Burn for You (Flirting with Forever Book 3) Read online

  Burn for You

  Amanda Bailey

  Burn for You © Copyright 2020 by Amanda Bailey

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  This novel is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Contents

  Credits

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  SNEAK PEEK: Fall for You

  Also by Amanda Bailey

  Also by Amanda Bailey

  Dear Reader

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  About the Author

  Credits

  Editing by Rebecca Kimmel:

  www.thewritingrefinery.com

  * * *

  Proofreading by Krista Dapkey:

  www.kdproofreading.com

  * * *

  Cover Design by Diana TC:

  www.triumphbookcovers.com

  Chapter 1

  Piper

  I’m distracted. Again. Very hot, and very bothered. I’m unable to concentrate fully on the conversation flowing around me, and it’s all because of a man I’ve never met. Not in person, anyway. We’ve been talking on this silly dating app I signed up for a few weeks ago.

  The app is called Tryst, which sounds a little flirty—and a whole lot dirty—to me, but I’m desperate. In fact, I’ve been single for so long, I’m beginning to think there just isn’t a guy out there for me. I haven’t met anyone in the last five years who I’d actually like to date. Day in and day out, I work with my students, go home, grade papers, go to bed. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. That’s why I decided to give the app a try.

  The other reason why I’d said goodbye to my dignity and gone for it was this: in the last couple of months, I’d watched two of my friends fall hard for the sweetest guys, and it really got me thinking. Maybe he’s out there. Maybe I’m overlooking him. Or maybe he’s just one town over—waiting for me, just like I’m waiting for him.

  I’d created a profile on Tryst to test the waters and see who I could find. I want to make a real connection, so I’d hesitated to attach a photo to my profile because I don’t want to rely on photos alone. Let’s face it, people use old photos from ten years or ten pounds ago, they apply filters, or they use someone else’s photo entirely. Anything to make themselves look good.

  The kind of person who would stoop to doing that is not for me anyway, so I’d just put a cute little avatar of myself on there and crossed my fingers that my sparkling personality would attract someone—the right someone. There’s got to be a guy out there who wants to get to know me based on the information I’d left in my profile, right?

  A hint into who I am and what I’m looking for is in my username—Sherlock4Love. I’m just a girl, who obsesses over all things Sherlock with a passion, looking for love.

  At first, I’d received a lot of questions from curious individuals, especially about the username—was I male or female? They couldn’t tell, even though it was right there in my profile. Seriously, people. Just read. Take thirty seconds to actually look at my profile before you ask me something that’s right in front of your nose.

  I’ll admit, that didn’t give me much hope. I’m not terribly patient with people who don’t use the brains they were given. In fact, I’m downright picky when it comes to men because of it, and I know it. I like them smart, kind, and thoughtful—and it wouldn’t hurt if they’re attractive, too. I can’t let just any yahoo near my hoo-ha, now can I?

  As my friends continue to talk about anything and everything under the sun, my phone vibrates with incoming messages from the Tryst app. With a quick glance down, I see Prof.M. has responded to my question and is ready to discuss.

  Yes. Somehow, within a twenty-mile radius, there is someone out there who is as nerdy about Sherlock as I am. Prof.M. stands for Professor Moriarty, who, in the stories, is Sherlock’s archenemy. I didn’t let that fact stop me—I’d been a little unsure at first, but my curiosity outweighed my fear. It became clear from our very first interaction that he was someone I needed to know better.

  I sneak a peek down at my phone while my friends are still gabbing about Hadleigh and her new boyfriend, Sawyer.

  Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: You realize there are more than seventy-five actors who have portrayed Sherlock, right?

  Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: And you want me to narrow that down to my favorite?

  Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: Okay. I’m going to have to go with Cumberbatch, then.

  I smirk. Of course he’d choose Benedict Cumberbatch. Based on our earlier conversations, he seems to like anything that’s new and shiny. Me? I prefer the classics—gotta be at least twenty-five years since filming. When we’d first messaged back and forth, he’d asked me if I preferred the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories or the movies. Well, duh. I’m an English teacher, so of course I prefer the books. Not that he knows that I’m an English teacher—we haven’t gotten quite that far yet, and at the moment, I’m more comfortable keeping an air of anonymity.

  What cracks me up the most is here I am, all flustered and excited about our messages, and they aren’t even remotely personal. They’re nowhere near sexy or provocative. Just a whole lot of Sherlock talk, so far. Maybe it should be a clue to me that this isn’t going anywhere.

