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  Corey nodded, her jaw clenched, holding in her victorious grin.

  McCormick grunted. “Your office will be located in the athletic building rather than the admin building. You will be surrounded by capable people who can help you if needed. You will not conduct office hours any time after four o’clock. You will email me daily with a list of your appointments, that way I can know exactly who is coming and going from your office. Those terms are nonnegotiable. They are for your safety as well as my boys’.” He stood, using the top of his desk to hoist himself up. “Now, I realize you have come a long way to be here today. We can meet tomorrow morning to go over the paperwork and finalize everything.”

  Holy crap. Corey couldn’t believe her ears when she was spouting all that stuff to the dean. But apparently, it worked. Not that any of it had been a lie, but she had assumed the dean would get angry and throw her out anyway.

  “Thank you so much, Dean McCormick. I promise I won’t let you down. And at the first sign of trouble, I will come to you. I don’t want to see these kids hurt any more than you do.” She got up and grabbed his hand, shaking it until he politely pulled away. She had a job, now she needed a home. “In the job description, it mentioned faculty housing?”

  He came around to her chair, holding his hand out in a gesture that suggested she should start to leave. “Yes, we have a row of houses located on the edge of campus set aside for teachers who prefer to stay here rather than in town. They are small and old, but they’ve been well taken care of. The rent is pretty cheap as well. Are you interested?”

  She took a couple steps toward the door, talking over her shoulder, “I am. I saw some pictures online and they look charming. It would be nice to be able to walk to work every day. Are there any for rent at the moment?” She’d driven all this way praying that she’d be able to stay on campus. The houses in town she’d searched online were much more expensive than her place in Louisiana had been.

  “As a matter of fact, we had one come available last month. It’s already been cleaned, and it comes furnished. Let me get you the key and then you can go home and unpack. Welcome to St. Leasing, Ms. Cooper.”

  Chapter Three

  Corey

  The house was absolutely perfect. The siding was painted light gray and had a crisp white trim. It was small, but had a front porch that went the length of the house. And it literally had a white picket fence surrounding the well-kept yard. There was a large pine tree off to one side, the needles from it a stark contrast to the green grass.

  As she climbed out of her car, she drew in the crisp evening air, so different than the heavy humidity back at home. She couldn’t seem to get enough of it. She was in love. In love with the nature surrounding her, the house in front of her, and the feeling of being on her own after all this time. There was such a difference between feeling alone and feeling independent, and she savored it.

  She’d done it—she had gotten away from the life that was drowning her back in Louisiana, and she finally felt like she could breathe. Like a weight had been lifted off her chest and for the first time, in a long time, she was right where she needed to be.

  Corey walked up to the white front door and used the key to let herself into her new home. It had oak wood floors that looked like they were original to the house. There was a small living room furnished with a cream-colored couch and loveseat. They looked new and like the kind of furniture you could curl up in and be comfortable for hours. One whole wall was bookshelves, full of books. She ran her fingers over the weathered spines. Some old, some relatively new. Maybe everyone who had lived here left their books behind. The little kitchen had light gray and white marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. The bedroom and bathroom off the living room were pretty and feminine.

  For a school that had only a handful of women working on campus, this house was girly. The large bed was covered in fluffy soft white bedding, with white sheer curtains framing a large window that faced the woods behind the house. The bathroom had a claw-foot tub. It was perfect.

  She went out the door in the back of the kitchen and found herself on a small concrete patio already set with beautiful pots full of flowers and some expensive-looking outdoor furniture. Rich kids. Ha, if the dean thought these kids had problems, he should visit the school where she used to work. Then he’d understand her reluctance to think she couldn’t handle life here. The house was more than she ever thought possible as far as faculty housing went. She looked at her watch and saw she had thirty minutes to change clothes and head into town to meet Dominic. She’d been here for only an hour and she already had a new job, a beautiful home, and a new friend. Things were definitely looking up.

