My second grade students guerrilla glued my pants.
Don’t ask.
And the attending physician, Johnny, as i can’t get it off is single handedly the handsomest man I ever met.
Ever.
I mean seriously.
Sure I flirted. You would too. Any woman with a pulse would have.
And our heated moment was just that.
Or it was supposed to be.
Turns out he’s a single dad. And his son is in my class.
HIs son’s always picked up by his nanny, so we’d never met.
Until she quits and he’s stuck.
He offers me the job of professional nanny after school for the rest of the year.
And he’s right, I do have the time.
But I wasn’t expecting the magnetic attraction he stirs in me.
He says he didn’t see me coming either. But he has a bevy of potential women chasing after him.
And I’m now the hired help.
What I’m not saying is how I wish I actually believed in happily-ever-after.
And I never expected what happened to us.

Olivia Steel

I nodded at the builders, as it wasn’t their fault that I had extra work because everything in the inner courtyard was soaking wet. The plants might not mind, but broken balloons were everywhere.

Whoever thought water balloon fights were funny had never had to step in the mud to pick up the remaining bits of plastic. It was the not-fun life of a teacher, but maintenance wouldn’t get all of it, and the principal had sent us out after the students left.

As I stepped toward a ladder, the workers astride called out, then a red powder they were working with drifted down onto me in a thick cloud.

I blocked my nose and mouth. Who knew what that was? The builders screamed at me in a language I didn’t understand. The art teacher, Mrs. Nunes, waved for me at the door.

I tugged at my pants and asked, “What is wrong with my jeans?”

My coworker tugged on my hand and said, “Better go. The principal is looking for you.”

My clothes itched, and my skin was raw. The powder must have had an allergen that affected me, but I rushed down the hall.

When I reached the door of the principal’s office, he said, “Miss Steel, please come in.”

I patted my clothes. They felt stiff. I said, “Sorry about the mess in the courtyard.”

He closed the door behind me and said, “That’s not what this is about.”

I was wet and strangely sticky. I needed a shower. “It’s not?”

He stood beside me and crossed his arms. “No. I’m sorry, Ms. Steel, but you’ve been put on the surplus list.”

I backed up. Does this mean I’m fired?

His head went down, and he said, “With social distancing, our number of students went down, which means our school cannot afford as many teachers, and your seniority is low.”

Damn. How will I afford to live? I wasn’t lucky like my sisters. I’d made do on a teacher’s salary that afforded me a one-bedroom apartment in the working-class part of town. My heart raced, and I asked, “What does this mean?”

He nodded and said, “It means any school in the district who needs a teacher will first hire from the surplus list, but as many families are considering alternative education, numbers might be down at all schools.”

No. No. No. I tugged at my clothes, and it was like I was glued. My skin burned. I couldn’t scream in pain in front of the principal, so I lowered my head and let out a sigh. “Okay.”

He opened the door for me and said, “Well, thanks for coming in. None of us will know more until the fall, but if I could, I’d hire you back.”

“Thank you, Mr. Williams,” I said, as I wasn’t sure what else to say. Then I raced to my classroom to grab my pocketbook with my phone and cards, but it was like I’d been attacked by a swarm of bees, and I was starting to lose it.

As I made it back to the hallway to head to my faithful car, my heart began to race. The burning grew. I tugged at my pants to get them off.

Barbara Nunes came out and asked me, “Are you okay, Olivia?”

My entire body was on fire. I shook my head. “Look, I need to go.”

Her gaze narrowed, but she sped up to walk with me. “Why?”

Adrenaline rushed through me, and I could have sworn my neck started to swell, but I said, “I can’t take my shirt and pants off, and I’m itching and sticky everywhere.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

I jiggled and said, “My skin doesn’t feel right. Maybe soap will work.”

She snapped her fingers and said, “Wait. The builders fixing the walls are using some powder glues, and your pants were wet from the water fight.”

I breathed fast and asked, “That was glue?”

She opened the door for me at the parking lot and said, “Go to the hospital, sweetie.”

Bradley, a student in my class, had a dad who was a hot doc, but there was no way I would see him.

I bounced on my toes and shook my head. “I’ve been put on the surplus list.”

“You still have health insurance, and this was a work accident.” She said it like she understood everything, which she probably did. She’d worked as a teacher for thirty years. “Go. I’ll fill out an incident report, but text me so I know you’re okay.”

I jumped into my car and heard Mrs. Nunes’s voice in my head. Hospital. I drove on autopilot, but soon I was in an unbusy ER.

Nurses guided me into a room, checked my temperature and my throat, and wrote down my symptoms.

One squeezed my hand, but then she left. A minute later, Bradley’s dad, Johnny Dawes, a sexy-as-hell single dad I’d flirted with because of his handsome face, came in with a clipboard and asked, “Care to tell me how this happened, Olivia?”

Damn. He remembered my name. I want to run my hands through that short hair. He wore a white jacket and a killer smile that sent a zing through my veins.

