It's been too long! Blame college: it's stealing all of my time! I never get to write. In fact, I should've been writing an essay today but I had this sudden idea for a story and I just had to write it. I'm excited, but at the same time, I really should not be writing this considering I have no time and I haven't updated my other fics in forever. oh well, I guess we'll see where this goes. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
He couldn't help but stare.
She was bent over with her firm rear targeted in the direct line of his sight, and there he stood-between the space of the door-blatant and unblinking. It was wrong, he knew, but how could he not gawk? Her curves were smooth, like the edges of the moon, and the tips of his fingers suddenly burned with the desire of the sun.
Knowing he should announce his presence but not being able to locate words, a gruff cough tore from his throat, hoping he'd wake from his lust infused state. She jumped slightly, hearing the sound penetrate the silent classroom, and turned to find a pair of the brightest blue eyes focused on what she could only presume was her ass.
Busted, he thought as an embarrassed grin traced his lips, watching the light blush paint over the contours of her cheeks. Somehow, her front was even more magnificent than her back-large, hypnotizing, brown eyes tugged him further into the room. She stood against the desk, biting gently on the lower corner of her lip, brushing the stray curl of honey blonde hair behind her ear.
"H-hi," she squeaked and took a quick glance at an orange sheet of paper sitting atop her desk. "You must be Mr. Scott. Madeline's father, right?"
Nathan nodded, still overcome by a gripping silence.
She stuck her manicured hand out, smiling brightly. "I'm Haley James. It's nice to finally meet you."
His mouth opened, but closed shortly after. She was still smiling, unknowingly causing a stirring in the pit of his stomach. When her questioning brown eyes settled upon his own blue gaze, reality ripped words from between his teeth.
"Please, call me Nathan. And it's nice to meet you, too. Maddie talks about you all the time."
Her wide smile remained on her luscious, pink lips as she took a seat behind her desk, gathering a few papers. Nathan mirrored her actions and sat in the chair in front of the wooden desk, jiggling his knee nervously.
"I could say the same about you," Ms. James laughed. "She's constantly talking about how great her Daddy is."
Nathan smirked proudly, "Well I suppose that's better than her complaining I can't ever do anything right."
Another giggle emit from between her lips, "You've got at least another ten years before that happens. Trust me."
He scoffed playfully, "Yeah, I'm definitely not looking forward to the teenage years."
"Well, Maddie's a great girl. I don't think you'll have too worry too much."
"Thanks, but I think I'm more worried about the boys who'll break her heart than anything else."
Haley laughed in amusement, silently cursing herself for the way her heart began to race when he smirked. From the second he walked in, she felt herself melting in the pool of his sparkling, crystal blue eyes. He was easily the most attractive man she'd ever seen, with a strong chiseled jaw, and square shoulders. His light blue collared shirt clung to his cut biceps, molding to the muscles.
Focus, she inwardly chanted, he's married!
"So, um, will your wife be joining us?" She asked, redirecting the conversation to the importance of the meeting.
"Oh, uh..." Nathan scratched his short, raven black hair, "No. I'm not married."
"Sorry, I guess I just-"
"It's okay," he smiled reassuringly, making her heart skip another beat like a scratched record. "I'm a single Dad. Maddie's mother isn't in the picture."
Haley nodded with teeth sunk into her lower lip. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I mean, Maddie's never mentioned her mother, only you, but I never really thought-"
"Ms. James, it's fine, really." Nathan smirked, cutting her from the ramble she was tripping on.
"Okay," she sighed, breathless with a sense of relief. "And it's Haley," she corrected with a small grin.
"Haley," he repeated softly. "Okay."
"Okay-so, let's get started, shell we?" She opened a folder and pulled out a few sheets of paper with Maddie's name on it, handing them to Nathan.
"A 62?" He asked, almost groaning. "God, this is so unlike her."
"I know. She's such an amazing student, one of my best actually, but lately she's been struggling with her reading comprehension."
Nathan slouched lower in the seat, dragging his hand over his tired face. "It's my fault. I've been working overtime lately and haven't had the time to check her homework. I also wasn't the brightest student in school-"
"Look, I wouldn't be too concerned if I were you. She's excelling in everything else. I just wanted to bring it to your attention so we can fix it before it gets worse." Haley spoke gently, easing the nerves of the young father across from her.
