Chapter Text
"I’m still shocked that Mrs. Pearson is really gone," Steph commented as both she and Lucy were walking toward the auditorium.
"I'm not, and honestly I'm glad. I mean, she was bound to retire sooner or later. She deserves to enjoy the spoils of war," Lucy replied sipping her coffee from her travel mug.
"Yeah, but even you got to admit there had to be a higher calling involved," Steph argued. "Wouldn't be surprising if she was persuaded by the superintendent."
"Well, I still believe this will be better for all of us. And who knows, maybe this new guy coming in will be even greater than she was."
She could hear Chet running to catch up with the two of them, almost out of breath.
"Okay, so I heard from Ben, who heard from Woody, who heard from Davey after talking to a teacher in another district, that this guy is going to be a hard ass."
"Oh please he can't be any harder than how Mrs. Pearson was," Lucy rolled her eyes.
"I don't know, from what I heard he is notorious for firing people for no reason other than being a dick. Plus, I also heard he makes teachers go into psychological warfare over where funding goes."
"You don't think he will do that to us do you?" Steph asked, Chet could only shrug.
"Oh my god, this is ridiculous!" Lucy reasoned, stopping in the middle of the hallway to face them. "We are already psyching ourselves up over nothing! Who knows? Maybe the hearsay is just that, hearsay! Now will you two kindly shut up?"
She watched them nod, making her smile brightly before turning around and going back to the task at hand.
Lucy MacLean, a teacher at North Vault Elementary School, prided herself on being the voice of reason. One had to be, dealing with the age group she had to. Kids were brutal and ruthless. But she took it in stride, her philosophy was if she could influence one person then she did her job.
She was not worried about the new year, if anything she was pretty ecstatic. Having Mrs. Pearson retire felt like a breath of fresh air. Not that Lucy didn't like her, she was a great principal for many many years. However, Mrs. Pearson was too...old school. Every time Lucy would come to her with ideas or ask for funds to do field trips for history(her favorite subject), Mrs. Pearson would gently turn her down.
"You're an expressive young lady, you bring history to life when you teach it! No need to waste money on something you can simply give to the students in the classroom. Besides, they are too young to know the real gritty stuff don't you think?"
But now, she will have a new principal to work with. She heard things too, how he was slightly younger and a little bit more understanding of a teacher's needs. She could present her ideas again and actually have someone listen to her this time!
She kept that positive attitude even when she sat down with Steph and Chet waiting for the meeting to start. Vice Principal Moldaver walked to the microphone to speak after everyone settled.
"Welcome again staff! To another year here at North Vault. As many of you have heard by now, Mrs. Pearson has decided to retire so she can spend some time with her husband. We will surely miss her, however, we have amazing news! We will start the new year with a new fearless leader to lead us to great success!"
"Or drag us down to the mud," Steph muttered next to Lucy.
"He is coming to us all the way from Bakersfield, and I for one am very excited about what he brings to the table. Now, please give a very warm North Vault welcome to Mr. Howard!"
Lucy was the first to clap with great enthusiasm, only to stop mid-clap. Her eyes widen in pure horror as her jaw drops.
"God, I don't want school to start back. I can't take another year of parents fussing at me about how a book I want to teach is not appropriate for their child because it's too political!"
"What book did they say was too political?" Lucy asked as Steph groaned out.
"The fucking Lorax!"
Lucy and Steph were having their pre-school year drinking celebration. A tradition they held since Lucy started working for the school. This was the night to throw caution to the wind before hunkering down for work.
Poor Steph felt she got the short end of the stick. Everything was met with such backlash, Lucy understood that more than anything.
"I think we need more drinks, you want more drinks?" Lucy asked as she stood up.
"Yes please?" Steph pouted wiggling her beer bottle at her. Lucy could only laugh, taking it from her hands.
"Of course sweetie," Lucy replied kissing the top of the blonde's head.
"You're so good to me. Did I ever tell you that? You're like...a ray of sunshine."
