Now that she had time to think about it, Athena wasn’t sure that forcing Collin to keep Cicely on the staff and allowing her to teach the class was a good idea. But she always rooted for the underdog, like when she was there for her sorority sister, Denise, who had to deal with her bad gambling habits. But under this new roof, the women’s unity could have consequences.
“We’ll go to the office building first,” he barked.
How long would he stay angry? The way he kicked the rock out of the way as he walked offered a clue that his temper might be escalating instead of heading in the other direction.
She wanted adventure, no dull routine. Seemed like her prayers were answered, just not in the way she’d imagined.
“Collin?” She entered the dark building where she’d seen Collin enter a few seconds ahead. He’d stormed across the compound almost as if he was trying to get away from her. She reached out, feeling for the walls and any doorways. If he wanted to play these games, she’d head outdoors until he came to get her. “Collin?” She tried one last time.
The lights came on, momentarily disorienting her. She blinked until her eyes adjusted to the brightness. He stood in the doorway jangling keys.
“There is an electronic lock on the door because we have the equipment in here like the copy machine, the computer lab, sewing machines and full kitchen for home economics.”
The place was clean and orderly. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant. Trash cans were empty.
She stepped into each room and surveyed the area.
“There is a connecting door to the classrooms. Again there is a lock and camera for added security.”
“In one sentence you stress how safe it is, but in another way, you suggest that there is something sinister.”
“Sorry about that. I want people to enjoy what we have here. Unfortunately there are the unsavory sort who try to milk everything for what they deem of value.”
“I understand.” Athena moved along into the hallway of the classrooms. Excitement built as she entered the classrooms that would be hers. The girls were thirteen-year-olds with a variety of family backgrounds. Poverty, however, was the one thing in common.
She stood in front of the classroom looking at the chairs and tables. Her mood lightened over the possibilities. This was where she was meant to be. She looked forward to seeing the smiling faces of the eager students.
“You’ll have six girls in this class. They will be our first high school students and eventual graduates. I’m working on having an established scholarship program in place.”
“Where did the previous classes go?”
“Some made it into private schools. Some struggled through the government schools. Unfortunately far too many drop out.” Collin sighed, his expression grim. “We’ve got a good library. Could be better, but we’re getting more books that capture their interest.”
“I plan to have them write a book at the end of the session.”
“You might have to help with writing skills. A few are lacking in that area. We do have a workbook that we use.”
“Not to worry. I have a few tricks that would have them writing in no time.”
“Yes, but we have an approved syllabus.”
Athena opened her mouth to answer. Noting the chilly difference in Collin’s tone, she wisely chose to remain silent. But then she couldn’t help herself. “Do you teach?”
“No. I was a counselor for a couple years.” Collin adjusted a few books on the shelf. “I love the administrative side to things. The behind-the-scenes things that keep everything running. Personal reasons and the need on this island put me on the path for making this school a reality.”
Athena wondered if he’d ever reveal the personal details. Sounded like they shared passion for their calling. She looked at Collin’s face, pensive and brooding. While she had occasional misgivings, he appeared to be confident with his position.
“I’ll be visiting your classroom throughout the probationary period.”
He delivered the statement as if the probation was a fifty-pound weight he was placing on her shoulders. What if the students didn’t respond to her or the parents? More important, did he want her gone? With his post-kiss attitude it certainly felt like it.
“I’ll show you the other classrooms,” he continued, interrupting her dismal thoughts.
Their progress through the remainder of the rooms should have been a fairly slow examination of the layout. Instead Collin raced through, barely giving her detailed explanations. At least Lorraine’s class was situated across the hall and she was available to assist. She doubted if she would call Collin as the first option if she encountered trouble.
Deliberating over her present circumstances, she didn’t know that Collin had stopped until she bumped into his back. “My fault.”
“Not a problem. We’ve come to the end of the tour and to the history of the school.”
Athena nodded, although she wasn’t so agreeable that she had learned the complete history of the place. What Collin had reiterated, she had read in the school brochure.
“Wonder how Cicely is doing?” Athena looked at her watch. Only an hour had passed. But they now stood in the doorway for several seconds saying nothing to each other. Every second made the space uncomfortable.
“I have to call the police about it.”
“But she didn’t want any police.”
“And that’s not smart. And because I can’t act on a whim and let emotion color my decision, I will talk to the police off the record. What happened to Cicely concerns Cicely, the school and the staff.”
