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  “I’m all ears, ma’am.”

  She relaxed a bit into her seat. “Thank you.” She turned and pulled out a teal colored folder from her bag, resting it against the table and opening it up. “I’ve created a schedule for you of our planned events, meetings, and so on, along with estimates for how many students will be at each event.” He smiled when he noticed the folder was covered in glitter. “I also put together an execution plan and marketing strategy which outlines our goals, both participation-wise and funds-wise, and how we expect to achieve them, along with backup plans for if we miss a benchmark for whatever reason.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You’re treating this very seriously, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but I see you’re not.” She looked so cute when frustrated.

  Jared sighed and focused on his breakfast. He was being an ass, and he knew it. He appreciated what she was doing for the organization, but… if she didn’t like him and wanted a replacement representative, well, Jared couldn’t be held responsible for that, could he?

  He loved her project. He loved how much effort she seemed to have put into it. “Let me see the plans.” She handed him the folder and he began scouring through.

  It was better put together than his old business plans, before he’d had the money to hire someone else to draft them. And those shitty plans had brought him in millions— why was this woman in teaching?

  “Y’know,” he said, “these are really good.”

  She smiled, and it lit up her face. Her body seemed to relax a bit. “Thank you.”

  He returned his eyes to the pages in the folder, flipping through them. Hell, she’d even color coded how important his presence was at different events. Including a RED event the following Monday.

  “What am I doing Monday?”

  “Oh, it’s all outlined in there.” She leaned over the table to grab for the folder, but he squinted his eyes at her. I can read, give me the quick version. She seemed to understand and sat back into her seat. “Oh. Right. Well, it’s our opening ceremony, so I like to have a representative, you, explain the organization to the students and get everyone nice and hyped.”

  “You wanna get them excited?” He smiled mischievously.

  “Uh, yeah, I do.” She scrunched her eyebrows together.

  “I’d like to get you excited.”

  She sucked in a hard breath. “Excuse me?”

  “I bet you’re wild in bed.” He had to stop. He knew he was fucking up her perfect little plan. But God, she was cute when she was angry.

  “Mr. Walker, I don’t-”

  “Don’t think I forgot about our little run-in outside my office. I know you want me, too.”

  “Mr. Walker-”

  “Jared,” he corrected her.

  “Asshole!” Dead silence fell around them as several patrons and staff members looked their way with side glances. Jared chuckled. Vanessa did not look so amused. She spoke in a hushed voice, leaning over the table. “Do you think this is funny? You’re such an asshole. I have worked so hard on this for me and my students, and you won’t mess it up for us.”

  She bit her lip. “I know your game. I’ve seen how you act in the spotlight. But guess what? I also know it’s an act. Genuine assholes don’t make millions in the private sector and then funnel almost all of it into a nonprofit organization. They don’t meet with high school teachers or help students with their fundraisers. They don’t save failing coffee shops so that nobody working in them has to lose their job.” Wait, what? Nobody knew about that. “Yeah, I did my research on you. Mr. Walker.”

  He was stunned into silence. She kept going. “So here’s the deal. You’re going to cut the crap, act like a gentleman and role model for my students, and help us raise money and awareness for your organization. Got it?”

  He just stared at her, in total awe. Nobody spoke to him that way. Not since he earned his first million. He nodded.

  “Great. Enjoy your breakfast.” She grabbed her bag, leaving the folder with him, and stood. Then she strutted toward the door with a confidence that pulled stares from the whole room.

  Jared looked back to her empty seat. “Oh, and Mr. Walker?” He turned to look at her. “I’ll see you Monday at noon. Sharp. Do me a favor and wash your mouth out with some soap before you speak with my students.”

  The bell rattled as she walked out the door. He settled back into his seat.

  Damn.

  Chapter Three

  Vanessa loudly tapped her fingers against the table she leaned on, her patience growing thinner and thinner by the second. Of course he was late. Why wouldn’t he be late? Would he even come at all?

  She huffed out a breath of frustration. Over the last fifteen minutes, the students’ voices had moved from whispers to school yard banter. Without even seeing them, it was obvious they’d grown restless.

  Not as restless as her.

  “He’s still not here?” asked Jessica.

  “No,” she sighed. Vanessa scooted over so that her coworker could slide onto the table next to her, which she quickly did.

  “Do you have any way to reach him?” She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear.

  “I texted Gavin, but according to him, Jared left a half hour ago.” She patted down her black skirt and sighed again, but it sounded more like a groan. “He’s such a jerk.”

  “A necessary evil,” Jessica quickly retorted. Vanessa turned to her and raised her brows. “I mean, c’mon, Ness. There are ten reporters in our auditorium right now. Do you know how much publicity this is getting?”

  She didn’t want to be reminded.

  Yeah, publicity for the school and the project was great. Having people with cameras watch their every move? Not so great.

  “I know you’re right, it’s just-” She snapped her mouth shut when Jared walked into the building, two tall security guards walking behind him. She leapt off the table and hustled over to him, her heels clicking against the hard floor. “Where have you been? You’re late.”

