His throat bobs, his jaw tensing.
Tell me this is a mistake.
But he doesn’t.
His other hand moves to my face, caressing my cheek. I cansee the war in his eyes, the hesitation even now. For just a moment.
And then he presses his lips to mine.
At first, it’s slow and gentle—testing. My heart races and my body aches to get closer to him. I let out a breathy moan, wanting more, and that’s all it takes.
His hand weaves into my hair, cradling the back of my head and tilting it back, giving him better access to my mouth. He presses my lips to his with more force, taking more from me. Taking all I have and want to give. The kiss intensifies tenfold, his tongue darting out, teasing me. His hand slips from my shoulder to my waist as he turns his body towards mine.
Sparks fly, electricity zinging between us. My mind swirls with emotion as I have the best kiss of my life. One I never want to end. My hands are greedy, scaling up and down his arms, his back, touching him. In a way I never thought possible.
When we finally break for air, foreheads pressed against each other, both of us breathing heavily… I know there is no going back.
20
THEO
Her dark eyes pull me under, and I drown willingly. My hands stay locked around her waist, reluctant to let go, as if releasing her will shatter the fragile moment we found ourselves in. How the hell did I end up here? How did this crazy twist of fate lead me to this?
Here, to her. A student. Forbidden in every possible way. And yet, I wouldn’t take it back. Not for anything.
Her lips move against mine, soft and warm, tasting of the sweetest berries. I could devour her. I deepen the kiss, a groan catching low in my throat as heat coils low in my stomach. My hands skate down the curve of her spine, memorizing the feel of her, yet my brain knows I shouldn’t. This moment is fleeting, it cannot last.
The thoughts running through my mind are anything but pure, and the hardness aching between my legs betrays the direction they're taking. I can’t help it. Her body under my hands, warm and soft, may just be my undoing.
I haven’t felt this alive in so long. Haven’t laughed like I did tonight in longer than I can remember. Our night together inthe bar is a close second. She isn’t just beautiful… She's sharp, witty, and impossible to ignore.
Perfect.
And I want nothing more than to lose myself in her. To take her home, strip off her silky dress, and worship her the way she deserves.
But I need to stop. I need a cold shower and a harsh dose of reality. I need to remind myself that a kiss is one thing, but crossing that final line is another. And as much as I want her, as much as I wish our circumstances were different, I know damn well this can never work.
The thought is a punch to my gut. I force myself to pull back, space opening up between us like a chasm. My heart tears into pieces at the look in her eyes. She can already tell that I’m pulling away, attempting to build back the wall between us.
“I’ll walk you to your car… it’s getting late.” My voice comes out hoarse, almost painful. The words like knives scraping up my throat.
She nods, staying silent. I stand, offering my hand, and she takes it. I don’t let go. If this is all I get… if this ends here, tonight… I will savor it while it lasts. Her small hand fits perfectly in mine, her skin soft and warm.
We descend the fire escape, the city buzzing softly around us, but my focus stays on her. The way her fingers fit perfectly between mine, the way her steps match my own. We walk in silence, each other's company is all we need in this moment.
Our steps are slow and lazy, dragging this out as long as possible. My mind stays sharp, however, ensuring her safety. It’s a nice area, but you never know who or what you’ll find in the dark city streets.
When we reach her car, I hesitate. She turns towards me, biting down on that perfect lower lip, and something inside me snaps.
Fuck it.
I lose all restraint. I grab her hips, press her back against the cool metal of her car, and crash my mouthagainst hers. Nothing soft about it this time. It’s desperate and frenzied. Our hands are ravenous, roaming each other’s bodies. We’re feral for each other, unable to get close enough.
She is intoxicating and addictive. Our teeth clash, our tongues tangling in an intimate dance. Her hands pull at the back of my shirt, finding purchase on my bare skin.
I groan, the sound guttural. I’m putty in her hands.
“Theo…” she breathes against my lips.
