Page 11 of He Loves Me Not

"No!" I panic at the thought of him showing up in my classroom. It'd be chaos and anarchy, literally. He's one of the biggest names in professional sports. My students would lose their ever-loving minds. They already think the fact that he's my stepbrother is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

"Damn, baby. You really know how to deflate a man's ego," he says.

I think he's teasing, but I feel like I should explain anyway. "It's just…my students," I whisper. "You're basically their favorite. If you show up, there's no way they're going to accomplish anything today."

"Ah. What about you?"

"What about me?" I ask, sliding into the driver's seat.

"Would you accomplish anything if I showed up today?"

I hesitate, and then sigh. "You know I wouldn't, Dawson."

"Good girl." I canhearhis smirk through the phone. It's annoyingly hot. "I'll see you tonight then."

"Tonight? Dawson, you are not—"

"Baby." That sinful laugh echoes down the line again. "We've got dinner with our parents tonight."

"Oh. Right." My heart skips at least three entire beats. My mind does that sickening lurch thing, where I almost swear I can see the future. It does not look rosy. "Maybe I should—"

"If you even think about skipping it, I'll carry you to the restaurant over my shoulder, sweetness," he growls. "Think we can keep our little secret when I've got my hands all over your ass in a restaurant?"

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

"Dawson!"

"Ava," he says, cool as a cucumber. "I told you last night, we're happening. I meant it."

My heart flutters, even though I'm pretty sure he's lost his mind.

"Relax, sweetness," he murmurs. "No one has to know."

I hesitate for a long moment, still not convinced it works that way, and then I sigh. Why bother lying to myself or him when we both know I want this just as badly as he does? It's what I've always wanted.

Is it going to blow up in my face? Probably. I can't keep a secret to save my life, especially not one this big. But Iwantto keep this one, especially if it means he's mine, even for a little while.

"Okay," I whisper.

"Good girl, baby," he practically purrs into the phone. "I'll see you tonight."

"See you tonight, Dawson."

He's waiting for me outside of Ember and Onyx in a pinstripe suit that hugs his broad shoulders just right. The way he looks at me as I hurry toward him has my whole body igniting in flames.Or maybe it's the way he grins, his dimples popping out at me. They're such a rare sight.

God, the man is beautiful.

"Damn, sweetness," he murmurs, his gaze crawling all over me. "You trying to start a riot tonight?"

"No." I spent an hour tearing my closet apart, looking for something suitable to wear—something that looks like I tried without looking like I tried. I think the little black cocktail dress was the right choice. It's flirty and daring without being too daring. I feel confident and sexy in it, not at all like a teacher who spends most of her time trying to sneakily drop wisdom on a bunch of kids.

My cheeks catch fire when he places his hand against the small of my back, two inches too low to be anything but indecent. He leans in, placing his lips against the side of my cheek. To anyone who might be watching, it probably looks like he's just kissing me hello. The way he nips my ear says different.

"I'll be tearing that pretty little dress from your body tonight, baby," he breathes against my skin. "Right before you dig those heels into my back while I'm inside you."

Welp. There goes any chance I had of surviving this dinner with my dignity. My panties are already uncomfortably damp, and my brain is mush.