“No, Cash. I’m the teacher and you’re the student. I shouldn’t keep putting you in these situations. It’s wrong and unethical. Honestly, you should report me.” I’m pacing in front of him, hands on my hips. Freaking the fuck out.

He spins, facing me, determination washing over him. “Will you stop doing that?”

Confusion screwing up my face, I ask, “Stop doing what?”

“Being a martyr. Acting like you’re forcing me to do something I don’t want. When in reality, I want it just as bad as you. If not more. You’re all I’ve been able to think about since that night in Portland.”

At that, I stop pacing. Standing right in front of him. “I am?”

“Yes! So, stop. You’re not forcing me to do anything, and I’m an adult, Stone. You may be my professor, but I’m still an adult and capable of making my own choices.”

To emphasize his point, he closes the distance between us, pressing his lips on mine again. I don’t hesitate, grabbing him on either side of his face, tilting his head and kissing him deeper. The softest mewl leaves him, lips parting willingly as I taste him one last time. Because it has to be the last time. I can’t keep doing this.

This kiss lacks the aggression the last one had, but it’s packed with just as much passion, if not more. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing, or why I can’t stay away from him, but his lips are where I want to be. Right or wrong, it’s the truth.

“I should probably get home. The storm sounds like it’s finally let up.”

“Yeah, me too,” I say. “I’ll reach out to the dean in the morning about the power outage, and we can get those grades in by tomorrow night.”

“Okay, um… I’ll talk to you later, then.”

He walks out. I watch him go; a mixture of guilt and thrill coursing through my veins.

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Stone Philips

I don’t know how I managed it, but I was able to mostly avoid Cash all last week, and now we’re on winter break. Maybe the time apart will be good. Sever whatever tie we have together, because it can’t happen again. I know I keep saying it can’t… but it really can’t. I’m not that guy. I don’t cheat on my wife. I don’t break ethical rules like fooling around with students. That’s not me. It’s not who I want to become.

No matter how great being near him feels. No matter how natural his lips feel pressed against mine. The fact is, I’m married, and he’s my student. Even if my marriage is dying, that doesn’t give me the right. And I could be fired for this.