His stare scrambles my thoughts.
Most attractive guy to ever hold a sack of apples. Look at those veins in his forearm.
Focus, Chloe!
“You can set those over there, thank you.” I point to the counter by the sink, desperate for anything normal to fixate on.
Kolya doesn’t comment. He’s scanning everything. The shelves, the rainbow-sorted bins, the alphabet cards strung above the whiteboard. His gaze lingers on the empty corner by the reading nook, where my beautiful globe once stood.
The school’s new “non-approved items” policy meant my globe had to go home last week.
I haven’t had the piece long, but I’d planned such great lessons with it. I’d even thought about filling the interior bar area with prizes for good behavior, if I ever figured out how to open it.
At least my oversize beanbag chairs got to stay. The kids will love them during silent reading time.
I doubt Kolya’s enjoying the decor. But what exactly is he doing? He’s too still, too composed. Hyper-focused.
On the lookout for more bad guys in hoodies?
I hesitantly touch his arm. “You okay?” A lot of people have weird reactions to empty schools. The echoing halls and lingering smells can flag old memories, good and bad.
He stares at me for a beat too long, his eyes remote, then a smile crosses his handsome face. “Great.” He sets the apples down on the counter. “What’s next?”
I suppress a shiver.
I’m not sure why. His lips turn up, his gaze narrowing just a little.
But those calculating, penetrating eyes remain cold.
As handsome as he is, that smile is wrong. A mask sliding into place.
I shake myself. That’s mean. I shouldn’t think that about someone who just saved me half an hour ago.
I mention needing to move a stack of supply bins from the floor to the shelves, and we get to work. He lifts all the bins in one fluid motion, muscles shifting beneath his jacket.
My body responds to his physical proximity, his every action, with embarrassing eagerness.
He’s nothing like a fumbling dad helping out of obligation. Efficient, controlled, powerful. He carries boxes I struggle with, arranges furniture with minimal effort. Every shift of his body warps the air between us, pushing against me with an invisible touch.
I’m getting all hot and bothered.
Get it together, Chloe.
No more acting like a teen girl with her first crush. “I need to grab some scissors from the main supply closet. Be right back.” I slip out into the hallway and close the door behind me, the cool air a relief against my flushed skin.
I’ve barely taken three steps down the freshly mopped hall when Robbie pokes her head out of her classroom across from mine, coffee mug in hand.
“Look at you go, Miss Chloe.” She fixes me with a Cheshire cat grin. Her curly brown hair, threaded with gray, might as well be a seniority chip. “You roped a parent into manual labor.”
Despite getting caught in an illicit act, I return her grin. No teacher should be as aroused at work as I currently am. “He’s a lifesaver! But don’t tell the principal. I know she doesn’t like people here after hours.”
Robbie chuckles, covering her lips with unmanicured fingers. “I won’t. Don’t let him escape. These fathers are tricky.”
I laugh a little too hard, panic flaring. Oh goodness, did he hear that? “Oh, he’s very…”Don’t say dangerous. Or drool-worthy.“Dependable.” And divorced, my brain helpfully supplies.
Stupid brain, I did not need that reminder.
Robbie, clearly a mind reader, squeezes my arm. “And single? Don’t worry. I won’t rat you out.” She flashes me a knowing smile and disappears back into her room.
