Between the desks

Chapter 21

Amren's POV

After what felt like an eternity of overthinking—something I never usually do on a Friday night—I made up my mind to go back to Jess. The club was buzzing with energy, the music vibrating through the walls, and I was here, in my head, trying to make sense of everything. It wasn't like me to get lost in thoughts when I should've been letting loose. But tonight, I couldn't help it.

Before heading back to Jess, I glanced over at Professor Olsen once more, just out of curiosity—or maybe something else I wasn't ready to admit. That's when I noticed something that sent another jolt through me. The woman she was with, dancing so close, wasn't just some random person. It was Coach Johansson.

Wait. Another professor?

My heart raced faster, not from jealousy this time, but from shock. Professor Olsen and Coach Johansson, both here, in the same club as me, dancing together in a way that looked... intimate. Their bodies were close, their hands exploring each other as if no one was watching. They looked like they had done this a hundred times before. Were they a couple? Did the rest of the staff know?

Stop, Amren. Stop. This isn't any of your business.

I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts that kept swirling around. I needed to stop obsessing over whatever was happening between them. My night didn't need to revolve around professor Olsen or whatever this strange mix of emotions I was feeling meant. I had someone waiting for me. Jess.

Right. Focus on Jess.

I pushed all those thoughts away—about Olsen, about the weird tension I'd been carrying—and walked back toward Jess. She was still sitting at the bar, sipping her drink casually, completely unaware of the storm going on in my head. When she saw me approach, she smiled, her eyes lighting up in a way that was so simple, so uncomplicated. That's what I needed right now—something easy.

"Hey, you," she said, leaning in close as I reached her. The warmth of her breath against my ear was a welcome distraction.

Without thinking too much, I leaned in and kissed her, a soft brush of lips that quickly deepened. Jess responded immediately, her hand finding my waist and pulling me closer. I let myself get lost in the moment, in the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine. For those few seconds, I wasn't thinking about anything but this—this kiss, this night.

"Wanna dance?" she asked, pulling back slightly but keeping her hand firmly on my hip.

I nodded, and we made our way to the dance floor. The music was louder here, the lights flashing, and the crowd thick around us, but none of it mattered. All I could focus on was Jess—how she moved against me, how her hands explored me like she couldn't get enough.

We danced close, intimately, our bodies pressed together. Her lips found mine again, and this time the kiss was more urgent, filled with need. I kissed her back, letting myself melt into it, trying to push every other thought out of my mind. I wanted this. I needed this distraction. Jess's hands were all over me, sliding up my back, down to my hips, pulling me in even closer.

I could feel her desire in the way she touched me, in the way her lips lingered on mine, her breath hot against my skin. And I realized, I felt the same. I wanted her too. I wanted to let go, forget everything, and just give in to the moment.

We kept dancing, the heat between us growing with every movement, every touch. Her leg slid between mine, and I couldn't help but gasp as she pressed closer. Her eyes were dark with desire, and I could see the same hunger reflected in them that I felt.

"You're so beautiful," she whispered in my ear, her voice low and full of promise.

I didn't answer, just kissed her again, harder this time. My hands found her waist, pulling her closer, and I could feel her body tremble against mine. The music pulsed around us, the lights flashing, but all I could focus on was Jess—her touch, her lips, the way she made me feel like nothing else mattered.

But as much as I tried, there was still that nagging thought in the back of my mind. That image of Professor Olsen and Coach Johansson together, dancing like they didn't care who saw. It was ridiculous, really. I didn't even know why it bothered me so much. But it did.

I closed my eyes, trying to focus on Jess, on the way she made me feel in this moment. She was beautiful, and she was a damn good kisser. I should be happy here, with her. And yet, some part of me—deep down—was still thinking about professor Olsen.

Jess kissed me again, her hands sliding up my back, and I let myself get lost in the moment for a little while longer. I needed this. I needed to forget. At least for tonight.