Lines We Cross

Chapter 12

For the past few days, YN and Elizabeth had fallen into a dangerous routine of secret meet-ups. It started with brief encounters after class, where YN would linger just a little longer than necessary, exchanging heated glances that spoke volumes. There were the stolen moments during office hours, where the door would be closed just a little too quickly and the conversation would shift from academic to something much more personal. It wasn't that they had ever taken things too far, but each kiss, each touch, left a trail of longing that seemed to deepen with every passing day.

The secrecy was intoxicating, almost addictive. YN found herself craving those moments between them—the thrill of knowing that, at any minute, someone could walk by the office and catch them in a compromising position. But so far, they had managed to keep their interactions just on the edge, toeing the line without fully crossing it.

———

It was late in the evening when YN arrived at Elizabeth's apartment, slipping inside quickly before anyone might see. The apartment had a comfortable, lived-in feel, with bookshelves lining the walls and soft lighting casting a warm glow over everything.

Elizabeth was seated at her desk when YN entered, her back turned as she focused on the stack of papers in front of her. The faint scratch of a pen against paper filled the air, accompanied by the quiet hum of a jazz record playing in the background. YN set her bag down near the door and approached, her footsteps soft on the hardwood floor.

"You're late," Elizabeth said without turning around, her tone more amused than reprimanding.

"Traffic," YN replied, the excuse rolling off her tongue with a playful grin as she moved closer. She reached out and gently placed her hands on Elizabeth's shoulders, leaning down to press a kiss to the side of her neck.

Elizabeth's breath hitched slightly at the touch, but she didn't turn around. "You should be working on your paper," she said, her voice firm but laced with a hint of teasing. "Or did you come here to distract me?"

"Can't I do both?" YN murmured against her skin, her lips trailing lower before she pulled back. She moved to sit on the couch, where her laptop and notes were waiting.

Elizabeth finally turned to look at her, one eyebrow arched as she set her pen down. "If I don't see some sort of final draft by tomorrow, you'll have more to worry about than distractions," she said, a note of authority creeping into her voice.

"Yes, Professor," YN replied with a smirk, the formality rolling off her tongue in a way that was both playful and a little provocative.

Elizabeth's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she turned back to the papers on her desk. "Good," she said, her tone softened but still carrying that hint of command. "Now, get to work."

They settled into a comfortable rhythm—Elizabeth grading papers while YN typed away on her laptop, occasionally glancing up to steal a look at Elizabeth. The silence between them was filled with an unspoken tension, the kind that seemed to pulse in the air, making it impossible to fully concentrate.

YN's thoughts kept drifting away from the screen in front of her, wandering instead to the curve of Elizabeth's neck, the way her blouse hugged her figure. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but the words on the screen blurred as her mind wandered. It was only a matter of time before she pushed her laptop aside, giving up any pretense of working.

"You're not working," Elizabeth's voice cut through the room, drawing YN's attention. She had turned in her chair to face YN, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the sight of the laptop sitting abandoned on the couch.

"I was," YN replied, though her tone betrayed her lack of conviction.

Elizabeth rose from her chair, crossing the room to stand in front of YN. There was a glint in her eye—something dangerous and thrilling—that made YN's pulse quicken. "You came here to work," she said, her voice low as she leaned over slightly. "Or did you forget that you still have a deadline to meet?"

"I didn't forget," YN replied, the defiance in her tone evident. "I just got... distracted."

Elizabeth's gaze bore into her, and there was a charged silence before she spoke again, her voice taking on a firmer edge. "You need to learn to stay focused."

Before YN could respond, Elizabeth was straddling her lap, her knees pressing into the cushions on either side. The sudden proximity sent a jolt through YN, and she found herself staring up at Elizabeth, who was now only inches away. There was a challenge in Elizabeth's eyes, one that made YN's skin tingle with anticipation.

"So, tell me," Elizabeth whispered, her breath warm against YN's ear. "What exactly distracted you?"

YN's hands moved to Elizabeth's waist almost reflexively, her grip tightening slightly. "You did," she admitted, her voice low and unsteady. "You always do."

Elizabeth's lips curved into a faint smile, though there was an intensity in her gaze that didn't waver. "Then maybe I need to remind you who's in charge," she said, her tone carrying a subtle command that made YN's pulse race.

The next moment, Elizabeth's lips were on YN's, claiming her in a kiss that was both possessive and demanding. YN responded instantly, her hands sliding up Elizabeth's back as she deepened the kiss, a low hum of satisfaction escaping her throat. The taste of Elizabeth's lips was intoxicating, a mix of sweetness and fire that made YN crave more.

Elizabeth's fingers threaded into YN's hair, tugging slightly as she angled YN's head back. The move was firm, almost rough, and it sent a shiver down YN's spine. She parted her lips, inviting Elizabeth's tongue to explore, and the kiss turned deeper, more intense.

The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the heat between them. YN's hands roamed over Elizabeth's body, sliding down to grip her thighs as she shifted in the chair, her touch growing bolder with every passing second. But just as her fingers began to slide up Elizabeth's skirt, Elizabeth broke the kiss, pulling back with a sharp intake of breath.

"That's enough," she said, though her voice trembled slightly.

YN's chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. "Why?" she asked, her voice laced with frustration and desire. "I-"

Elizabeth silenced her with a look, her grip still firm in YN's hair. "Because I'm the one in control here," she said, her voice a low murmur. "And you need to remember that."

The weight of those words sent a thrill through YN, making her skin tingle with anticipation. There was something about Elizabeth's dominance, the way she could take charge with just a look or a word, that left YN feeling both vulnerable and exhilarated.

Elizabeth's fingers loosened their hold, and she placed a lingering kiss on YN's forehead before sliding off her lap. "Now, get back to your work," she instructed, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "And maybe, when you finish that paper, I'll reward you."

The rest of the evening passed with a simmering tension that never fully dissipated. YN returned to her laptop, her mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened, what might happen next. She glanced over at Elizabeth occasionally, watching as the professor returned to grading papers, her expression cool and composed, as though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place.

But YN knew better. The heat in Elizabeth's gaze, the way her lips had lingered just a little too long, told YN that this was far from over.

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