So no, she wasn’t interested in dating a bad boy like Reed Miller. Never had been, never would be.
But sleeping with a bad boy? Well…maybe she could get on board with that, especially since AJ didn’t seem to have a problem with it.
The workshop lasted an hour. The moment they wrapped up, all the kids streamed into the locker rooms to change into their street clothes, while Reed and Darcy hung back to gather up the mats and stack them in the corner of the gymnasium.
“You were fantastic with them,” Darcy confessed.
He looked embarrassed. “They’re good kids. I had fun.”
“I’m pretty sure Devon found himself a new hero.” She laughed softly. “He was staring at you like you’d stepped off the pages of his favorite Superman comic.”
“What’s his deal anyway?” Reed asked curiously. “Did he skip a million grades or something?”
She shook her head. “He’s a fifth grader. His mom doesn’t finish work until five, and she doesn’t want him walking home alone, so she has an arrangement with the school that Devon gets to sit in on whatever after-school activity is happening that day.”
“Can’t he take the school bus?” Reed asked as they headed for the double doors on the other side of the gym.
“Yes, but then he’d still be home alone until she got back. Their building isn’t in the safest area, and Monique can’t afford to pay for a babysitter. She’s very protective of him.”
“I don’t blame her. He seems like a great kid.”
They made their way back to the main lobby, pausing near the front doors. Although it wasn’t part of her job description, Darcy liked to make sure her students were all right when they left the school after regular hours, and that the ones who were walking home were doing it in a group.
After the last kid had gone, she turned to Reed and said, “I just need to grab some things from my classroom. You don’t have to stick around.”
His blue eyes flickered with curiosity. “I wouldn’t mind seeing your classroom. “
She swallowed, unsure if it was a good idea for them to be alone for a second longer than they had to. He looked so damn good right now, in those long shorts that hugged his trim hips, and the tank top that outlined every curve of delicious musculature.
“Sure,” she stammered. “It’s on the second floor.”
They ducked into the stairwell, climbing the steps until they reached the second floor landing. The brightly lit hallway was empty, all of its walls adorned with children’s artwork and colorful projects stuck on Bristol boards. Darcy’s key was attached to a spiral bracelet on her wrist, and she used it to quickly unlock the door to her classroom.
Reed’s sharp gaze instantly swept over the room, taking in the neat row of desks, the wall of windows, and the blackboard covered with the grammar exercises she’d assigned for the first English class of the school year.
“I feel like I’ve traveled back in time.” He wandered around the room, amazement clinging to his husky voice. Then he laughed softly, the rough masculine sound sending a shiver through her.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Ah, it’s nothing.” He turned to face her. “Did you get everything you need?”
Nodding, she held up her purse and the big stack of tests she was bringing home to grade. “Yep.” She hesitated. “Would you be able to drop me off at home? I walked this morning, so I don’t have my car.”
“No problem,” he said easily.
They left the school through the back doors, crossing the parking lot toward Reed’s black Camaro. The drive to her apartment wasn’t as tense or awkward as she thought it would be. They chatted about the workshop and what Reed planned on teaching the kids the following afternoon, and by the time they reached her building, she felt completely at ease.
At least until he asked if he could come upstairs.
“I’m dying of thirst,” he said sheepishly, putting the car in park and killing the engine. “FYI—the water fountains at your school suck.”
“Yeah, they tend to drizzle out drops instead of a steady stream,” she answered with a laugh.
“Mind if I chug some water before I take off?”
She hesitated only for a beat. “Sure, come on up.”
Her heart did flip after flip as they rode the elevator to her fourth floor apartment. She wasn’t sure being alone in such close quarters with Reed was a good idea, but what was she supposed to do? Let the man die of dehydration?
Still, AJ’s text message of blessing once again fluttered through her mind as she unlocked the door and gestured for Reed to come inside.
“Don’t mind the teeny size of this place.” She sighed. “It kind of grows on you after a while.”
It was two steps from the front hall to the kitchen, and Darcy hurried to the sink to pour him a glass of water. “Want ice?” she offered.
“Naah, this is perfect. Thanks.”
He drained half the water in one hearty gulp and she watched his strong throat muscles work as he swallowed. Once he finished, he went to fill up the glass again, chugged it as well, then glanced over and said, “So do I get the grand tour?”
She snickered. “Uh-huh. Sure.” She moved to the doorway and pointed to their right. “Living room.” Pointed to the left. “Bedroom and bathroom.” She faced him again. “The end.”