Page 55 of Guarded Deputy
“I’m positive. It was a lizard. Lizards, actually. Plural. The locals warned us to be careful, proving my theory that lizards are out to kill humanity.”
At this he laughs boastfully, tossing his head back. “I don’t think that’s the case, but it’s adorable that you do.” He catches his breath and looks at me with sparkling eyes.
“Adorable?” I ask.
“Yeah, it’s cute.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but after the kiss we shared, I have questions. Mainly, what in the world is going on between us? And how can I sign up for more kisses?
I open my mouth to speak, but the door to the lounge opens, cutting my words of. Nate nods and steps away, masking his emotions into the perfect professional.
“Morning, ladies,” he says as he exits the teacher’s lounge and leaves me with giggling teachers that probably fantasize about his lips, too.
Except I know what it feels like to have his stubble scratching my face and his demanding mouth moving with mine.
I shiver and suppress the desire to touch my lips. Leaving the teacher’s lounge with my head a mess, I sit at my desk and stare at the dry-erase board until I hear chatter outside my classroom and snap out of it.
Right now, I have work to do that does not involve daydreaming about Nate’s body pressed against mine. That will have to wait until the day is over.
By the time lunch break comes around, I’m starving and in dire need of a conversation that doesn’t revolve around the joke about why six is afraid of seven or making whale sounds after I showed them a video about ocean animals last week.
I respond to a text Dani sent me asking if I’ve snuck away into a closet and made out with Mr. Hot Deputy.
I burst her bubble telling her we haven’t even talked about the kiss as I head to the lounge to eat.
“Watch it.” Nate’s teasing voice makes my head snap up.
“Hey.” I pocket my phone on the outside pouch of my lunchbox and smile at him.
“How has your morning been?” He steps up to me.
“Long.” I groan. “I wish my lunch break was an hour.”
“Ah, perks of being a contract employee. I have an hour break.” He winks.
“Now you’re just being mean rubbing it in my face.” I playfully shove his arm, and he doesn’t even budge.
“I’d never be mean to you.”
“I still need to decide on that.” I smile coyly.
Nate bends his head and leans in until he’s close to my ear. “From what I remember, you thought I was very nice on Saturday.”
His breath tickles the shell of my ear, and I shiver before I’m able to control my body. Nate stands tall again with a cocky smile while I fail to keep my cool.
“About that,” I begin.
“I’m sorry if I crossed a line,” he says before I can get my thoughts in order.
“You didn’t.”
“Are you sure? I never want you to feel uncomfortable.” His expression is full of honesty and gentleness that I want to get wrapped up in.
“I’m positive.” A smile brushes my lips as we stand in the middle of the hallway staring at each other.
“Good, good.” He rubs his hands together, but nothing like a cheesy cartoon villain. Nate’s actions are as if he’s contemplating what to do with me, and my body perks up at the options.
I’d bet my collection of coffee mugs that he’d know exactly how to make me feel good.
Nate clears his throat and I shake those thoughts out of my mind. A burning path creeps up my neck to my cheeks, and I have no doubt that my face is the color of a fire ant.