Tracy Kelleher - Falling for the Teacher

“That’s if we don’t kill each other first.”

“Well, there is that possibility, I grant you.”

He smiled at her words.

Katarina felt her face go red. It was the curse of being a redhead. She looked sideways and fanned herself with the top few papers. “Hot in here, don’t you think?”

“There’s just one thing,” he said.

She returned his gaze in all earnestness. “I know, I know. You’re worried that you’re not signed up for the course. I can take care of that.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s more about…about…who I am.”

She dismissed his objection with a shake of her head. “I know, I mean, think I understand. It’s all new to you, this investing thing, and no doubt you’re concerned that you won’t look good in Matt’s eyes.”

At his startled expression, the answer suddenly became clear to her. “Wait, no, hear me out. How about I work with the two of you. After class even, if it’s all right with you?” She narrowed her eyes in a demonstration of earnest commitment. She even pumped her fist. “I really want to make this work, for the class, but mostly for Matt and you.”

And for me, a little voice inside her head added. I need to make something work for me. To be able to move forward and accomplish something instead of merely marking time.

He looked completely befuddled. “That’s very kind of you. But what I really wanted to talk about was the guest lecturer you mentioned. The one who didn’t show?”

“Please, can we forget about him? It wasn’t my idea anyway, something Iris dreamed up. Can you believe it?”

“Somehow I can.” He rubbed his forehead.

“Only Iris would ask some megamogul to speak at a night school class.” She watched his thick black curls tumble over his long fingers. Nice.

“About the speaker…I really think you should know—”

“The case is closed on the speaker.” She held up her hand to make a stop sign before glancing down at her watch. “Look, break’s almost over, Mr. Brown. So, what do you say? Will you do it?”

He hesitated, sizing her up and down twice.

Katarina felt as if he was measuring her mettle. She sat up straighter.

“You’re determined to help us out, even after class?” He looked at her askance, one eyebrow raised.

She nodded encouragingly. She would not go down without a fight. “It’ll be good for me, too. Promise.”

The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of break. She stood, wincing as she put weight on her leg. “Do we have a deal then, Mr. Brown?”

He carefully levered himself from the tight desk to an upright position.

Once more Katarina was struck by his size and strength.

“All right, Ms. Zemanova. I’ll do it. But only if you call me Ben.” He tilted his head and waited for a reply.

She breathed in slowly. You can do this, girl. No sweat. And then she held out her hand to secure the deal, all business, just like she used to do in her old life. “All right, Ben. And you must call me Katarina.”

He clasped his hand in hers. Firm, warm and masculine. “Katarina.” This time there was no mistake. “But one thing?”

“Yes?”

“You have to promise to protect me from my son.”

Katarina ended the handshake and clutched the papers to her chest. The real question, she realized, was who was going to protect her from the father?

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