"How did I never notice you before?"

"Because you were too focussed on yourself. Seriously, are we done here?"

Jasxon shakes his head as if to get him back on topic. It's kind of cute the way he does it. Too bad I can't stand him.

"We're not done yet. I need Mikey to pass this class. Mikey Simms - do you know him?"

"Of course I know him. Great kid. Terrible grades."

"He's also a football star. He needs a better grade in this class. Can you help him?"

"My extra help hours are always posted. He has never come in. You can encourage him to do so and I'm sure that would help."

"Come on, babe. There has to be something more you can do."

"Babe? Really? That look and a little begging may work on other women, but it's not going to work with me - especially when it comes to changing grades. If Mikey wants a better grade, he's going to have to earn it."

"What look?"

I look up at Jaxson incredulously. He was making a look. I know he was. He looked at me the same way at the bar.

"Fine," he concedes, "I'll tutor him."

I laugh, "perfect. The blind leading the blind. I thought you wanted to help him."

"You're assuming I don't know anything about social studies, Ms. Hayes," Jaxson says, accompanied by a sly smile, "you know what they say about making assumptions, don't you?"

"I do. This is more of an educated guess. I was one of your classmates. I know most of the jocks didn't earn their good grades - they were handed to them. It's a practice I don't use in my classroom."

"So, you think I'm a dumb jock."

"Now who's making the assumptions?"

"It's more of an educated guess," he says, mocking me. His lips purse together like he's thinking. It's something else I would find cute about him - if I was into him. "How about we make a friendly wager then?"

"A bet?"

"Yes, a bet."

I'm intrigued, but I don't want to totally play into his hand. I remain silent. He goes on, "I will tutor Mikey. If he earns an 'A' on the next test, you will go on a date with me."

"And if he doesn't?"

"I won't bother you anymore."

"Bother me in general - or just about Mikey?"

His lips curl up again, "about Mikey. You're going to go out with me at some point anyway, so 'in general' is a little extreme."

"You seem very sure of yourself."

"I am."

I think about his offer for a minute. If Jaxson can really help Mikey, that would be great for Mikey. I can't deny a student a chance to improve their grade. If Jaxson doesn't know what he's doing, I can always put a stop to the arrangement to prevent Mikey's grades from getting worse than they already are.

"Fine."

"Fine, what?" Jaxson replies playfully.

"I will go out with you if Mikey gets an 'A' on his next test. Matter of fact, I'll even agree to a 'B plus'."

"Wow, you must really want to go out with me. I didn't think you were that into me."

"Oh, I'm not. I just think you're more confident than you should be here. Mikey is a great kid, but he could care less about social studies. All he cares about are football and girls - sound familiar?"

"Yup. It sure does - and that's what will make it so much easier to get through to him."

"I wish you luck, then."

"Are you smiling like that because you're thinking about what we're going to do on our date?"

I blush. I didn't realize I was smiling. I also won't ever admit it to him, but I was in fact thinking about some of the things he would do to me on a date - I mean that we would do together. Dammit. I have to stop. He's a womanizer and a jock - so not my type.

"I'm smiling because I like a challenge."

"Funny, I feel the same way." He gives me one last crooked smile and leaves my classroom.

Chapter 7.

JAXSON.

It's hard enough that Sydney - Ms. Hayes - looks as good as she does without trying. At the bar she was in jeans and a tee shirt with no make up and I wanted to bang her. Seeing her dressed as a teacher though? I don't care what she says - she knows she looks like a porn star like that. How could she not?

What a pleasant surprise seeing her in her classroom. Her dark hair pulled back in a loose bun, strands of hair freely hanging around her face. She was wearing dark rimmed glasses that make her look studious, but in a slutty way. She had on a white buttoned top with just the top button undone. It still looked innocent and conservative, but from where I was standing, I could see clear down her shirt. Getting a glimpse of those two perfect mounds hidden behind that little piece of fabric got my blood flowing. If I wasn't trying so hard not to, I would have had a full hard on.

No wonder Mikey is failing, he probably fantasizes about his teacher all period long. I would if I was in her class.

Little Miss 'I'm too good for you' is in for a surprise though. She thinks I was handed all of my good grades - I wasn't. Okay, some teachers were a little more lenient on the athletes, but I earned almost every 'A' I got - and there were plenty of them. In addition to my football scholarship, I was also offered a partial academic scholarship - not that anyone noticed.

Sydney has no idea who she's up against. There's no way I'm losing this bet. And once she spends one night with me, we'll both be winners. She won't be able to resist me, I see the way she looks at me. I just need a chance to show her - to make her realize what she's trying to avoid. She wants me. Once Mikey scores a nice grade on his test, I will find out for sure.

Even in this small town, there's enough pussy to choose from, but I haven't been looking. There's something about her that really turns me on. Being off the party circuit is really fucking with my head - both of them. I feel like I could get into this girl - God knows how many times I've used her to get off lately. I haven't been with anyone else since I laid eyes on her - not even after the scene at the bar my first night.

