Page 26 of Sweet Possession

Exiting the staff lounge, I follow Brody. During the meeting, I decided I can’t have him here working alongside me, and not just because of what he did. I don’t care about that anymore. In fact, he did me a favor with Cali. But there is one problem. I can’t have him sniffing around my angel. Brody is smart. It won’t take him long to realize something is going on with Remi and me.

Catching up to him, I grab his arm and pull him aside. “You need to resign,” I state, leaving no room for argument.

“That’s not going to happen, Ash.” He shakes his head and sighs “Look, I’m sorry about what happened. I really am. I was stupid and made a mistake. Cali…” he trails off at the mention of her name and clears his throat. “Cali meant nothing. I know I fucked up, man, but I think we can get past it. I need you in my life, Ash. You’re my best friend. Being here is no coincidence. They offered me the job, and I jumped at the chance. Not because I particularly want to work with spoiled kids. You know I prefer working in public schools and not pretentious places like this. But being here, it gives me the opportunity to make things right between us. I want you in my life.”

“Why? Why is this so important to you?” I ask. I see the shame on his face, hear the guilt in his voice.

“Like I said, you’re my best friend. I messed up, and I want to make it right. We’ve been friends a long time. I don’t want a woman to come between us.”

My eyes narrow. “You should have thought of that before you got into bed with my girlfriend. Being here, forcing yourself into my life, will not help your case, Brody. Yes, you did me a favor with Cali, but you broke my trust. It’s not something I can just forgive.”

He nods. “I know. But give me the chance to make things right.”

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. I can’t allow him to get close again, and I definitely can’t allow him to find out about Remi. The thought of him going after my angel to get to me makes me feel sick, angry. And who’s to say he won’t do it again? He did it once. I can’t risk that. I won’t. Not that I think Remi would do that to me, but I can’t help this feeling that she could be taken away. Call it insecurities from my past relationship, but it’s how I feel. Its why I want to tie her to me in every way possible so she can never leave me. Its irrational but it is what it is.

Instead of giving him an answer, I spin and start down the hallway. Glancing back at him, I shout, “There nothing to make right. Stay away from me, Brody.”

ChapterEighteen

REMI

And just like that, it’s time to start school.

Today is my first day at Coral Lakes, and to say I’m nervous is an understatement. Although Asher and I have been through how we are going to manage our situation several times, I’m still concerned. I’m scared about losing my scholarship. I’m also anxious about Asher losing his job, no matter how many times he tells me that he doesn’t need to work at the school.

“I’ll drop you off a couple minutes’ walk from the school. I’m not happy about that, but I understand it’s what you want,” Asher grumbles from the driver’s seat. He’s not lying when he says he isn’t happy. He wanted to drive me into the school’s parking lot, no matter the consequences, but I eventually convinced him not to.

I roll my head to look at him. Tension radiates from his body. His hands grip the steering wheel. I think it’s all becoming real to him now, the fact that I’m a student. He’s promised this doesn’t change anything between us, but I can tell it’s affecting him. I just don’t know in what way.

“Your skirt is very short,” he grits out, glancing at my bare legs.

Squirming in my seat, I grip the ends of the material and pull it down. He’s right, but it’s the uniform so I have no choice but to wear it. “It’s compulsory to wear it, Asher. You know that.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it. All those fucking teenage boys will want what’s mine.” His hands strangle the wheel, and his breathing turns labored.

So that’s his issue. He’s jealous of something that hasn’t even happened yet. I almost laugh but hold it back so as not to push him even more. My thoughts move to his ex-girlfriend and what she did. It’s no wonder he’s insecure. He doesn’t need to be though.

Reaching over, I grip his muscular thigh and give him a reassuring squeeze. “Asher, they can look all they want. It’s you that has me. You that I want. That is not going to change because of school.”

“I know that,” he says arrogantly. “I just don’t want them looking at you. It drives me insane to think about them wanting what belongs to me. The thought alone makes me want to rip every one of their eyes out of their sockets,” he admits.

My eyes widen at his admission. I mean, I know Asher can be crazy. He proved that in his pursuit of me. But would he really take it so far as maiming a student? I don’t know the answer to that question. I’ve come to know Asher, but I don’t know him so well that I can honestly say he wouldn’t do that. I know he’s possessive of me, and that could be an issue. I won’t let him ruin this chance for me though. I need this. I worked hard for this. And although I want Asher, I also want a normal high school experience. I just need to make sure he keeps his temper in check. That he understands that, no matter what friends I make, or which boys look at me, it’s him I’m dating. Him I want.

“Please don’t do that. I’m not Cali. I am with you and that’s all that matters. No one is going to take me from you. I’m sure I will get stared at by all my peers, not just the boys. It’s life. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to jump into bed with anyone else. I’m here to graduate high school. Make a better life for myself. Yes, you do complicate things, and had I known you were a teacher before we met, we wouldn’t be doing this.” I motion between us making him scowl. “But we did, and we are where we are.” Leaning over, I press my lips to his cheek then pull back with a smile, hoping he can see the honesty on my face and in my words.

He sighs, softening his grip on the wheel as he pulls up to the curb. Switching the ignition off, he turns to face me. “You’re right. I’m sorry that I ruined your first morning.”

“You didn’t.” I release the button for the seatbelt, ready to get out.

Grabbing my hand, he brings it up to his mouth and kisses the flesh. “And for the record, if we had met at school, we still would have happened. You’re mine, no matter what.”

Cupping my face, he pulls me in for a bruising, claiming kiss. His tongue breaches my lips and tangles with my own. This is his way of reminding me that I belong to him. I don’t need the reminder, but I don’t mind. I love his lips on mine.

“You taste incredible,” he murmurs as he breaks the kiss.

“Mmm,” I hum, feeling a little dazed.

“Fuck,” he curses, his hand reaching down to rearrange his now-hard cock.