  Jared’s lips spread into a wide smile, flashing those perfect white teeth of his. “Am I in trouble?” He tilted his head slightly to the side and leaned in closer to her, lowering his voice. “Because I think I’ve had this fantasy before when I was in high school.”

  She was flustered. When was she not flustered around him? “Excuse me?”

  He laughed, and the act shook his body. “You know. Naughty student. I need to be punished by my sexy teacher.”

  She opened her mouth to yell, but heard the sound of Jessica’s obvious amusement and slammed her mouth shut instead. “I hope you’ve prepared a good speech.”

  She spun and walked through the curtains, and her students slowly quieted back to a whisper when they saw her.

  Vanessa didn’t want to do this. She wanted to cancel the whole thing out of fear for what Jared might say. But he had to have some sort of moral compass, right? He wouldn’t act like a fool in front of her students?

  The aides in the room hushed the students, and they fell silent.

  Vanessa’s heart raced in her chest, anxiety building in her stomach and crawling up through her throat. She swallowed it down, then reached for the microphone.

  “Alright, everyone. I want to thank you for being a part of this amazing project. While this isn’t our first annual service learning project, it is by far the biggest we’ve done, yet. And that’s all because of you guys.”

  She paused to allow them to clap for each other, something teenagers just couldn’t seem to resist. “We’ve also been lucky enough to have the CEO of Walker Enterprises and the founder of The Walker Foundation offer his personal assistance to help with our project.”

  More applause, this time with a few whistles thrown in.

  “It is my honor and pleasure to introduce to you: Mr. Jared Walker.” The lie tasted sour on her lips, but he won himself a standing ovation from the students and faculty in the audience.

  He strutted out through the curtains and onto the stage, hand in
the air and smile plastered across his face. She clapped herself, taking in his again all-black attire, his hard features, his lean muscles.

  He would get away with so much less if he wasn’t so damn handsome.

  He met her in the center of the stage, offering his hand. She took it with the intention of a handshake, but instead, he brought her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

  Heat surged throughout her body as she worked to school her features and keep her breathing steady.

  Why did he have to be so sexy?

  She simply painted on a smile and handed him the mic, moving away as he took it and then walking off stage. She sat in the front row, one empty seat between her and one of her students where she’d placed her notebooks and planner.

  Anxiety still coursed through her as she waited to hear what Jared would say, but a new feeling also pumped through her veins. Lust.

  That was so, so not good.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s so nice of you to have me here today.” His voice rumbled into the mic. “I guess I should start by telling you a bit about who I am, huh?”

  Vanessa crossed her right leg over her left and leaned into the seat. So far, so good.

  “My name is Jared Walker. I was born thirty three years ago to a Sean and Taylor Walker. At the age of eighteen, I enlisted in the United States Navy.” He paced across the stage, taking slow steps. “I fought overseas for Uncle Sam for one tour before becoming a SEAL. I then did another two tours.”

  He went to keep talking, but applause sounded in the audience, and he paused, grinning at the crowd.

  “By that time, I’d retired. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I started my own business and made a killing. But I didn’t want to be rich or famous. I wanted to help the others who’d fought overseas with me, who’d taken bullets for me and who I’d take bullets for any day of the week. I wanted to give back.”

  He brought his hand to his lower lip, brushing his thumb against it before looking up again. “And so The Walker Foundation was born.” He returned to center stage, placing the mic back on its stand and staring out at the students and staff.

  “Since its creation, The Walker Foundation has successfully helped to provide food and shelter to struggling veterans and military families across the East Coast. We have implemented extensive outreach programs to decrease homelessness among vets and ensure all current and former service members are receiving the federal aide that the current law entitles them to.

  “We have raised millions of dollars to provide medical treatment to those still suffering from the wounds of war, whether physical or mental.” He paused. “But that’s not enough. None of that is enough.”

  A chill went down Vanessa’s spine at his words.

  “These men and women are the backbone of our country. Without them, we collapse. The Walker Foundation is presently implementing several new programs in order to continue to expand our reach and help more service members who are in need.

  “In three months, we will debut our service dog training program, which will involve pulling dogs from shelters, having them trained by leading animal professionals, and gifting them to veterans in need of service animals.”

  Her heart warmed at his remarks. He continued. “This is just one of the many new programs we’re implementing, and we’re not going to stop. We are going to keep going until every vet has a home, every vet has access to appropriate medical care, and every vet has the supports they need in any and all areas of their lives.

  “This is what you’re contributing to. This is what you’re working for.” He pointed to Vanessa. Her spine straightened as she felt a hundred eyes on her. “Your incredible teacher has put all of this together. I’ve seen her plans. They’re stunning. If what she’s outlined becomes reality, every person in this room will be responsible for saving hundreds, maybe even thousands of lives.”

  Warmth flooded to Vanessa’s cheeks, but the attention was off her. Every eye in the room was back on Jared.