"So I have been told, I'll be right back." Lucy walked over to the bar, asking the bartender for two more beers. That was when she noticed him, a guy sitting at the bar nursing his own alcoholic beverage. Their eyes met, and she felt almost frozen in place.
The first thing she noticed was him wearing a cowboy hat, something that wasn't uncommon considering the bar was sort of western-themed. But even with the hat on she got a good look at his face. He had to be mid-forties or later, a good tan. Dark hazel eyes locked her in, but his smile was pretty welcoming.
“That’ll be $10.50,” the bartender broke her out of her thoughts. Damn, beer has gotten expensive. She was just about to get her purse when she heard the man speak beside her.
“Put it on my tab,” he had a hint of a southern accent. It kind of reminded her of Kris Kristofferson in A Star Is Born, in other words…sexy as hell.
“Oh! Thank you so much, you didn’t have to do that.” She let out a small laugh but he waved his hand at her.
“It’s no trouble sweetheart,” oh…oh wow. Normally she cringed when men called her pet names, but coming from him had her almost melt right there on the spot. “I’m sorry if this sounds creepy, but I couldn’t notice you and your friend over there are having a large time.”
“Oh! Yeah, we’re both teachers so we are having a big bang before school starts.”
“Oh, you’re a teacher? What grade?” He asked.
“Third,” Lucy replied with a proud smile.
“Third grade huh? My daughter is about to start third grade.” He has a daughter, of course he does. Not that it was a deal breaker for her…why is she acting like he was interested in her? Maybe he is just making small talk.
“Oh, that’s so great! What school is she going to? Maybe I’ll have her in my class!” Suddenly she cringed, this was way too personal. A creepy lady asking a stranger about his child. “I’m so sorry, that was weird.”
“Oh no, it’s not weird at all. She’s going to North Vault.”
“Oh! That’s my school!”
She could see him smile more, god he was handsome! Good teeth too, she liked that. She watched as he moved his hat back a bit so she got a better look at his face.
“Well, maybe I’ll be lucky and have you as her teacher. Gives me an excuse to look at you more.”
She could feel her heart skip as she held her hand out to him for a handshake.
“I’m Lucy,” she introduced herself. The man’s very large hand covering her’s
“Cooper,” he tells her. She looked rather quickly at his hand, no wedding ring…that’s a plus.
“Very nice to meet you, could you um…excuse me? Gotta give my friend her drink. But um, I can come back…if you want.”
“I mean, I’m not going to turn down a pretty thing like you wanting to indulge in my company.” God his voice was like smooth whiskey, if she knew what whiskey even tasted like. She almost pranced getting back to Steph and placed her beer down.
“Hey, you wouldn’t be mad if I went to the bar right? I um-“
“Girl please I have been watching you the whole time. Go, have some fun. I’ll just text Chet to pick me up.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you-“
“Lucy, what have I told you? You haven’t been putting yourself out there since breaking up with Max. Honestly? Super proud you took the first step! Now go, have fun. Just be sure to not spare me any details tomorrow you got me?”
Steph was right, her recent breakup was a bad one. She really thought she had a future with Max, but Max wanted to go to the army. They had a huge fight over it and she had been a mess ever since. Now an opportunity has presented herself and dammit, she was going to have fun for a change. Even if it’s a one-time casual thing.
“You’re the best,” Lucy kissed the top of her head again before making her way back to the bar. By then he pulled the chair out for her with his foot making her blush.
“Sorry, had to make sure she was okay.”
“It’s quite alright, are you her ride home?”
“No, well I was but um…someone is picking her up.”
“Lucky me then huh?” Holy shit she was doomed.
“Guess so!” She giggled and took her seat. The world sort of blurred from that moment on, with only the two of them talking and drinking.
She learned he recently moved after finalizing his divorce. The mom didn’t even put up much of a fight and allowed him to get custody with visitation agreements. He talked about how he was a rider for the rodeo in his youth when an injury caused him to quit(which would explain the cowboy hat.) Since then he decided to go to school in education, and even became an English teacher for a good couple of years! And now he is starting a new job so he can be sure to be close to his daughter.
