Page 30 of Wicked Scandal

I grab her shoulders and really look at her. The ridiculous outfit, the tears building in her eyes, but most of all the way her expression begs me not to give up. “You look scared.”

Her eyes travel to the road, watching a car drive down it slowly. In an instant, she grabs me by the arm, pulling me toward the guesthouse. “We can’t talk out here. People will gossip and that’s the last thing I need right now.”

“Oh?” I chuckle. “But my car sitting in this driveway is invisible so long as we’re not standing by it?”

She scoffs. “Just get inside before the whole town begins talking.”

Her fingers move quickly as she punches in a code on the door, a code that I see and memorize. Once it beeps, she opens the door and we go inside. Without hesitation, she closes and locks it behind us.

She moves to a small window facing the driveway and bends over to look outside. Her hand is shaking and her breathing is rapid, as if we just ran a marathon. “I think we’re good. I don’t think anyone saw us.”

“So what if they did? We’re not doing anything wrong. It’s not like we’re having an affair.” I laugh, but the way she straightens her back and her eyes widen leads me to believe that’s what she’s worried people will think. “Is that what you’re worried about? People thinking you and I are sleeping together?”

“No,” she stammers. “Not at all. You’re my student, Wilder. Why would anyone think that?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Then what’s the big deal?”

“This.” Her hands glide between us. “Us together. Talking outside of school. It’s extremely unprofessional.”

“Us?”

She tries to brush off the comment, waving her hand in the air. “You know what I mean.”

I step closer to her, watching as her breath hitches. “No, I don’t. Care to elaborate?”

“Bad choice of words. I just mean?—”

My hand presses to her chest, right over her heart. “You feel it, too, don’t you?”

“F-feel what?”

“This thing between us.” My forehead drops to hers and I inhale her lavender scent. “The way the world stops spinning when we’re in the same room. How our eyes always find their way to one another.”

She shakes her head and separates us, averting her gaze. “You’re delusional. I-I don’t feel any of those things. I’m your teacher. I can’t.”

“You keep saying that.” I take another step toward her so that nothing separates us now. “But why am I here?”

Her shoulders lift, caging in her neck. “You tell me.”

“I wanted to see you.” I stand tall, my hand falling to her cheek and stroking it gently.

“Well, here I am. You can go now.” The way she leans into my touch reminds me of a cat, and it makes me smile. My beautiful CatEyes.

“Is that what you want?” I question after a moment of just touching her. It’s the first time she’s really allowing it and I want to stay in this moment forever.

There’s a beat of silence between us and it’s all I need to reaffirm what I believe. She does feel it.

“Of course it is. Troy is going to wonder where I am when he checks the cameras. I need to get home.”

“Then go.” Another step closer and our chests touch. I look down at her, she’s so petite and fragile. The thought of anyone hurting her has my fists clenching.

“I am.” But she melts into me more, as if she needs someone gentle to remind her of who she is.

The corner of my mouth lifts. “You’re not moving.”

“You go first.” Her eyes drift shut before she pushes back, creating space between us.

“Fine,” I say, before stepping into her and not giving her a choice. I need one more hit of her scent, one more moment where the heat of her imbeds itself in me and brings me to life. I look down at her mouth, temptation eating away at me. I wanna kiss her so fucking bad.

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