Can We Teach Them? (Sequel to Can You Teach Me?)

Chapter 1 Welcome

I know it's short, but that was the scene. The song on top is the music heard in the elevator.

Chapter 1 Welcome

"We thank you for your interest in joining the Academy and look forward to your performance at bootcamp." A middle aged man, Theodore, reached his hand forward to extend a handshake of trust. Most people might not think a handshake means much, but Owen already explained to me that within the Academy, a handshake was the same as signing a contract. Your word is your bond. It seals in your fate.

I took in a deep breath, extended my hand, and accepted this contract. I will be a part of what makes my chosen family exactly what they are. "Thank you, sir. I will do my best not to disappoint you."

Theodore chuckled softly, "It is not about disappointing me, or anyone else for that matter. Bootcamp if for you and your team to learn to work together, to find your strengths and weaknesses, to become one in purpose and in mind." He smiled softly, "I am not saying it will be a vacation, you will work hard and be pushed to your limit constantly. But with the help of your team, you can get through anything." He pat my hand gently with his free hand before releasing my hand altogether.

Owen stepped forward, addressing all five Academy elders present for this rooftop meeting. "Our team will be Sang's constant support. Although, due to the fact that the rest of us have been through a ten week Bootcamp already, we will be attending this round in shifts."

"How do you mean?" A slightly round woman questioned. I think her name was Rhonda, but I can't recall what she told me an hour ago. Hopefully they won't quiz me over remembering everyone's names. That would be embarrassing. Owen was talking again, and I hadn't heard what he just said. I need to focus better.

"...started working on developing our own businesses, we will each spend one individual week at Bootcamp with Sang. Then on the final week, we will all join together."

"Very well. It sounds like you already have a plan in place. We will accept those terms." Theodore addressed Owen, shaking his hand. He turned to me, "We look forward to seeing you in action next week."

"Welcome to the Academy." Rhonda spoke warmly. I smiled and nodded my head.

Owen put his hand on the center of my back and escorted me to the door. Some of my hair had slipped out of the chignon Gabriel had done for me. He fussed about preferring my hair down, but knowing I would be on a rooftop for upwards of an hour, he relented and pulled my hair back. "Having your hair whipping around you, slapping you in the face and getting hair stuck in your lipstick would be a fucking tragedy." I giggled to myself, just thinking about the pained expression on his face as he pulled my hair up into this fancy comb.

"You did well, my love." Owen whispered in my ear as the roof door closed behind us.

My cheeks grew warm from his compliment. I tilted my head up, to look into his eyes. "What was that about the plan? I don't remember having a family meeting to discuss Bootcamp."

"We didn't. I made an executive decision. As the head of the family, it is my duty to ensure that everyone's needs are met. We just got engaged two days ago. Everyone is starting a business or going to school. Now is not the time to be gone from life for two and a half months."

This information brought my brain to a screeching halt. Am I being a burden on my men? The last thing any of them needs is for me to demand their time and attention. I thought about how hard they worked to get Uncle's diner up and running in a month's time. Would they be able to devote that much attention to their own business ventures if I am off galavanting in the woods the whole summer?

"Sang, My Love, you need to stop whatever line of thought is racing through that beautiful brain of yours." He cupped my cheek with his warm hand, sending tingles down my neck straight into my belly. "We want this. We want YOU. We will make this work as a team, a FAMILY. Just you leave the particulars to me."

I leaned forward as I went up on point, pressing my vanilla lip gloss covered lips against Owen's. His response was immediate. Arms bracketed me against his body, one knee pressed between my legs making my pencil skirt feel like it would rip clean off my body.  His heart beat wildly against my sensitive chest, the same as my own heart was doing behind my rib cage.  Owen's mouth caressed my own in a gentle yet demanding assault. I was in blissful heaven.  I wanted time to stop, just so this moment could go on for eternity.

All too soon, Owen pulled away, straightened the knot on his tie, then hooked my hand into the crook of his elbow. I could barely breathe, yet he was walking as calmly as ever to the bay of elevators on the floor below the roof. I looked at him a couple of times out of the corner of my eye.

Just as we got on the elevator, he stroked the back of his finger down my cheek. "We will continue when we are in the privacy of our home." With that, he turned toward the closed elevator doors and we rode in silence. Well, not quite silent, since there was soft music playing. The jazz music had a catchy tune and I found myself tapping my toe to the beat. The corner of Owen's mouth lifted slightly.

"Do you recognize this song?"  I asked him.

The elevator binged that we had arrived on the ground floor. As Owen led me out of the elevator car, he said, "Pink Panther".

I scrunched my eyes in confusion. There was no such thing as a pink panther. Was that the title of the song? I'll have to Google it. I kept pace as we walked briskly to Owen's grey BMW. He held the door open as I slipped inside the front seat.

Instead of shutting my door, like I expected, he leaned in after me. Our faces centimeters apart. "The Pink Panther Theme song made my mind think up all the secret naughty things I would like to do to you, and get away with." He abruptly stood up and closed the door.

My breath had caught in my throat. He can't just say things like that and then leave me hanging. I could feel my whole body heating up to the imaginations I am left with. 

I noticed Owen had a bit of a swaggering walk as he approached his door. I narrowed my eyes at his steering wheel. So, he wants to play games, huh? Well two can play at that!