She in turn talked about herself, how she moved here after college. She talked about her dad and her kid brother Norman, who she still talks to when she can. She also talked about her mom, she too was a teacher. When she passed, Lucy promised she would follow in her footsteps in her memory. A choice her dad was not fully in support of, he wanted her to work in politics with him. But she stuck to her guns, and now she was thriving in her little studio apartment above a cafe with her dog.
They talked about anything and everything all at once. He was so expressive when he talked, using his hands. His accent getting thicker by the minute.
"Say, do you know anywhere that offers horseback lessons? Janey used to love doing those before we had to move."
"Oh my god yes! There is a ranch not far from here that does lessons, you should check them out!" Lucy spoke with such enthusiasm.
"I'll take your word on it, thanks. Do you ride?"
Okay, that sounded very different in her head.
"Oh um...no, never." She shook her head in reply.
"Seriously? Hm, maybe I should show you sometime." The little smirk on his face only confirmed he may have had a double meaning to that.
"It doesn't hurt if you ride a horse?" She asked, remembering his injury.
"Oh no not really, it got a bit better over the years but...hell I'm an old dog now, takes me a while."
"Pff, please you're not that old," she could feel the wave of embarrassment hit her. Oh god, why did she say that?! That was so rude! You just don't comment on someone's age like that! However, he didn't seem to mind her comment. She heard him laugh and take another sip of his cocktail.
"Guess I’m not if I got you to want to talk to me," his voice dropped a bit. Causing her to feel things wake up inside her that she had not felt since the last erotic fiction she read online.
"I mean...well, um..." She could feel her face heat up from the blush. This man had her all kinds of fluttery! He was smart, funny, and he understood the hardships of being a teacher. She could hold a conversation with him without dreading she was talking his ear off. He looked at her when she talked, with deep interest. Max never really did that, he was far too interested in his video games.
"I should be the one to say that. I mean, I've been told I'm a yapper," she said with a giggle. Suddenly she could feel his hand resting on top of her's making little circles with the tip of his fingers. Her eyes moved to meet his, and she was back to being frozen in place by his strong gaze. Oh wow...
"I could listen to you all night if I'm going to be honest," he replied. With his other hand, he tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear causing her eyes to flutter a bit. Maybe it had been a while for her, or maybe this guy was just really good. Everything about him was making her feel things she never felt with Max.
His voice, his cologne engulfing her senses, for a moment she thanked whatever god was out there for this man being divorced. Suddenly he got up, causing her to crash back into the present. She looked slightly confused before she watched him take his hat off and place it on top of her head.
Oh god...oh sweet baby Jesus!
She watched him walk over to the jukebox and select something. A country tune she was not familiar with. Then he slowly strutted back over to her holding his hand out.
"Come on," was all he said as he took her over to the jukebox. He was tall, his hat almost fell off her head when she tried to look up at him making her hold onto it. She heard him chuckle and reached to fix it on her head before taking both of her hands in his. He intertwined their fingers in one and placed her other hand on his shoulder as he rested his on the small of her back.
They swayed a bit to the music for what felt like forever. Just basking in the moment, which was nice for Lucy. Every now and then she would look up at him and catch eyes with him, earning a smile from him. Which of course causes her to smile back.
"You know, it's been a while since um...since I allowed myself to enjoy things a bit." She confessed to him. "I usually busy myself with work and...well this was a nice change of pace."
"I was fixin' to say the same thing," he replied. His voice was much gentler so it was a conversation with just the two of them. "I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to get out there and meet people since, you know...but I was told I had to if I was moving to a new place, and well...I couldn't have asked for better company."
"You're pretty good company too," Lucy spoke with a breath, only to giggle at how silly that sounded. "Sorry...I meant-"
"I know what you meant," Her eyes meeting his again. "I just can't believe that someone as beautiful as you don't have anyone waiting for them at home."
