Page 20 of Teacher's Pet

This is good.

The words feel hollow as they echo in my mind.

"Fine," I hiss, the tension still hanging between us. I try to shake it off, to make it feel real, to convince myself this is okay. Giggling, I force the sound from my throat as Walker pokes my side, and I point to the projector, the distraction a welcome reprieve.

"Play the damn movie," I say, hoping the normalcy of it will somehow quiet the war waging inside me.

Waking to the sound of the movie's end credits rolling, for a moment, I forget where I am. Walker’s eyes are locked on the screen, his expression unreadable. Slowly, I pull my head up from his chest, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. I look around, searching for Elijah and Megan, but they’re nowhere to be found. The confusion twists in my stomach, and I look at Walker, hoping for some clarity.

"Elijah was falling asleep halfway through, so Megan walked him back to his dorm," he explains with a casual shrug. "Based on how long she’s been gone, I think she decided to give us some alone time."

The smile he gives me feels warm, but there's an edge I can’t quite place. I grab my phone, scrolling through Megan's texts. A few eggplant emojis catch my eye, and my cheeks flush with a sudden rush of embarrassment.

"I guess you're right," I mutter, biting my lip as I try to ignore the uncomfortable knot tightening in my chest. "I didn’t realize how tired I was. You didn’t have to stay here and watch the whole movie while I slept."

"I don’t mind," Walker replies with a smile, his voice low and easy. "Plus, you’re awake now." His gaze shifts toward me, sly and knowing. "And we’re alone."

The warmth of his hand slides along my lower stomach, a touch that sends a jolt of nerves through me. It’s familiar, but it’s also something more, something that feels like a dangerous echo of the past. The mix of nerves and the raw, almost desperate, desire to be touched rises in me.

This is good.

This is what I should be going after.

The thought doesn’t feel right, but I can’t shake it.

"We are alone," I whisper, my voice barely a breath. "And I’d hate for Megan’s sacrifice of staying in Elijah’s messy-ass dorm to go to waste-"

But before I can finish, his lips are on mine, cutting off my words with a slow, deliberate kiss. It’s tender, almost too gentle, but the heat behind it sends a wave crashing through me.

I should pull back.

I should stop this before it goes any further.

But the way his lips move against mine, the way my body responds without thinking, it all feels too damn good.

His hand slides from my lower stomach to the waistband of my soft bedtime shorts, his touch deliberate and slow. I catch my breath as his fingers dip lower, gliding over my sensitive folds, each movement making my pulse quicken. His touch teases, hovering just at the edge of my entrance.

My gaze locks on his lips, and, without thinking, I tug him closer, pulling him until he’s leaning over me, his weight pressing down, so close, I can feel his breath. Pulling away from the kiss, a soft groan escapes his throat, his hand slipping from my underwear, leaving a trail of my slickness up my stomach.

"Guess I should have started with some more foreplay-"

"Give me your hand," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Without hesitation, his hand finds mine, and I guide it, his fingers trembling slightly as they land in my mouth. I slowly lick up the sides of his middle and ring finger, the heat of his skin against my tongue making my breath hitch. His eyes go wide, watching every movement as I savor the taste. Once I’m done, I urge his hand back down, my pulse quickening as he teases my entrance, the eagerness in his touch now undeniable.

"Tell me if it hurts-"

"Who said I don’t like a little pain?" I snap, my words laced with defiance. "Tick tock, Walker-"

His fingers slide inside of me, cutting off my taunt as a sharp gasp escapes my lips. The pleasure surges, and I throw my head back, eyes shutting to drown in the sensation of his slick fingers moving in and out of me. The stir of blood between his legs presses against my thigh, igniting a new heat within me.

"H-how does it feel?"

God, he’s so careful.

"Don't worry about me," I whisper, my voice barely steady. "It feels good."

Good is generous.

---