  She shrugged off her pencil skirt, white button-down blouse, and red sweater. The bar she passed on her way into town looked more like a boots-and-jeans establishment. She pulled on a well-loved pair of dark jeans, a plaid button-down shirt, and a comfortable pair of boots. She went into the light, bright bathroom and touched up her makeup. She ran her fingers through her hair, grabbed her puffy red vest, and headed out the door. As she walked to her car, she stopped, tilting her head to the side. She swore she’d heard a howl.

  Were there wolves in Colorado? Maybe she should Wikipedia her new home and find out more about it. She took another step down the driveway and heard it a second time. It sounded like it was moving closer. Weird. She jogged the last few feet, got into her car, and pulled away. In her rearview mirror, she swore she saw something run across her neighbor’s yard. It was dark and larger than any coyote she had even seen back home. No, it was dusk. The light was probably playing tricks on her. Besides, even if it was something, the chances that it was an actual wolf were slim to none. It was probably a regular old dog looking for food. Maybe she’d put something out for it tonight.

  Chapter Four

  Dominic

  Dominic sat at the bar, already on his second beer. Practice had given him a raging headache. The boys had been feisty and revved up. It was the temperature. Every time the seasons started to change, they got all riled for a few weeks. He hoped that the long laps around the ball field had worn them out and they would all go back to their dorms instead of heading out to cause trouble. His gaze kept darting to the door. Would she come? Would she be so upset at not getting the job that she would leave town without stopping in to tell him good-bye? She might, hell, he would. He shouldn’t really care either way. It shouldn’t matter if she came or not. He knew for a fact he could leave with his waitress right now if he wanted to. She was cute enough. Doable. But he wasn’t that hard up, and unlike his friends, he tried to never bite the hand that fed him. Or made sure to keep a cold beer in front of him in this case.

  He had almost given up hope when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the door open. In walked Corey, and she looked so insanely hot his dick swelled behind his zipper. She wore her jeans well, and the cool evening air had given her cheeks a slight blush. Every male eye turned in her direction. Dom felt heat surge through his body. Mine.

  Whoa, hold the fucking phone. Mine? Where the fuck had that come from? Maybe he had a brain tumor. She did look edible though, there was no doubting that. Her button-down was tight against her chest, and he wanted to run his fingers through her long hair. What? Nope, he didn’t. He wanted to grab a fistful of her long hair and haul her lips up to his. There, that was more like it. He’d be correcting his thoughts until his brain got it together. No big deal.

  Corey smiled as soon as she spotted him. He sat at the bar, beer in hand, watching her make her way through the small crowd. “Corey, I’m glad you made it. How was the interview?” He readied himself for her reaction. Would she cry? He hoped not. He hated it when women cried. He never knew what to say or what to do with his hands. It was so irritating and uncomfortable.

  She climbed on the stool he’d pulled out for her. “The interview was, uh, interesting. Dean McCormick assumed I was a guy. Then he didn’t want to give me the job when I wasn’t.” She chuckled softly.
“But we talked, or argued really, and in the end he saw things my way. I got the position.”

  Ha. He had a position she could get. Dominic was oddly proud of himself for that dirty comment. ’Bout damn time, words like sweet and cute had been running rampant through his head all damn evening. Wait. She’d gotten the job? “Really? That’s great, congratulations.” He tried to put more enthusiasm than he felt in his voice, but he didn’t think he was doing a good job.

  What the hell had the dean been thinking? Corey wouldn’t be able to handle those boys. Shit, Dominic could barely keep them under control on their bad days, and he was cut from the same cloth. How was this sweet, sexy young woman going to be able to keep them in line? He’d have to talk to the dean first thing tomorrow.

  But tonight? Tonight, Dominic wanted her all to himself.

  Her brows knit. “You don’t really seem all that happy about this. Is something wrong?”

  He shook his head, clearing his throat. “No, nothing’s wrong. The boys can be a handful, but if the dean thought you were up for it, then I’m happy for you.” In no way, shape, or form did he think she’d be able to deal with what the boys were going to try to dish out.