"I...I did but um...we broke up...a while ago."
She felt them stop, him looking at her for a moment before his mouth formed the most gorgeous smile.
"My luck just keeps getting better and better huh?" His hand that was on her back moved over to cup her cheek. "Can I just say? He's a damn fool to let you go. From the little time I've known you...I feel more warmth than I have felt in years."
She kept seeing his eyes flicker to her lips as if asking for permission to kiss her. This was it, now or never. She could have a night of really hot sex with a hot guy or she could back out now and head on home. What chance will she have for this to happen again? And if she never sees the guy again then what is the real harm?
"Do you want to get out of here?" She blurted out, causing him to look at her in shock. She could feel her stomach drop at that moment. "I mean...if you want to. You don't have to of course, I just figured from the little time we made a deep connection and...well I just thought it's the only logical when two people who connect like we have that they go somewhere to like...take it further. Because I find you super attractive and you seem to find me attractive, at least that's the impression I got with the whole hat thing. I mean I read somewhere that if a woman takes a hat off a guy that means she wants to have sex with him, then of course if the guy takes his hat and places it on her head then he-"
All of a sudden she felt his lips against her's in a kiss. At that moment her brain turned completely off. All she could do once it did finally register that he was kissing her was to lean into him, a sigh of sheer bliss. God, he was even a good kisser! It wasn't quick or harsh, this was how one is supposed to kiss. It was slow and sensual. She could even feel his tongue brush against her bottom lip for entry which she took, opening her mouth slightly just for both of their tongues to meet and move against each other.
What felt like forever he pulled away, causing her to move toward him. A noise of great disappointment left her lips and he chuckled at her.
“My place is not far from here,” his voice very heavy. “Let’s get out of here.”
Well, he didn’t need to tell her twice!
She quickly got her purse while he paid for the tab. And out they went holding hands and pawing at each other every chance they got. His hand on her ass when she gets into his car, her hands rubbing on his thigh as he drove them to his place and him grabbing her hand to kiss on it. Then, the thought dawned on her.
“She’s at a sleepover with some girls in the neighborhood,” he spoke as if reading her mind. “She made fast friends.”
Lucy nodded, very relieved. Before she knew it they made it to his place, a rather nice home if she said so herself. She was about to open her door when he pulled her back into another kiss, this time more heated but very sensual. His hands cupped her face to keep her in place until he was satisfied.
With that sexy smirk, he got out of his side to open her door. Holding her hand to get out and did not let go all the way to his front door. As soon as he opened the door he yanked her inside.
“Get on in here girl,” he growled making her giggle out as he shut the door behind them.
Oh no. Oh no, no, no!
She watched in horror as he walked across the stage and shook Moldavar’s hand. He was wearing a black suit and white shirt, obviously no cowboy hat. But it was him, it couldn’t be him! The universe certainly would not play this awful joke on her!
“Thank you all for the very warm welcome,” oh no…not the voice! “Now I know I have some pretty big shoes to fill. But I want each and every one of you to know that this is not about me. This is about you.”
“Oh my god, not this tired speech,” Steph whispered.
“You are the heart and soul of this school. Without you, there is no North Vault. I’m here to provide all the support you need to enrich these kids’ minds. We are all one big family, a well-oiled machine.”
“Fucking Christ,” Chet mutters.
Lucy meanwhile wanted to crawl and die. She honestly didn’t hear all that he was saying. All she could do was have certain scenes play in her head.
Them kissing each other with heated passion as they quickly stripped out of their clothes.
Him looking up at her with a wicked smirk as he moves down between her legs, spreading her apart until his tongue moved against her slit at a very criminal pace.
Her wearing that god-forsaken hat as she rode him and him rasping out a “gatdamn girl.”
She quickly moved her binder to hide her face. Repeating a quiet “Oh my god” making Steph notice.
