Teacher's Pet Read Free

leaning against the wall by the door, gazing at her.  She was once again aware of his impressive height and powerful build.  He was a little different to James: Greek God as opposed to Brick Shithouse.  He made the porch look tiny.  She was also conscious of just how good-looking he was.  Dark-lashed hazel eyes swept over her in a broad gaze, gentle yet intense at the same time.  She felt momentarily uneasy on her own doorstep, and decided to break the silence.
    “Would you like a cup of something, Mr. Richmond?”
    “That would be very nice, Mrs. Johnson.”
    “For a Canadian, you have a very English turn of phrase.”
    He laughed.  It was a deep, comforting sound.  Immediately, she began to relax.  “I’ve been working on it,” he said.
    As he stood back a little to let her pass, Allie felt her arm brushing his.  He made no effort to move away.  She headed straight for the kitchen and started filling up the kettle.
    “Tea or coffee?”
    “Coffee please.”
    He sat down at the table without being asked and glanced at the papers covering it.  “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
    You have no idea , thought Allie, opening the fridge and pulling out a packet of coffee.  “Not at all,” she said.
    “You get marking too, then?  You don’t just watch people teach?”
    She nodded, spooning coffee into the cafetiere as she spoke.  “If only that was all my job consisted of.”
    And they began to talk easily about their common ground: teaching.  Before she knew it, Allie was sitting down, blowing on her drink, telling Paul Richmond all about her job and asking him about his.
    “I couldn’t teach kids,” she said, grinning.  “I don’t know how you do it.”
    “It’s not that bad,” he replied, picking up his mug slowly. “I’m sure you’d be very good at it.”  He looked directly at her.  “Your boys seem…. How shall I put it?  Very well-behaved.  You’ve obviously done a good job there.”  He hesitated.  “You and your ex-husband, of course.”
    Allie could feel her f ace getting warm.  “I wouldn’t go as far as to say that,” she said, looking down.  “But thanks anyway.”
    There was a short silence.  Allie heard him get up.
    “Perhaps I should go,” he began.
    “Oh, no. ”  She looked up again.  “I mean….. Stay if you like.”  He was still gazing at her.  There was fleeting recognition in his eyes. 
    “But you have such a lot to do,” he said, gesturing towards the pile of marking in front of him.  As he moved his arm, she noticed the perfectly sculpted form of the muscles, the smoothness of his golden skin.  Chasing away a vision of his hands on her body, she looked quickly out towards the garden.
    “That can wait until Sunday,” she said.  “I’ve got nothing planned.  You’re welcome to stay for tea, if you want to.”  She was amazed at her own boldness.  She felt as though she had known him for a long time.  When she dared glance at him again, there was a new warmth in his dark eyes.  She smiled at him.  “Only if you’re not busy,” she continued.  “And if you like pizza.”
    “It’s my favourite meal,” he laughed, sitting down again.  “With red wine, of course.”
    “No problem,” Allie said, getting up to turn on the oven.
     
    Picking up his fork, Paul Richmond allowed himself another glance at Allie.  Once he was certain she wasn’t looking.  He was fascinated by the way the evening sunlight played on her thick, wavy hair, turning the blonde to spun gold.  The smooth skin of her arms positively glowed and he fought a sudden urge to reach out and touch her.  Abruptly, he focused on his half eaten pizza again.  What was he thinking?   He couldn’t get involved with anyone.  Not while Caroline was still a warm, vital memory.  He wasn’t ready for another woman.  Not to mention the fact that Allie was the mother of two of his pupils, it was his first week at the school, and he had only just met her.  Some