his door—with an unnecessarily firm bang—he cursed himself volubly. He was a hopeless case, he told himself grimly, because he knew he was in danger of being emotionally trapped yet again—big time. He had enjoyed the company of too many beautiful women in his life, admitting that he’d taken his time in choosing the one he would eventually select as his wife…and what a bloody nose she’d given him! Why wasn’t he more like Carl, who never seemed to need a woman? Carl seemed happy and content to focus entirely on his career, on this school and its continuing status and success.
Jasper stared moodily in the mirror, his eyes gleaming with dark intensity as his thoughts ran on. Then he turned resolutely. This latest female to stir his masculine propensities would be gone out of his sight for ever in a matter of months—and, until then, he’d make sure he had as little to do with her as was humanly possible. It was imperative—vital—for him to keep his mind, his thoughts, fixed on his responsibilities here, for this final term. Surely he could manage that.
As he went to hang up his jacket, the faintest drift of Ria’s perfume, still lingering in the fabric, reached his nostrils and he clicked his tongue in annoyance. That didn’t help! Next time—perhaps every time—that he wore it, she would be right there close to him, taunting him, teasing him, without even realizing it.
CHAPTER FOUR
ALMOST four weeks into her job, and Ria had hardly seen Jasper at all. He never attended the morning assemblies, and only on two occasions had she seen him in the distance, surrounded by a group of older boys. But the distinctive voice could be heard above the general hubbub, and on that occasion it was obvious that he was making an important point! Ria had smiled to herself. There had never been any doubt in her mind who was in charge here, and the fact that he was seldom seen—leaving the day-to-day teaching to his staff—added to his quietly aloof stature.
She was relieved that she had been allowed to get through these first days without being hassled or checked-up on. So far, she’d only been asked to teach the twelve-year-old boys and she found them cooperative and well-behaved and, although she admitted to feeling dead tired by the time her duties ended at four-thirty, it was a happy and satisfying tiredness. She felt she was coping OK, and Tim had only looked in on two of her lessons, and had later given her the thumbs-up sign as they’d passed in the corridor. She had the impression that she was being trusted to do her job properly without undue interference.
The only social occasion seemed to be the evening meal, which was more like a running buffet, with people coming and going at different times. But it did give Ria some time to meet other members of staff and have a chat for an hour. Jasper had certainly not been seen in the dining room since that first Tuesday, so he either came down much later, Ria thought, or didn’t bother at all. Or maybe he preferred to eat his dinner alone in his room, or in the pub they’d been to. Anyway, it didn’t matter to her. She was glad not to see him. She was enjoying her life, so far, and one of the best bits of it was closing her door and being by herself in her own flat, to make some tea and sometimes to watch late evening television.
One morning, a type-written note had been slipped under her door. It read:
There will be a staff meeting in the headmaster’s room at 5.30 today. Please do your best to attend.
It was obviously a circular, delivered by Helen, and was probably a regular event, Ria thought as she read it again. Jasper Trent keeping a firm hand on the steering wheel, keeping everyone on their toes.
After she’d finished lessons for the day, Ria let herself into her flat. Taking a fresh top from the wardrobe, she went into the bathroom for a quick shower before going down to the meeting. There wouldn’t be time to wash her hair because it always took so long to dry, so she’d just have to pat it into place for now, she thought.
Presently, she fell into step with several other members of staff as they walked along the corridor to Jasper’s room, the door of which was already wide open. He was standing behind his desk, with Helen sitting alongside him, notebook and pen at the ready, and he greeted them all casually as they began sitting down on the two lines of chairs arranged in a semicircle in front of him.
From the place she’d chosen, right over to one side, Ria had deliberately placed herself out of his direct line of vision, but almost immediately she saw him glancing across at her and their eyes met for a fraction of a second—a second that seemed to linger for much longer than necessary as those intensely thoughtful eyes held her captive. And, despite all her best intentions, Ria felt a tremor of excitement sweep through her, making all her nerve-endings tingle, and she swallowed nervously. This was the first time she’d been anywhere close to her employer since the day she’d arrived, and even in this crowded room she felt again the leap of her pulse as her eyes flickered over him. He was sharp-suited as usual, the strong hair falling slightly over the expansive forehead, the uncompromising mouth set in a firm line. But it was his persona, the definable presence of the man which gripped her, and it was not what she wanted The last thing in the world that she wanted was being emotionally seduced—again—by another self-assertive alpha male. She was in unlooked for, dangerous waters and she bit her lip. She hoped that if she was asked to contribute to the meeting she’d be able to find her voice and say something sensible.
It proved to be a routine affair and at seven o’clock Jasper concluded the meeting. Ria stood up, relieved that nothing had been asked of her. But then, suddenly, he called across and she turned to look back at him.
‘Ria, would you mind staying for a few moments, please?’ he said—and it was not exactly a request.
She paused uncertainly, fiddling with the clasp of her bag and wondering why she was being singled out. Presently, after the chairs had been stacked neatly away again and everyone else had left, he gestured for her to come and sit opposite him once more.
‘Now,’ he said, looking directly at her, ‘I want to know how everything’s going for you. I didn’t think for a minute that you’d want to air any problems in public. So fire away.’
Although his expression was serious, the voice was warm enough and Ria felt herself relaxing. She smiled, shrugging slightly.
‘Well, actually, so far there haven’t been any problems—none that I’m aware of,’ she added. ‘Lessons have been uncomplicated, and I think I’ve got their interest—most of the time.’ She smiled again. ‘I haven’t had to wake anyone up so far, anyway.’
He nodded slowly, remembering the other time she’d sat in that chair and how wonderful she’d looked then. And today was no exception, he acknowledged, her black narrow-leg trousers and crisp white shirt giving her a brisk, efficient air. And her glorious hair, just slightly out of place today, with a few fronds escaping to fall towards the curve of her cheeks only added to her appeal. He picked up a pen, trying not to keep looking at her.
‘Tim has already told me that he’s never known class three to be so well-behaved, or to show such concentration.’ He paused for a moment, remembering Tim’s enthusiastic opinion about Ria. ‘ So…’ he looked up and smiled, his teeth white against his tanned skin ‘…well done,’ he murmured. ‘You seem to have fitted in very well—as I anticipated,’ he added.
Ria was genuinely thrilled to be told that. She couldn’t remember anyone bothering to compliment her on her work before, and it was true that she’d felt a special empathy with the class she’d been entrusted with.
‘Well, thank you,’ she said simply. ‘I’m enjoying teaching these children more than any I’ve come across so far. I hope I can keep it up,’ she added.
There was silence for a few moments, then, ‘Actually, there is