I couldn’t look at his sexy brown eyes. “Water balloon fight in the courtyard, then powder glue was tossed at me.”

He came closer, and my nerve endings tingled like he’d checked me out, though he said, “Well, I’m going to cut your clothes off and scrub your skin.”

My entire body was hot, and it wasn’t a fever—at least I didn’t think so. He then went to the sink and prepared a bowl of hot water and soap, creating a foaming concoction. I was light-headed, and I felt a shiver full of pleasure.

I sniffled and said, “Okay.”

The parent–teacher meeting I’d had with him had me wishing I weren’t his son’s teacher. I guessed now I wasn’t. He came back and took scissors to my short shirt sleeve and washed my skin, then he cut some more.

Tears came out of my eyes, and he asked, “Are you crying?”

He glanced at my shirt. He must have had a radar for my nipples, which were like stones, though they shouldn’t ache for his touch. My bra must have protected my breasts as he cut, and it came off easier.

However, I couldn’t stop my reaction and feeling overwhelmed. I said, “I had a bad day.”

His fingers being on my skin made me tingle, which was crazy, since my body was still itching. He motioned for me to lie down, and I complied as he asked, “Is there someone we should call? A boyfriend?”

He moved his scissors nearer to my bra, and I glanced at the door. Our flirting had been the closest thing to romance I’d had in a year. No one was near us, but I ignored how my body craved his touch. I swallowed as he cut my shirt all the way down, but I tried to answer him. I was breathy when I said, “Not really. No boyfriend.”

His gaze narrowed on my lips, and I imagined his kiss would rock my little world as he started on my jeans with those scissors. He even licked those sexy lips of his then asked, “Are you ready for me now, Miss Steel?”

My eyes fluttered, but his words sounded more like flirting, as he was already cutting. All year, I’d wanted him, and my lips were like magnets seeking his touch. It wasn’t like me, but I nodded. “Yes.”

His hand being near my underwear as he cut my clothes off sent a thrill through me.

“My son loved being in your class.”

Right. It was all business for him. I was the only one imagining us kissing. I needed to get my reaction to his sexiness under control. However, as his hand freed my sticky skin, I imagined myself naked and under him. I was sure the hairs on my body stood higher, which wasn’t good, as they could stick to my glued jeans. I sucked on my bottom lip as he went lower on my thigh and asked, “Did you talk to Bradley and find out if he got all wet?”

“Not like you. He ducked,” he said and continued to cut my pants. “Though having you lying down like this is an extra treat.”

Wow. He was flirting. His son had tried to be a punk at first, but in the end, he’d been one of my favorites. I guessed that attitude was hereditary. I curled my lips higher and said, “Bradley’s grandmother was always nice when she picked him up, but she never spoke about you much at all.”

I’d tried to wrangle more information about the sexy doctor a few times, but she’d been close-lipped.

His nose wrinkled. “She’s not his grandmother but the nanny, and she quit today.”

”Quit?” I’d seen her an hour ago, and she apologized about my being wet. Bradley had been one of the boys with the water balloons.

He finished cutting the outside of my pants legs, then he started at the bottom of the insides. If he went near my girly parts, I would burst into an inferno. I’d worn my old cotton panties, and they had a few strings on the ends. My body tingled in anticipation, though I ignored the heat and asked, “So where is Bradley?”

He continued cutting my pants. My heart beat faster as he neared the apex of my thighs.

Damn, if he takes me here and now, I’ll write a letter of recommendation. My pent-up desires had chosen a hell of a time to flare up, but I was so turned on.

Common sense deserted me. He didn’t say a word about my frayed blue underwear and continued to cut the pants as he said, “In my office. Come by when you’re done.”

I could have sworn he brushed my girly parts, but I wasn’t sure. The sensation was so light, and I was filled with need.

I sucked my lip and prayed his son stayed in the office, so he wouldn’t see us if we were bad. My instincts whispered that he was into me too.

Damn. I was a disaster. I’d lost my job, and I suddenly went all achy with desire.

Once he finished cutting, he straightened and had the nurse come in to scrub. Her hands were cold and efficient. My gaze was fixed on sexy Dr. Dawes as he disappeared into the hall. I called out, completely unlike me, and said, “If you lend me some scrubs, I’ll happily go for ice cream with him.”

He popped his head back in, and my chest stilled as I saw the twinkle in his eye. He nodded and said, “I’m almost off shift, but he’d like that. Let the nurse take care of you.”

Whatever the nurse told me went in one ear and out the other. I imagined what I would have done if I’d ever met Bradley’s father outside of the parent–teacher nights, at least until she said, “You and Dr. Dawes seem close.”

“We are.” The words tumbled out of my mouth, and my cheeks heated. I didn’t know much about him. My head was in the clouds, and those words were meant for my dream diary.

She patted my hand and said, “I thought so.”

What the fuck is wrong with me? We weren’t anything, but I kept my mouth shut the rest of the time, and soon enough, I had some hospital scrubs to wear and a prescription for my skin.