  “Dean McCormick put some pretty strict stipulations on the job. My office will be in the athletic building, I’m guessing so the coaches can keep a close eye on the boys. I can’t conduct office hours after four p.m. and I have to send the dean a list of appointments every day so he knows exactly who’s coming and going. I don’t mind all that though. I really want this job and I know I can help these kids.”

  Dominic didn’t have the heart to tell her that she couldn’t help, because they would never let her get close enough to try. She was young and beautiful, and would only be seen as a challenge, a game. And she definitely needed to stop thinking of these boys as kids. They weren’t kids. They hadn’t been kids for a while now. She had no idea what she was getting herself into. Hopefully, after he talked to the dean, he could get her out of it. Maybe they could find her another position, one where she didn’t have to interact with the students as much? His train of thought was interrupted when the waitress asked Corey if she wanted a drink.

  “Yes, I’d love a Coors Light please.”

  “Coors Light? What? No. She’ll have what I’m having.” He held his beer up for the waitress and then turned to Corey. “You come to Colorado, home of some of the world’s best microbreweries, and order a Coors Light? I don’t think so.”

  Corey laughed and put her hand on his arm. “Okay, you win. I’ll try one of your beloved craft beers. I certainly didn’t mean to insult the microbrewers.”

  Dominic turned toward her, intertwining his thighs with hers. The contact made him light-headed. He wanted to reach out and bring her even closer. When the waitress set the tall beer in front of Corey, she picked it up and took a long drink without taking her eyes off his. She seemed like such a happy, bright person. Easily touching and flirting like it was no big deal. She wasn’t scared of him or even wary of the fact that he was obviously attracted to her. She took it all in stride and seemed like she enjoyed it. Yep, the boys would eat her alive. And she was naïve if she thought otherwise.

  “What do you think? Better than a Coors? If you say no, I’m afraid I can never bring you here again.”

  “It’s good, for sure stronger.” She grinned with her perfect pink lips against the glass.

  “Have another. I can always give you a lift home. This is a celebration. You landed a new job. Go crazy, drink two beers.” Lightweight, he thought. One tiny little pale ale was going to her head? Fine by him, he’d offer her a ride home. He was nothing if not a gentleman.

  Corey pursed her lips, contemplating. “Actually, beer makes me feel so full. Could I get a Jack and Coke please?”

  Dominic raised his eyebrows. Interesting. “I’ll take one of those as well. Jack and Coke? Woman after my own heart. At least you have good taste in liquor.”

  They drank their whiskey and chatted about mindless crap: the weather in Colorado (thankfully getting warmer), the history of the campus (long and steeped in tradition), the baseball team (going to be stellar this year), her cross-country drive here (tiresome but beautiful). Through all of it, the girl kept drinking whiskey. And she didn’t seem even remotely drunk. He on the other hand was starting to definitely feel a little tipsy. Seemed like his plan had backfired. He felt like a pussy. He needed to get his shit together and sober up. He couldn’t let her drive him home, he’d never recover and he’d never get her under him.

  “Are you hungry? They make a great burger here.”

  Corey nodded, her fingers toying with her black straw. “Sure, that sounds great.” Dominic flagged the waitress down and ordered their food. “Need a little sustenance to soak up some of that whiskey, champ?”

  He laughed at the playful notes in her voice. “Honestly? Yeah.”

  She shrugged, a sexy smirk dancing on her lips. “What were you thinking trying to go drink for drink with a small-town Southern girl?”

  He held his hands up in surrender. “You’re the first Southern girl I’ve ever drank whiskey with. I give up, you win, beautiful.” When the waitress came back with their burgers a little while later, he asked for water, making Corey giggle. He tried to tune out the sound ’cause he liked it too much.

  They ate, making small talk between bites. Dominic couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. They way her throat worked when she swallowed, the way she moaned when she took a bite. She wasn’t hiding from him. She ate her whole burger, downed whiskey, and laughed freely. Corey was refreshing, and he wanted her. Without a doubt, he wanted this woman.

