Rock Me Gently by HK Carlton

years, so God only knew what he had running around out there. But no one had ever come forward to accuse him of being a deadbeat dad and, with his money and his past fame, anyone could have come forward and claimed anything just to get a payout or their own fifteen minutes of fame. And it wasn’t as if he were hiding. He was easy to find.
    “Yeah, I know.”
    “Okay, so, I’m a teacher, not a comedian.”
    “I’m sorry, I’m not the best company these days. I think this was a mistake. I thought that I could sit here and play nice but I’m just not up for it. I’m sorry, Jason, I’d just like to call it a night.”
    “No problem, another time.” Although he was disappointed he signaled the waitress who’d kept an eye on them all night.
    Jason threw some bills on the table for a tip and paid the bill at the counter. Holding the door open for Lainey to exit the restaurant, he stuffed the receipt into his inside coat pocket.
    They began the walk back to their cars.
    “Are you going to call her?” Lainey asked, looking up the street and not at him.
    “Who?”
    “The waitress.”
    “The waitress?” He frowned wondering what the hell she was talking about. It wasn’t because he’d given her any attention. “Why would I call her?”
    Lainey reached over and pulled the corner of the receipt out of his pocket. She held up the piece of paper and turned it over. On the back in swoopy lettering it read ‘Candi’, the ‘i’ dotted with a heart, and a cellphone number under it.
    Jason’s gaze met Lainey’s. “I didn’t even realize she’d done that. How did you?”
    “Old habits die hard, I guess. Women were forever giving my husband their phone number in new and creative ways. It didn’t even matter if I was with him. Some women just have no respect. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to look or to pry into your personal business.”
    He knew exactly what some women were capable of and at the time he’d taken complete advantage of what was offered. “Here, you take it. I don’t want to call her.”
    “No, you keep it. You may change your mind. She was pretty. You probably should go out with her.”
    Jason stopped in front of her and waited until she looked up at him. “I don’t want to go out with her. Actually, I don’t want to see anyone right now, but you.”
    “Then you’re wasting your time, Mr Westlake. I’m not ready to see people, especially men that look like you. I’ve been there, done that. And I will never allow myself to be hurt in that way again.” After stepping around him, she then continued walking.
    “So, what, are you just going to date hideous-looking men?”
    “I have no intention to date at all, hideous or drop-dead gorgeous.”
    “Ever?”
    Extracting her keys from her bag, she hit the button on the key fob and it unlocked the driver’s door, as they pulled level with her car. Ignoring his question, she opened it. In an attempt to keep her from getting into the car, he placed his hand on her arm.
    Her weary gaze met his.
    “You don’t strike me as the kind of woman who could spend her life alone.” He gazed down at her, crowding her, his face close to hers.
    It was then that he saw the fear coupled with desire in her eyes. She wanted him too, but she was afraid to allow herself to feel. She was a passionate woman. Of that he had no doubt. There was major sexual tension going on between them, just as he’d known from the moment she’d walked into his classroom. His heart pounded rapidly.
    “You don’t know anything about me.”
    “Maybe not, but I know what I’m feeling and you can’t deny that you’re feeling it too.”
    “But I don’t want to feel anything.”
    “Maybe not, but it’s happening anyway.” He leaned down, wanting to kiss her so bad—to taste her sweet lips. He wanted to steal her breath right out of her mouth, but her eyes darted around his face and her shoulders rose in a defensive shift. At the last minute he