The long anticipated day of moving had finally arrived; the new school was finished and the staff at Cherry Creek School were making the move to their freshly completed classrooms. Excitement permeated every corner of the two buildings, old and new, as students, parents, teachers and movers gathered, carried and deposited the teaching materials into their new home. Kayla Larimer, one of the middle school teachers, was enjoying every minute of this day.
In her eleventh year of teaching, Kayla felt as if she were a seven-year-old awakening on Christmas morning eager to open Santa's presents. Dressed as she was in bib overalls and a pink eyelet shirt, Kayla almost looked like one of the many helpful kids dashing back and forth. Being only five foot three, her height deceived many into mistaking her for a teen. The long, sable brown ponytail held high on the back of her head only added to the misleading image. Dark, thick eyelashes that laughed at the thought of mascara surrounded slightly tipped emerald eyes; smooth, pale skin splattered with freckles across her nose and cheeks.
Kayla was currently in her classroom standing atop a stool straining to release the plants hanging from the ceiling. Holding her breath, her weight shifted, the stool wobbled and she prepared herself for the fall she knew was coming, but never happened. Strong hands wrapped tightly around her slender waist, pulling her abruptly from the stool, and gently setting her on the floor. Heart pounding she turned to confront the intruder and found herself forced to look up, and up, and up into the most handsome face Kayla had ever seen. Olive skin stretched tightly over the man's high cheekbones encasing dark chocolate eyes, which blazed angrily down at her. His firm, lush lips pinched tight in upset. Shiny black hair, a touch long for current standards, surrounded his magnificent features.
"
What
do you think you're doing?" he demanded in a husky baritone.
Not sure about the source of his displeasure, she cautiously replied, "I'm taking down my plants so they can be moved to the new school."
Kayla had never seen this man before nor did she understand how he could act in such a proprietary manner upon their first meeting. The stranger towered over her, his height reaching four or five inches over six feet, only a tiny breathing space separated them as he had yet to release her waist. His male scent, tangy soap and musky man, permeated her senses.
"Don't you know any better than to stand on a shaky stool, woman?" came his harsh reply, eyes narrowing, hands clenching on her narrow waist.
Never one to take criticism well, Kayla's temper ignited quickly. Still held within his grasp, she bristled at his tone as well as words.
"First, I don't know who you are, but I am fully capable of caring for myself. Second, I don't appreciate your manhandling of me. Kindly remove your hands." She tried pulling herself free without success, his hold secure though not painful. "And third, who the heck are you?"
Smirking, he replied simply, "Caleb."
* * * * * *
While gazing into the face of the woman he held, Caleb's smile slowly faded. He recalled the first time he'd seen Kayla at a fall school celebration several months ago, his attraction to her swift and intense. She'd been dressed in a snug, shimmering red sweater that showed just a hint of cleavage. Her calf-length black suede skirt swirled as she walked gracefully on two-inch, open-toed high-heels. Kayla had been standing with a group of parents, laughing and radiant.
Although not beautiful in the classic sense, her curvaceous body, brilliant green eyes and vivacious personality were very appealing. In this small school and tight-knit community it wasn't hard for Caleb to learn more about the enticing teacher. Over the past couple of months, he was able to learn quite a bit, and liked what he discovered.
Belatedly Caleb realized that finding her in danger from falling off the stool had made him forget that she didn't have any knowledge of him, nor possess the same feelings of belonging he did himself. He'd reacted on instinct to save his woman from harm, only she didn't know yet she belonged to him. He decided it was time she learned.
Releasing her slowly, he crossed his arms over his chest; his stance reeked of dominance and decisiveness, an obvious alpha male. As she hastily stepped back, his features tightened even more in displeasure.
