Page 13 of Awaken My Heart

“I appreciate you offering to just take all of this off my plate, but the truth is, I really prefer to be hands on. I mean I agree, all of your equipment here is big and looks expensive, so hauling it to the school wouldn’t make much sense. Working here is fine with me.”

He shakes his head. “First of all, I need you stop saying things like ‘hands on’ and commenting on how big my equipment is.” He looks away from me, staring at the floor for a moment. “And secondly, I don’t want you here.”

I scoff. “You can’t tell a person what phrases they can or can’t use. What’s wrong with ‘hands on?’”

“Emma,” he growls.

It’s the first time he’s said my name and the rumble of his voice echoes through my body.

“I’m trying to be patient here. And kind because you’re Taylor’s favorite teacher. But what I need is for you to approve the designs and then leave.”

I gasp. “Well, that’s just rude.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you want me here?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not doing this with you.”

“Oh! You’re not going to do it? I walk around the table and stand closer to him.” Fury rages through my veins and I’m ready to read this man the riot act. Whatever the hell that is. “From the very first moment you laid eyes on me you’ve been a massive asshole to me. You don’t even know me. Yet you’ve obviously made all these assessments about my skills and worth as a human and a teacher.”

I jab him in the chest. “I’m sorry I molested you at the tattoo place. I’m sorry for whatever the hell I did to make you instantly hate me. You’ll have to forgive me for fighting that because the truth is, I don’t like it when people don’t like me. I’m an amiable person, and most people find me pleasant and, dare I say, even fun to be around. I get it. I’m not your cup of tea. But for the sake of Taylor, can you just pretend not to be disgusted in my presence?”

“So damn spicy,” he says.

How is it possible for a man to get my panties wet just with the sound of his voice?

“I don’t dislike you, darlin’. I want you.”

His words seem to cause a head-on collision inside my brain. “What?”

“I’m attracted to you, Emma. From the first moment I laid eyes on you.” His blue eyes prowl down my body. “Every thick curve—it’s all I can think about. That fucking pisses me off.”

He’s annoyed that he’s attracted to me? “Well, I’m attracted to you too. Doesn’t that count for something?”

His jawline tightens. “No,” he says simply, as if that settles it.

“So I don’t get any say as to how this goes? We a have mutual attraction. We’re both single, consenting adults. I’m missing the problem.”

“I don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Hook up or whatever the hell they call it these days. I have nothing to offer you.”

chapter

ten

Bram

“Nothing to offer me. Wow, someone thinks highly of themselves,” she snaps.

“Excuse me?” I drink in the sight of her. Her frilly, feminine blouse paired with a calf-length skirt. So damned pretty.

“You. Assuming that one night in your bed and I’ll be addicted. I didn’t propose to you, Bram. I was merely suggesting that if two consenting adults are attracted to one another, they could have some fun together. Blow off some steam.” She rolls her eyes. “Just forget it.”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t think I will.”

Then I'm on her. Crowding against her soft curves until she’s leaned up against the old desk against the wall. She gasps and I tilt her chin, then take her mouth. It only takes a sweep of my tongue before she opens for me. Then her arms wrap around my neck. Her full tits press against my chest, and I grumble into her mouth.

I nuzzle her neck, licking at the sensitive skin beneath her ear. “I haven’t been this hard since I saw you at Ace’s that first time. Had to take myself in hand that night. First time I’ve had to do that because of pure lust—not merely to clean out the pipes.”