Two Week Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page B

situation. A rookie move.”
    She had to pinch herself to make sure this was real. That big bad John was apologizing to her. “Um…well, you were trying to protect me.”
    “Intentions don’t matter. Actions do.”
    She almost laughed at that. Wasn’t that something she said to her kids all the time? How odd to have her own words echo back to her from someone who had never heard her say them.
    She relaxed back against her desk and tried to find something neutral to say. “So, um, was there a reason—”
    A knock interrupted her. Then before she could say anything, the doorknob turned and in walked Brad, the ninth-grade social studies teacher and her date for tonight. “Hey, did you know there are two broken platters outside your door?” He pulled up short when he saw John. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t know you were with a…parent?”
    John turned to look at the newcomer, his gaze flat and his lips curved in a slight sneer. He looked every inch the intimidating cop even if he was Air Force Security. Part of her was tempted to wait, see what John would say at being asked if he was a parent. But the greater part of her was embarrassed for her date to meet the man she’d lusted after for ten years.
    “Um, Brad, this is my friend John. He’s Sam’s friend from the Air Force. In fact, he and Sam were on the football team here ages back.”
    Brad’s expression shifted slightly, moving from curious to guarded, but he still held out his hand. “Oh yeah, the MP. You just had a welcome home party.”
    John was slow to take Brad’s hand and when he did, Alea watched her fellow teacher wince. John must be doing the crush-the-other-guy’s-hand thing. “Air Force Security.”
    Brad nodded slowly, obviously unsure. Alea filled in the details.
    “Cops aren’t called MPs in the Air Force. They’re security.”
    “Oh, okay. Cool.” Then he smiled and pulled back his hand. That was Brad. Friendly to everyone, though from the way he was flexing his fingers, John hadn’t been nice. Neanderthal. She made sure her expression emphasized her thoughts. Then she turned her most brilliant smile on Brad.
    “You were saying?”
    “What? Oh right. Actually, I was coming here to ask Italian or Chinese for tonight.”
    “Chinese.” She was in the mood for some sweet and sour tonight. Apparently her body was all for contradictions these days—Neanderthal guys who kissed hot enough to make her body tingle for hours afterwards. An old friend who tackled kids and yet still made her knees weak because he was trying to protect her. Why couldn’t she go for simple guys with nice smiles?
    Oh wait, she was. Date tonight with Brad. “How about I meet you there?” She didn’t have to ask where. She and Brad had been friends long enough that she knew his favorite restaurants all over Jacksonville.
    “I don’t mind picking you up. I’ll bring you flowers and candy. It is a real date, after all.”
    Yes, she knew it was a real date even though they’d been friends for the last two years. Which meant his words were aimed at John, who was standing there like a glowering security officer. God save her from testosterone wars. Though a tiny, evil part of her couldn’t resist poking at John. Let him see that other guys wanted her. Other guys treated her with flowers and candy.
    “You’re so sweet,” she said with beaming smile. “All right. My place at six. And my favorite flowers are—”
    “Tube roses. Yes, I know.”
    She chuckled as John’s expression turned stonier and a dull flush rose under his shirt collar. She’d usually correct Brad to tell him her favorite flowers were sprigs of lavender, but to admit that now would defeat the purpose. So she kept up her flirtatious smile. “See you at six.”
    Brad grinned right back. Sadly, it left her cold. He was the freckle-faced friend from the classroom down the hall. They could talk education for hours, but sexual attraction? Apparently, all her body wanted were cavemen. But she kept