“Six,” he corrected, his eyes twinkling. “I’m twenty-three.”
“Actually, smartass, five,” I shot back.
“You’re eighteen?” he said, his jaw dropping.
“Yes.” I smirked. “Remember? I’m repeating this year. That makes me eighteen, and legal in many countries for various activities.”
We both fell silent as we climbed into the car. Did I really just say that?
God, I needed a gag; anything to stop me talking. I buckled up my seatbelt, loving the feel of the low seats.
“You sure you can handle this thing?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. It worked.
He winked at me as he revved the engine before slamming it into gear. I laughed as we took off down the street, smoke ripping up under the wheels. “Sorry. I guess I should be acting a little more responsibly, huh?” he chuckled, his eyes bright with excitement.
“I don’t know, I’m liking this side of you. And besides, it’s the weekend. You have to let your hair down sometime.” I liked the idea of him letting his guard down around me. It told me that he didn’t see me as a student. The thought made my stomach somersault.
***
“So, tell me about you. You love fast cars and horror movies; what else is there to know about Mr. Reid?” I asked, licking the last of possibly the best chocolate mousse I’d ever experienced off my spoon.
“Well, for one, my name is Dalton,” he replied, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Okay, Dalton.” I giggled. Dalton. I loved that name.
“It’s just my mom and I. Dad died when I was fifteen. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, though originally I wanted to go with elementary.”
“Why did you go with high school?” I asked curiously.
He shrugged. “Last minute decision,” he said with a smile.
I laughed. “Oh, I bet you’re regretting that now,” I teased.
“I have no idea what you mean.” He looked at me innocently, and then his face broke into a smile. “Okay, teaching teenage girls is pure hell.”
I giggled. “Come on, it can’t be that bad. A couple of hundred girls, all thinking you’re a god? That’s got to boost the ego.”
“A couple of hundred girls all under the age of eighteen,” he corrected dryly.
“I’m not,” I said lightly, surprised by what was coming out of my mouth.
“Yeah, well you’re the exception,” he said.
The exception. I liked being the exception. I met his gaze, his eyes burning into mine. My face began to heat. How could I not read into things when he was staring at me like that? I felt naked under his gaze.
Had I imagined the change in his behavior since he found out I was eighteen? Did that make a difference as to how off-limits I was?
“You know, given the right circumstances, we could have almost crossed paths in college,” I began, my tone light. “I mean, if I was in college this year, and you had continued with your studies, like a PhD or something.”
He nodded, those deep blue eyes boring into mine. “Do you have a point?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Would you have batted an eyelid at going out with a freshman? Probably not. I guess I’m just saying under different circumstances . . . ” I let my voice trail off, hoping it sounded deliberate. In truth, words had deserted me.
Had I just propositioned my teacher? Yes, yes I had.
To my relief, he laughed. “You said you’re going to study law, right?”
I nodded.
“That’s good. You certainly give compelling arguments.” He waved down the waitress and smiled at me. “I think we should get you back home before you get me in trouble.”
***
He dropped me back at my car just before ten thirty. I was shocked at how late it was. We had been talking for hours. I felt so relaxed around him, yet at the same time nobody had ever had me feeling so damn wound up.
“So, you still want to see this movie tomorrow?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Are you asking me out?” I asked, my tone sweet.
“No. I’m merely trying to broaden the cinematic knowledge of one of my students.” His expression became serious. “Asking out one of my students would be incredibly unprofessional on my part, and unethical. I wouldn’t take advantage of you like that.”
“What if I wanted to be taken advantage of?” I moved toward him, very slowly, gauging his reaction. He held his breath as I edged closer, until our lips were almost touching. I paused, looking into his eyes, so desperately wanting to feel his lips against mine but not wanting to step over that boundary without him wanting it equally.
He tilted his head so his lips brushed over mine, the sensation making me dizzy. His hand wandered up to my face, his fingers gently running along my hairline. Then suddenly my lips were crushed up against his with a passion even I wasn’t expecting.
As quickly as it began, he was away from me, his eyes a mixture of lust, regret, and confusion. I was a hot mess. My heart was beating out of control, I felt hot and cold and lightheaded. Thank God I was sitting down, or I was sure I’d have ended up fainting.