Page 96 of The Love Position

‘Sophia…’ The warmth of his breath felt like a caress.

‘Yes?’

‘I… I want to talk to you about something.’

‘Okay.’

His gaze was so focused, so intense, it was difficult to breathe.

‘I’ve been unsettled and unhappy for a while but couldn’t work out why, because I’d created my perfect life. But then I met you… And the path I was on cracked.’

Sophia’s heart thumped faster against her ribs.

‘I’ve never questioned my vow, and no woman has ever challenged it. Being celibate was easy.’

His words were halting, his expression pained. Was she hurting him by being this close? Should she pull back? But no matter how many questions her mind threw out, her body refused to listen.

‘I don’t want to put you under any pressure, and I know my behaviour right now is unethical—’

‘What?’ she whispered.

‘I’m your teacher.’

‘And?’

‘I don’t just want a friendship with you. I want a relationship.’

Oh, my god.

‘D-do you mean that?’

‘Yes. My feelings for you bury deeper into my heart every moment we’re together, and they’re not going anywhere. I know you may not feel the same way about me, but I wanted to be honest with you as well as with myself.’

‘You want to break your vow?’

‘Only with you. If you aren’t interested, then I’ll stay celibate. But no matter what happens between us, meeting you has changed my life for the better.’

‘How?’

‘You challenge my status quo and make me question things I’ve never really thought about before. You inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and do more with my life.’

Sophia’s head was filled with fireworks. All she could manage in response was ‘Oh.’

Isaac’s smile was tender, his expression one of resigned acceptance, as if this was the end of something and not the beginning. Shifting his arm, he tried to move her away.

She held onto him tighter.

His forehead furrowed. ‘Sophia?’

Fingers trembling, she reached up and stroked his worry lines away.

‘I want you too,’ she whispered.

He froze.

‘I’ve never felt like this with anyone else before.’

Sophia’s heart was already thumping painfully fast, but when Isaac’s shocked expression melted into fire, she was convinced it would burst from her chest. She cupped the side of his face, the softness of his stubble tingling against her palm.

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