The Not Gate (Tom and Alice #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

essay,’ Alice smiled sadly.
    ‘What? Why?’ she said under her breath, ‘…you always do the homework.’
    ‘I don’t know?’ Alice looked at Tom. This felt like a sad day to be her. It just didn’t sit well, any of it, but she was going to have to do it anyway.
    Mr Chambers removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He took the well-loved copy of Jane Eyre from his desk drawer and opened it.
    ‘Everyone get your books out. Chapter fourteen, we’ll start with some reading aloud,’ Tom started reading from the book his voice again catching her off guard, it was so incredibly sexy. He was so sensual. His lips, his face all so inviting… did she really want to make him mad?
    No choice.

    Alice reached into her bag and made a point of looking for something. He glanced momentarily in her direction, but continued. A few minutes and a lots deep breaths and false starts later she took out a packet of Skittles. She proceeded to open them noisily and place two of the colourful little fruit sweets into her mouth.
    Emily looked at her in horror and sidled towards the other end of the desk, clearly wanting no association with Alice’s sudden and uncharacteristic madness.
    Tom stopped reading. The class that was already silent, felt more so, if that was even possible? Some people looked at Mr Chambers anticipating his reaction. While others just gaped at her.
    Tom looked at her, but didn’t meet her eyes full on. His face turned red and she thought he blew out a slow breath. His jaw tightened a little.
    Wait for it.
    She braced herself .
    ‘Save that for break time, Miss Rutherford,’ was all he managed as he turned back to the book. ‘In fact would you like to be the first to read to the class? You continue with Jane’s lines and I’ll pick up Mr Rochester’s,’ his tone cut at her like a sharp blade.
    ‘Yes,’ she squeaked.
    ‘Stand up,’ he ordered.
    She stood quickly. That really threw her. If it had been one of the boys the sweets would be in the bin at the very least. She began reading nervously where he’d left off.
    “ I am willing to amuse you, if I can, sir - quite willing; but I cannot introduce a topic, because how do I know what will interest you? Ask me questions, and I will do my best to answer them, ” Alice paused from reading and looked up. Tom was looking at her. A shadow of arrogance laced his expression.
    “ Then, in the first place, do you agree with me that I have the right to be a little masterful, abrupt, perhaps exacting, sometimes, on the grounds that I stated, namely, that I am old enough to be your father,” he paused and moved his hand to the back of his neck, “and that I have battled through varied experience with many men of many nations, and roamed over half the globe, while you have lived quietly with one set of people in one house?” Tom looked a little flustered now and he walked slowly towards the other side of the room.
    Alice carried on, “Do as you please, sir.”
    “That is no answer; or rather it is very irritating, because a very evasive one. Reply clearly,” Tom’s voice was all she heard now.
    She felt hot, flush. It felt suddenly incredibly intimate, like they were the only two people in the room. She looked over at where he stood and watched him waiting on her, breathing and waiting.
    “I don’t think, sir, you have the right to command me, merely because you are older than I,” Alice smiled she couldn’t help it, a small smile, “or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.”
    ‘Very… good Alice, um thank you.’ Mr Chambers cleared his throat, ‘read the next two pages in silence, I’ll be back in a minute. I’ve forgotten some worksheets,’ he strode out of the classroom. Annoyed? Banging the door shut behind him.
    ‘Skittles? What the fuck?’ Emily spat out the minute the coast was clear.
    Alice sat back down, ignoring her friend.