“Lucy, what’s wrong?” She asked, moving her head to look at her from the binder.
“It’s him, I’m done. I’m so done.”
“Him who?”
“Him! The cowboy!” Lucy hissed, making sure she wasn’t heard and caught. Steph looked confused, Lucy could see her look back at the man before moving her own binder to block her face.
“That’s the cowboy? How can you be so sure?”
“Steph I got a good look at his face, it’s him.” She watched Steph peek from her binder then back at her with a gasp.
“You slept with our new principal?”
“Well, I obviously didn’t know he was going to be our new principal!” Lucy harshly whispered. “I’m done for, I’m fucked!”
“Oh, you’re fucked alright.” Steph may have thought it was funny but Lucy was dying inside. This was a professional setting, she always strived to be the best she could be in being professional.
This man who would decide the funds for her ideas also saw her naked! She saw him naked, every single inch of him...oh god!
She was the first one to rush out of the auditorium with Steph hot on her heels. Once they made it to Steph's classroom Lucy shut the door, pressing her back against it before sinking down to the floor.
"You know, when I said have fun I didn't mean this."
"Steph this is not funny!" Lucy hissed, covering her face in her hands. "What am I going to do?"
"Well, I tell you what you're going to do, keep going." Lucy jerked her head up to look at her. "Come on, it was a drunken night, you really expect him to remember the way you do?"
"You mean... he wouldn't?" Lucy almost sounded hurt at the idea.
"Well from what you told me you slipped off the next morning before he woke up. Yes, you guys saw each other at the bar but...it's a dimly lit bar! I personally think you have nothing to worry about! You just act like nothing is different and I promise you he will be the same, because he will not remember."
Lucy took a deep breath and nodded, maybe Steph was right. Alcohol was involved, and he may not remember the same way she did. She was notorious for having an elephant grip memory. This might be another situation, and it's a situation that got her off the hook.
But was she? Only one way to find out.
She sat at her desk, buzzing with nerves. This day was always worrisome, meeting the kids and parents before the official first day of school. It's usually the time when she could sort of pinpoint who would be trouble and who wouldn't. Yes, that was pretty crappy on her part but it helped her along.
She felt a presence at her door, causing her to look up at smile. The little girl was cute as a button, curly hair with a little yellow bow in it. A blue and yellow outfit to match it.
"Well hello! What's your name?"
"Janey," she smiled a shy smile. Wait, that name sounded familiar. Sure enough, she saw the reason right behind the little girl.
Why the hell did he have to look so fucking good? This time he was back to how he looked when she first met him at the bar minus the hat. His frame leaned against her doorframe with his hands in his jean pockets. He seemed to be keeping his distance just for the two to meet. That didn't stop her heart from hammering out of her chest any less.
Lucy cleared her throat, keeping her composure before she got up from her desk and walked to the girl.
"Well Janey, it is such an honor to meet you!" Lucy smiled more holding out her hand. "I'm Ms. MacLean, and it seems you are going to be in my class this year!"
She watched as Janey looked up at her, almost in awe before taking her little hand in hers in a handshake. At that moment she forgot about him at her door, she was in her teacher mode and being introduced to her student.
"Nice to meet you," Janey spoke with more bravery. "I like your dress."
"Oh? This thing?" Lucy held the ends of her skirt with a laugh. "Well thank you, I like your outfit too! Very sharp."
"Thank you, my daddy helped me!"
And with that, Lucy was back to the bundle of nerves as she watched Janey turn back to him. By that point, he moved from the door frame and walked further in. She took a deep breath of courage before moving her eyes to look at him.
Yep, still fucking hot, god dammit.
"Oh! It's nice to meet you," Lucy smiled. "Mr. Howard right?"
He smiled at her, as if amused nodding at her.
"And you're Ms. MacLean, I was told you were one of the school's best teachers. And who better to teach little Janey here huh?"
He went out of his way to get his daughter in her class. An excuse to see her more.