  When the check came, Dominic insisted on paying. “This way it’s a date,” he said, grinning. “If any of the guys ask you if you’re dating anyone, and they will, you can tell them yes.”

  “Well, how thoughtful of you, Coach Hardy. Are all the men at St. Leasing as nice as you?” she deadpanned.

  “No, unfortunately they aren’t, so you better stick close to me.” What was going on with his brain and mouth? They had gone fucking rogue. He’d meant for that to sound flirty and sexy. Instead it came out like a creepy AF warning. Call this a date? Stick close to me? What the actual hell? He didn’t want a relationship. He wanted to screw her and then spend the next few weeks avoiding her and making things awkward at faculty meetings. For real, that was the extent of his plan. She looked down and bit her lower lip. Well, fuck, that was hot.

  “I hate to ask, but would you mind following me home? I don’t know my way around, and it’s dark.”

  She was making this so easy on him, she was so trusting. “Of course I don’t mind. I’d be honored actually. Are you staying at the bed-and-breakfast here in town or have you already rented a place?”

  “Luckily there was a place on campus available. I’m staying in four-oh-seven, down at the end of the row of faculty houses.”

  Two houses down from him. Convenient. Maybe he’d keep her around for a while after all. She was so dang close he could run over after practice, bang her, and then be home in time for Sports Center. “You are right down the street from me. We are separated by a lovely English teacher and a not-so-lovely math teacher, both over the age of sixty, and neither has tolerance for noise of any kind.”

  Corey laughed softly. “Good to know. And even better to know that my one and only friend in Colorado lives two doors down. How did I get so blessed?”

  Dominic felt himself cringe. Friend? She needed to stop thinking of him that way ASAP. Unless, of course, she was willing to start adding the words with benefits to the end of it. He absolutely wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Chapter Five

  Corey

  Corey knew her way back to campus. It wasn’t far. But she wanted more time with Dominic. She wasn’t easy; she wouldn’t sleep with him tonight. But a good old-fashioned make-out session sounded like a great idea. He was sexy and single, and she wanted to take advantage of both. She had been on a self-induced man ban
for almost twelve months now. Time to put sad thoughts out of her head and loosen up.

  His truck pulled in behind her SUV in the driveway and he was out of his vehicle opening her car door before she’d even turned off her engine. Eager, wasn’t he? He held his arm out, and she smiled as she hooked her hand around his large bicep. “How chivalrous, Coach Hardy.”

  “I try.”

  When they reached the front porch, she turned toward him with what she hoped was her sultriest grin, kind of innocent with a hint of fire. “Thanks for everything today, Dominic. The directions. The drinks. The companionship. I’m so glad that you were the first person I met here.” He hadn’t seemed to like the word friend when she’d used it back at the bar, and she’d bet the word companionship was setting his teeth on edge right about now.

  “Seems like I was at the right place at the right time. It was a pleasure meeting you, Corey Cooper.” He leaned in with his whole body, but went for her cheek instead of her lips.

  “Mmmm, you smell amazing.” She all but purred. She was playing the game, but in truth he really did smell fantastic. “What kind of cologne are you wearing?”

  He moved away a fraction of an inch and kissed her other cheek softly. “I’m not wearing any cologne. But I’m glad you think I smell good, considering I didn’t have time to shower after practice.”

  She laughed. “Really? You smell mouthwatering, like all my favorite scents rolled into one. I noticed it earlier today. I smelled you before you even said a word to me.” And she had; it was like he had filled the air before she’d known he was behind her.

  His body was close to hers, but still not touching. Corey knew what his game was, leaving it up to her, letting her make the first move. Did he think he was clever? A visionary? And hardly the first guy to use that tactic. But okay, Dominic Hardy, you win this one. When he went to pull away again, she grabbed his shirt in her hands and fused their mouths together. She felt herself immediately melt into him. The kiss was the most perfect first kiss she’d ever had.