Page 102 of Misconducts & Temptation

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. “How much more practice can I get?”

She gave me that look—half challenge, half invitation—as she stepped to the driver’s side. “Well,” she said, trying hard to sound seductive, “the more practice you do… the more practice I do.”

Her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink despite her efforts to maintain a sultry expression. It was adorable and completely disarming.

I couldn’t help myself. Something inside me shifted, and before I knew it, I was moving around the car toward her. She barely had time to react before I pulled her into a kiss, pressing her against the car door.

Her lips were soft and warm against mine, tasting faintly of rain and something uniquely Elodie. She gasped softly at first, but then her hands found their way to my shoulders, gripping tightly as if anchoring herself to me.

The world seemed to fall away in that moment. All the tension, the expectations, and the pressures dissolved into nothingness as our lips moved together in perfect sync. Her breath mingled with mine, creating a heady mix that made my heart race.

I felt her relax into me, her body molding against mine as the kiss deepened. It was like finding a piece of myself I hadn’t known was missing until now. Her fingers tangled in my hair, sending shivers down my spine.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless. Her eyes were wide and bright, reflecting a mixture of surprise and something deeper—something that echoed the storm inside me.

“Elodie,” I murmured against her lips.

She smiled softly, her cheeks still flushed. “Keaton.”

We stood there for a moment longer, just holding each other as the rain-drenched world slowly came back into focus for us.

Then she took a deep breath and pulled away slightly. “Come on,” she said again, though her voice was softer now. “Let’s get to Crestwood.”

Elodie slid into the driver's seat, adjusting the rearview mirror with a determined look. I shut the door behind her and made my way around to the passenger side. I opened the door and got in, settling into the seat beside her.

"All right," I said, fastening my seatbelt. "Show me how well you've practiced."

She chewed her bottom lip, a small crease forming between her brows. It was a habit of hers whenever she was deep in thought or a bit nervous. She pressed the ignition, and the car roared to life. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she took a deep breath.

The car rolled forward smoothly, and she navigated through the narrow cemetery paths with a cautious precision. Her eyes flicked from the road to the rearview mirror and back again, ensuring she avoided any puddles or uneven ground.

"Nicely done, babes," I said, trying to reassure her. "I always knew you were a quick learner."

She glanced at me briefly, offering a small smile before focusing back on the road.

We exited the cemetery, merging onto the main street that led toward Crestwood Academy. The roads were still wet, and puddles dotted the asphalt like small mirrors reflecting the sky. Elodie’s grip on the wheel relaxed slightly as she gained confidence with each passing mile.

She maneuvered around a tight corner, and I couldn’t help but notice how focused she was—every move deliberate and controlled. The tension in her shoulders eased as we continued driving, and soon enough, we were cruising along smoothly.

The town began to wake up around us, people emerging from their homes as if greeting a new day after a long storm. Cars passed by, splashing through puddles, their headlights cutting through the misty morning air.

Elodie handled it all with surprising ease. She chewed on her lip less now, her focus unwavering as she guided us through traffic and toward our destination.

I watched her in silence for a while, feeling a strange mix of pride and admiration. She was more than just resilient; she was strong in ways that mattered most. And sitting there beside her, I felt a sense of calm that had eluded me for so long.

As we approached Crestwood Academy, I glanced at her once more. “Not bad,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence.

She laughed softly. “Thanks,” she replied. “But we’re not there yet.”

The silence between us was comfortable, a rare and precious thing. My hand rested on her thigh, a simple connection that felt more grounding than anything else.

"Are you worried?" she asked, breaking the silence. "About the draft?"

I shook my head automatically, but the truth was a different story. Worry gnawed at me like a persistent itch I couldn't scratch. What if I didn't make it? What then? My friends had already been drafted, and here I was, the odd man out. More than that, I had picked this path myself. I could have worked for my father or done something easier. But now, with Elodie depending on me, failure wasn’t an option. But what if it happened, anyway?

"Good," she said softly. "Because I think you're going to do amazing."

"Do you?" I asked, glancing at her.

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