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Immediately, her face blossomed with heat. There was no way she could use the example that had come into her head. He’d think she was a stalker or obsessed with him.
But wasn’t she?
Allie sighed heavily. “There have been too many to count, Luke. Just know that people aren’t perfect. We all make choices that we wish we could take back. It’s part of being human.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
He turned his focus to the papers on the floor then pushed one toward her. “Do you ever wish you’d stayed in marketing?”
“Nope.” Her answer was quick and firm. That was one thing she knew she’d done right. “Being a teacher is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
Luke gave her a funny look then he laughed. “Forgive me, I have a hard time believing that.”
“It’s true,” she laughed with him. “I firmly believe teaching is my calling. I don’t know how to explain it, but… it just resonates with me. I get to touch so many lives and help those kids build a firmer foundation in their self-confidence. You’ll never know just how amazing it is to watch their eyes light up with excitement when they’ve finally mastered something that has been a struggle since day one.” Allie shook her head. “There’s truly nothing like it.”
When she glanced up, she was surprised to find him staring at her again with that look from before. Her stomach knotted, twisting and churning with the same old desire. What she wouldn’t give for the confidence to throw caution to the wind and just kiss him, right here, right now.
One taste, one touch. That was all she’d ever wanted. Maybe then the age-long spell would be broken. It would either become her best or her worst memory. She lost track of how long their eyes were locked, finally breaking the bond when a stiff breeze pushed against the small building outside. The structure creaked and she blinked.
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to wear out my welcome.” Her heart fluttered madly against her chest as if escaping was the only cure for the heat that had burst to life deep in her stomach. Allie swept the pages into a pile and scrambled to her feet. “Let me draw up a few other options for that logo idea and then you can decide based on that.”
She glanced at the clock on the wall and her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. It was almost midnight! How had she let time slip away so fast? She flashed Luke a smile and hurried toward the door, stopping only when his hand wrapped around her upper arm.
“Allie—wait.”
His touch was warm and it set off a chain reaction to the rest of her body. Blood boiled. Goosebumps rippled. Stomach flipped. And her heart was about to go kaput. Allie allowed herself to meet his eyes, praying that she would leave this building with her heart unscathed.
Luke’s eyes studied her, shifting back and forth. His jawline rigid as was the rest of his body. He shifted ever so slightly closer until he blocked her path all together.
“What did you need?” she rasped.
“I…” He pressed his lips together firmly then shook his head. “You have no idea how much your help and support has made this experience better.” He released her arm but didn’t pull away. “Thank you so much for stopping by. You’re just… incredible.”
Her breathing hitched in her chest and before she knew what was happening, she threw her arms around his neck, crushing the pages in her hands. Her lips captured his, stealing what little degree of happiness she knew she’d been missing all these years.
Luke was stiff at first, but before she knew it, his hands slipped around her waist and he pulled her tight against his chest. Her breathing grew more shallow, more frantic as she allowed herself to get lost in his touch—his smell.
This kiss was everything she had ever dreamed it would be. Tender and tentative while also scintillatingly passionate.
And it was wrong.
So wrong on so many levels.
Allie gasped as she tore away from him, refusing to meet his gaze as she muttered, “Sorry.” Before he had a chance to utter a single word, she’d blown through the door and out into the darkness. The cool air stung and nipped at her cheeks compared to the flames that had burst between herself and Luke while inside his office.
She wouldn’t stop running until she got to her car, and once there, she’d dive inside. It was the only place that could protect her from all the terrible decisions she’d made tonight.
Letting her heart lead her tonight had been the first downfall of the evening. Allowing it to go rogue at the last minute destroyed any shot she had at keeping things… normal between them.
Allie covered her face with both of her hands, willing the embarrassment to disappear but to no avail. The worst part was that she’d have to see him again and again. Not only because she taught his daughter, but because she’d volunteered.
When would her heart finally get the hint? Luke wasn’t interested in her. He never would be. And now he was going to treat her different all because she couldn’t keep her hands to herself.
CHAPTERTEN
From the momentAllie left Luke’s office, he was frozen. He stared at the closed door, unsure of what to do next.
Could he be in shock after a kiss?