  “I know it’s going to be difficult. I know it’s a lot. But believe in what you’re doing. Understand that every annoying, stressful moment is changing lives and making them better. You are changing the world for countless people every step of the way.

  “Thank you for being the incredible people you are, thank you for choosing to do something good in a world that’s all too negative lately, and thank you for choosing my organization to invest your time and energy into. There aren’t enough words to express how grateful I am.”

  He pulled back as applause erupted. Everyone flew from their seats, Vanessa included, to clap for the man on stage. Jared’s eyes scanned the room, smiling and nodding, making gestures toward the crowd, and then his eyes caught on her.

  He raised one brow and lifted his shoulders, a smug look painted across his face.

  Vanessa just smiled and shook her head.

  Maybe he wasn’t such a jerk, after all.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Students hustled in and out of the room. They carried poster board, art supplies, laptops, tablets, papers, you name it. He’d never seen students working so hard, especially not after school hours.

  Jared leaned against the window sill of Vanessa’s classroom, taking in the space. She had inspirational posters everywhere, portraits of all forty-five presidents wrapping the room, the United States Constitution hanging on her front board, and a colorful, glittery, desk.

  He didn’t know her all that well, but based on what he did know, the room seemed to match her personality.

  Three reporters stood in the back of the room, two videotaping and one taking photos. There were other reporters in the building, but they were walking the halls, looking at the different rooms students worked in.

  Being vultures.

  Vanessa sat at her desk in the front of the room, scribbling on papers for the most part and calling out orders to students when they seemed to forget what they were supposed to be doing.

  A young girl skipped into the room and ran to Vanessa’s desk. “How many flyers do we need?”

  Vanessa opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes went to the back of the room. To the reporters. “Oh, uh, we um, we need at least a hundred.”

  The girl thanked her and left the room.

  Jared shoved off from the window sill and walked toward Vanessa’s desk, pulling a chair and sitting beside her. “Press making you nervous?”

  She sighed. “I just don’t like being watched like that. How do you deal?”

  Jared thought of all his horrible dealings with the press. “Honestly, not well.” She turned to him and raised her brows. “Surely you saw me tell half the population to fuck off on national news?”

  She slapped her hand to her mouth as she fell into laughter, and he couldn’t help but join her.

  “You see,” Jared continued, “I’m what my dear friend Gavin would call: a PR nightmare.” He leaned onto his elbows. “That’s why I’m here, after all.” He lifted one shoulder, then dropped it. “Improve my public image.”

  Vanessa bit her lower lip, then nodded. “You know, that makes a lot more sense.” She spun her chair so she could face him more directly, then crossed one leg over the other. “I couldn’t understand why I was being offered the billionaire founder of the organization as my lowly representative.” She grinned and squinted at him. “I should’ve suspected it was all for your own benefit.”

  Jared laughed. “Not mine! It’s for the organization. I don’t give a crap what the press or anyone thinks about me. But I do care what they think of my organization. And, as Gavin has pointed out, my reputation seems to be hurting it as of now. So… I’m cleaning it up.”

  She smiled still, until her eyes caught the flashing light of a camera only a few feet from them. “Seriously,” she whispered, leaning closer. “How do you deal with this?”

  He followed her lead and moved his chair closer to hers so there was only a foot of space between them. “Just pretend they’re not there. Do your
work. Talk to students. Do whatever you’d normally do if they didn’t exist.

  “I know that’s hard,” he continued. “But it’s necessary. If you ever have to talk to them directly, never give them details. They’ll take it and spin it into something else. They’re desperate to make a mockery of all this. So be vague.”

  “Hm,” she nodded, licking her lower lip. He wanted to lick it, too.

  “If at any point you feel trapped, just say no comment and that’s it. Ignore them. You don’t have to say anything to them. You’re better off giving them nothing than giving them something to flip on you.”

  She wrung her hands together in her lap, staring down at them. “Why does that make me feel even more nervous?”

  He placed his hand over hers and her gaze shot up to his. “You have nothing to be nervous about. You’re smart, you’ve done this before, you don’t have to prove anything to them. Don’t change who you are just because there’s a camera in the room.”

  Her hands were warm beneath his. A weird pulse of energy seemed to flow through them, and Jared realized he didn’t want to let go. Not good.

  She smiled at him, a wide smile that made her golden eyes light up with the rest of her face.

  She was beautiful.

  Not. Fucking. Good.

  He acted the way he did for a reason. To keep people far, far away. He couldn’t let her see through the mask. Even if something about her did make him feel like it may be safe to let his guard down for once.

  Jared pulled his hand from hers and cleared his throat, turning his attention to her desk. “So, uh, you ever have sex on this thing?”

  She sounded like she nearly choked. “Uh, no, definitely not.”

  He leaned in once more. “Do you want to?” He winked.

  Her mouth fell open, then snapped shut. She turned to her desk and scooted away from him to get back to work on her papers.

  “You’re not fooling me, Mr. Walker,” she murmured.