The Teacher - A Forbidden Romance

Chapter 1 - The Beginning of Something Beautiful ...

CHAPTER ONE

The beginning of something beautiful ...

Alexis

The second I push through the doors of the local art gallery, I head straight towards the room that houses my favourite painting. One day I hope to have some of my own work hanging on these very walls.

       A girl can dream.

       "Morning Gus," I say, passing the elderly man at the front desk. He's a sweetheart. He told me he's been volunteering at the gallery since it opened. I've become somewhat of a regular since moving here, so we've chatted on a few occasions. This gallery is one of my favourite places to come.

       "Morning Miss Davenport. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful spring day today."

       "It's going to be glorious," I breathe, raising my hands in the air and spinning around in a circle. "I feel it in my bones, Gus."

       He chuckles, shaking his head. "You certainly brighten my day with your optimism."

       I inhale a large breath the moment I'm standing in front of the bright abstract painting. It was painted by a local artist who's unfamiliar to me.

       It's called 'New Beginnings', which is quite fitting. That's exactly why I moved to this town. I wanted a fresh start.

       The corners of my mouth curve up as I immerse myself in the beauty before me. I can't even tell you why I'm so drawn to this painting, but I am. The first time I saw it, my heart was beating out of my chest. It was crazy. It was like it was calling to me, if that makes any sense.

       I stand there unmoving for the longest time. My hands pinned behind my back, with my fingers interlocking. My legs are crossed over at the ankles. I can't explain the pull I have towards this painting, but it's there. For some reason it seems even stronger today.

       I'm trancelike.

       I'm gradually pulled back into reality when a delicious manly aroma invades my senses. Snapping my head to the left, I find a man standing right beside me. How did I not know he was there? My eyes travel over the tight black T-shirt that hugs his defined chest perfectly. All the air seems to leave my body when my gaze moves up further, connecting with a pair of molten chocolate eyes.

       "Hi," he breathes in a deep sexy baritone voice. I just stand there stunned into silence. I'm pretty sure even my mouth is gapping open.

       Please don't let there be dribble running down my chin.

       I feel my lips curve up at the corners when his face breaks out into a beautiful smile, revealing his perfectly straight, white teeth.

       This man is breathtaking.

       Say something Alexis. He's going to think there's something wrong with me if I don't. "H ... Hi," I eventually stutter. Great, somebody kill me now.

       "Damon. Damon McKenzie," he says, extending his hand to me.

       "Alexis Davenport," I reply, straightening my posture before hesitantly wrapping my fingers around his. I get a strange tingle up my arm the second our skin connects.

       "Pretty name." I feel my cheeks heat up when he says that. "I couldn't help but notice you admiring this painting."

       Turning my gaze towards the wall, I sigh. "Yes, it's beautiful."