Between the desks

Chapter 92

Amren's POV

With a heavy sigh, I took another long drag from my cigarette, the smoke curling lazily into the air as my mind raced. Lily had said her goodbye a few minutes ago, leaving me with the unavoidable anticipation of my tutoring session. A session with Lizzie—my forbidden obsession. The very thought of her made my chest tighten and my pulse race.

Each drag from the cigarette felt more weighted, trying to calm my nerves, but it wasn't working. The promise Lizzie had made last time echoed in my mind: Next time, you won't be in control. Just thinking about it sent a tingling sensation to my core, the kind that both excited and unnerved me. She always had a way of pulling me apart without even touching me, and I wasn't sure how to handle it.

My phone buzzed, and I instinctively grabbed it, my heart skipping a beat. Her name flashed on the screen.

Lizzie: I'm waiting for you.

The simplicity of her message did something to me. I exhaled sharply, my body responding before my mind could process it. A shiver shot down my spine, the kind that made me clench my fists to steady myself. I took one last pull from the cigarette, dropping it to the ground and snuffing it out beneath my foot. There was no turning back now.

As I walked through the hallway toward her office, the world around me felt muted, like I was moving in slow motion. A few students lingered by their lockers, chatting and laughing about things that didn't matter. The sun streamed through the windows, casting warm, golden light, but despite the sunny atmosphere, the air inside me felt thick, almost suffocating. I could feel the anticipation rising with every step.

When I finally reached Lizzie's door, I stopped short. My heart pounded in my chest as if it was trying to escape. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This was what I wanted, right? But the anxious energy swirling inside me made my skin prickle. I raised my hand and knocked three slow, deliberate times.

"Come in," her muffled voice came from behind the door, calm and commanding, yet somehow sending a chill down my spine.

I pushed the door open slowly, and there she was—Lizzie, sitting at her desk with the kind of effortless confidence that made my stomach twist. She was leaning back slightly, one leg crossed over the other, her hand casually resting on her ankle. Every inch of her screamed control. She didn't need to say a word to show she was in charge. Her presence was enough.

"Amren," she greeted me, her tone authoritative and smooth. "Good that you came."

My eyes couldn't help but linger on her. She looked incredible in that tailored suit, the dark fabric hugging her body in all the right places. It was professional yet impossibly seductive, radiating a sense of power that made it hard for me to breathe.

"Professor," I nodded, trying to sound composed, though the sound of my voice seemed too small in the room.

Her emerald eyes locked on mine, and I swore I saw the flicker of amusement behind them. She was enjoying this far too much. "Lock the door," she said, her voice demanding but with a professional veneer. It wasn't a request; it was an order.

I turned to comply, my fingers shaking slightly as I turned the key, hearing the solid click of the lock. This tutoring session was already feeling anything but academic, and yet, I wasn't the type to back down from a challenge. I turned back to her, catching the way her eyes appraised me like I was already on trial.

"Take a seat, Amren," she instructed, gesturing toward the chair in front of her desk.

My legs felt heavy as I crossed the room, feeling her gaze follow me with every step. I cleared my throat as I sat down, trying to gather some sense of composure. But how could I, when all I could think about was the last time we were together, the way she teased me, left me wanting more?

"I want you to read this article and answer the questions on the second page," Lizzie said, sliding two sheets of paper across her desk. The rings on her fingers caught the light as she handed them over, and my mind instantly wandered, wondering how those fingers would feel...

Focus, Amren.

"Okay, I'll do that," I replied, forcing a small smile. I glanced down at the papers, the words blurring together. I couldn't concentrate with her so close, the tension between us making it impossible to think straight.

"Good girl." Her words were like a spark, setting my nerves alight. My head snapped up to meet her eyes, and there it was—that smirk. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Without another word, she stood and moved around the desk, stopping just beside me. My pulse quickened as her fingers brushed my arm, a soft, lingering touch that sent shivers through my body. "I'll be reading on the sofa. Call me if you need anything." Her voice was silky, dripping with control.

I watched as she walked over to the corner of her office where a large brown leather sofa stood, surrounded by matching chairs. She settled down with a book, her posture relaxed, as if none of this was affecting her the way it was affecting me.

I turned my attention to the papers in front of me, or at least tried to. The words were meaningless, jumbled letters on a page. I couldn't focus, couldn't think about anything but the woman sitting just a few feet away, watching me—waiting. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to shake off the haze of desire that had clouded my mind.

But it was impossible. The tension between us was palpable, thick in the air, and I knew she was aware of it too. Every now and then, I could feel her gaze on me, and each time I felt it, my heart raced faster. The longer I sat there, the harder it became to ignore the pull between us. My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped the papers, but no matter how hard I tried to read, all I could think about was her. The way her voice had called me a "good girl," the way her fingers had grazed my skin.

Minutes stretched on like hours, the silence in the room amplifying every beat of my heart. The tension was unbearable, and deep down, I knew this wasn't about tutoring anymore.