Dare to Hold (15 page)

M
eg woke up the next morning to find Scott wrapped around her, his big body curled around her back, one hand cupping her breast. Someone had put last night behind them, and she wished it were as easy for her. Still, nothing had changed between them, at least overtly. She was here until the threat was over, and neither of them had made any promises. If anything, his story and beliefs about the future merely reinforced her need to keep on as she had been. Planning an independent life on her own. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the here and now.

His lips nuzzled at her neck, his breath warm, his touch electric. He pulled her closer and plucked at her nipple with one hand, turning her insides to liquid and making everything inside her melt with need.

She purred at the sensations pulsing straight to her core.

“You were asleep when I came in last night.”

“I told you I probably would be.”

He pinched her nipple tighter, and the current caused a trickle of dampness to settle between her thighs. “I’m making up for it this morning,” he said, the head of his erection nudging at her opening.

“I can tell,” she murmured, the last word falling off as he slid inside her body, which opened and eagerly accepted him. He was hot and hard, filling her up slowly and completely. “Ahh,” she whispered, the sheer thickness of him pulsing inside her.

He rocked his hips back and forth, sheathing himself deeper, only to pull out and glide back in. “God, you feel good, Meg.”

She closed her eyes, unable to fight the truth. “So do you.”

He dipped his finger lower, moving from her breast to her clit, lubricating her with her own juices, his deft touch masterful. He always knew just how to play her to bring her to orgasm, but this wasn’t the fast, furious sexual connection they normally shared.

His cock glided in and out of her almost reverently, his breathing growing ever rougher against her neck. Even the occasional talk was more intense and less dirty than usual, and she fell headlong into a glorious climax that was even more beautiful for the way he coaxed her through. Words like
so fucking beautiful, keep coming, baby
, and
it’s my turn
echoing in her ears as his thrusts grew harder, his grip on her tighter as he came hard and fast inside her.

By the time their breathing had returned to normal, a big old lump had risen in her throat, and getting up to go to work hadn’t been easy. Maybe Scott had recognized the intensity because he, too, had rolled away and said they should get ready for work.

For the rest of the week, they fell into a too-comfortable routine. Most times, Scott would leave first, knowing his brother made it a habit of getting into work early. Meg would leave soon after for school. When she left Scott’s house, Rick would be waiting in his car and followed her. She was comforted knowing he was around and could handle Mike if he tried something or got violent. And with her thoughts and life in turmoil, she appreciated this little peace of mind.

Meg would get back to the house first, and because she was a guest, she wanted to help out. She’d had Rick accompany her to the grocery store so she could fill Scott’s cabinets and fridge with food she could cook, and she had dinner waiting when he came home. Although she kept her mental dialogue going strong, reminding herself this situation was temporary, she couldn’t deny how much she enjoyed being with him. It seemed like they fit into each other’s lives well, from what they ate and when, to televisions shows and bedtime.

Unlike Mike and past boyfriends, Scott had no issues with the time she spent in the evenings, preparing her lessons for the kids. He was surprised that kindergarten wasn’t just painting and crayons and seemed interested in what she planned for her class.

She couldn’t deny that they not lived only together easily but that sex got better each time. She didn’t understand it. Her prior relationships had been about making sure he got off or a quickie before bed. Scott’s focus was solely on Meg’s pleasure. If nothing else, he would be a hard act to follow when things ended.

He’d said as much himself, that fateful night on the patio. If he’d been thinking with his brain, he’d have recognized his relationship with his ex wouldn’t last. Instead, he’d thought with his … libido. And Scott had a healthy sex drive, as he’d proven over and over. What if Scott was thinking that way now, with Meg? What would happen when she started to show? She’d be popping soon, if the
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
book was right. In fact, she could see the swell in her belly, even if he hadn’t said a word. She’d only be getting bigger. No way would she be able to hold his interest sexually then.

Another depressing thought. But reality was her new friend, she reminded herself as she strode into school on Friday morning. After a morning teaching the letter
K
, Meg took her little charges to the art teacher, where they’d stay for the next forty minutes.

