Page 10 of Her Forbidden Teacher

“What happened just now?” Mr. Langford asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m sure it was warranted, but I want to know why you did what you did.”

I slide out of my seat and rise to my feet. Mr. Langford’s eyes cut down to my dirty thigh. When I glance down, I notice an obvious handprint.

“I see,” Mr. Langford clips out, voice sharp like a blade. “Are you okay?”

My eyes water and I nod, finally meeting his intense green eyes. “I will be. I handled it this time.”

Without a word, he walks over to a shelf and removes a packet of wet wipes. He plucks a few from the package and hands them over to me. That’s twice now today he’s had to take care of me.

Now I’m blushing furiously.

“I know what I want to do with that oaf,” Mr. Langford practically growls, “but I want to know what you want to do. It’s clear you’re going through some things, and I don’t have the full picture. I don’t want to make things worse for you.”

I’m grateful for his perception.

I swipe all the dirt off my thigh and then toss the used wipes in the bin. “He got the message,” I say, voice tight. “He can’t put his hands on me. Not without a fight.”

Mr. Langford grins brightly, revealing all his pretty teeth. “Good girl. Don’t let them win.”

Good girl.

Ugh.

Why does that make my stomach flutter?

Chapter 4

Theo

My biceps are on fire this morning. I’ve officially made it to Friday of my first week of school. So far, I’ve managed to fall into an easy, enjoyable rhythm with teaching, join a morning workout group with Principal Adam Renner and Coach Everett Long, and not eyeball my favorite student’s silky thighs.

Okay, so the last part’s a lie.

It all started Tuesday when that fuckface put his hands on her. I’d seen the crude, muddy smears on her upper thigh that covered so much of her flesh. She was shaking and clearly upset by the exchange. Being covered in dirt wasn’t enough punishment as far as I was concerned, but Addison didn’t want to pursue it any further.

Ever since then, I can’t keep my eyes off her. I find myself watching every student, trying to be two steps ahead of them to thwart any threats.

Why do these kids keep picking on her?

She’s gorgeous for fuck’s sake. I thought kids picked on the losers or the kids who smelled bad. Addison smells like expensive grapefruit whatever the hell that means. I just know it’s unique and powerful. I’m growing way too fond of it.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Since I’m early, I go ahead and sneak it out to take a peek.

Everett: Nabbed the big one this morning. He gets to see my pretty face all next week. Figured you’d want to hear it.

I grin at my phone. I like Adam and Everett. Adam is more reserved, and well, nice, which is good considering he’s my boss. Everett, on the other hand, is an asshole to everyone. Everyone except me and Adam. Mary Ellen always accused me of being pathetic because I had no friends and now I have two. I’m glad I casually mentioned Duke being a tyrant in my class so that Everett would be on his ass.

Me: I owe you one. Need me to stay after today so you can bug out early to be with the fam?

Everett: I knew I liked you. Thanks, man.

Staying after school for detention is worth knowing he got Duke’s big ass for something. It might not be for assaulting Addison, but it’s something.

As if summoned by thoughts alone, I get a whiff of grapefruit. I snap my head up to find Addison gliding into the room, her long, toned legs on full display. When our eyes meet, she grins at me.

“No. Phones. Ever.” She sighs dramatically. “Practice what you preach, Langford.”

I shove my phone into my slacks and arch an eyebrow at her. “Are you always this sassy?”