"Gage," she whispers, breathless."We have to stop."
I freeze, resting my forehead against hers, panting."I know."
We stay like that for a moment, holding onto each other, before I slowly set her back on her feet.
"Come to Club Red tonight," I say, my voice rough.
She shakes her head."No."
"Then come to my place.We can just talk."
Another shake."I can't."
"Skye…"
She kisses me again, a soft press of lips that ends too soon."I want to.So badly.But we can't."
I exhale, hands sliding down her arms."I'm not giving up."
"I know."
She moves to the door, and just before she opens it, I call after her.
"Wear a dress to class next time."
She glances back over her shoulder with a small smile."Only if you wear one of your button-downs.Sleeves rolled up."
We both smile.I cross the room and kiss her again.This time it's slower.Tender.A promise.My hands frame her face, her lips soft beneath mine, like we're trying to memorize each other.
Her fingers brush my cheek before she pulls back.Her smile is soft, tinged with longing."If only this were simpler."
"It will be," I promise."Somehow."
Then she leaves, and watching her walk away feels like tearing a piece of my chest out.
A knock sounds a few minutes later.
I barely look up."Yeah?"
Part of me is hoping Skye is coming back to tell me she will meet me somewhere tonight, anywhere.
That hope is dashed when Professor Larkin walks in, all heels and perfume, leaning on my doorframe like she owns the place.
"Gage, you might want to be more careful."
I look up from my desk, brow furrowing."What's that supposed to mean?"
She steps into the office slowly, arms crossed and eyes glittering with thinly veiled malice."That girl…Skye?The one in your class?"
My pulse spikes, but I keep my control."What about her?"
She shrugs and starts circling my desk, like a lioness appraising prey."It's just the way she looks at you.And the way you look at her."
I clench my jaw."I don't know what you're insinuating."
Larkin leans against the edge of my desk, too close, her voice low and cool."Of course not.But others might.You know how fast rumors start around here."
"Thanks for the warning," I say tightly.