Before heading to the break room for coffee, she stopped at the office to check her mailbox and talk to Allie.

Meg hadn’t had time with her friend since their girls’ night, which felt like a lifetime ago, and she wanted to rectify that. She paused at the wall of small mailboxes and pulled out a few colored papers, notices, and other items before turning to her friend.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” Allie sat behind a metal desk and always greeted everyone with a warm smile.

“How are you feeling?” Allie gestured to Meg’s stomach.

Meg blushed and grinned. “Pretty good, thanks. You?”

Allie shrugged. “Not bad. Listen, I need to talk to you,” she said, lowering her voice.

“And I’d love to grab lunch sometime soon,” Meg said. Allie was aware of the situation with Mike but not that she was living with Scott. They definitely had catching up to do.

“Great! I’ll text you. I’m going to visit my parents this weekend, so maybe the next. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about…”

“What is it?” Meg asked, concerned.

“Parents have been calling about a sedan in the parking lot with a driver sitting behind the wheel. Mr. Hansen went out to speak to the driver.” Allie glanced over her shoulder at the partially open door, as if assuring they wouldn’t be caught talking.

Meg’s stomach cramped. “What happened?”

“The guy showed him an ID card from a protection agency and explained he was on the job for someone inside the school. He didn’t mention names but…” Because Mr. Hansen, as well as Allie, knew Meg no longer wanted Mike allowed into the school…

“He put two and two together and came up with me as the person who needed protection,” Meg said.

Allie inclined her head. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Meg drew a deep gulp of air. “Does he want to see me?”

“Right away.”

“Okay.” Meg straightened her shoulders, ignored the nerves bouncing in her stomach, and strode around her friend’s desk to the principal’s office, knocking with her knuckles.

“Come in,” he called.

She stepped in to find Mr. Hansen sitting behind his desk. He was a bland man, in personality and appearance. With his thinning black hair and plaid suits that had seen better days, it was obvious to Meg why she hadn’t wanted to date him. There was zero attraction between them. The sun streamed in from behind him, the bright Florida sunshine in stark contrast to Meg’s darkening mood.

“Good morning, Meg,” he said, as always using her first name instead of the formality most principals preferred. “Please have a seat,” he said in a serious tone.

She chose one of the two uncomfortable hard-backed chairs across from him.

“I’ll get right to the point. I’ve had some phone calls from concerned parents about the man sitting outside the school in an unmarked car.”

Meg gripped the edge of her chair harder. Of course she could comprehend why parents wouldn’t be comfortable with a large man sitting in a black car, parked in the school lot for the entire day.

“I can explain.”

“Then it does involve you?”

She closed her eyes and nodded.

“It was only conjecture until now.”

Meg had known that, but she believed in owning up to her issues when confronted. “You already know I put my ex-boyfriend on a list of people I don’t want to be allowed inside the school. The truth is, I have a restraining order against him,” she admitted. She glanced down, noticed that her hands had begun to shake, and shoved them beneath her legs on the chair.

“Is the man dangerous?” Mr. Hansen asked. “Do I need to be concerned about the children?”

“Umm, he’s only interested in me.”

The other man narrowed his gaze. “What if the kids get in the way of him getting to you?”

Meg’s mouth grew dry. “I didn’t think… I wouldn’t put the kids at risk.” And she couldn’t vouch for Mike’s stability if he was drinking.

“I know you wouldn’t do it deliberately, but that may be the end result. One of the parents who called is on the school board. She wants to call a meeting. She feels you should be suspended without pay, and frankly, given the situation, that’s very likely how the board will vote.”

Meg dipped her head, knowing what Mr. Hansen was getting at. She could go through with the farce of the board hearing, but the result was almost a given. If Meg had children in the school, knowing what she did about her ex, she’d vote to suspend her. What if Mike did become totally unhinged and was drinking and made a scene outside school? What if he went after her and the children were there? She shook her head, surprised she hadn’t thought of this before. But she’d been so overwhelmed with things, she hadn’t thought beyond her own problems.

“I understand,” she whispered, her fear folding in on her because she knew what was coming.

