Burke presses a kiss to my hair, his breath stirring the strands. "What are you thinking?"

"That I don't want this to end," I admit. "That I wish we could stay like this forever."

"We have all the time in the world, baby." Burke tilts my chin up, gazing at me with tender warmth. "This is only the beginning."

His lips meet mine in a slow, unhurried kiss. Unlike our earlier passion, this is gentle and full of promise. A renewal of our commitment to one another.

I sigh into his mouth, all remaining doubts and fears evaporating. We have crossed too many lines to go back now. My heart, body and soul belong to Burke, and I to him.

No more words are needed. In this moment, we have said everything that needs to be said. The rest of the world can condemn us, but they can never take this away. We have found our truth in each other's arms, and here we will remain.

CHAPTERSIX

Burke

The woods areempty and still. Sunlight filters through a leafy canopy above. I wait behind an old oak, my heart pounding.

When Lydia emerges from the hiking trail, I grab her hand and pull her behind the tree. Her body slams against mine, soft and warm. "I was afraid you wouldn't come." My lips crush hers, hungry and demanding.

Our meeting places are getting more clandestine. We can't chance anyone seeing her at my house. She might be eighteen, but she's still in high school, and I'm still her coach.

Our relationship is still unacceptable.

"I couldn't stay away." Her hands grip my shirt, nails digging into my chest. "Not from you."

I groan, kissing her harder. This is madness—she's my student, half my age. But I can't stop. I don't want to.

Lydia arches into me, her curves molded to my body. I grip her ass and grind against her. She's already panting, cheeks flushed. "Please, Daddy."

The sound of her needy whimper makes me ache. "What do you want, baby?"

She gazes up at me, blue eyes dark with desire. "You know what I want."

I do. I want it too, more than I've ever wanted anything.

Fingers trembling, I unbutton her shorts. They drop to the ground as she kicks off her shoes. My hands glide up her smooth legs and under her shirt, finding her breasts. She cries out softly when I squeeze them, rolling her nipples between my fingers.

Her hands move to my belt. In moments she has me freed, stroking my length. I thrust into her grip, swollen cock twitching. "Lydia..."

"I need you inside me," she breathes. "Now."

I lift her up and pin her against the tree, wrapping her legs around my waist. With one sharp thrust, I bury myself in her tight heat.

We moan in unison. She's dripping wet, clenching around me like a velvet vise. I start to move, slow and deep.

Lydia whimpers, "Harder!" Her nails rake down my back. I slam into her, bark scraping her bare skin. She cries out again and again, urging me on as our bodies slap together.

Nothing exists but this, our forbidden love—

My release explodes inside her with a hoarse shout. Lydia shudders in my arms, her inner walls spasming around my cock.

Breathless, I lower her to the ground. She clings to me, still trembling. I bury my face in her hair, inhaling her scent.

"I love you," she whispers.

Guilt rises in my chest, but I push it down. I can't give her up. Not now, not ever. "I love you too."

I feel like our time is running out, but for now I hold her close, savoring each stolen moment. My heart overflows with equal parts bliss and anguish. This is our secret, our sin—one I'll keep committing again and again.