Page 43 of Kismet

“Is that right?” I chuckle.

“Fuck, yeah.Wearing that fine as hell leather jacket, looking like my Leather Daddy fantasy come to life.” He takes a step closer, his hand grabbing the bottom of my jacket. “What’s a guy gotta do to get a ride on this bike?”

The first genuine smile I’ve had all day slides on my lips. “Maybe after graduation, we can go for a ride.”

“I’ll hold you to that, teach,” he mutters with a smirk.

“You got yourself a deal, then.”

He watches me, probably seeing right through me. “Everything okay? You look extra serious tonight. Got your teacher face on.”

Lifting my brow, I ask, “My teacher face?”

His laughter wraps around me, holding me tight. “Yeah. You have a serious face you use when you’re doing lectures. Quit deflecting, teach. What’s wrong?”

“I hope you know that you mean so much to me, Cash. Truly.”

Taking a step back, he lets go of my jacket, eyes widening. “Are you ending this? You’re freaking me out.” He laughs, but it’s lacking humor.

“What? No! Um, Jesus. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

Cash pulls me in, pressing his lips down on mine for a moment. Pulling back, he looks me directly in the eye. “Hey. Whatever it is, just say it. It’s okay.”

“Aida and I spoke today… about a lot of things. We’re splitting up… I asked for a divorce.”

He’s quiet for a while, probably absorbing it all. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, absolutely. We’ve been unhappy for many years. It was time.”

“Well, yeah, but still. You guys have been together a long time. It would be normal and understandable to feel some type of way about it, even if it’s what you want.”

If it’s even possible, my heart expands even more for him. He never fails to surprise me, reminding me what a genuinelygoodperson he is. Wise beyond his years, and so full of empathy and love. How the hell did I find him?

“No, I’m okay. It’s going to be rough, and not everything has been decided yet. We have to sell the house, and Aida needs to figure out where she’s going to go, but I wanted you to know anyway.”

“Thank you,” he whispers. “I’m here, but I also know this is a lot for you, so if you need some time to figure it all out, that’s cool too. I’m not going anywhere.”

Pressing a kiss to his forehead, I say, “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“Yup. I sure am,” he says, winking at me and throwing me one of his signature pretty boy smirks. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he buries his face into my neck. My arms instinctively go around his shoulders as I nuzzle my face into his hair, inhaling his intoxicating scent. I don’t want to let him go… I never want to let him go.

“You know you mean a lot to me, right?” I ask, feeling my pulse soar at finally speaking those words out loud.

Nodding with his face still resting on my shoulder, he says, “Yeah. Or, well, I didn’t know for sure, but I hoped.” He moves until we’re standing face to face. “You mean a lot to me too, Stone.”

The sincerity in his tone nearly chokes me up. “I know this is probably the worst time to say this, but I feel like if I don’t, I’ll always regret it. I’d really like to explore the idea of you and me. It’s wrong because you’re my student and I’m about to be going through a divorce, but everything with you feels right. You feel right, Cash.”

Moisture pools in his eyes, never running over, and he opens his mouth before shutting it again, clearly at a loss for words.

“You don’t need to say anything tonight. I just needed you to know how I feel,” I tell him. “I better head home and let you get back to your party, but I’m happy I got to see you.”

“Okay. Hey—I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. I know it’s what you want, but it’s still not ideal. And I’m here if you need to talk about anything… or if you need to not talk about anything, I’m here for that too.” He grabs my hand, his thumb rubbing softly. “And I want exactly what you want, but there’s no rush.”

Cupping him on either side of his face, I crash my mouth down on his. His lips part immediately, a gasp falling from him, as my tongue licks and tastes him. My chest wants to explode from the appreciation and adoration I feel toward him. I’m somehow able to pull away before I completely ravage him in the middle of the street.

“Goodnight, Cash. I’ll see you later.”

“Night, teach.”

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