Take a Chance on Me: Lessons, Book 4

by Kate Davies

  Or maybe Elvis?

  Maybe working with kids kept a person young, but there were times when they made him feel really old as well.

  Out of the corner of his eye he caught a flash of silver heading in his direction, and he turned towards the DJ stand. By the time Gabriella reached him, Tom was deep in shouted conversation with the DJ. After a couple of failed attempts to gain his attention, she gave up and sauntered past, turning the full force of her ample personality on Victor Sand, chemistry teacher and acknowledged introvert.

  Tom noted with amusement that Victor’s prematurely balding scalp turned bright red as Gabriella leaned across him to claim a cup of punch off the refreshment table. From a distance, he couldn’t hear their conversation, but hoped Gabriella had found a new target for the remainder of the evening.

  He said goodbye to the DJ and continued around the room, making a wide arc around the refreshment table in order to avoid Gabriella as long as possible. His steps slowed as he approached the entryway.

  Jessica had thrown him completely off-balance with her appearance tonight. He was used to seeing her in conservative teacher-wear. Or covered up, like that night on the ferry. Even at Aphrodite’s, in casual jeans and T-shirt, she was cute in a fresh-scrubbed way. Attractive, of course, but not…

  Stunning? Drop-dead gorgeous? A screen icon come to life? When she’d walked through that door, it was all he could do to keep his jaw off the floor. He’d been attracted to her before, but now he was completely lost. All self-control was swept away by an emerald-eyed goddess in a lush satin and velvet dress.

  He stood in a pocket of shadow, watching Jessica from the cover of darkness. Celeste was too sharp to have missed his response to Jessica’s arrival. He had to be even more careful around her now. The last thing he needed was for the principal to get involved in this situation.

  But here, out of view, he drank in the sight of her. She almost seemed to glow in the muted light of the entryway. His gaze traveled the length of her, a hunger growing deep in his gut. He wanted to skim his fingers over the soft velvet, press his body against hers, kiss those full lips.

  “Hey, Mr. C. Looking good.” Startled, Tom turned to find a group of tuxedoed boys lounging at the edge of the dance floor. Even in their rented formal wear, they still managed to look as if they should be perched on skateboards while they weaved through the crowd. Tom grinned as they tapped their fingers to their foreheads in a vague facsimile of a salute.

  “You boys having a good time?”

  A young man with purple spiked hair glanced skyward. “The music bites, dinner was way expensive, and my date’s been in the john for fifteen minutes.”

  “So that would be a yes, right?” Tom arched an eyebrow as the kid nodded sheepishly. “Good. I’ll see you around.”

  He left them to their waiting and began to walk back to the entry. Thank God for the opportune distraction, or he would have needed to detour outside to cool off. Something about Jessica tonight made it almost impossible to keep his hormones under control.

  She turned as he approached, her expression tranquil. He clenched his teeth, schooling his face to betray none of the attraction that lurked beneath the surface.

  “Thanks for filling in,” he said, crossing to the ticket table. “Now that I’m back, you can go help out at the refreshment table.”

  “Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Celeste interjected. “I’ll take the next punch watch. You two can finish up here and then monitor the dance floor.”

  Tom opened his mouth to protest, but snapped it shut again as Celeste calmly strode across the cafeteria to the refreshment table.

  “I guess I’ve been overruled,” he said, holding his hand out to take a couple’s dance tickets as they entered the room.

  Jessica stamped the insides of their wrists to identify the couple as ticket holders. “I suppose Ms. Winters decided she needed a change of scenery.” She glanced at Tom through thick, dark lashes. “What’s punch watch anyway?”

  “Every dance, some kid decides it would be a hoot to spike the punch. So we always station at least one chaperone at the punch table to make sure no one succeeds.”

  Jessica nodded. “Better to be proactive.”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  They worked in silence, standing side by side in the entryway. If he wanted to, Tom could have rested his chin right on top of Jessica’s shiny, sleek updo. If he wanted to.

