Page 14 of Wet Paint

“Risky choice for someone who doesn’t really know me,” I challenged, pursing my lips.

A smirk tugged at his lips. “I know you like sushi.”

“How?”

His hands were on my waist now, pulling me closer, but not tight enough to squeeze the flowers between us. He leaned in and kissed my cheek before saying, “I overheard a conversation you had with Ruby in class a few weeks ago. You were listing your favorite foods to make a meal plan together, and you mentioned how much you loved sushi quite a few times.”

I parted my lips to protest and tell him that it wasn’t nice to eavesdrop. But that’s not what that was. Ruby and I often talked during classes, and he probably just listened absentmindedly. Still, he remembered. “I do love sushi,” I finally admitted.

His grin widened. “Good. Now, come sit.”

“Wait.” I grabbed his waist and looked back at the door behind me. “What if someone comes in?”

“I’ll lock the door. Don’t worry.”

That didn’t make my worries go away. But it did make this situation more exciting.

The idea of getting caught and the possible consequences were scary to think of, but this was thrilling. God, dating a teacher was fucking thrilling.

***

“I will be dreaming about this sushi forever. Where did you get it?” I asked after swallowing the last California Roll.

“It’s a place calledYooji’sin the city center near the train station. It’s a small little restaurant. Very quiet and cozy.”

“I’ve never heard of it. I should really start going further than campus,” I said with a laugh. “That was amazing. Thank you, Will.”

He smiled and reached for a napkin to wipe his fingers. “Thankyoufor wanting to be here. I know this can’t be easy.”

“Oh, it is very easy,” I said quickly, looking at him wide-eyed. “I’ve been wanting to be alone with you for a long time. God, this is going to make me sound so weird, but I’ve had a crush on you since the first time I came into your classroom. If anything, it’s you this can’t be easy for. You have so much responsibility, yet you did all this for me.” I looked around the table, at the empty sushi containers, at the flowers he got for me. “I don’t want to get you in trouble, but I don’t want to stay away from you, either.”

He watched me closely as I spoke, and all kinds of emotions and thoughts flashed through his gaze. He was thinking about this. Trying to figure out if I was still worth the trouble. And when he smiled, the ache in my heart eased a little.

His hand came up to cup my cheek, brushing my thumb along my cheekbone as he leaned in. “Let that be my worry. Let’s not make this hard. We’re here now, and I want us to enjoy every moment.”

I studied him for a while. I had no issue believing him. I trusted him. But I was still worried. “Maybe we just keep this a secret. For now.”

We had to, anyway.

“Yeah, for now.” He smiled before moving closer to kiss me. His lips parted and his tongue slid into my mouth, gently curling around mine.

I moaned into the kiss, reaching up my hand to place it on his shoulder. I didn’t want this kiss to stop, but I also didn’t want him to think that I was here for only one thing. Sex hadn’t been on my mind in a while. Though, every now and then, whenever I looked at Will, I thought about all the possible moments that could turn into something more.

This kiss, for example.

But he broke it before I could fantasize about him touching my body and taking off my clothes.

“You wanted to see the finished painting,” he stated, getting off his stool.

I held my breath to stop myself from arguing with him. I did want to see it, but I also wanted him to keep kissing me.

God, I’m desperate.

Will walked over to the covered painting to reveal it, and I looked at it, taking in every detail, every perfect stroke he made to create that masterpiece.

“It’s…” My mouth was dry, and words didn’t come easy. “It’s so…peaceful.”

It already had been the first time I saw it, but now that it was done, it was perfect. He added texture, and the colors had darkened just slightly. It was still cheerful, but maybe only to people who didn’t know what that place meant to Will. He had told me that the landscape was one he saw often as a child. One he remembered almost daily. And without having to stand in the exact spot in real life, I knew it would look just like this painting.

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