I keep racking my brain to try and remember her from high school. There's something nagging at me - like I do know her - but I can't place her. She's pretty enough that she would have caught my eye. Maybe she did and I forgot. Maybe that's why she has an attitude. I'll have to make an effort to find out.

Chapter 8.

SYDNEY.

The nerve of some people! How dare Jaxson come into my classroom and ask me to fix a student's grade. I would never! Now the big shot thinks he's going to be able to fix things by tutoring? Hah! What a joke.

Jaxson James is so used to getting his way, he thought he could just strut into my classroom, flash that playful smile, and I would do whatever he asks. Huh. No. I'm too smart to fall for his charms. I've been down that road before.

To think I got a little twinge of excitement when I thought he remembered me from high school. Why should I care anyway? In the end he grew up into a bigger, more self centered, asshole, and I just...grew up. I know much more now than I did when I was in high school. I may not know everything, but I know enough to stay away from guys like that.

Then why am I hoping that Mikey gets an 'A'?

It's not because I want to go on a date with Jaxson - that would be crazy. I want Mikey to succeed. I want him to make the pros if that's his destiny - he deserves it if he's that good. Even if he doesn't get far in football, would getting good grades be the worst thing in the world? So what if I lose and have to 'take one for the team' and go on a date with Jaxson? It's one date. I'm sure I could find worse things to do with my time.

Chapter 9.

SYDNEY.

I must admit, with all the work I've been doing convincing myself what a terrible person Jaxson is, I was shocked to see Mikey show up for my extra help hours. When I kindly asked him what brought him in, he told me that Coach James told him he has to attend any and all of my extra help hours. Mikey admires the man and takes his advice to heart - football or otherwise. Mikey even pays more attention in class now. Jaxson must be doing something right to command such respect - or maybe he just bribed him with something.

I usually pack a lunch and eat in the teacher's lounge, but since it's raining out today, I choose to spend my lunch hour in the classroom. I find listening to the rain very peaceful, and today, it's just what I need. I'm pretty much caught up on my lessons and grades, so I take my time enjoying the peace and quiet. I still have some time left when I finish my lunch, so I begin to write some key points on the board for my next class. I like having an outline up anyway so I don't have to write while I speak.

"Apple for the teacher?"

I slowly turn around at the sound of Jaxson's voice, "thanks, but I already ate."

He lets himself in and strides over to my desk and sits right on top.

"Make yourself at home," I say sarcastically.

"Thanks." He takes a bite of the apple without taking his eyes off of me.

My palms are suddenly damp. I run my hands down my skirt nervously, trying to play it cool. There's no reason for me to feel anything around Jaxson - especially nervous.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm sure you can," he answers looking me up and down. He's undressing me with his eyes - I can feel it. His stare makes my body warm. No chance I'm letting him know that though.

"What is it you need?"

"So many questions, Ms. Hayes," he teases, "I need Mikey to get an 'A' - I mean 'B plus' - so I can see what's under these tempting little teacher get ups you like to taunt me with."

I can't help but laugh, "If you're referring to my knee length skirt and neck high shirt, you must have a very active imagination."

"Oh, I do. Trust me. I have spent too much time imagining already."

I blush at the thought, "you know, this could be considered sexual harassment, Coach James."

"Probably, but if we both want it, it's just some harmless flirting."

"The key words there are 'we both want it', which I assure you, 'we both' do not."

"You do, you just don't know it yet." He takes another bite of the apple. That same crooked smile playing on his lips while he chews. I swear I can read his mind when he has that look on his face - and everything I see in there is very dirty.

"How about we agree to disagree?"

"Whatever you say."

"Mikey showed up for extra help this week," I blurt out, changing the subject. I have to. I don't like where my mind is going.

Jaxson smirks, "of course he did. He's working very hard for that 'A'."

"That's great. It's nice to see that he's finally showing some interest. What did you say to make him change his mind like that?"

"I told him that if he gets a good grade, I can fuck his teacher," Jaxson answers boldly.

My face turns bright red. I glance at the door to make sure it's closed. God forbid anyone heard that comment, "I'm going to assume that is not what you said to one of my students. Even someone like you would know better than that."

"Of course not. I just love how you look when you blush." He takes another bite of the apple.

"I'm not blushing, I'm mad. What makes you think you can speak to me like that?"

"I know you like it."

"I don't." I'm lying. No one has ever said things like that to me. It's actually quite a turn on - not that I would admit it to Jaxson. "I also never promised anything more than a date. There was no mention of...sex. Don't expect it - it's not happening - ever," I add nervously.

"You keep telling yourself that," he smirks, "I'll settle for a date to start."

I roll my eyes. There's no getting through to this man. The bell rings signaling the end of my lunch period.