Free FIGHT FOR ME by AJ Crowe Page B

door and said goodbye to each student.
    “Bye, Ms. Robins,” a few of the kindergarteners said. Each time Ivy was surprised they remembered her name.
    Initially when Lucas had invited her to teach a short English lesson to his kindergarten students, Ivy had been terrified. But it had turned out to be pretty straightforward. The kids were easy to work with and treated anyone at the front of the classroom like a revered deity, enraptured by every word.
    When Emma walked by, Ivy stopped her. “Hey Em, I’ll be out in a second, okay? You can play until I’m ready.”
    “Okay!” Emma ran out with a friend.
    A minute later, the classroom was empty. Lucas let the door swing shut.
    As soon as it did, he pushed her against the door and kissed her full force. One hand pinned her wrist against the door and the other caressed her cheek and hair. Ivy’s heart beat faster and the delicious feel of butterflies intensified her enjoyment of the kiss.
    Even after another month of regular kisses from Lucas, they still made her tingle all over.
    Well, even his gaze did that.
    Giggling, she let a hand brush between his legs.
    “Ivy,” he said, half serious. “Not now.”
    “What do you mean not now?” She brushed her lips over his neck and nipped at his collar bone. He shut his eyes and let out a deep breath.
    “I have a staff meeting in a few minutes,” he nearly moaned as she moved her hand against him.
    “Oh, all right, then.” She stepped away and started to open the door.
    “No,” he said, smiling sheepishly. “Come back.”
    He gave her a deep kiss that gave her an idea that she would have a wonderful night.
    * * * *
    She had been spending most nights at Lucas’s for the past few weeks.
    Every weekday morning she Skyped with her office in the city and they talked about what was going to be done that day. She would edit any new material and the cycle continued.
    It wasn’t quite as in depth as her job while she was in the office, but her editor in chief liked her and understood the situation –or at least part of it. She had been very sympathetic when Ivy had explained that her sister wanted her to stay until the anniversary of her husband’s death. Of course, she hadn’t mentioned Lucas as her primary reason to stay in Paisley.
    She was making part-time wage but it wasn’t like she needed a lot of money anyhow. Most of it was going to her sister to cover her meal and board. The rest went into savings.
    When Lucas went off to his staff meeting, Ivy went to walk Emma home. When she got home she worked on the latest issue of the real estate magazine while Emma played with little plastic ponies on the living room floor.
    Jess got home early. She gave her daughter a hug and then poured herself a glass of water from the sink before sitting down next to Ivy on the couch.
    “I had a good day at work,” she said.
    “Good to hear,” Ivy said, shutting her laptop and putting it aside. “There hasn’t been much for me to do at work today.”
    “I can’t believe they’re paying you to spend an hour or two a day to proofread on your laptop.”
    “Hey, I do so much more than that,” Ivy said, laughing.
    “I know. You work two jobs,” she said, looking meaningfully at her daughter.
    “That’s true.”
    A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. “You want to get it?” Jess called from her bedroom where she was watching a movie.
    “Got it.”
    Ivy opened the door.
    There was Lucas, a huge bunch of flowers in his hand, his smile just visible above the blossoms that he held out to her.
    “Oh my gosh!” She took them. “What are these for?”
    “Mr. Lucas!” Emma left her horses on the ground and joined them in the doorway.
    “I saw them in the grocery store and thought of you. They’re the same color as your hair and eyes.” Ivy looked at the flowers and saw that they were a mix of big golden blossoms and delicate blue ones.
    “Thank you so much.” She leaned over the flowers and kissed him quickly