me wondering what the hell has gotten into me. I’m here for one thing only. To do a job. An important one and not to develop a fascination for the one person I can never have.