Catch me a miss

of course, at the table right by the toaster. Beside her were Beth and Jasleen. It would be a full interrogation, then. Cherry settled down into the last empty seat and gave them her breezi

hat you mean.” “Spill the beans. Don’t keep him all to yourself, you slut.” Cherry faked a gasp. “You’re one to talk, Elizabeth Briggs. Weren’t you caught with that mousy mathematics teacher at the Christmas

gers in front of Cherry’s face. “Have we lost you, darling?” “Oh, bugger off,” Cherry said, but there was no heat in it. “I’m sure half the teachers must have seen him by now, anyway. I heard he was getting the grand tour.” “Maybe they have,” said Jasleen. “But they’d rather die than tell us anything.” There was a strict hierarchy at the Academy, you see. Well— less a hierarchy, more a clear boundary. Teaching staff on one side, and everyone else—admin, I.T., finance, cleaners and groundskeepers—on the

s jaw. She wasn’t one for facial hair, but— Rose kicked her under the table. Oh, yes. Talking. “Mr. Ambjørn,” she said, to hide the fact that she didn’t know what else to say. Speechlessness wasn’t something Cherry experienced. Ever. Yet here she was, flapping about like a fish. It was his fault. He’d surprised her. He had the grace to step in and save the conversation from collapse. “Could I steal you for a second? I have a small question, and I know you’re just the woman to answer it.” “Oh! Of course.” Cherry turned back to the table, grabbing her handbag. Then she stood as

Mr. Ambjørn?” His lips twisted, part amusement and part discomfort. “Ruben. Just call me Ruben.” I’d rather not. It gives me ideas. “Alright. Ruben.” He ran a hand through his hair, pushing the dark, wavy strands off of his face. They sprang back into place immediately. “Listen,” he said slowly. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. Feel free to tell me to go fuck myself…” Fuck yourself? That would be an awful waste. “But I was wondering if we could have lunch together?” Cherry blinked. “You mean… you’d like company in the cafeteria?” He licked

ver the back of her knuckles, and a spark of electricity trailed from the point where they touched to the tips of her tightening nipples. With every stroke of his thumb, the current pulsed harder. Fuck. “Let me take you out,” he said softly. It was less of a suggestion, more of a command. Everything he said possessed an edge of confidence, the kind that made it clear he was used to being obeyed. That shouldn’t have added to Cherry’s attraction, but she was a grown woman; she’d learned a while back that should and shouldn’t had

orse, he said, “Thank you.” Well, she told herself. She couldn’t change her mind now. He might be sad. And she’d hate to make him sad. Right, because you always put the needs of random men above your own. Cherry pushed that thought away. It was her birthday, for God’s sake. She could take a day off fr