His blue eyes flash with heat. “Right now, I’m kissing my girl.”

“Your girl?” I can’t help but preen at his words.

“Mine.” He smirks. “You okay with that?”

“All yours.”

“Buckle up. I’m taking you somewhere.”

“Like on a date?” I sound giddy. Too excited. But I can’t help it.

His expression grows stormy for a moment. “I wish I could take you out in public, but—”

“It’s fine,” I rush out. “I promise.”

“Sweetheart…”

“Callum, it’s fine. I know what this is. We have to keep it a secret. Going to a restaurant together isn’t smart. I’m just happy to get to spend time with you.”

He watches me for a beat and then leans forward to press a kiss to my nose. “You really are my sweet, perfect girl.”

Publicly dating is overrated.

I’ll take our secret rendezvous over a regular date any day of the week.

As long as we get to spend that time together, I’m happy.

For once, I’m truly happy.

Chapter Fifteen

Callum

I’m a total prick.

Willa, my sweet girl, deserves to be taken around and shown off like the prize that she is. She’s adorable and intelligent. If she were even a year older, and not in my class, it probably wouldn’t be such a big deal.

But since I’m in a position of power over her and am responsible for teaching her, this could go sour quickly if anyone found out.

Dad would take pride in shaming me for doing, essentially, the same shit he did when I was in high school. Wyatt would fire me on the spot. And Hugo?

Fuck.

That’s the worst of it.

My actions directly affect my brother.

“Where are we going?” Willa asks once we’re on the road.

With my fingers threaded with hers and resting on her thigh, it feels natural. Like we’ve been together a lot longer than a few days. It’s a little terrifying how hard I’m falling for this girl. To my defense, I’ve wanted her since she stepped foot into my classroom months and months ago.

“I’m going to take you home and cook for you.” I glance over at her. “Is that okay?”

“Yes. I’m excited to see your house.”

I give her hand a squeeze and try to ignore the swelling anxiety as I get closer to the turnoff to Park Mountain where we all live. My windows are tinted, but you can still see in the front windshield if you’re looking hard enough. I’m hoping Dad isn’t home and that Jamie is busy doing whatever it is Jamie does all day.

“Most of my family lives on this road,” I explain as I turn. “That’s where my dad lives with Dempsey and Gemma, and their mother.”

“Your stepmom?”