Willa is a vision, perched on her window ledge, wrapped in a blanket, and wolfing down a burger like it might be her last. So fucking perfect.

“What?” she asks around a mouthful of food.

“I just like looking at you.”

She bats her lashes and drops her gaze. I know my forward nature with her catches her off guard sometimes, but I can’t help it with her.

“You’re risking a lot coming to my house,” she says after she swallows. “Someone could see.”

I parked down the street and wore a hoodie. I’m not terribly worried about being caught.

“You needed me.” I shrug my shoulders and step closer. “I had to see you.”

She peers up at me and cocks her head to the side. “You confuse me.”

“Likewise, sweetheart.”

“Why fight this then?” She sighs, frowning at me. “We like each other.”

It’s far more than like with this girl.

It’s need and desire and obsession all wrapped up in a pretty little bow.

“You know what’s at stake,” I remind her, hating how bitter and childish my tone is.

She finishes her meal in contemplative silence. After she bags everything up and tosses it inside her room, she turns to look at me.

“I would never do anything to risk anyone finding out.” She hugs the blanket tighter around her. “You can trust me.”

The thing is, I know I can trust her. She wears her intent so obvious for all to see. Willa Reyes likes her old-ass teacher and is willing to sneak around for him.

It’s fucked up.

She deserves to be with someone like Dempsey. Even I can admit she looked good—natural—tucked under his arm. They’re the same age, for fuck’s sake.

With me, there’s too much drama involved.

The school would have a shit fit if they knew I was romantically involved with a student. And the press? They would love to smear my family’s name through the mud. Just in time for Hugo’s campaign. Worst of all, Dad would find out. He’d find out that I’m a sick fuck like him, lusting after a girl still in high school.

“I know I can trust you,” I assure her, my voice gruff. “It’s everyone else I’m worried about.”

She reaches her arm out of her blanket cocoon and grabs the front of my hoodie. I allow her to tug me closer. Her thighs spread, inviting me between them. Because I can’t think straight with this girl, I go, nestling my body against hers. Neither of us says anything about the fact my dick is hard as fuck sandwiched between us.

“I can keep a secret,” she whispers. “I won’t tell anyone, Callum. I just…” Her chin wobbles once. “I’m so alone and you make everything feel…better. So much better.”