"Well I-I'm very honored," she laughed out of nerves. "Well um, as you can see I tried to have everything warm and welcome to my kids. Over there is my little story corner, and over there is where I set up a little play area for rainy days."
She could feel her heart hammering, watching him look around but right back to her. She took another breath returning her attention to the little girl.
"What's your favorite subject, Janey?"
"I like history," Janey exclaimed with a big smile. A girl after her own heart, Lucy could feel some of the pressure off of her for a bit.
"Well, you are in luck! History is my favorite too!" Lucy's heart just melted seeing how excited Janey looked. She watched as she looked up at Coo-Mr. Howard.
"She likes history too Daddy!"
"I heard! I think you're in good hands don't you?" He smiled down at her, Lucy watching the exchange. For a moment she forgot about the growing embarrassment of whether he actually remembered her or not. She saw a devoted father with the apple of his eye. She melted at the image, finally feeling at ease.
"Well, that settles it huh?" Lucy gushed, reaching at her desk with a piece of paper. "This is my checklist for my class. She is welcome to keep most of these in her little locker here. I never understood why teachers feel the need for kids to carry their whole class with them home. It's not healthy for their little backs."
He took the paper from her hands, taking a look at it before folding it in half.
"Definitely will need this, thanks," he then looks back at Janey. "Say, why don't you head over to my office a bit huh? Got to talk boring work stuff."
Lucy's heart dropped. What could he want to talk about? Janey sighed in annoyance, but she nodded and skipped out the door. Now they were alone, and the nerves came back.
"I like the way you set up the place," he commented. She let out another nervous laugh.
"Takes some time but, I don't know. I always believed a kid's attitude is determined by their environment. I want to make sure they feel relaxed."
"It's admirable, most teachers don't have their heart in things like that. Mrs. Pearson said you were her top 3, that if I could trust anyone I could put my utmost trust in you."
Did she say that about her? Lucy suddenly felt bad thinking Mrs. Pearson was a hardass.
"Well, I'm honored. And um, listen...since you said that. Most of the teachers are nervous because they heard you are a bit-"
"Of a dick?" That took her back a bit.
"Strict...but yeah. Look, I know that's not true. I personally think from the very little time hearing you that you have great ideas! And I also am looking forward to the new year."
He let out a small laugh looking down at his feet.
"I appreciate that."
"Just being honest, and I will do everything in my power to make sure Janey has the best time here. So if you have any questions-"
"Ms. MacLean," he spoke making her stop. She looked confused at first. Did she say something bad? Maybe the comment about what other teachers were saying was a tad bit off-putting...
"Are we really going to pretend we don't know each other?"
Her heart dropped down to her feet, her eyes widened in shock.
"I...what?" She squeaked out, him chuckling in response.
"I know I wasn't that drunk, and I know for a fact you weren't either." He kept going, tilting his head to the side. "To be honest I don't know what stings worse. This or the fact I had to wake up and you had already run off."
He remembered her, he knew everything...she almost felt sick. She knew she was way too quiet, she could see him raise his eyebrows at her expecting her to say something. Finally, the floodgates opened.
"I had no idea you were going to be my new principal!" Oh, how dare he smirk in this moment?! Nevertheless, she kept going. "If I had known I would have never! I would never do anything that would be viewed as unprofessional or inappropriate."
"I didn't exactly warn you if I'm going to be honest," he confessed. As if that was any better?! "However I do have one question for you."
Great, as if this whole thing was not bad enough. He must have taken her silence as an answer because he asked.
"Do you regret it?" what kind of loaded questions was that? How the hell was she even supposed to respond?
Did she regret feeling like she was on fire every time he looked at her? Did she regret that deep heated feeling from the way he talked to her? Kissed her...touch her?
Did she regret it now everytime she thinks of that night together her whole body responds as if reliving it? No, she didn't. She didn't until the day she saw him giving some speech with her co-workers.
But did she really?
She couldn't say it though, years of being a known yapper and in that moment she was speechless.
