Baz, however, is ready, and I sigh as I look down at him. The private school he goes to has a uniform. It offers some variety in choices. Today is warm, so he’s wearing khaki shorts with a crisp white shirt and navy vest displaying the school crest.
His hair is styled, and he’s already placed his black sunglasses on his face.
He’s ready. I’m still on edge after my confrontation with Asher yesterday, but I want Baz to have a great first day of school. Asher is working at his school, and Baz has asked to ride with him. Although, I'm not crazy about letting Asher do anything at the moment, I'm not going to punish Sebastian.
I’m taking him this morning, though, since it’s his first day.
Asher walks into the kitchen, and I have to stop myself from drooling like an idiot. The grown-up version of the uniform is way too hot—khaki slacks, white button-down shirt, navy tie, navy sweater pulled over the shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I have no idea why it’s so sexy, but it is. His hair is gelled and mussed perfectly.
I look away from him as he greets Baz before grabbing some coffee.
“Uncle Asher! I thought we were going to match.” Baz pouts, and I only see Asher’s bright smile as he walks to Baz and leans down.
“We do, buddy.” He points to the crest on Baz’s vest and then to the same one on his sweater that clings tightly to his muscled arms and chest.
Baz lights up. “Oh! We do!”
“Yup.” Asher stands, fondly messing Baz’s hair with his large hand and gives me a curt nod. “I have to head in now.”
I nod my head, and Baz clings to his leg. “I’ll go with you!”
Asher winks down at him. “I’m bringing you home, and you’ll ride with me the rest of this week. Let your mom have this one, buddy.”
I want to be angry at the bastard, but when it comes to Baz, he is the absolute best. Sebastian pouts but agrees, and Asher heads to the school while I finish getting us ready.
When I drive Baz to school, we’re early. I know I shouldn’t but I can’t resist stopping by Asher’s classroom. I try to say it’s for Sebastian, but I know deep down I want to see him in his new career.
The hallways are beginning to buzz with excitement and kids running through the halls, and I stop when I see a sign on the wall with the name “Mr. Sterling” outside of a classroom door.
Asher sits at his desk, but Baz sees him and runs in excitedly. I follow nervously. He was so angry with me yesterday, and I'm still not sure why.
He said it had nothing to do with Sawyer, but I’m not so sure.
“Hey, buddy!”
“You’re really a teacher!” Baz is looking up at him with awe, and honestly, I feel the same sense of pride. He really made this happen and fast.
“Yeah, I sure am.”
“But not mine.” Baz hangs his head and shakes it sadly.
I place my hand on his shoulder, hoping to make him feel better. “He’ll be in the same building with you every day.”
Asher crouches in front of him. “Yup. Can’t get rid of me, kiddo. I’ll be watching you.” He makes a funny gesture with his fingers by his eyes and then points at Baz, who finds that hilarious.
“Well hello, Mr. Sterling.” I hear a sultry feminine voice from behind us, and Asher stands up to address the woman as I turn around.
“Ms. Bowen.” Ms. Bowen is Baz’s new teacher and is not only young, but absolutely beautiful. Blonde and tall with a bright, shiny smile on her face. She’s wearing a navy dress with a plaid sweater. “It’s nice to see you again.”
She looks like she could eat him up and licks her bottom lip, her eyes sliding over Asher. Jesus, I thought I was obvious. “It seems you’ve stolen one of my students.”
Baz looks up at her with a curious glance. He met her last week at orientation, but it’s clear he doesn’t trust her just yet.
Asher laughs, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, this one happens to be my nephew.”
“Oh . . .” Her eyes move to Baz and then up to Asher again. “I can definitely see the resemblance.”
We went over the whole “his father passed away in a tragic accident” thing at orientation, but I didn’t mention Asher was his uncle. I didn’t even know they knew each other yet.
Baz beams with pride at her statement, and she holds her hand out for him. “Are you ready for a great first day?”
He looks back at Asher and me. I nod. “It’s okay.” I lean down and open my arms for him, and thankfully, he lets me hug him tightly or I think I would cry. “Have a great day, sweetie. Uncle Asher will bring you home after school, okay?”
“Yay!” I laugh, trying to hold back tears. I can’t believe he’s so big already.
I stand up and face Ms. Bowen. “Thank you.”
“No problem. We’re going to have a great day.” She’s so cheery. “And I’ll send pictures throughout the day.”
I nod, happy that the school has a messaging system. “Great. Thank you.”
Ms. Bowen looks at Asher. Her eyes are still hungry, and she’s not at all trying to hide it. “And I’ll bring him by your classroom after school.”
I fight rolling my eyes. Great, my son gave her an in with Asher.
Asher smirks, eating it up. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
She waves coyly over her shoulder as she walks out of his classroom with Baz in tow. I wave at him before I turn around to face Asher.
He doesn’t look too broody this morning, but I have a feeling every mother who drops off their kid today will leave with wet panties regardless.
“I hope you have a great first day.”
He strolls closer to me, his expensive cologne enveloping me. “Thanks.”
I don’t move. Seeing Baz looking so grown-up and my little tiff with Asher yesterday has me feeling angsty and annoyed.
“You okay?”
I fold my arms haughtily. “Of course. Why?”
His thumb sweeps under my eye, brushing away a tear. “You’re crying.”
I instantly get defensive. “I’m not crying. It’s just one tear, and I’m allowed to be emotional. It’s Sebastian’s first day of school. It’s hard.”
“I’ll be here.”
My shoulders lower, the tension lessening when he says that because I know he’ll look after Baz. “I know.” But I can’t keep my annoyance at bay when I add, “and so will Ms. Bowen.”
His eyes flicker with amusement and a grin spreads over his lips as his hands grasp my hips, nearly stealing my breath. He leans in, growling sexily, “Are you jealous, Viv?”
My throat is dry, and I'm afraid for a minute I can’t answer. I wish he didn’t have this pull over me. “Of course not.” He doesn’t move, and I can still feel his warm breath against my ear. “I just think a teacher shouldn’t be drooling over my son’s uncle.”
I swear I can feel him smiling against my ear as my heart thunders in my chest. “Maybe she’s drooling over the hot new teacher, Mr. Sterling.”
Fuck.
I nearly moan from the sound of his voice in my ear, the husky growl saying his name is enough to make me combust. What the hell is wrong with me?