On a lively Saturday night, Abby and her friend Emma were eager to unwind after a hectic week. Despite not being 21, they skillfully used their fake IDs to slip into one of the few local bars near the university. Nestled in the quiet, forested town, options were limited, making this cozy yet bustling spot a popular haven for students.
The group had warmed up with a pregame session, arriving at the bar slightly tipsy and in high spirits. "Four Long Islands, please—make them dirty," Emma requested, leaning confidently over the bar. Their laughter mingled with the pulsating beats of the music, setting a carefree tone for the evening. As they waited for their drinks, Abby swayed to the rhythm, her hips moving in time with the music's throbbing bass.
Emma handed out the drinks with a flourish. "One for you, and one for you," she declared, passing one to Abby. They clinked glasses in a cheerful toast and took hearty sips, the strong flavors of their cocktails enhancing the night's buzz. Settling at the bar, they dove into lively conversations about homework and romantic escapades. "You and Derek..." Emma teased, giving Abby a suggestive wink. "He's alright," Abby responded, rolling her eyes with a playful smirk before taking another sip of her drink.
As the evening unfolded, a nagging sensation tugged at Abby. She felt the weight of a gaze from across the room. Turning her head, she caught sight of Professor Calder at the far end of the bar. He was shaking his head, a chuckle escaping him as their eyes met. Despite the distance and the dim lighting, the recognition between them was unmistakable, adding an unexpected twist to her night out.
Abby's pulse quickened as she caught sight of Professor Calder from across the crowded bar. Although Emma continued to chat animatedly, Abby's attention drifted. She made no mention of seeing Calder to Emma. Finishing her drink, she excused herself to the restroom, her steps unsteady from the combination of alcohol and nerves. As she passed Calder, their eyes briefly met, and her heart leapt.
Inside the restroom, Abby locked the door with a shaky hand. The small, dimly lit space felt like a sanctuary from the buzz of the bar. She took care of her needs, flushed, and then stood in front of the mirror, taking a deep breath as she tried to compose herself. Her reflection stared back at her, cheeks flushed with more than just the effects of alcohol.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Without thinking, Abby swung it open, expecting to see Emma's familiar face. Instead, Professor Calder stood there, an unreadable expression on his face. Before she could react, he stepped inside, quietly shutting the door behind him and turning the lock.
Abby's back was pressed against the cool sink, her heart racing as she regarded Professor Calder standing before her in the cramped restroom. "What are you doing here?" she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly from the surprise and the audacity of his actions.
Calder's gaze was intense, yet there was a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. He held out his hand authoritatively. "Show me the ID you used tonight," he instructed, his voice a blend of sternness and amusement. His demeanor was curious, almost challenging, as if he were a part of this secret world for just a moment.
Hesitantly, Abby reached into her clutch, her fingers brushing against the cool surface of her fake ID. She pulled it out slowly and handed it over. Calder snatched it deftly, examining it with a critical eye. After a moment, he looked up, a chuckle escaping him. "Born in '98, huh? That's quite the choice. Hilarious," he commented, his laughter not quite reaching his eyes as he handed the card back to her.
His next words came out softer but with a pointed edge, "You really are quite the bad girl, aren't you, Abby?" His arms were now folded across his chest, and he leaned casually against the door, effectively blocking any attempt she might make to leave. His posture and tone conveyed a mix of reprimand and a strange, playful intrigue.
Abby felt her cheeks warm under his scrutiny. "I... It's not what you think," she stammered, trying to regain some composure. "We just wanted a night out, nothing serious. It's harmless, really."
Calder's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained piercing. "Harmless, until it isn't," he said, moving a step closer. "You have to be careful, Abby. These kinds of decisions can have serious consequences. I'd hate to see you get into trouble over something like this."
Abby stood rooted to the spot, momentarily speechless, her mind reeling from the surreal nature of their encounter. The close quarters amplified the tension between them, making the air feel charged. After a brief, heavy silence, Abby found her voice, looking up at Calder with a mixture of curiosity and defiance. "I can't imagine seeing you at a bar, especially not this one," she remarked, her tone tinged with surprise. "It's crawling with college kids."
Calder responded with a wry smile, his gaze still locked on hers. "I'm not that much older than these college kids. I still know how to have a good time," he replied, his tone light, trying to ease the intensity of the moment.
"It's strange, seeing you out of the classroom like this... dressed like that," he continued, his eyes briefly scanning her outfit. Abby was dressed casually yet provocatively in ripped shorts and a tight cropped top that hinted at her cleavage.
Feeling his gaze, Abby looked away and bit her lip, a nervous habit that surfaced in moments like this. Calder noticed the gesture and his tone softened, yet carried a firm edge, "Don't do that."
She turned back to face him, stepping closer, her previous hesitation giving way to a bold challenge. "Or what?" she asked, her voice low and slightly husky, testing the boundaries of their usual professor-student dynamic.
In the dim light of the restroom, the air thick with tension, Calder's demeanor hardened as he approached Abby. The proximity was deliberate, a test of his own resolve as much as it was of Abby's boundaries. "You shouldn't be here like this," he said, his voice low and stern, his hands braced on the sink on either side of her, trapping her with his presence but not touching.
Abby's response was defiant, her back straightening against the sink. "And yet, you're here too," she retorted, meeting his gaze without flinching. The air between them crackled, each breath loaded with unspoken challenges.
Calder's eyes narrowed, the lines of his face setting into a mask of controlled frustration. "This isn't a game, Abby," he continued sharply,
Abby's breath caught in her throat as his proximity overwhelmed her senses. His scent, a mix of aftershave and the faintest hint of mint, was intoxicating.
"I'm leaving," Abby said, trying to push past him, her frustration at their complicated interactions reaching a peak. He stepped aside, giving her space to pass. As she reached for the door, Calder spoke abruptly, "Wait."
Before she could respond, he swiftly moved closer, gently lifted her chin, and kissed her.
As Calder's hand cradled Abby's face, his touch was both urgent and cautious, a contradiction that spoke volumes about their tangled emotions. His kiss was fervent, pressing into her with a passion that had been simmering under the surface, breaking through with each contact of their lips.
Abby responded with equal fervor, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss. Their movements were filled with a desperate need to express long-restrained feelings. Calder's hands roamed to her lower back, pulling her closer, his touch conveying his intense desire to erase the space between them.
The heat of the moment was palpable, their breaths mingling, quick and uneven. Each kiss was a blend of raw urgency and deep longing, a fiery exchange that left them both grappling with the intensity of their connection. Abby's hands moved with a boldness that matched the moment, tracing the lines of Calder's back, feeling the muscles tense under her touch.
