Page 6 of Study You

Do you remember my address?

Gillian’s address wouldn’t be the same for much longer. On Friday, she was collecting the keys to her new place. A home with a garden and plenty of space. Gillian could hardly wait to put her own stamp on it. Granted, it would take a while to complete renovations, but it would all be worth it in the end.

Yeah. That’s not an address I could forget in a hurry. Finn.

She smiled at that. And then she made a mental note not to give Finn her new address when the time came to move in. This could be the place they’d had their fun while her new home would be a fresh start for Gillian.

Then come over now. If you’re sure it’s me you want to talk to.

As Gillian sent off that message, she lowered her work to the coffee table and mentally prepared herself for seeing Finn again within her own four walls. Something told her that she wouldn’t have to worry about the dangerously good side of her student tonight, even if that was the side she would always crave.

Are you sure?

Gillian inhaled a deep breath and let it out ever so slowly.

I’m sure.

Chapter 3

What the fuck are you doing here?

Finn puffed out her cheeks and strode out of the lift. Part of her hadn’t expected Gillian to invite her over when she’d texted her, but Finn was grateful that she had. She just needed an hour to herself but not alone. She wanted to have a conversation with someone that wasn’t either of her parents. Finn…wanted to have a normal life.

As she approached the very door she’d had Gillian pinned against at one time, she pushed any of those thoughts from her mind. Unless they naturally gravitated towards one another tonight, Finn was going to tame herself. The last thing she needed was Gillian thinking she’d come here specifically for sex. As wonderful as that would be, that wasn’t what they had anymore.

She’s used you twice now, but you’re the one being respectful. Huh.Okay, that wasn’t strictly true. They’d used one another as it suited them, and Finn would do well to remember that. Nobody was the villain here. It was simply a fucked up situation.

When she stopped outside Gillian’s apartment, glaring at the door, Finn once again questioned what she was doing here. She was shocked she’d asked Gillian if they could talk. Yes, she wanted someone to talk to, but was it wise to choose the very woman she preferred to spend her time with naked?

You’re here now. She cleared her throat and knocked anyway. When the door opened and Gillian looked back at her, Finn could only smile. It felt odd to be here under different circumstances.

“Hey.”

Gillian cocked her head. “Come in.”

Finn did so, avoiding staring at Gillian for too long. She wore her reading glasses—glasses that sent every last thought of Finn’s directly into the gutter. “Thanks for responding to my message. I just started walking and ended up in your area.”

“Really.” Gillian deadpanned.

That reaction was understandable. If Finn was thrown by being here, Gillian surely felt the same way. Finn held up her hands and took a step back. “Really. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“Then can I get you something to drink? Maybe a beer?”

Finn smiled as she ran her fingers through her hair. “I’d love a beer. Is it okay if I take my jacket off?”

“Sure.”

Finn slid it off as Gillian turned her back and took a few steps towards the kitchen. She wore an oversized hoodie, her hair pulled up into a bun. Finn briefly admired the leggings sculpted to Gillian’s legs, and then she allowed those thoughts to pass. Keep it clean, Finn. She slung her jacket over a dining chair and stood awkwardly in the middle of Gillian’s space, aware that this was all very odd. Finn was her student. Odd was an understatement.

“So, you wanted to talk?” Gillian reached out with a beer to Finn, motioning for her to take a seat on the couch.

“Thanks.” She perched herself on the end, not entirely sure of the atmosphere yet, and nodded slowly. “Yeah, um…I know it’s probably a bit unexpected, and you can ask me to leave—”

“What is it, Finn? Because if this is about us, I’m going to stop you before you even start.”

There was no ‘them’. Finn knew that. “It’s not. And if it makes you feel better, I’m not trying to pursue you, Gillian. It was never about wanting a relationship. You don’t have to worry about that with me, okay?”

“Famous last words,” Gillian said with a slight scoff, but Finn saw through it. She was putting on a front, and Finn understood that Gillian was simply trying to protect herself. Gillian had no idea why Finn was here.

---