Teach Me (There's Something About Marysburg, #1)

by Olivia Dade

Hating such an unexceptional face might prove difficult, but she’d persevere.

Unlike almost every other man she’d known, Martin got hints.

But the way he’d stepped back from a simple glare…she’d seen that kind of reaction before. In some of the neighbor kids at the trailer park. In the wife of one of Barton’s colleagues. In some of her students, the ones she watched for bruises. And she wondered. About his childhood. About his marriage.

Then he hustled to the parking lot as fast as he could, the dogs of his past growling and lunging for his heels with every step.

Rose would likely understand his own fears. Might have even been patient with them. Might have helped him overcome them. And because of those fears, he’d just turned down her unguarded overture of interest, hurt her feelings, and pricked her pride. All in front of the last person she’d ever want to see her vulnerable.

His emotions did not concern her, and hers had been deposited safely out of his reach.

Martin Krause was a fucking phenomenal teacher. At the sight of such brilliance, such unmitigated competence, she had to shift a bit in her desk chair. Martin had never, never seemed sexier to her.

History is written by those in power, but those deprived of power deserve to be seen too.

don’t intend to present a more comfortable version of myself for anyone.

Even me.”

Their scorn for him, for everything he said and did and was, hurt worse than a few bruises.

Another few feet. “When you’re feeling better, you may get another chance. This time without drugs or tears. Or clothes.”

He was a man who would sacrifice anything to protect Rose, even though she didn’t ask for protection from him or anyone. Even though most people wouldn’t even see that she sometimes needed it.

That’s when he knew. He loved her.