Page 48 of Lessons in Touch

This is the worst possible thing I could do. After Mrs. Velmont's warning, meeting Rose anywhere on campus would be insane. It's career suicide.

But Rose sounds upset. Something happened at that party, and she needs me. I can't ignore that.

The thought of her hurting causes me physical pain. Rose isn't like the other students here. She doesn't hide behind bravado or calculation. When she's hurt, she feels it fully. And whatever happened last night unsettled her enough to risk sending me this note.

I want to protect her from whatever made her feel this way. I want to pull her close and tell her everything will be okay. I want to hear what happened and find a way to fix it.

She trusts me enough to reach out when she's vulnerable. How can I let her down now?

I fold the note and put it in my jacket. I'll go, but only to make sure she's okay. And tell her about Mrs. Velmont's warning. We'll figure this out together.

My office is far too silent. And there are still a few hours left before I have to meet Rose. Feeling morose, I focus back on my essays, but my mind is already elsewhere.

***

The tower is across campus from the admin building. I take the long way, staying in the shadows and avoiding the main paths. A few students are still out, coming back from evening classes, but no one sees me.

As usual, the tower door is unlocked, and I can slip in easily. I climb the narrow stairs to the attic, holding on to the wooden railing as I go.

I reach the top and push open the heavy door. It gives way with a long, reluctant creak.

Rose is waiting for me in the middle of the room.

She's completely naked.

My brain stops working. She is standing there with a type of confidence I've never seen from her before. The Rose, who wasn't sure of herself, who questioned everything about Wolfswood, is gone. This Rose knows exactly what she wants.

"Rose, I got your note. But I…”

"I hoped you'd come."

I should turn around and leave right now. I should tell her about Mrs. Velmont's warning and explain why we can't be together.

Instead, I step into the room and close the door.

"What happened at the party?"

“I’ll tell you later. Right now, all I know is that I need you. I want you.”

"Rose, we need to be careful…”

"I know. And I also know that we have to pretend. But I learned at that party that this world is not what it seems. I just need you. Please…”

Every instinct tells me to pull her close, to give in to what we both want. But Mrs. Velmont's words echo in my head.

"If we get caught, there will be trouble."

"We won't get caught." She looks up at me with complete certainty. "But I won't spend another night wishing you were here."

The battle between what I want and what I should do rages in my head. I know I should leave. I know this is dangerous.

But Rose is standing here, offering herself completely to me, and I'm only human.

"How can I spend a single minute without you, Rose? How do I tell my mind and my heart that this can’t happen? When all I want is you…"

My last bit of resistance breaks. Whatever happens, whatever it costs, I can't walk away from her right now.

So, all I can do is give in. My cock is hard already, seeing her body, her soft curves, and pale skin, waiting just for me. I cross the room, grab her face gently, and kiss her hard. She presses herself against me, and I can feel her breasts against my chest. They’re full, hard, and elastic, with delicious nipples that drive me insane. Damn, I want her so bad it’s killing me.