The Devil in Love (A John Mulligan Story)

Chapter Four

 Chapter Four

It all happened so quickly that Karena sometimes thought that she didn't have a chance to run, but the truth is that she didn't want to run.

When he wasn't at his Monday lesson because he'd been released, Karena felt a tug at her heart when she realised that she may never see him again. She didn't know why, but somehow he was different from the other men she was around; somehow he had gotten under her skin.

Not that's she let it show, of course. She got on with the lesson as usual, even if she was very slightly subdued.

She was glad to leave at the end of the day, pleased by the thought of getting home and looking forward to a long hot bath, a tub of Hagen Daz and a nice romantic movie. That was usually enough to cheer even the most depressed heart.

Her arms were full of books and clutter as she headed to the car, and she was also trying to fish her keys out of her pocket, so she didn't notice him until he tried to take the bag from her shoulder.

Her reflexes kicked in and she hit out, her elbow going back and landing squarely on his solar plexus, sending him crashing to the ground.

“I was only trying to help,” he said from where he landed.

“Oh God, John, I am so sorry.” Mortified, she dropped the rest of her bags and knelt down beside him. “Are you all right?”

“I'm fine,” he said, sitting up and rubbing his chest where she had hit him. “But bloody hell, can you hit, woman.” His tone was teasing, pitched just right to make her blush again, without offending her. “Remind me never to surprise you.”

“I'm so sorry. I've been mugged a couple of times in the past, so when you took my strap I just... reacted. I'm really sorry.”

She helped him to his feet and together they collected up her bags and books, which he helped her to her car with.

“What are you still doing here?” she asked. “I thought you were released last Friday?”

“I was,” he answered as he placed her books on the back seat of her car. “I was waiting for you. I wanted to ask if you'd have dinner with me.”

He could tell that she was about to refuse him, so he rubbed his chest to remind her of what she'd just done. In his experience, guilt worked wonders on the fairer sex.

“Um...”

“No strings,” he assured her. “Just two people having a nice meal and a few glasses of wine.”

“Okay,” she agreed, her smile belying the somewhat forced agreement. “Yeah. Where and when?” she asked.

“I have a table booked at Marco's for eight. I'll send a car for you at about quarter to.”

“It's okay, I can drive myself."

“I know, but then you won't drink and I'd like it if we could just let our hair down and be John and Karena for a night, not teacher and student.”

“Then I'll take a cab and meet you there.”

“There's really-”

“I'll take a cab,” she assured him.

John dropped the matter and held her car door open as she climbed in.

“Until tonight,” he said, smiling. He rather liked the shy smile that she gave him in reply.

“Yeah. Bye.”

He closed her door and stood watching her car until she was out of sight.

He found himself whistling as he drove home, pleased with how things were progressing.