Page 89 of Study You

“Oh yeah? Why so?”

Finn cleared her throat and side-eyed Deena. “You know I told you I care for my mum. Well, she’s agreed to have help around the house, and it’s going really well. It means I have more time to myself.”

Deena nudged Finn’s shoulder. “That’s great news. I’m so happy for you, Finn.”

“She’s doing great. They take her out for the day and stuff. And it means I can do my own thing pretty much whenever I want.”

“That has to be exciting for you.”

Finn smiled as more students filed into the hall. “It really is. The next step is to look for my own place.”

“Oh. Now that is exciting. Have you started looking yet?” Deena asked, sipping from her takeout cup. “I could help you if you fancied it? It’ll give me something to do.”

“Oh, that’s a really nice offer, but I don’t even know what my budget is yet. I don’t think I have the time to look for some kind of forever home right now, so it’ll only be a rental anyway. Nothing too grand, you know?”

Honestly, Finn hoped there would come a point when she and Gillian lived together. Bold to assume that Gillian would want that, but they’d already admitted they were falling in love with one another. Down the line, if things went to plan, it would make sense to look at that option.

“Well, if you ever need someone to make the decision with, give me a shout. I love viewing properties. Even if only to get some interior design inspiration.”

“I’ll definitely hold you to that.”

As Finn’s eyes drifted towards the front of the lecture hall, Gillian turned and faced her students. She wore that red skirt, but Finn wasn’t going to take the bait. No way. She needed to focus and then rip it from Gillian’s body later.

“Well, you all look refreshed.” Gillian’s bright white smile lit up the room as she rested against the desk at the front. She briefly cast her gaze on Finn, then focused on the rest of the students. “Time to go again. You know what I expect from all of you, and I know you won’t let me down.”

Finn relaxed into her seat, ready for another semester of hard work, budding friendships, and Gillian Masters.

* * *

Finn knocked gently on Gillian’s office door, her other hand gripping her rucksack on her shoulder. She had the weight of seven books to lug around with her, but she wouldn’t be on campus for much longer. The second she could get them in the boot of her car, she wouldn’t look at them for the rest of the night. Still, she liked to be prepared with any reading material on the list for the semester.

“Come in,” Gillian said, her voice floating through the wood separating them.

Finn turned the handle, grinning when Gillian smiled back at her from her desk. “Hi.”

“Hi, gorgeous.” Gillian waved a hand. “Close the door. Lock it too, if that would make you more comfortable.”

Finn lifted a shoulder and closed the door, choosing not to lock it. “Nah. It’s okay. I’m not staying long.” She noted the disappointment in Gillian’s eyes as she said that. “I’ll see you tonight though.”

“I don’t know what time I’ll be home. I have a meeting at five about next year’s modules and timetables.”

“That’s okay. You just let me know when you’re available. I’ll go home and spend some time with Mum. If she’s home.”

“I swear your mum has a better social life than either of us.” Gillian got to her feet and rounded her desk. She reached out her hand, taking Finn’s, and smiled into a kiss. “Hi. I’ve missed you today.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

“And you know I’d love to see you tonight, but if it’s too much or you have a lot on, then don’t worry about it.”

Finn wrapped an arm around Gillian’s waist, her shoulder sagging with the weight of her books. “If I say I’ll see you tonight, then I’ll see you tonight. I haven’t let you down so far, and I’m not about to start doing so.”

“Maybe we could order in? I won’t have any desire to cook once I get home. It’ll probably be seven…maybe later.”

“Sure.” Finn nodded but with no plans to feed Gillian takeout tonight. No, she would see her mum for a while, go to the supermarket and get some things in, then have dinner ready for Gillian when she walked through the door. “As I say, just let me know when you’ll be heading home, and I’ll be over.”

“Or…you could already be at my place waiting for me when I get in.” Gillian drew a finger up Finn’s throat, causing her to swallow hard. God, they’d fucked into oblivion by now, but that finger up her throat always had her knees weak. “What do you think?”

“I-I think I’ll definitely consider that. Wouldn’t want to make you unhappy.” Finn chanced another kiss, then stepped away. They didn’t need to play the dangerous game here. It wasn’t worth the fallout. “Now, what I really came here for.”

---