Chapter 1
The first week of school had been rough, but easier than Luna expected. Her classes were full of rambunctious but respectful students and the other teachers were incredibly helpful in getting her situated in her new position. The hours were long, but rewarding. When Friday came around, Luna realized she was emotionally exhausted. Davis had arranged to take her to dinner, so she drove home and contemplated what to wear. She owned one little black dress that served as the perfect outfit when he took her somewhere pricey. All it needed was some costume jewelry to dress it up, so that she felt appropriate even existing in his life.
The incoming text caught her off-guard; he was early. She hurried to step into her shoes and snatched her clutch off the hall table before rushing out the door.
He waited for her at the curb, a sleek black car idling behind him. His beauty never ceased to amaze her. He was a few inches taller than she, dark hair falling in his eyes, and she kissed his cheek as she drew near enough. Davis moved to open the back door for her and climbed in next to her. She glanced up at Sorensen, Davis’s personal driver, and offered him a smile.
“How are you?” he asked as he took her hand in his.
“Tired, but excited to get out and do something fun.” She gave him a gentle smile.
“My first week was boring as hell.” He tugged at his tie to loosen it.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
They weren’t going far, so they both fell silent and waited until they’d arrived and were seated to speak again.
“Why was your week boring?” Luna asked.
Davis looked up from the wine menu. “I spent my time learning the names of those supposedly under me when all they’re really there for is to babysit me. I don’t have any real responsibilities, even though I asked to run the commercial real estate division. In this town it would have been a good thing for me, but I guess they don’t trust me yet.”
His parents’ company, Healy International, was a conglomerate that owned and operated several businesses. “It’s going to take time to prove yourself.”
Davis hummed his agreement and asked what she wanted to drink before placing their order with the sommelier. Luna felt out of place as always but tried not to balk at the prices on the menu. She was ready to order when the waiter returned.
“What about your week?” Davis asked.
“My week was amazing.” Her grin was broad. “I enjoy my students so far and I can almost match all of their names to their faces.”
“And what do they think of you?” He gave her a smirk.
“They seem to like me.” She blushed. “I haven’t been hard on anybody so far, but they haven’t given me any reason for that. Hopefully, I can maintain my nice streak for a while.”
“That probably won’t last.” He studied the bottle of wine the sommelier brought to the table, taking a drink of the sample he poured and approving it. Luna accepted her own glass and took a tentative sip. It was excellent, of course.
“The other teachers have been great with me. They didn’t hesitate to answer my questions. It was easier since I’ve already been an assistant there.” Teaching made her happy, and the school she’d been hired at was a warm, friendly environment.
“Good.” Davis leaned forward in his chair and ran his finger over the back of Luna’s hand. “What are your weekend plans?”
She blew out a breath. “So far, to sleep and work on next week’s lesson plan.”
“Sounds exciting.” He raised his eyebrows at her and she laughed.
“No, I guess not.”
“We could always find something to do together.”
“Such as?”
They sat back in their seats as the waiter came with their food. Luna tried not to notice the intensity in his eyes as Davis gazed at her.
“More wine?”
She agreed and drank the second glass quickly. She’d had a long week and Davis made her nervous. She felt the familiar flush come over her body as the wine coursed through her and Davis leaned close again. Alcohol and his proximity were a dangerous combination.
“Are you doing any experiments this year?”
She blinked at his question. Was she the only one with too-warm and overly sensitive skin? “I-I think so.”
