Page 22 of Lessons in Touch

“Professor Thorn,” she says, and her breath sends little clouds in the cold. “What’s this about?”

She is pretending to be formal, and I know why. There are a few farmhands roaming about the stables, looking after the horses. She doesn’t want to risk being too informal with me.

“Trust me,” I reply and guide her to my vintage black Jaguar.

I open the passenger door and help her climb in. As I do so, my hand brushes her arm, and she looks up at me, trying not to seem too eager.

Rose smiles sweetly and settles in. The luxurious interior of the Jaguar matches her perfectly, like she was meant to ride in it all along.

“It’s funny. You think that you don’t fit into this world, and yet, here you are. You look as if you were made for a passenger seat in vintage cars.”

“I love how much you believe in me,” she replies, and takes me by surprise with her remark.

Whatever this thing between us might be, it cannot be just about sex. It is so much more than that.

I drive us an hour from campus. The road winds through snow-dusted forests, and we enjoy the scenery until we reach my private lake house. It’s a small, elegant structure of stone and glass, nestled by a glassy, still lake. There is snow on the branches of the pines, and the silence is absolute.

“The forest is so quiet,” she remarks, as she takes in the surroundings.

“There is a certain magic about an expanse of trees covered in snow, I agree.”

“I can almost hear the twigs snapping with cold in the distance. It’s so mesmerizing!”

“I’m so happy you like it, Rose!”

I unlock the front door and lead her into the house. The air is warm, and the intoxicating smell of the forest in winter has made its way inside as well.

“This is one of my properties,” I tell her.

She looks around, analyzing the refined space—wooden beams, a stone fireplace, and windows framing the lake. “You’re the first I’ve brought here.”

“Why me?”

“Because I wanted to see you here. In my world.”

“I am already in your world, Professor. Wolfswood is your world, isn’t it? You just wanted to lure me even deeper, like the wolf in the woods, enticing the girl into forbidden pleasure and sin.”

“God, I love how your mind works, Rose! You’re incredible…”

I lean in and bite her bottom lip, making her squirm. She reaches out to kiss me, but I pull back a little, teasing her.

“Be careful, Rose. The wolf eats the girl in the story.”

“I know that. But first, they climb into bed together. The wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. I’ve always loved that part of the story…”

“Perhaps you’ve always loved the wolf,” I reply and deposit a kiss on her lips, leaving her trembling.

“I think I’ve always dreamed of the wolf loving me. Inviting me into his bed,” she replies smartly.

We continue to share banter as I unpack the few things I brought over. We have food, packs of tea, champagne, and an old camera, ready to snap pictures of the gorgeous surroundings.

She fumbles with it as I make the tea, taking pictures of me.

“I should be taking pictures of you, Rose. You’re the beautiful one here.”

She giggles.

“Please… Do you have any idea of what you look like? All the girls at the Institute are mad over you!”