Every illicit thought I had running through my head since I saw Zara this morning plays back like a slideshow. To me, she’s basically like a child…with the body of a woman. A young woman who is entrusted to my care to educate her, mold her into a well-rounded adult, and I’ve taken advantage of that. Of course, I can’t say any of this to Shannon, but the guilt inside me is more than enough.
“Shannon, I’d never have sex with a student. And I’m not excusing anything Jake did, but they were both adults. Keep in mind we’re only a few years older than that. It just seems wrong because she’s so damn young.”
Shannon scoots off the bed, moves into the closet, and starts packing things in her overnight bag. She puts a few items of clothing inside and then makes a quick stop in the bathroom and packs even more. “I’m going to stay at the Hilton with Jenny until Jake gets all his shit out of their house. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
Without a kiss or hug, Shannon breezes past me and out the door. A few moments later, I hear her
car start and pull out of the lot. Looks like it’s just Gio and me for the night.
A text comes through, and thinking it’s Shannon, I rush to answer it. But it’s not her. It’s the girl I shouldn’t be engaging with and yet I can’t stop.
Zara: Are you still thinking about me?
I muster the willpower to ignore the message and head straight to bed, but not after downing a few beers to keep my mind occupied with other things. Less dangerous things. Things that aren’t anything like Zara’s hand on my dick.
—
Thankfully, there are no classes until Wednesday because of midterms, and I don’t have to worry about addressing the issues between Zara and myself until then. I’m still unsure how all of that will pan out, but it’s going to have to be done…lines will have to be drawn. Firm lines. Ones that aren’t blurred and are easily distinguishable. Boundaries.
Tuesday morning comes in with a call from Shannon. She informed me that she’s checked in to the hotel and Jake is supposed to be moving everything out by tomorrow evening and she doesn’t know when she’ll be home. At this point, I really don’t care. It’s not like we actually spend time together or have anything in common anymore.
Instead of wallowing around the apartment, I shower quickly and head to the gym—the one place where there’s no judgment, just people who are looking for a workout and don’t want to be bothered. I’ll fit right in.
As soon as I get into my car, I see a purse sitting on the passenger floorboard. Shit, Zara. If Shannon would have seen this, she would have lost her shit, especially with everything going on with Jenny and Jake. Maybe I’ll run it to her place or meet her somewhere—or most likely keep it until I see her in class later this week.
Fuck, this girl’s going to be the end of me.
My trip to the gym is short-lived. I pull into the parking lot and see that nearly every person in town decided that today would be the perfect time to get a workout in, and I’m not one for company. I need to be able to free my mind, which is why I usually go at night.
While I think of a new plan of action, I walk to the diner across the street and take a seat at the counter. I borrow the sports section from the elderly man sitting next to me and wait for the waitress to take my order. I’m not a huge fan of the weekday paper, but it’s better than reading the menu over and over again.
“Coffee. Cream, three sugars,” I say, when I see a shadow cast over my paper, knowing it has to be the waitress.
Only the shadow never moves, it remains standing in front of me. Raising my line of sight a few inches, I’m met with a pair of breasts pushing out of the top of a V-neck tank top. A few more inches and my earlier thoughts are confirmed. The straight-as-an-arrow platinum-blond hair is the giveaway.
Zara.
“And look at that. I had you pegged for a black kind of guy,” she jokes, pouring the steaming coffee into the mug on the counter in front of me.
“Usually, but today cream and sugar seem to be a good idea,” I say, unable to think any other coherent thought as I take the sugar bowl from her opposite hand. Keeping my attention on my cup, I add some cream then drop a few squares of sugar into the mug and swirl it around until the sweetener is dissolved.
“So, are you stalking me again or is this pure coincidence?”
“I had no idea you worked here. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“Nah, it’s cool. I actually don’t mind you being around. Do you want something to eat?” she asks seductively. I lick my lips at the thought of her arousal on my tongue, but then quickly dismiss the idea. This is wrong. So fucking wrong. Rules against student-teacher relationships are put in place for a reason. A reason long before I ever met Zara Hamilton. Rules that, if I violate them, could land my ass in hot water. Thinking of Jake and Jenny, and the shit they’re going through because he was screwing a college-age girl, I push all other thoughts out of my mind.
“No, thanks. Can I get my coffee to go?”
“Sure. Oh, before I forget, did I happen to leave my purse in your car yesterday? I can’t find it anywhere.”
“It’s in my car. I’ll bring it back in for you.”
“I’m due for a break. I’ll run out, if that’s cool.”
I can’t speak, so I nod.
Zara pours my coffee into a carryout cup while I dig in my pocket to leave a few bucks for the drink and a tip. Zara holds up a single finger, indicating for me to wait for her as she grabs her coat from the back. When I see her reemerge, I walk out the door, hoping to eliminate as much time alone with her as I can. Reaching into the car, I place my coffee in the cup holder and grab her purse from the floorboard.