  Most of the students had arrived by now. The dance floor was packed, and the line for pictures snaked around the periphery of the room. Tom told the students working with them at the ticket table that they could head on in, and they escaped before he could change his mind.

  And, of course, as soon as they were gone he wished he could call them back. Now he and Jessica were standing alone, shoulder-to-shoulder, staring out into an empty, misty parking lot. Behind them, the dance was in full swing.

  An awkward silence grew between them. Tom kicked himself mentally, wishing he’d never taken her on that stupid ferry ride. Or, barring that, he wished he’d stopped the evening there, instead of at her house. He realized now just how much he missed the easy camaraderie that had developed between them since she’d started working at Summit.

  If only he could stifle this almost overpowering attraction.

  Tom cleared his throat and glanced at Jessica. “We should probably wander.” At her puzzled look he clarified, “Mingle with the students, walk through the dance floor, keep an eye on things. You miss too much just standing on the periphery.”

  She nodded and turned to go. They walked together into the mix of loud music, flashing lights and exuberant teenagers.

  Tom noted the number of students she greeted by name, stopping to compliment a hairstyle, a dress, the way a boy’s cummerbund and tie exactly matched his date’s gown. Even this early into her career, he could tell she was going to be one of those teachers who really cared about her students. Already, they were real people to her, not just names on a class roster.

  “Lisa.” Jessica tapped the girl on the shoulder to catch her attention. Lisa spun around, her deep pink dress flaring around her ankles. A delighted grin wreathed her face as she pulled Jessica into a brief one-armed hug.

  “Ms. Martin.” Giggling, Lisa pulled her date forward. “You know Scooby, don’t you?”

  “I certainly do.” She held out her hand, and Tom stifled a grin as Scooby disentangled himself from Lisa briefly to shake hello. As soon as the social niceties were over, he wrapped an arm around Lisa’s waist and pulled her close. “So how long have you two been an item?”

  “Just a little while,” Lisa shouted over the music. “I finally got up the nerve to ask him to Tolo last week.”

  Tom grinned and punched Scooby gently in the shoulder, and the boy ducked his head sheepishly. “I shoulda asked her out first,” Scooby said, “but this was cool too.”

  “You two have fun,” Jessica said, and turned to make her way off the dance floor.

  Tom smiled at the couple and followed after Jessica. Suddenly, two girls grabbed his hands and pulled him into their group. “Dance with us, Mr. C. You promised.”

  Vaguely, he was aware that a Beatles tune was playing. “Hey!” he protested. “This is the song from my era?” His objection ignored, Tom found himself surrounded by a dozen or so teenagers in formal wear, shaking their booties to the Fab Four. He shrugged and joined in. He couldn’t knock their choice of groups, even if they were off by a decade or three.

  The group expanded as the song continued, the catchy beat and exuberance of the dancers pulling more students into the crowd. Other teachers joined in as well, until Tom’s mob covered almost half the dance floor.

  He was demonstrating the Twist when he bumped into the person on his left. “Sorry,” he shouted over the music, turning to apologize further.

  “No problem,” Jessica yelled back, bumping her hip against his as payback.

  His heartbeat sped up at the physical contact. He’d missed the inadvertent
touches, the soft brushes of her hand against his. Since that night they’d spent together he had felt more isolated than he had in years.

  Lost in thought, he was startled to discover the group of students had dissipated. A popular slow song had replaced the Beatles, and couples had paired off, leaving him standing alone on the dance floor, a few other singles drifting away.

  At the edge of the dance floor he saw Gabriella slinking toward him with a determined look on her face. Desperate, he whirled in a circle, his gaze falling on Jessica. She was a few feet away, chatting with Lisa and Scooby again.

  He covered the distance in two strides, reaching out to cup her elbow. She turned, startled, and looked at him with a question in her eyes.

  “Dance with me.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Please,” he pleaded, his eyes flicking to the rapidly approaching Gabriella.

