Page 23 of Autumn's Coming

I knew I wasn’t built like a dancer, but damn.

I lifted my head, taking a deep breath. I wasn’t going to cry, I told myself. I focused on the door across from me instead.

There was a large six stenciled on the front.

I blinked.

I turned and looked at the door I’d just come out of.

Five.

How had I gotten that turned around?

I pulled myself together and took a deep breath, crossing the hall and opening the door to the room.

It was him, my professor, again.

He sat on the couch in the private room. A bottle of champagne was open on the table in front of him.

There was only one glass, currently in his hand.

I hesitantly closed the door.

I wasn’t wearing a mask tonight. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize me.

“Autumn.”

My name sounded so good when said it.

I bit my lower lip. “Hi.”

“I thought it was you. I apologize for not saying anything after class.”

I shook my head. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that would’ve embarrassed me.”

“Hm.”

He took a sip of his champagne.

I swallowed. “You…wanted to see me?”

“I did. You’ve been on my mind since last night.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know I’d made that much of an impression. But knowing he’d been thinking about me was a hell of a turn-on. “How did you know I was here?”

“I saw the other girl. I asked if you were here and she said yes.”

“Oh.”

I wasn’t sure whether to thank Jessie, or kill her.

I moved closer, biting my lower lip.

On impulse, I reached for his glass. He let me take it.

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