I didn’t like to think of other people insulting her or claiming to know who she was when they obviously had no clue. I frowned. “They meant it as one. Or at best, a way to remind you of your place. I meant that I admire your courage to do what you feel is right in that moment, instead of overthinking it until it’s too late.”
“Oh. Well, it’s not always great.”
“There are pros and cons to both sides.”
She thought for a minute and said, “True.”
“Are you avoiding my question, Ms. Samuels?”
She laughed a little and shook her head. “I’m really not. You just sidetracked me.”
“Cause and effect.” I waved my hand to say, out with it.
“It’s so silly. I just…you just… You asked me.” She blinked in a rapid flurry. “You waited to make a choice about my life until you talked to me.” Her eyes gleamed with a hint of extra moisture. Almost to herself she added, “I knew I was about to do something stupid.”
I processed all that. Something so simple and seemingly obvious—though I had needed Jack to remind me—had been so thoroughly nonexistent in her life that she’d wanted to show me gratitude for my paltry offering. It was heartbreaking and a little unnerving. I wasn't sure what answer I had even wanted. I would have been okay with “I couldn’t keep my hands off you,” but not something like this. Everybody should be treated with a minimal amount of respect and consideration. That’s a right, not a privilege. It somehow tinged the kiss with a cast of solemnity. But God, it had been a great kiss. Kiss felt like too shabby a word for what we just shared. It was an experience. A cleansing.
“Noted,” I started again. “You should always be consulted about your life.”
“I know.”
Sometimes people said “I know” but then never acted like they knew. I found that response odd.
“Anyway,” she said. “Nothing’s changed. We are still on track. I want to impress that man with my transformation.” She looked to the side, her eyes going hazy. “Iamtransformed.”
“Are you sure?” To me, it felt like everything had changed. I was a different man than I was ten minutes ago. My pants were certainly tighter.
“Yeah. You need your research money. ” After a brief hesitation, she nodded with determination. “I need my stage. We’ll keep on keeping on.”
We shook hands and I laughed at the formality, as my hands had just been roaming her body. Then I was thinking about my hands roaming her body some more. She had kissed me out of gratitude. I kissed her back because there were no other options for me. I could—and would—contain myself now.
“About the kiss,” I said.
“I know. I wasn’t thinking. I’ll behave.” She seems abashed and I hated that.
“It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it. I did enjoy it. Tremendously.” She chewed her bottom lip while I spoke. “We have to be careful. The eyes of the school are watching now. This donation is a big deal.”
She nodded with consideration. “Gotcha. No more handsy-fun-times.”
Even though I knew it was the best option, I wanted to know more about what handsy-fun-times might entail. Maybe a bed would be involved—or at least a comfortable surface—and not the side of a pine tree for support.
“Okay. So one more question.” Her tone had grown serious.
“Hmm?” I was lost in thought and looked up to find her standing in front of me.
“You know how you’re making me read all that philosophy stuff?”
“Yes?” I memorized how full her lips were and how her green eyes almost glowed in the dusky lighting.
“If two people kiss in the woods, and there’s nobody around to see it, does it still count as unethical?”
“Interesting hypothesis.” My nostrils flared and I bent to be closer to her. My hands slid behind her, hauling her closer to me. “We should test it.”
“But then no more,” she said on a whisper.
“Right.” I was so close I felt the warmth of her breath tickle my lips.
And then I kissed her. With more luxuriousness than before. I savored every detail knowing we’d have to be strong after this. We were protected by location, but after we left this haven we were done. I wished I had years and not just minutes. I needed more. She gasped a hot little sound that drove me crazy, so I found the nearest tree and backed her to it. I wasn’t smooth about it and the tree could have been poking into her back, so I used my arms to shield her. Suzie tested my control. I wouldn’t be another man to hurt her. Ever. But enough to remind her that I was a man who wanted her desperately.