  She followed his gaze, her mouth pursing into a perfect O as she comprehended the situation. Without hesitation, she placed her hand on his shoulder and stepped into the circle of his embrace.

  Chapter Eleven

  It felt too good.

  Jessica closed her eyes. The music thrummed in her veins, a slow, seductive rhythm echoing the beat of her heart. Beneath her hand, the rich fabric of his tuxedo overlaid a strong shoulder. Her other hand twined with his, fingers interlocked as they swayed to the music.

  The heat of his palm radiated outward from its resting place in the small of her back. She sucked in a breath, noting his clean crisp scent. Fabric softener and soap, and underlying it all, the uniquely male scent of Tom.

  She drifted closer as he spun her in a tight circle, shutting out the crowd around them. She rested her cheek against his chest, noting that the top of her head just brushed his chin—a perfect fit. He tucked her hand against his heart as he pulled her near.

  Jessica could feel her heart beating double time. She kept her eyes tightly shut. Tom was so masculine, so solid, so…there, surrounding her, filling her senses, keeping her off-balance until she had to cling to him just to remain standing.

  Dimly, in the dark recesses of her mind, she knew that dancing like this was dangerous. For the benefit of anyone watching, they should be prim and proper, backs straight, space for a ruler between them. But it just felt too good.

  The last two weeks had been hell on earth. Ever since that ferry ride, she’d tried to avoid him, humiliated at the knowledge that she’d thrown away their friendship for a one-night stand. But even though she rarely caught more than a glimpse of him, just knowing that he was in the same building nagged at her, pulling her attention away from where it needed to be—her classroom, her lesson plans, her play rehearsals.

  Jessica knew he was avoiding her too, and she wondered if her feelings had been obvious enough to make him uncomfortable. She’d even considered skipping the Tolo, if only to preserve a little dignity.

  But Ana had roundly vetoed that option, showing up on her doorstep that morning armed with makeup, accessories and enough hair-styling products to outfit a Miss Washington pageant.

  And the end result had been positive, to say the least. She knew she could walk in the doors to the dance with her head held high.

  The song ended, replaced by the throbbing beat of a popular dance tune. Slowly, regretfully, Jessica raised her head from Tom’s shoulder and looked into his eyes.

  Reflected there she could see all the emotions that had been plaguing her these past two weeks—regret, wistfulness, desire. He gripped her hand tightly before releasing her.

  Standing on the dance floor, surrounded by teenage enthusiasm, Jessica and Tom stood motionless under a rainbow of flashing lights. Tom reached out a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He leaned forward and said something she didn’t quite catch.

  “What?” She yelled, squinting in the dim light. Maybe she could read his lips.

  He repeated himself. Nope, no such luck.

  She cupped a hand around her ear, pantomiming her temporary deafness.

  Tom shrugged and grabbed her hand. Turning, he pulled her off the dance floor and over to the refreshments table. Once they were out of the crush of dancers, he dropped her hand, but their elbows bumped together as they walked. Jessica was pretty sure it was the most sensual elbow-bump ever.

  He dipped a cup of punch and handed it to her. Remembering what he had said earlier, she sniffed it first to be sure there wasn’t any alcohol included. As far as she could tell, it was safe. They clinked glasses and watched the students go by.

  Tom was leaning over to shout in her ear again when a hand shot between them, grasping his shoulder possessively.

  “My turn,” Gabriella announced, her raised-eyebrow look shared equally between Tom and Jessica. Tom opened his mouth to protest, but she was already tugging him towards the center of the room. Jessica could tell there was no way for him to refuse without causing a scene. With a final, apologetic glance, Tom followed Gabriella onto the dance floor.

  As the music pulsed, Tom tried to dance while Gabriella adhered to him like cling wrap. Her long, bare arms wrapped around his neck, while the rest of her wriggled closer with the beat of the song. Tom’s hands barely touched her waist, just enough to hold her slightly away from his body. God knew if he didn’t, Gabs would be climbing inside his jacket before the song ended. The woman was terminally incapable of taking a hint.