Athena listened to his no-nonsense message. His adamant announcement about his emotion and whims were like a douse of cold water. She suspected that he would involve the police, on the record. But she was afraid to ask what the punishment would be. His fury over what had happened to Cicely couldn’t just evaporate.
She brushed past him with rising irritation.
Her disappointment of his not acknowledging what had transpired between them also irked her. She wasn’t stupid about the ramifications. But she felt that it wasn’t a mistake.
That kiss had stirred her passion into a heated brew. It had flowed through her system like hot lava.
Being completely ignored didn’t sit well with her. She wanted a release for the pent-up feelings that she couldn’t dismiss. She wanted more.
“We’ve got to talk.” Collin’s hand closed over her wrist, keeping her within inches of him. She rested her palm against his chest, straining to keep her body away from his. His proximity had the potential to make her melt. She didn’t want to play games. The rules were too complicated.
“I want to say sorry for last night,” he whispered.
“No. Please don’t.” Athena rested her head gently against his chin. “No regrets. It makes that moment cheap like two adults carrying on without regard.”
“I don’t want you to be uncomfortable because of my actions.”
“Maybe you would feel better if I removed your guilt and laid it squarely at my feet.”
Collin squinted; his hand relaxed its grip around her wrist. “How would you do that?”
“I would jump in with both feet.” Athena hadn’t planned any of this. But adrenaline coursed through her veins. Maybe it clouded her judgment. Maybe the surge to her system nibbled away at her inhibitions.
In this semidarkened spot in the hallway, she was only a few steps from emerging into the bright outdoors. To do so would kill anything on the verge of happening. The alternative would decisively shove her next action into the ever-widening chasm of guilty seduction.
That’s what her body craved. One thing, one person, could satisfy her need.
She slid her hand behind his head before tiptoeing to meet his lips. Hell, it might be her last stand. She wasn’t going down without a fight.
She kissed his mouth with a possessive fervor that coaxed him until she heard his guttural response. She kept up the frenzy, demonstrating that she had the stamina, power and redemption during a time when so much lay at risk.
She craved the strength of his mouth, firm, masculine, sexy and sensual. She planted kisses against his full lips, intermittently tasting him with the peppered touch of her tongue.
His restraint broke like a dam against a single-minded tide of her attention. He pushed her back against the wall, pinning her hands over her head. He leaned back, staring at her mouth as if he saw something there only for him.
While he kissed her, he pushed his thigh between hers. Athena pushed against his chest, but his hands still pinned hers. She groaned with frustration at not being able to set her hands all over his body.
They warred with each other, their lips and tongues performing guerrilla warfare along each other’s cheeks, chin and throat. But when he licked the indentation under her throat, she gasped and pushed off with surprising strength. Warm sizzling feelings spiraling out of control blossomed between her legs, eliciting a moist reaction.
He unbuttoned her shirt, flinging back each side. Without undue effort, he scooped her toward him by the small of her back. The movement raised her chest toward his face. Her breasts anticipated his touch. She wanted to be free of the lace contraption shielding her nipples from his mouth.
He unsnapped the bra behind her back and she slipped it off, not wanting to be bothered with any restriction. He cupped her breasts in his palms, rubbing his thumb against her sensitive nipples. Each swipe made the ache between her legs that much stronger.
“You drive me insane, woman.”
Athena heard the agonized wail like a distant call. She’d fallen into a swoon from the hypermadness that had her senses in a whirl.
“I can’t do this.” This time Collin’s declaration sounded urgent, breaking the thin surface.
The crack allowed enough reality to cool the edges of her ardor.
“We can’t keep doing this.” Collin pulled her shirt closed before turning away for her to redress. “I don’t do this. I don’t act this way.” He held his head in his hands as if his head hurt.
Athena dressed quickly. “I don’t have a habit of this, either.” Maybe he thought she was a floozy. But far from it, she hadn’t dated much after college. Her focus on her finance career and then the switch to teaching took all of her time. Yet she didn’t attribute her reaction to Collin as a binge.
“I don’t think that I should stick around.”
His constant denial for what had transpired irritated her. What happened wasn’t ugly and to be ashamed of. She buttoned her blouse and shoved it in her pants.
