Art teacher Stone Larrabee dreads parent/teacher conferences. One following Christmas break becomes especially awkward, when a man with whom he shared a hot anonymous hookup and a nasty argument afterward walks in. Edison Watts.<br><br>The moment they’re reunited, sexual sparks reignite. Too many conflicts force Stone to decree there can never be anything between them but the one night, though, even as fate keeps throwing them together throughout the school year, and developing feelings become hard to ignore.<br><br>Some problems are easily solved while others, including the reason for Edison’s initial attraction to Stone and the chip on Edison’s shoulder bigger than the high school’s football field, prove more difficult. Stone can teach, but he decides must also be willing to learn and grow. When Edison promises to do the same, can they find a way to make one and one equal two?

Substitute Teacher

“Your idea, with the dancing,” Edison said. “She tried not to surrender to her excitement toward it, to stay all pouty and not even consider how much fun it might be. She couldn’t help herself, though, and that incredible painting was the result, probably the best in the class. The best in the history of this school, I bet.”


“That’s all you got?” Edison shoved Stone gently. “Excellent?’”


His touch, just one hand, had made Stone shiver. “Phenomenal.”


“That’s more like it. We gave you all the credit for the idea,” Edison claimed, “and you wound up being one of Sonny’s favorite teachers. Whomever would-a thunk it?” He came really close then, speaking his warm, moist words right at Stone’s ear. “Whomever…that’s right, isn’t it?”


Stone swallowed hard. “I’m honestly not sure. Is it?”


Chapter 10