He seemed to notice I was struggling and didn’t ask any other questions. For that, I was thankful because the gentle caress and close proximity, along with the subject, were all overwhelming.
Bodie gave my arm a light squeeze and changed the subject. “You’re good with the kids.”
When my gaze snapped back to him, he dropped his hand from my arm. I wasn’t sure if I should be thankful or ask him to put it back. Something was seriously wrong with me.
“I sure hope so, since as a teacher, that is pretty important among many other things.”
I’d worked hard to finish my bachelor’s degree already and was working on getting my master’s. I could get a job now but I had promised myself I would get the full education and that was what I was doing. With me taking extra classes I was going to be finished within the school year.
Money wasn’t an issue but I hadn’t explained or talked with anyone about my financial situation and they didn’t ask. This allowed me to make my schooling a priority. But how I had the money I did, left a lump of sadness in the pit of my stomach because it came from losing the two people I loved the most which was still hard for me to think about even after so many years.
“You want to be a teacher, that’s amazing.”
Bodie’s comment pulled my thoughts away from the loss and made me smile.
“Yes, I love children.”
“It shows,” he replied with a quick nod.
We stood there for a minute staring at each other and I got lost in the depth of his dark, chocolate eyes. I noticed worry and sadness still swirled in his gaze and wanted to slap myself for being so inconsiderate. He’d said he was sorry for my loss but I hadn’t said anything to him, just his girls, once again proving I was a hell of a lot better with kids than adults.
Especially adults that made me nervous like Bodie.
It was nerves generated in a woman when a gorgeous man was present. Maybe before I agreed to date the man who was turning my life into a nightmare, I should have realized that if I didn’t feel anything then the answer should have been no from the start.
Now it was too late and the asshole wouldn’t take no for an answer but I was dealing with it.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I needed to say something and then get away for a minute to get my wits about me.
“I’m sorry about your wife.” I watched his face fall once again and there was an instant pang in my chest. I could feel his loss as strongly as I felt my own and my heart squeezed. “You are doing amazing with the girls and I am sure their mother is proud of not only them but you too.”
Bodie closed his eyes. “Thank you for saying that.”
When he opened his lids and looked back at me, I retreated a few steps. My heart was thumping heavily as his gaze penetrated mine and the way it made me feel scared the crap out of me.
“I better go check on the kids and Gramps.”
With that, I made a quick retreat and didn’t let Bodie say another word. Jett and Patience were around and I knew everything was fine but it was as good an excuse as any to get away.
My life felt like it was unraveling and that was something I didn’t handle well. Years ago, when I realized my parents were never coming back and that I was never leaving foster care, I set plans in motion for how I would handle my life.
Unfortunately for me, it wasn't going according to that plan.
And the arrival of Bodie seemed to have thrown it even further into a tailspin.
ChapterTwo
BODIE
When the raven-hairedbeauty placed her soft palm on me, I instantly forgot what was happening around us.
Feelings old and new bubbled to the surface threatening to consume me.
With those feelings came guilt. Because for the first—-and only—time, a woman other than my late wife piqued my interest.
Gemma intrigued me and she caused me to think with something other than my brain. Unexpected desire flared inside me. Something I’d thought died along with my wife when I’d lost her. I was perplexed at the emotions that raced through me ever since the first time I met Gemma and each time I had been in her presence since.
There had been an instant attraction the moment my eyes landed on her olive-toned skin, followed by the undeniable instinct to protect her when I first saw the bruises marring her wrist. Injuries I was sure were inflicted in anger.
