Savor (Cottonwood Falls, Book 5) by Aliyah Burke

Chapter One
    “He’s just so handsome. If he would just look at me
and give any sign he was interested, I’d be all over him.”
    “Please, that would be me. Why would he want you?
You’ve put on like ten pounds. Don’t you see how fit he is? He
needs a woman who will look good on his arm.”
    “You can look good on his arm, but I’ll be good in
his bed.”
    “Humph, so you’d think. Wonder who his kid is mixed
with. He looks almost part Mexican.”
    Rolling her eyes in exasperation over the gossiping
women behind her, London finished uncovering the final tray of
cookies.
    Surely, they have something more important to do
than gossip about Piers Cuyper or his son. London did her best
to ignore them as they continued with their discussion. She wasn’t
a fan of talking about a child’s heritage. What difference did it
make whether his mother had been Mexican or not? He was a little
boy who’d lost him mom. To be honest, London didn’t know much about
the man—she tended to stay in her own world if not in the
classroom—so beyond the fact Piers was hot as all get out, she
didn’t know a lot about his past. Or what had brought him and his
son to Cottonwood Falls.
    However, London couldn’t argue with them about how
sexy Piers was. She’d seen it and was not going to deny the man’s
striking good, handsome as sin, panty-soaking looks. Not that she’d
share it with that group; no, that was for her own private
fantasies behind closed doors.
    She stood back and surveyed the spread with a
critical eye as one of the aides, Susan Hollerston, hastened up to
man the table. “Sorry I’m late, London.”
    She tossed the aide a smile. “No problem. You’re
here now, and my room is ready, so I’m good.”
    The doors opened, and the first parents with their
kids entered. She shot the gossipers a look before pasting a smile
on her face and heading for her own room with a final wave to
Susan.
    She stood in the doorway and waited for the first of
her new students and their parents. She'd previously laid all the
necessary sheets out, so the adults could shop for the proper and
required supplies for their children.
    “Ms. London.”
    She grinned at the boy who ran up to her. “Hello,
young Mr. Clark.” Dilbert was a wonderful child she’d watched
growing up over the years.
    “I’ll be in your class this year,” he said.
    She pursed her lips and tapped them. “Is that this
year?”
    “Uh huh. Yes, ma’am.”
    London winked at Dilbert’s father, Daniel. “I was
certain it wasn’t for another few years yet.”
    Dilbert laughed. “No, it’s my turn, now. Kandy had
you last year.”
    She shrugged and chuckled. “That’s right.” She
ruffled her hand on his head. “I remember, now. I can’t wait to
have you in class.”
    “I’m grabbing the papers Dad.” Dilbert vanished in
the classroom.
    “How are you, Ms. London?”
    “Fine, Mr. Clark. How’s the family?”
    “We’re good. Lisa has the girls and is visiting
their teachers.”
    “Wonderful.” She gave him another smile as he patted
her shoulder and moved by her into the room. The Clark family had a
lot of kids, and she’d had four in her classes. Dilbert would be
the fifth. More parents arrived, and she grew busy talking to them.
Most she knew from around town or having taught previous
children.
    “Excuse me.”
    Dear Lord… That voice should be outlawed. She
turned around to find Piers standing there. For a moment, she
forgot where she was and how she should behave. His chiseled good
looks threw her, completely, for a loop. Seeing him from
afar was way different than up close and personal. When her gaze
drifted down his hard body and spied his son, she snapped herself
from the rapidly escalating fantasy she had immersed herself in
about Piers.
    “Hello,” she said. Tucking some hair behind her ear,
she gave his son a smile. “Can I help you find a room?”
    Okay, that may have just sounded like a proposition.
And I’m not entirely sure it