Page 103 of Obedience

‘Mmmm,’ Greta hummed as she pulled away, smacking her lips. ‘You’re all salty.’ A smile tugged at the corner of Dylan’s mouth, the events of the day not allowing it to spread any further. ‘Whatever happens, Dylan, I’m not going anywhere. Nobody’—she kissed her again—‘is going to panic.’

‘I should walk away,’ Dylan said softly, her reticence giving way to tears the moment the words left her mouth.

‘It would make no difference, Dyl. They know, and I’m glad they know. I wouldn’t want to have what I had before and not have you. I can’t imagine that life anymore. If there is an indelible mark next to my name then so be it. I don’t want a life without you in it with me.’

As tears rolled down Dylan’s face, Greta wiped them away with her fingers.

‘Do you mean that?’ Dylan said, her bottom lip quivering.

Greta kissed it softly, leaned back in her lap and moved the curls that were fused to her brow with sweat.

‘I fucking mean it,’ Greta whispered emphatically before kissing her again. She pulled away and searched Dylan’s eyes as she ran her hands down her face. ‘Do you always get this sweaty when you train? Because this does not seem normal to me, St John.’

Dylan laughed, wrapped her arms tight around Greta’s waist and began rubbing her sweaty head into her chest and neck.

‘Dylaaan!’ Greta yelled, pushing her back with her forearms. ‘Stop it!’

Dylan relented and sat back in the chair, chuckling. Curls now frizzy from the friction, her cheeks even pinker than they were before.

She smiled up at Greta. ‘Kiss me, Doctor Vincent,’ she demanded softly.

Greta cradled her flushed face and did just that.

Chapter twenty-six

It’s done

Greta’s hesitant hand began to shake as she pressed the touch screen of her laptop to open an email from the University’s HR department.

Subject: Honorary Contract Termination.

Dear Dr Vincent,

Following a review of your contract with the University, we are writing to confirm that your honorary status will conclude with effect from the date of this correspondence.

This decision has been made in line with the University’s policies and expectations regarding professional conduct and appropriate boundaries. As an honorary appointee, you are expected to adhere to the same standards as employed staff, including those relating to relationships with students.

With immediate effect, you should not represent yourself as having any formal affiliation with the University, nor engage in teaching, supervision, assessment, mentoring, or contact with students in a University capacity. Your access to University systems and facilities associated with the honorary appointment will be withdrawn accordingly.

We recognise the contributions you have made during your time as an honorary lecturer and thank you for these. This correspondence brings the honorary appointment to a close; no further action is required from you at this time.

Regards,

Lyle McKenna

Senior Manager, Human Resource Dept, The University of Manchester.

Slamming her laptop shut, Greta tossed it onto the bed, pressing her back into the pillows behind her.

‘What’s wrong?’ Dylan asked, twisting to place her iPad on her bedside cabinet next to the Margs Monitor.

‘I’ve lost my honorary contract. It’s done.’ Greta stared down at her bare legs and feet.

‘Fuck. You’ve had—’

‘It’s done, Dylan.’ Greta’s blinking quickened as she valiantly battled the tears stabbing her eyes.

She had known this would be the very least to expect, but reading the words felt like the bottom had been kicked out of her world.