Jack Parker has three rules. One, never ever fuck a student. Two, never ever fall for a student. Three, don’t ever break any of the first two rules.
He’s just broken every single one. She’s forbidden, a temptation he should resist, but she’s just become his very reason for living.
Lucia Deen is used to being bullied, alone, with no one to turn to until he enters her life. He cares, showing that her safety matters, that she matters. But he’s her teacher. It’s wrong. It’s dangerous—and she’s already addicted.
Secrets are made to be kept, but theirs are about to be blown apart. Can their forbidden love survive the fallout?
Mr. Parker got started on his lesson. They were comparing two different poems now, and of course it was about love.
Poems were always about love, at least the ones that were considered the greats were. He handed out books, placing them in front of each table. When he got to her desk, he held the book out and she took it, her thumb touching his.
She felt the heat, the warmth that flooded her.
This happened to her every single time she touched him or they were close. She couldn’t look away, but they were in a classroom and she forced a smile before glancing back down at her notes.
He kept on talking, telling them to turn to a new page.
She didn’t want anyone else to see how much he affected her.
Taking notes, she made sure to put the titles of the two poems. This lesson flew by way too quickly as the bell seemed to ring the moment she got into the work. She sat for several seconds and watched as some of her peers rushed out. Opening up her bag, she took her time, aware of Connor in front of her. Rachel came over, and Lucia ignored the two of them until they both filtered out and only she was left.
Standing up, she held her keys in her hands and approached his desk.
Mr. Parker, Jack, smiled at her. “Happy Birthday,” he said.
“Thank you. I don’t even know why he’s doing what he’s doing.” She pointed out the door, speaking of Connor.
“I had no idea it was your birthday.”
“Yep, eighteen today, and look.” She held up her car keys. “My parents finally got me a car. I brought Marie to school today.”
He laughed. “Feel good?”
“Yeah, it felt really awesome, actually.” She tilted her head to the side. “It was a good class today.”
“Are you loving poetry yet?”
“I wouldn’t say loving just yet, but I like it. So that’s a step in a different direction for me.”
“Good.”
“Are you doing anything special tonight?” he asked.
“My parents are taking me out to dinner. No more zucchini chips tonight.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“This is if they’ll show, you know. Their track record is not the best at all when it comes to being a no-show.”
“They should. You’re their daughter.”
“You always know what to say to me.”
“If they knew what was good for them, they’d show up for everything. You’re a good person, Lucia. Don’t ever doubt that.”
He stood up, and she watched as he moved toward the white board, using the board wiper to completely clear the ink marks he’d made.
It had been a good class, but right now, she didn’t want to go. Marie would be waiting for her.
“Mr. Parker,” she said. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t even think straight as he turned around.
Just do it.
“What’s up, Lucia?” he asked.
She didn’t know what the hell came over her, but she stepped up to him, and before she could even think about all of the consequences, she pressed her lips against his.
Bold.
Scary.
Thrilling.
Exciting.
It was all of those emotions, and so many more all rolled up in one, and she didn’t want it to stop.
Stepping back, she stared into his eyes, and then couldn’t believe what she had just done. “I’m sorry.”
She quickly turned on her heel and walked out of the room.
The first guy she’d just kissed was her teacher.
Jack Parker was a great deal of firsts for her, and now she’d gone and kissed him.
What were you thinking?
She wasn’t thinking. Watching him wipe the board clean, all of her feelings had come crashing all around her, and she’d just reacted.
It was insane.
Crazy.
She didn’t regret it.
You’ve got to see him Monday.
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