“I don’t think that we should be alone together. We’ll try to act like responsible adults. I will observe you at your job, make recommendations. You will help Cicely along and get her back on her feet. If you need anything just let Lorraine know. She’s the one responsible for training.”
Athena listened and tried not to roll her eyes. How could she be attracted to this man who lived by rules? How hard would he fight his body’s response, its needs? The next time, and there would be a next time, he would have to beg her for attention.
She saluted him when he finally stopped talking. He adjusted his clothing, shook his head once more and retreated to his car.
Collin didn’t go home right away. To sit in his living room would invite his memory to recall the sweet temptation he delved into with Athena. The woman would be his downfall.
He needed something to take out his aggression. Making a tire-squealing U-turn, he headed into the downtown area. Traffic was fairly light considering it was Sunday afternoon when families would be sitting down for an early dinner, as the island culture was prone to do.
His father now resided in the States and many members of his extended family were divided among Canada and England. Distant cousins, aunts and uncles from dubious branches of the family lived on the island and the Dominican Republic. All in all, Collin had gotten used to relying on himself.
During his chaotic childhood, his mother had danced between the decision to leave his father or not. He’d dealt with the financial mess of a single parent who knew only how to be a dutiful housewife, and his father, whose aim was to get out of the country and seek a better life, no matter what. Collin had learned to protect himself and insulate his emotions from the cruelties that faced him as a child. Finally his parents had reconciled and he had a chance to experience a tranquil period until his mother’s death. But he’d never trusted that his life condition would be constant. The insecurity propelled him to make certain decisions, like considering college a necessity.
Nothing came easy to him. He’d worked hard through college. His distinctions had come with long hours of studying and participating in internships all over the world. His networking abilities had landed him with the right connections so that when this project was newly created, he stepped up to lead. Many people had had to be convinced that he had the leadership skills, but he had had powerful backers who trusted in him. He’d made a promise to himself that he’d not let them down.
He headed for the police commissioner’s home instead of where he’d love to go. But making dangerous deals with Kitchner’s crew for retribution against Cicely’s attacker was asking for trouble, no matter how tempting.
“Collin, good to see you. This is a surprise.”
Collin greeted the commissioner after being led into the spacious living room by the maid. A fan whirred overhead, making the temperature comfortable. He sank into the couch as the commissioner took his seat. His cigar was poised on a nearby ashtray with a string of wispy smoke curling into the air.
“Sorry to interrupt your family time.”
“I know you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important. You’ve been keeping yourself pretty scarce from my view.” He picked up the cigar and drew upon it, filling his lungs. His piercing gaze honed in on Collin through the haze. “I know you don’t always like my way of doing things.”
Collin shrugged. “I had an incident with one of my teachers. One of the women.”
The clarification had the necessary effect to make the commissioner set down his cigar and lean forward. He beckoned for Collin to continue.
Collin retold the story not leaving out any helpful details because he couldn’t tell the important information about the identity of the man.
“That should be easy to solve. I’ll check with the taxi cabs and find out where she was picked up. If the person was at the embassy party, that is another clue. These foreign types think they can manhandle women and get away with it through their immunity.”
“But the guy technically didn’t attack.”
“Clarification isn’t necessary. He’ll come to understand that he acted like a punk and is an accessory. How’s the young woman doing? She’s the lively one, right?”
“She’s shaken up. I’m on the verge of sending her back home to Vermont.”
“I’d like a chance to rectify the situation. I don’t want the bad press that would come from something like that. What you’re doing, we all appreciate. Keeps a lot of young children off the street. Gives the parents hope.” He settled back in his chair and picked up his cigar.
“Nothing crazy,” Collin warned. There might be a debt to be repaid. “Let me know what you find out.” Collin rose to leave.
“Will do, young man. Come back again and stay a while for dinner. We can really chat and get caught up.”
Collin nodded. As long as he’d been on the island since his return, he barely visited anyone. His life was consumed with the school.
Now that he had taken care of Cicely’s situation, he headed home. His stomach growling had him make a detour to a fast-food restaurant. His BBQ dinner plans had failed. And his final declaration to Athena closed the door to dinner at the school.
On most days he wouldn’t have minded going back to his house and relaxing to soft music. However, his world had been shaken like a snow globe. The dizzying effects inhibited his thinking. As he drove into his driveway and parked, he wondered if Lynette was still there. Maybe she’d share his dinner and they could chat about safe subjects.