“Then we’re in agreement. You’ll take a voluntary suspension, and I’ll explain things to the board.”

Meg managed a nod as tears sprung to her eyes. Now she wasn’t just an unwed mother, she was an unemployed, unwed mother with no income coming in. She’d counted on saving her money between now and when this school year ended for the new and unexpected baby-related expenses.

Somehow she rose to her feet on shaking legs and started for the door.

“Meg.”

She turned and glanced over her shoulder. The sympathetic look on his face surprised her. “I really am sorry. I know how you feel about the children and them about you.”

“Thank you.”

She turned and headed out, walking past Allie with a half wave, unable to find the words to speak. Not without bursting into tears.

*     *     *

Scott spent the morning with Tyler, in a meeting with Lola Corbin. She came alone, no handlers or other band members with her. She was a pop star and music phenom, a woman who’d recently been voted sexiest woman alive by a men’s magazine, yet she was clearly down-to-earth and … normal despite her party-girl image. Most men would be salivating over her long dark hair, blue eyes, and killer body, but Scott preferred the brown-haired, brown-eyed schoolteacher he’d woken up to this morning.

He looked across the table at Lola, and after hashing out the security plans they’d implement if she hired them, Scott came to the conclusion that she knew how to handle her life. She didn’t take shit from her bandmates, nor did she plan to let angry fans ruin her life. She was engaged to Peter Grissom, Jr., a Miami Thunder all-star player and another reason Tyler and Scott couldn’t turn down the job. No matter how they felt about Grey Kingston.

They wrapped up the meeting with a firm commitment from Lola to hire them.

Scott’s cell rang, and the screen showed Rick. “Talk to me.”

“She just walked out of school, ignored me, got into her car, and drove off.”

He glanced at his watch. They were barely halfway through the day. Was she sick? “Where is she headed?”

“Looks like your place.”

“Okay, stick close to her. I’ll be there soon. Thanks, man.” Scott disconnected the call and dialed Meg, but it went straight to voice mail.

After a quick check-in with Tyler, Scott headed home, making the trip in record time. He acknowledged Rick, who sat in his vehicle on the street in front of the house, and pulled into his driveway, not surprised to find Meg’s car already parked there.

He headed inside, not sure what to expect. “Meg?” He tossed his keys on the credenza by the front door.

When she didn’t reply, he checked the kitchen and, finding it empty, headed for the bedroom. He found her lying on the bed, fully dressed, curled up on her side.

As much as he liked the sight of her on his bed, his stomach cramped with worry. “Hey.” He sat down beside her on the mattress. “Are you sick?”

“Did Rick call and tattle on me?” she asked.

“He let me know you left work unexpectedly. You didn’t answer your phone, so I came home to check on you.”

She sniffed and pushed herself upright, then settled back against the pillows, her hair falling messily around her shoulders, makeup-streaked tears on her face. His stomach clenched at the sight.

“I’m not sick,” she said, and he breathed freely for the first time since Rick’s call.

She bit down on her lip, looking up at him with those big brown eyes. “But I am unemployed.”

“Excuse me?”

“Parents called school to complain about the strange man in an unmarked car sitting on school property. The principal talked to Rick. He didn’t give my name, but considering I’d put Mike on a list of people not to be allowed into the school, it wasn’t difficult to figure out who he was guarding. One of the parents who complained is a board member, and she wanted to have a meeting.” Meg rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms.

Scott was dying to pull her against him, but she didn’t appear at all receptive at the moment. Unlike the time she’d thrown herself against him, she was stiff and unyielding, her body language screaming
don’t touch
. She clearly didn’t want to rely on him, and damn, but that hurt.

“How did that lead to you being fired?” he asked, sticking to facts.

“Unpaid leave,” she said, enunciating each syllable. “The principal didn’t force things. But when he asked me if Mike was a danger to the kids, I just didn’t know. What if he showed up and was drinking? What if he got past Rick and the kids were in the way… I couldn’t say for sure it was safe. And if it were my child, I’d want me gone.” She shrugged in defeat. “There was no point in letting a board meeting happen, so I just accepted the inevitable.”