As I left the room, a warm hand grabbed my wrist and spun me around and into a closet.

For one second, I thought he would ask what had just happened, but my chest heaved into sexy muscles, and my eyes fluttered shut.

A second later, hard lips met mine. I curled my hands around his neck and let the moment happen.

The world went black, and I was hot and bothered and achy for more.

Then his lips left mine, and my sexy doctor squeezed my hand.

I followed him out of the closet, and I saw his wide shoulders.

I’d never been kissed like that, forbidden and wanton. If anyone saw us, my lie of omission was sealed. When we entered his office, Bradley, a short-haired seven-year-old who made me laugh, waved at me.

I said quickly, “Hey, Bradley.”

He glanced up and down my green scrubs and put his video game down. “Miss Steel. Dad said he was off to see you because you were his patient.”

My relationship with Bradley made what I’d said to the nurse not a total lie. And that kiss made me wonder if he’d been interested when we’d done all that flirting the previous year. We were close through his son, but my hair still stood on end. I met Bradley’s dark gaze, the same as his father’s, and said, “After the water balloon fight, the builders dropped some glue on me.”

He rushed over and hugged me. I went to my knee to let him. As he let me go, he said, “Glad my dad fixed you then.”

I stood, and he slipped his hand into mine when I said, “Me too. Let’s go for ice cream.”

“I’m excited,” he said.

His father put his hand on my back. My skin came alive because of him. He asked, “It’s my break. Can I join you both?”

“Sure,” I said, though I wanted to offer myself to him as dessert.

Damn, where did that thought come from? I hadn’t ever been so into a guy. I really needed to let the fantasy play out in my mind when I got home, then maybe I would be more at ease. For the moment, I would spend more time with him. I let out a breath, and we headed toward signs that read Cafeteria.

I picked out my favorite ice cream sandwich, Dr. Dawes picked out a melted-chocolate-covered ice cream bar, and Bradley went for a premade hot fudge sundae. At the register, Dr. Dawes paid for all three, then we headed outside and found a metal table to enjoy the fresh air and hopefully cool me down.

Dr. Great Kisser asked, “Miss Steel, what are your summer plans?”

I unwrapped the vanilla ice cream sandwich and avoided his gaze. “Olivia, and I guess I’m looking for another job.”

“What? Why?” Bradley’s voice was high pitched, and his words came out fast.

I shrugged and pretended I was fine when I said, “Not enough students next year. So I’ve been put on the surplus list.”

Dr. Dawes stared at me, and I could have sworn he could see right through my clothes as he asked, “Olivia, have you ever thought about being a personal nanny and tutor?”

The ice cream dripped onto the table, but I didn’t move as I said, “Wait. What?”

He bit into the chocolate covering his ice cream. It never tasted like real chocolate to me. Once he finished his bite, he said, “Bradley needs someone to stay with him when I’m working, and I’ve never liked daycare facilities.”

Yet many people chose that option, and it was always on the table. I took a napkin to clean up my mess. A moment later, I grabbed another to hold my ice cream with and bite. The day was warm, and the ice cream helped cool my fevered fantasies. As I finished my bite, I asked, “What about his mother?”

Bradley interrupted. “My mom died when I was born.”

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, and my gut twisted. I read all of my students’ profiles, and a quick memory of reading that fact flashed in my mind. I ignored how my heart twisted and said, “I think I knew that, but it’s been a trying day, and I’m not thinking straight.”

“It’s okay.” Dr. Dawes finished his ice cream then cleaned up the wrappers. Then he said, “Look, you need a job and I need a nanny and tutor. One that can make learning fun, and Bradley likes you.”

Work for him? Seriously? Does this include the bed? And why does that question make me cross my legs and wish? Yet there was no way I would put myself in a situation again in which I had to be near him and restrain myself or ignore my feelings. I finished my own ice cream and said, “I don’t even know what to call you, Dr. Dawes.”

He reached out and squeezed my hand like we were friends and said, “Johnny, please. The job pays one hundred thousand, and all expenses are paid for group travel.”

Whoa. That was more than double what I made as a teacher. I tugged my ear and asked, “What travel?”

Johnny said, “I get two weeks off soon, and I wanted to take Bradley somewhere. If you take the job, you get a say in where we go. Also, your living expenses go down, as it’s a live-in position.”

Live in his house too. No. I wasn’t about to go crazy and make a decision based on lust. I jumped out of my seat and went to throw away the trash. When I returned to the table a moment later, I knew I would absolutely not accept the job. However, I only said, “I don’t know. It’s time I go home. Bye, Bradley.”

Johnny took out his wallet and handed me a card and said, “Here is my business card, Miss Steel, and that’s my cell phone. Please let me know soon.”

Just never call him. I hugged Bradley and said, “Goodbye. Thank you for helping me today.”

Then I flipped around and headed out quickly.

There was no way I would ever take the job, but Johnny would have a starring role in my dreams. I would probably write about him many times in my morning diary, but that was all he would ever be.