  And he certainly didn’t want her coming in contact with the evidence remaining from his dance with Jessica. His body still throbbed with the ache of unrealized passion. She’d most likely think she was the cause of his enthusiasm, and then he’d never get rid of her.

  He turned his head away, looking for Jessica. Yes, there she was, standing off to the side, gazing at him with an unreadable expression in her eyes. Her sleek hairstyle was slightly more tousled after a few turns on the dance floor, but hardly the worse for wear. Actually, she looked more accessible now, more approachable…

  Which was unfortunately probably one of the reasons Mr. Geeky McScience was heading her direction right now.

  Tom gritted his teeth and pressed Gabriella away from him once again, tilting his head so she had limited access. Nice guy or not, if she tried to stick her tongue in his ear one more time, this dance was ending early.

  He spun her around again, angling for a better view of Jessica and her dance partner. He knew he had no right to be jealous. After all, he was currently in a clinch with the biggest flirt on the entire staff. And God knew they didn’t need any more rumors to fly, especially since Jessica’s employment status beyond the end of the year was still so tenuous.

  But the sight of Jessica in the arms of another man set his teeth on edge. Never mind that Victor was a full inch shorter than her five-foot-something. Never mind that he was apparently not much of a dancer, judging from her careful steps away from his feet. Tom still felt a surge of possessive jealousy as he watched them circle to the romantic song.

  A song that was evidently the longest slow song in the history of recorded music. He pulled back from Gabriella’s grasp yet again, holding in a sigh. He was suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue, exhaustion seeping through his bones. He was tired of fending off Gabriella’s advances. He was tired of living such an isolated life. And, most of all, he was tired of denying his feelings for Jessica.

  For years he’d told himself he was destined to be a loner. He wasn’t going to take a chance on love again, not after his ex-wife had pulled her disappearing act just when he’d needed her support.

  Not that he was willing to concede that he was in love. It was too soon, too new, too overwhelming to consider that possibility. But the fact remained that Jessica had pulled him out of his self-imposed shell, and he was no longer interested in crawling back inside.

  Finally, the song ended, and Tom took a huge step backward, breaking contact with Gabriella. He held out his hand for a shake, ignoring her pout, and thanked her for the dance. Then he walked away as quickly as propr
iety allowed.

  Jessica thanked Victor for the dance and limped quietly away. She found a dark corner at the edge of the dance floor and stood alone for a moment, trying to get her bearings.

  She had to get some air. The heat and noise of the crowded room, combined with the emotions pinging around inside her, left Jessica feeling shaky and overwhelmed. The crowd for photos overflowed to the main entry, and Jessica knew it would be a good fifteen minutes before she could wind her way through the mass of teenagers without inadvertently offending someone. She’d have to stop and chat, comment on the fashions, answer a homework question or two.

  Normally, she thrived on that. But right now she needed privacy, and she needed it quickly.

  She crossed over to the door behind the DJ stand. It opened easily, and she slipped through it into the darkened hallway.

  The music quieted as the door closed, and Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. It was so loud in there a person could hardly hear herself think.

  The downside of that, however, was that here in the hall she was alone with her thoughts. And she wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with that right now.

  The dance with Tom had been a mistake. She’d been so sure she could handle it—just a casual dance to help out a friend. But there was nothing remotely friendly about her reaction to being in his arms.

  Even the awkward circling with Victor hadn’t erased the memory of being held once again by Tom. She hugged her arms around her waist, clinging to the sensations that lingered.

  A burst of noise alerted her to the door opening, and she slipped further into the shadows, not wanting to be noticed.

  “Jessica?” The whisper echoed off the darkened walls. “Are you out here?”

  Her heart sped up and she gathered her courage around her. Stepping forward, she said quietly, “Hello, Tom.”