Page 16 of Love, In Balance

I freeze for a moment before feeling the heat rise up my neck and onto my cheeks. I smile without even realising.

“I’m glad our paths crossed again, and that I know you’re safe Quin” Is all I can say.

My eyes focus on his lips. Damn I could kiss him all over again. My body heats up in places other than my neck and cheeks.

Snap out of it Lista!

He looks down at me before gripping the side of my arm.

“Oh and, your‘body differences’make you even more beautiful, so don’t ever worry about that…It makes you, you. Anyone who thinks any different of you, that’s their issue, not yours.” he says as he glances to my leg, before continuing “Get home safe anyway, and I’ll see you around”.

I smile up at him. “You shall”.

I will most definitely be seeing you around.

I get home and I can’t help but feel extremely twirly (in other words…horny, for those who aren’t a complete weirdo like me). I have the relaxing bath that I promised myself, do my night-time prosthetic cleaning routine, eat a light dinner and read in bed foran hour or so before snuggling under my covers with my trusty sex toy sidekick.

The spicy cowboy book I’m reading may have induced some fantasies that will remain in my mind and between the sheets. Elsie always knows how to create the sexiest book boyfriends. I take full advantage.

I enjoy a well-deserved release of pent-up energy and then fall into a calming sleep. Definitely not dreaming about a certain dark haired tall professor and what lies beneath those layers of clothing.

Chapter

6

Quin

Playlist:Beyond– Leon Bridges

It’s been two days since Lista and I were reintroduced.

It started on a rather dull note, but after having a proper conversation over the nicest hot chocolate I’ve tasted, we managed to find common ground and get through the misunderstanding.

She’s attended both of my seminars over the last two days, and I’ve had to stop myself from being distracted by her presence.

I’ve not spoken to her one to one, but I want to more than anything. I need to somehow distract myself from these thoughts. I’m a professor for fuck’s sake. I need to reel it in and sort my shit out.

It’s different with Lista. We met before realising about our positions, but I still can’t lose my cool in front of other staff and students. Or else I’ll be back to square one and could risk my entire career here at the university.

I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am. And I’d imagine she has too.

When classes finish for lunch, I head over to the campus coffee shop to get a top up of coffee and a bite to eat. Out of nowhere an enthusiastic voice startles me.

“Quin, how are you doing?” Oli says.

“Yep, not too bad thanks. You?” I say, probably a little too robotic sounding.

“I’m good. I was wondering if you fancied coming over to my mates for a game night tonight. You look like you need it. Maybe release some of that moody energy you’re giving out and put it to good use” he says, with a low laugh.

I think it through. Who would want to invitemeto a game night. Other than Edward, anyway.

I’ve known Oli now for just under a month. He’s a final year PhD student and part time lecturer, so we’ve been working together closely on seminars.

He’s been shadowing me during my lectures as well as having me as his advisor on his teaching skills.

He’s a great guy. We clicked instantly.

Well, once we got over him telling me how handsome and ‘do-able’ I was. He made sure I knew that if I like dudes, to keep him in mind.

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