Between the desks

Chapter 89

Amren's POV

When I closed the door behind me, the rush of the outside world hit me all at once. The distant hum of students talking, the chatter of footsteps echoing through the hallways, the normalcy of it all—everything seemed so ordinary compared to what had just transpired in that room. For a few minutes, it felt like time had frozen, like nothing else existed except the thick tension that hung in the air between Lizzie and me.

I leaned against the door for a moment, letting out a shaky breath. What the hell had just happened? I wasn't like this. I wasn't someone who took control, who pressed into someone else's space with that kind of confidence, that kind of power. But with her, with Lizzie, it was different. She made me feel bold in ways I didn't fully understand yet. She brought out a side of me that I never thought existed, a side that craved control, dominance—even though I had no idea where the hell it came from.

I could still feel her body pressed against mine, the heat radiating off her, the way her breath had hitched when I'd whispered in her ear. The look in her eyes, when she was fighting to maintain her composure, had done something to me. And I had left her flustered—flustered, needy, and wanting more. That thought alone made me smirk, content with how things had ended, for now. The power dynamic had shifted, and I was the one who had walked away in control. At least for the moment.

I shoved my hands into my pockets, still feeling the lingering electricity that buzzed beneath my skin. Making my way outside, I spotted Lily standing at our usual smoking spot, leaning casually against the brick wall of the building. She glanced up when she saw me approaching, a smirk already playing on her lips.

"Hi," I muttered as I pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a long drag to steady myself. The nicotine hit my lungs, grounding me, but not nearly enough to calm the energy still coursing through me.

Lily eyed me with a curious glance, her amusement clear as she tilted her head. "That took you long enough. What was all that about?" Her voice was light, teasing, but I could tell she wasn't going to let it drop.

I exhaled slowly, the smoke curling in the air as I tried to play it cool. "Yeah," I said dryly, my voice a little rougher than usual. The tension from that room was still gnawing at me, simmering under the surface, refusing to let go. My heart was still pounding, and I could still feel the lingering presence of Lizzie—her scent, the warmth of her skin, the way she looked at me. I took another drag, hoping it would settle me, but it didn't. Not really.

Lily's eyes narrowed as she studied me. She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Hey, are you okay? You're... distant." There was a hint of concern in her voice, but mostly curiosity. She could tell something was off, and I knew she wouldn't stop until I told her.

I shot her a sideways glance, then gave her a small, knowing smile. "Yeah, I'm more than fine," I said, and I could feel that smirk creeping back onto my face. I wasn't lying. I was more than fine. In fact, I felt... alive. Like something had been woken up inside me, and it wasn't going back to sleep any time soon.

Lily's eyebrows shot up at that, her eyes widening as she began to put two and two together. "Wait..." she started, her voice trailing off as realization dawned on her. "Did you—" She gasped, eyes wide as she stared at me, waiting for confirmation.

I didn't say anything at first, just raised my eyebrows suggestively and took another drag from my cigarette. Her reaction was priceless.

"Oh my god," she whispered, her grin widening as she shook her head in disbelief. "You didn't! You and Professor—"

I wiggled my eyebrows at her, the silent confirmation making her jaw drop. "No way," she said, still in shock, but now she was grinning too. "You didn't!"

"Not exactly what you're thinking," I replied, blowing out another puff of smoke, "but close enough." I wasn't about to give her the full details, but what had gone down in that room was more than enough to leave both of us shaken. And excited.

Lily's grin only grew wider as she shook her head in disbelief. "Jesus, Amren, I don't know what's gotten into you, but... wow. You're on fire."

I shrugged, feeling the rush of adrenaline still pumping through me. "Maybe I just needed a change of pace," I said, half-joking, but there was a truth to it. Lizzie had done something to me, something that was unraveling the version of myself I had known for so long. I wasn't sure what this was, but it was thrilling, and I wasn't about to stop it.

Lily studied me for a moment, her playful smirk softening just a little. "Well, just be careful," she said, her voice turning more serious. "Whatever this is... just don't get in over your head."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Lily. Trust me."

We stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, both smoking and watching the students pass by. The normal world moved around us, but I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened in that room. The way Lizzie had looked at me, the way her body had trembled when I'd pressed against her. The words we exchanged. The heat, the tension—it was all still there, lingering like a spark ready to ignite.

Lily's voice cut through my thoughts. "So... what now?" she asked, her tone light again, but the question hung in the air.

I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I don't know. But I'm not done with her."

Lily's eyes widened, and she let out a low whistle. "Damn, girl. You're really going for it, aren't you?"

"Maybe," I replied, the smirk on my face growing as I exhaled the last of my cigarette. "Or maybe she's coming for me."

We both laughed, but there was a weight behind my words. This thing with Lizzie—it wasn't something I could walk away from. It was a spark that had already been lit, and I had no intention of putting it out.

When we finally made our way to the car, I still felt the buzzing under my skin, that electric current that hadn't dissipated. What had happened in that classroom wasn't staying there. It had followed me out, tangled itself around my thoughts, and I knew it wasn't going anywhere.

As we drove away, Lily glanced over at me with a grin. "You're gonna keep me updated, right?" she teased, but there was genuine excitement in her voice.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Yeah, I'll keep you posted."

She grinned, clearly satisfied. "Good. I can't wait to hear what happens next."

Neither could I. Because whatever this was, it wasn't over. Not by a long shot.