  Except—I guess it shouldn’t surprise me—intellectual talk about my favorite topic actually turns me the hell on. Deep breaths. And now I can’t help but think about what the guy looks like. My mind goes haywire, envisioning a ruggedly masculine face, hard pecs, muscled shoulders and arms, abs to die for, and a cock that just won’t quit. I make a little noise at the back of my throat which I don’t quite manage to conceal. Shit.

  Sophia, always hyperaware of everything going on in our group—our resident mother hen—raises one perfectly arched eyebrow at me. “Piper, who the heck is texting you?”

  “You’ve been off in your own world for the last five minutes.” Zoey nudges me with a frow
n. I can tell she’s got her guidance counselor focus trained on me, and it makes me squirm.

  With an embarrassed shrug, I set my phone face down on the table in front of me. “Sorry. It’s just a friend I’ve been keeping in touch with.” I scramble to pick up my coffee cup and take a sip, casting my eyes downward.

  I can sense everyone’s attention on me. I have no idea if they bought that or not. I haven’t had the nerve to tell anyone else yet that I’m on Tryst. Is online dating even still the “cool” thing to do? I have no idea. I’m at the end of the road, though. The end of my rope, even. Desperately seeking some sort of connection.

  “So, what’s going on with the department chair selection?” Madison, our resident librarian, gives me a curious look. “I don’t even understand how the whole department chair thing works since I don’t technically have a department to belong to.”

  “I guess Jake just has to put a name forward as his suggestion.” I bite my lip and shrug as I stare at the trace of lipstick I’d left on the rim of my mug, running my thumb over it and wiping it away. “I think he said he was expected to submit the name by the end of this quarter.”

  Quinn cocks her head to the side. “But surely there’s stuff that you can do to maybe … sway his opinion?” She snorts. “Gotta say, I’m kind of glad Heath isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I’m perfectly happy to let him lead the science department. Aren’t you, Sophia?”

  She grins big. “Well, yeah. And I have our wedding to plan, so he needs to keep bringing in that little bit of extra money.”

  I take another sip of my coffee and my eyes flick around the group. “I guess I’m just going to do my job the best I can, and do anything Jake asks of me to the best of my ability, you know?” I shake my head. “I just never dreamed that I’d end up having to fight for it.”

  Madison blows out a breath as she covers my hand with hers on the table. “And no one is bringing up the elephant in the room.”

  “Since when is Damon an elephant?” Hadleigh giggles. “He’s more like a stud. A very sexy stud.”

  “That man is like a force of nature.” Quinn eyes me carefully. “He definitely knows what he wants and goes after it.” Her lips tug up on one side in a grimace. “I hope he doesn’t railroad you out of the position.”

  Zoey winces at the idea, absentmindedly playing with the locket on her necklace. “How well do you get along? I mean, your schedules are identical—you must spend your lunch and planning period together almost every single day.”

  “Meh. He likes to argue.” I shake my head with a pained groan. “And he thinks he’s always right. Always knows the best course of action to take. Always knows how to fix a problem. It’s kind of frustrating most of the time.”

  Sophia taps her chin with her fingertip, smiling. “You know that’s because you think you’re right.”

  I wave my hands in exasperation. “Hello? That’s because I am. He’s one of those ridiculous alpha males who refuses to believe any way but their way might be right.”

  Hadleigh looks to be on the verge of laughter. “Well, personally, I don’t know how you do it. I try not to look at him while I’m in the workroom with him.”

  My brow furrows. “What? Why not?”

  She giggle-snorts. “I’m afraid I’ll get pregnant. He seems … virile.”

  I roll my eyes. “Ugh, stop. He’s such a pain in my ass right now.”

  “Well, if there’s anything we can do to help you, let us know.” Sophia shrugs her slim shoulders.

  Quinn sets down her coffee mug with a thump. “Well, I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.”

  “I can’t believe I have a front-row seat to the whole thing right there in our workroom.” Hadleigh hides her smile with her hand, then throws me an apologetic glance.

  I’m glad she’s amused. She’d better hope as the competition heats up between Damon and me that it doesn’t blow up right in our faces or she’ll get caught in the fallout.

  “You’re way too giddy about it, Had. Let’s talk about something else. I’m just … done.”

  From the way the quiet settles over our table, I can tell they know I’m a little thrown by the whole conversation.

  Madison clears her throat. “Um. So, who wants to go try out the new barre class at the gym after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays? They’ve got a new instructor and I thought it sounded kind of fun.”