"I-I...well...I mean."
That seemed to satisfy him because he interrupted her stammering.
"You are right though, things do have to be professional. And they will be, so you don't have to worry."
That was exactly what she wanted to hear, she could feel the weight fall off her for a bit. She even caught herself taking a sigh of relief.
"However," she felt his voice drop, leaning close to her enough for her to heat once more. "It's going to be hard for me. Especially knowing what I do know. Have a good school year."
And with that he walked off and out of her classroom, leaving her alone with all that just happened. Once she knew the coast was clear she sank to the floor, groaning in embarrassment.
She was right all along, she was doomed. She thought at first she was doomed and he would make her life a living hell. And he very well still could, but not in the way she imagined.
Maybe she didn't fully regret what happened between the two of them...but neither did he. She was going to need a drink after this.
"Did he seriously say that to you?" Steph was sitting on her couch taking a sip of her wine. Lucy meanwhile laid flat on the floor staring up at the ceiling.
"I should transfer schools, I hear Filly has a good school program..."
"Lucy you are not changing schools because of some guy you had a one-night stand with!" Steph argued, leaning over to look at her. "People have sex with their co-workers all the time!"
"It is not just that," Lucy groaned, moving to sit back up. "It's much more complicated!"
"What exactly did you two do? I mean...you pretty much told me all the details and I don't think it's anything out of the ordinary. Unless you left something out?"
Lucy could only look at her, before downing the rest of her glass of wine and waving it at her for more.
"Lucy MacLean, was there more than what you told me?" Steph gasped, grabbing the bottle to pour.
"I...I may have left one detail out," she mumbled. "Pour more."
Steph did not argue, almost emptying the bottle as she filled Lucy's glass.
"Oh, now you gotta tell me, what is this little detail that now has got you wanting to change identities?"
"Fine, you have got to swear...swear to me that you take this to your fucking grave," Lucy warned. "Because if I find out you flabbed I'm going to kill you."
"Fine, Scout's honor," Steph held two fingers up. "Now...what happened?"
"So did you have to like...hogtie pigs when you did rodeo stuff?"
She watched as he looked over at her with an amused expression, blowing out a thick cloud of cigarette smoke. They were basking in the afterglow of possibly the most mind-blowing sex Lucy ever had. And yet they were both not tired, they just laid there going back to talking. Her on her stomach, propping her head up with her hand while he sat with his back against the headboard having a smoke.
"Not exactly, I mean I did but I mostly did saddle bronc. Being able to lasso or hogtie something kinda comes with the territory."
She let out a small oh as she watched him lean over to flick some ash into the ashtray on his nightstand.
"Why? You into something like that?" He asked her in a teasing tone causing her eyes to widen.
"Well...I-I..."
"Hey, I'm not judging you baby," god the pet names were driving her crazy. "I can see the appeal."
But it was far too late, she groaned in embarrassment. Laying back and took a pillow to cover her face. She could hear him laugh, then felt movement as he was getting closer.
"Come on now, don't hide that pretty face from me," she heard him but she would not budge.
"No, you think I'm a freak now," her words muffled through the pillow. She then felt the pillow move off her face, being met with his handsome smiling face.
"Hi," he looked so amused! Lucy could only pout, moving to cover her face with her hands but he was quick to grab her by the wrists. "Oh no you don't."
"No! Let me wallow in my embarrassment!" Lucy whined while he had the nerve to laugh at her. "I wasn't even trying to make it sexual!"
"Keep telling yourself that as you're laying in my bed naked."
"You're naked too!" Lucy argued, only for her voice to leave her as he pinned her wrists above her head. She wasn't just pinned into place physically, the look he was giving her had her frozen still. How was it he was all smirks and playful one moment to looking at her like she was a buffet the next so fast?
"You can't hide from me," his voice dropped so deep it became gravely. Her body instantly felt like it was on fire again. "You ain't got nothin' to be embarrassed about. Understand?"