"What can we do?"
"Well, for starters, have her read to you instead of you reading to her." Haley directed. "She told me you read to her every night. That's sweet."
Nathan smiled, "She won't go to bed until I tell her a story."
Haley grinned, inwardly gushing over the hot Dad. He really did seem like an amazing father to Maddie. "I know. She always asks me to read to her too, and I wish I could but I have to encourage her to read on her own. And I know she can, but she just struggles. Especially when reading aloud."
"What do you mean?"
"She gets frustrated when she can't pronounce a word-"
Nathan's eyes widened in worry, "Does she get made fun of? I swear to God-"
"No! Gosh, no! I don't tolerate bullying in my classroom." Haley spoke strongly. "Besides, everyone loves her." She glanced quickly towards the door, and lowered her voice. "I'm not supposed to say this but she's one of my favorites. Even though she's not the best reader, she's so polite and well behaved. She's truly a pleasure to have in my class. You've done a wonderful job raising her, Mr. Scott."
He felt his cheeks warm, "I can't take all the credit. My brother and sister-in-law help from time to time. My mom does too."
"Well, like I said, I wouldn't worry. Reading comp is hard for six-year-olds. We'll keep practicing and I'm sure she'll improve. I have no doubt in my mind Maddie will be brilliant. She already is." Haley enthused, "Oh! And she's incredibly artistic! Look at what she drew me!"
Nathan glanced at the paper Haley handed him. It was a garden of flowers with a little girl and a woman standing, holding hands. On top of the page was Maddie's name, written in her tiny scrawled letters, and the words 'to the best teacher ever!.'
He beamed and gave it back to the young teacher. "That is really good. She definitely doesn't get her art skills from me."
Haley laughed, "Don't worry, she's pretty good at basketball too. She's even beaten the boys a couple of times."
"That's my girl," Nathan smirked. "I'm guessing she told you I used to play in the NBA?"
"Oh yes," Haley chuckled, "She tells everyone how you can dunk the ball and that she wants to be just like you."
"Really? She's told me a few times that she wants to be just like the great Ms. James."
Haley flushed red, "Oh wow, well, that's an honor!"
"I'm telling you, she goes on and on about you. One time we went shopping and she wanted to buy a pencil skirt because 'Ms. James' wears them.'" Nathan recalled with a flirtatious smirk. "She's always drawing pictures of you, too. But I don't think they do you any justice."
Haley averted her eyes from his intense gaze and giggled, "That's so cute. She's such a sweetie."
"I'll be sure to tell her you think so highly of her. I know it'll make her day."
"I'm glad," she gushed.
Nathan held her smile, then looked back at his daughter's low test score. "So, what else can we do to fix this? I don't want to be too hard on her, I mean she's only six, but still..."
"Actually, I had an idea I wanted to run by you," Haley offered with a tentative smile.
"Shoot."
"If it's okay, Maddie can stay with me after school twice a week and I can give her extra help with reading."
Nathan felt a swell of warmth flood his veins. Haley was so kind to Madeline and it made him happy- and somewhat jealous that he never had a teacher who cared, or was as gorgeous as . "Wow. That would be great. Are you sure you'd be willing to do that?"
"Oh absolutely! It'd be a pleasure."
"Thank you, Haley. I really appreciate it. I know Mads will, too."
They shared a soft smile before Nathan looked away to glance at his watch, "Oh shoot, I'm sorry to cut this conference short but I need to pick up Maddie from my Mom."
"That's okay, I completely understand." Haley said, inwardly saddened by the fact he'd have to leave. "I'll talk to Maddie in school tomorrow and see what she thinks."
"Okay, great. I'm sure she'll be really excited." He stood up from the chair and slowly walked to the door with Haley following him a few steps behind. "It was nice to meet you, Haley."
"You too, Nathan."
"I'm sure I'll see you again, right?"
Haley nodded, "I hope so." She revealed quietly.
"Me too." He grinned. "Bye."
Before Haley could say a farewell, he was out of her classroom, leaving her with a racing heart. She'd never admit it, but she definitely had a crush on her student's father.
Seconds later, Nathan popped his head through the door way, starling her yet again. "You know, Maddie said you were pretty, but I think you're beautiful."
And with that, he disappeared again, leaving a blushing Haley speechless.