  “Wait, what kind of class?” I wrinkle my nose. Bar class?

  “You know, barre—like ballet for non-ballerinas.”

  Multiple pairs of eyes around the table finally light with understanding.

  “I used to do ballet. Sounds fun to me.” Quinn nods and sets down her mug. “I’m in.”

  I squint at her, my lips pursed. “And you have the body for it, too—all tall and skinny.”

  “Piper, you have a banging body. What are you moping about?” Hadleigh frowns, her forehead creasing.

  Zoey pokes me in the upper arm. “Yeah, you’re adorable.”

  I pout and point down at my sides. “My hips. I’ve never liked ’em. I swear, if I’d lived a century ago, I would have made, like, twenty babies.” My hands clench for a second before they release.

  We all look at each other before we start snickering. Through our gales of laughter, I hear Madison whisper-shout, “She’s got birthing hips!” More giggles ensue.

  Once we’ve finally calmed, Hadleigh gives me her signature naughty grin. “That’s a lot of babies, Piper. Sounds like you need to find the right man for that job.”

  My hand freezes on my mug. I feel a tiny bit like a bad friend since I haven’t shared Prof.M. with them yet, but I’m just not ready. My body steadily warms as I think about the man who’s been making me laugh and smile lately, and I wonder what he’s like …

  In bed.

  Yes I know, I haven’t even met him. Haven’t looked into his eyes. Yet, somehow, I know that if it ever happens, it could be amazing. I pick my phone up off the table, desperately trying to avoid giving in and checking my messages.

  I want to know if it’s him lighting up my phone, but I don’t dare look or everyone will want to know exactly who it is I’m chatting with. And they’ll know something is up because when I message him, I tend to grin like a lunatic. I can’t help myself.

  With an exaggerated sigh, I steer us back to our conversation about the barre class and acquiesce. “Okay, I’ll go to that barre class. Who else is in?”

  Quinn raises a hand. “I already said I’d do it. It’ll be fun.”

  “Anyone else in?” Madison sits up, clapping her hands, excited to have us join her.

  Sophia laughs. “Hard pass. I just don’t have time with wedding planning. You all have fun with it, though.”

  “Zoey? Hadleigh?”

  Zoey wrinkles her nose. “Ugh. you guys know me. I’m always at school until at least six. I don’t want to promise I’ll be there and then be a no-show.”

  Hadleigh gives us her best yikes face. “You know, I wish I could, but time alone with Sawyer is kind of precious right now.”

  Madison looks at me, then at Quinn. “Okay, then, ladies. I guess it’s the three of us. Be at the gym at four on Tuesday. We’ll see what it’s all about.”

  I nod absentmindedly as I flip my phone over and glance down at Prof.M.’s latest message, already distracted. Again.

  Chapter 2

  Damon

  When I hear the bang of the door behind me, I know she’s caught me red-handed. I shrug it off, knowing I probably should feel terrible that I’m about to do this to her, but the department chair position is at stake. I want it badly—need it, really—and I’m not going to let my know-it-all coworker Piper just have the position because she thinks she’s entitled to it. Yes, she’s worked here longer, but we are equally qualified for the job.

  Piper pulls her chair out from under her desk, which is inconveniently located right next to mine, and drops into it. I can see out of the corner of my eye that she’s attempting to figure
out what I’m doing without being completely obvious about it.

  She rolls her chair a little closer, and her lips part in surprise. “What are you doing, Damon?”

  I shuffle the documents I’d been reviewing back together into a neat stack. “Just looking over the curriculum for any tweaks we’d like to make, like Jake asked us to.”

  With a loud huff, she pokes my arm. “Jake said we should do that together. You know, as a team? Are you not a team player, Damon?”

  “Eh, I work better alone. I’ll share my thoughts when I’m done. Someone has to take the lead.” I smirk at her. “Apparently, that someone is me.”

  Uh-oh. I glance away from her shocked expression and smile to myself. Seems like I’ve pissed off the Piper beast.

  Her brows raise, and she narrows her eyes at me. “What? Like you’re just going to make plans and hope I’ll go along with it?” She grumbles loudly, leaning closer to get a glimpse of my notes. “Lemme see what you’re doing.”

  I chuckle at her fussing. “I guess I’ll just have to convince you that my ideas are the best ones. Worried Jake will figure out I have better suggestions than you? Don’t want to let him know that what we present to him are my recommendations and not yours?”