He walked past me to the refrigerator. “Where’s my breakfast?”
I giggled. “In the refrigerator, waiting for you to prepare it.”
He grinned. “I forgot to set my alarm clock, so thanks for waking me.”
“Not a problem, roomie,” I said, trying to keep things light.
“You can come into my bedroom, you know. You don’t have to yell from the kitchen. I think we’re close enough friends after sleeping together last night.”
Mmm. Sleeping with Jesse Drake. I loved the way that sounded coming out of his mouth. Except he literally meant “sleeping,” which was kind of disappointing.
“I didn’t want to just barge in,” I said, lying about the fact that I’d done exactly that and watched him sleep for a few moments. “I’m going to stop at Starbucks. Want anything?”
He stopped taking stock of the contents of his refrigerator, and then he closed the door and turned to look at me.
“Have you ever had their oatmeal?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“World’s best oatmeal. Grab yourself one, too. Get all the goodies with it. Wait,” he said, and he headed to his bedroom for a moment and then came back. He handed me a card, and I felt an electrical spark when his fingers brushed mine. “Use this.”
I glanced down at it and saw he’d given me a Starbucks gift card.
“I’ll cover it, Jesse,” I said. “It’s the least I can do since you’re allowing me to crash here.”
He shook his head. “Use it. Besides, I kind of like your company,” he said, his eyes flicking down to my breasts for just a moment and then back up to my eyes. He tried to play it off like he hadn’t just checked me out, but he totally had just checked me out.
“Coffee?” I asked.
“Venti nonfat white chocolate mocha.”
“Hot or iced?
“Hot.”
“And oatmeal?” I asked.
“With the goodies.”
“With the goodies,” I repeated, and then I mock saluted him. “It’ll be on your desk waiting for you when you arrive at work, sir.”
His eyes smoldered as he gazed at me, and then I smiled and headed out the door, the wonderful image of Jesse without a shirt burned into my mind.
What a way to start the day.
CHAPTER 7
Jesse’s house was about ten minutes further from work than I was used to traveling, and with the additional stop at Starbucks, it was almost 7:15 when I arrived at work. I headed toward Jesse’s office to drop off his breakfast, and he was, surprisingly, already in there, looking rather suave in a suit and tie. He always wore a shirt and tie, but it wasn’t often that he paired it with a suit jacket.
“How the hell did you beat me here?” I asked in a loud whisper.
“The advantages of being a dude. I even got a shower in.”
“Thanks for that image,” I said, relishing it as I noticed that he hadn’t shaved.
He grinned as I set down his coffee and oatmeal.
“Thanks,” he said. “Hey, can you close the door for a second?”
I nodded and followed his request. He nodded to the chair where the students usually sat when they visited his office, and I sat in it.
“Are we, uh¸ telling people?”
I shook my head. “Let’s not. I told Quinn, but she won’t tell anybody.”
He nodded.
“I just don’t want things to get weird, you know?” I said.
“Agreed. So this is between us. For now. And apparently Quinn.”
I nodded. “Thanks, Jesse.”
“You’re welcome, Veronica.” God. My name. Those lips. Wow.
“Why the suit?” I asked, trying once again not to drool.
“Presenting at the staff meeting after school.”
“Fuck.”
“You forgot?”
I nodded. “I always forget about our last Monday of the month meeting. What are you presenting?”
He shrugged. “Some shit about scholarships for seniors and letters of recommendation.”
“Sounds exciting. Can’t wait.”
He grinned. “Fuck off,” he said with a mock glare.
“I promise to pay attention, Mr. Drake,” I said in the most flirtatious, breathy voice I could muster. All the female teachers paid attention when he spoke. Shit, even some of the male teachers perked up when he started talking.
There was a knock at the door, and I opened it. “Good morning, Bill,” I said to the man infamous for the Friday afternoon meetings.
“Good morning,” he boomed, clearly caffeinated and ready to start the day.
“Have an outstanding day, Ms. Thomas,” Jesse said.
“You, too, Mr. Drake,” I smiled, and then I took my coffee and oatmeal and headed to my classroom.