All she could do was nod, feeling a clear sign he was ready to go again. God, where had this man been all her life? If she were honest, she was shocked he even entertained the idea of going a round 2. Showed her what she knew!
"Now I'm going to get something, and you are going to stay put. If I come back and I see you've moved then you're going to be in big trouble. Okay?"
She nodded again, watching him move toward his closet. Her eyes glued on his firm ass, hoping to get a look at the very blessed cock he had going for him. That was when she saw the rope, and her mouth suddenly went dry.
"You want to know exactly how I hogtie something right? Would you rather have it easy or advance?"
She probably wouldn't be able to move the next day if they went in advance.
"E-Easy?" She finally found her voice. He seemed content with the answer. Walking back to the bed as he worked on the rope.
“I’ll make sure you don’t get rope burns,” his voice still just as deep and raspy. Before she could even blink he had her wrists bound in the rope, no way could she move, and yet it wasn’t painful.
“Got your ass now,” he smirked. He held onto her by the waist and whipped her around to get her on her stomach. Her hips were now in the air, she squealed out when he gave her ass a firm swat.
She could feel the tip of his cock rubbing against her entrance. Causing her to bite her bottom lip and move her hips slightly from side to side. She was met with another swat on her ass making her gasp.
“Keep up and your feet will be next.” She could feel him fill her up with his cock, the thickness of him causing her to let out a breathy moan. “Fuck…you fit so good around me baby…better hold on tight cowgirl.”
Lucy sat there, watching Steph’s reaction to what she just told her.
“Luce…girl no wonder…”
“See?! So yeah, him telling me it is going to be hard for him does carry some weight!”
“Weight as in you being embarrassed that he knows you are a tad freaky? Or weight as in the knowledge that he is just as much of a freak and you enjoyed it?” Steph asked, making Lucy think about it a bit.
“I…it doesn’t matter anyway. If he says it’s going to stay professional then I have to believe that.”
“Well, sounds to me it’s pretty open and shut,” Steph reasoned. “So what’s the problem?”
“Steph! How in the hell am I supposed to get through the school year with not only his daughter being in my class but the fact he is the principal? I will see him almost every day!”
“Fake it till you make it. Duh,” Steph laughed. “We all have to! I kinda have to with Chet so.”
Wait, what?!
“You and Chet? Since when?!” Lucy asked.
“Oh no, you’re not turning this around on me.”
“Yes, the hell I am! When?” Lucy pressed, and Steph sighed a bit.
“Since this summer, that night I texted him to take me home while you were playing footsie with our new boss?”
“Steph.”
“Well, you were not the only one that got lucky that night is all I’m saying. The point is again, people fool around with their co-workers all the time! So what if you two are freaks? If he says it will be professional, then it will be!”
Lucy took a breath, taking another sip of her wine. It will be professional, she had to believe that. She just simply couldn’t risk people finding out. Plus she had Janey for one year, if she can make it for one year maybe she’ll be alright!
So she kept on with that attitude during the official first day of school. Her writing on her whiteboard as her kids were coming in.
“Good morning class! Be sure to place your book bags in your little lockers and sit in the seats assigned to you!”
“Alright Janey, here we go. You ready?” She could hear his voice, turning to see him standing at her door with his daughter.
“Dad,” she saw Janey groan looking up at him. “I told you like…a bazillion times!”
“Okay, okay, getting too independent on me.” He chuckled kissing the top of her head. “You have a great first day. Don’t give your teacher grief a’right?”
Janey smiled the brightest smile, walking to put her book bag in her little locker and sat down. As she did so, his eyes caught Lucy’s. His genuine smile turned into that sexy smirk, giving her a little wink.
“Ms. MacLean,” it may have been innocent to the little ones around. But Lucy knew, she knew the tone in his voice. It made her stop writing altogether, feeling the familiar heated feeling she felt the first time she ever laid eyes on him.
And all she could hear was a faint “Yee Haw!” Followed by a cracked whip in the back of her mind. Doomed.