Falling for the Babysitter

My heart leaps into my throat. Me babysitting for Deacon? The man responsible for all my sexy teenage dreams, the only man I imagined giving my virginity to. I don’t think there’s a number high enough to count the amount of times I pictured myself in his house, on his bed, spread open for him. What it would feel like to kiss him, to have him inside of me. What do his sheets smell like? What does his skin feel like?

Could I really stop myself from acting on the feelings I’ve had for him since puberty?

I’m bombarded by so many questions that my mind starts spinning. I push my plate away, my appetite gone.

“That’s fine,” I say. “I could use the extra money.”

Clara leans over and whispers in my ear so my mom can’t hear her. “And a good lay.”

That night I hardly sleep. I wanted Clara to stay another night to keep me company, but she has to go to work in the morning. My stomach is in knots. I’m up at four in the morning, wide awake and excited. I shower, do my makeup, make sure everything is perfect, and think about all the things I might say to him. When seven o’clock finally rolls around, I go over to meet Deacon, even though, in my head, I already know him. I stand on his front porch, in front of the door, my entire body shaking. Though it’s fall, it’s still a warm morning. The sun is bright, birds chirping. Not exactly sweater weather, which normally I’d be bummed out about. I love colder weather. The scarves, boots, hats. But at least, when it’s warm, it’s easier to dress sexy.

Sexy but not too slutty because I still want Deacon to give me the babysitting job. It’s a fine line between the two. I decide on a loose tank top and a bra a size too small to give me more cleavage, and shorts. The more skin the better, but at the same time, it’s what any other girl my age would be wearing.

I’m nearly knocked back by the rush seeing him up close gives me. He’s more handsome than I remember. Age has

someone, but I could never place the face with a name. Then one day Clara said he looked like Ian

up into a beautiful young woman,” Deacon says, looking genuinely surprised

didn’t

you are. I was always admiring

to that statement, but I think he’s actually talking about the garden I was always messing

of them fast enough. They’re better for the baby rather than store bought, and cheaper than buying organic.”

that. That’s so thoughtful of you to think

face flushes. “I love

in,” he says and motions