The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Waiting

Eileen wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. Even with the music as loud as it was, she should have known Ben was standing behind her. Instead, she hadn't known until his masculine appreciation had drifted to her.

She was supposed to be a good influence. Instead, he'd caught her shaking her butt and gyrating her hips. What was wrong with her? She needed to remember he was an older male now. She had a code of conduct she needed to follow, after all. She was supposed to be the example other Vampires would follow.

Already there was so much misinformation among the Weildon and Giftling about Vampires. They said all Vampires were sensually physical creatures with an insatiable thirst for blood, violence, and sex. As a result she had been extremely careful to portray herself as the exact opposite: calm, cool, collected, intelligent, reserved, and modest. If it had been anybody else that had seen her--

But it hadn't, she reminded herself. And Ben won't tell. I just need to act with more restraint in the future. I'm not at college anymore.

Feeling calmer, she followed him into the kitchen, and the two of them shared a late breakfast before piling into the car and heading to school.

***

Eileen's animated face became increasingly more solemn as they approached the school. Ben saw her knuckles turning white on the steering wheel and reached over to cover her hand with his.

She jumped, eyes flashing to him, but he smiled and said, "Relax, Eileen. You don't even have students today."

She nodded, eyes fastened on the road, and slowly inched her hand out from under his. However, it didn't keep him from feeling the pulse thrumming faster in her wrist.

Amused, he withdrew his hand and looked out the window.

They pulled into the parking lot, and she started mumbling to herself, "Space 7B....7B... I don't even see letters..."

"B lot is down the hill, behind the gym," he pointed.

She glanced at him, smiling gratefully, "Thanks, Ben."

"No problem."

He did wonder though why they hadn't given her Mr. Anders' space. She was taking over his job as English teacher, and it would have been a lot closer to her classroom.

His eyes narrowed. Was it because she was a Vampire?

"Seven! There it is," Eileen smiled, pulling into the space and parking the car.

From the large gym window, Ben could see a bunch of younger kids running laps. He didn't miss the pre-conditioning days he'd had to put in as a younger teen.

They opened their car doors at the same time, and he joined her on the sidewalk heading to the school. However, before they could get very far, the gym door opened, and a voice called, "Yo! Ben!"

They stopped, turning to see who was calling, and Ben wanted to growl. Dustin was looking at Eileen with far too much interest.

"Hey, Dustin," Ben said, placing himself between his friend and his woman. "What're you doing here?"

"Helping coach the younger ones. It's fun to be top dog," he grinned crookedly, his eyes still trained on Eileen. "Who's the pretty girl?"

Eileen stepped sideways and inclined her head, "I'm Ms. Eileen Grau, your new English teacher."

Surprise flickered across Dustin's face, "Eileen? As in--"

"You go on ahead, Eileen," Ben said quickly. "I'll catch up."