Page 15 of Until We Meet Again

"I appreciate that, but right now, all I can think about is how tired I am of missing out on life. If casual is all you have to offer, I’m fine with that… if that’s the kind of situation you’d want with me."

"I think it's obvious that I'd like to explore this with you."

"Well, that's good to know." Her smile is infectious, and I find myself grinning back at her.

"How do you feel about exchanging phone numbers?" I ask.

"I'd like that. I don't want to keep opening my phone to unwanted dick pics whenever I message you."

As a laugh escapes my lips, I reach into my pocket to retrieve my phone. I unlock the screen, and a familiar image greets me—a picture of myself and my twin sister frozen in time. My emotions are threatening to take over my mind like a black cloud. But then, like a shining light in the midst of darkness, I recall my sister's words.

Don't waste time thinking about what you can't change. Think about tomorrow and then a year from now.

A feeling of calm suddenly washes over me, or perhaps it's her guiding me through the turmoil in my mind.

Once I get Tessa's number, we talk for a couple of hours, though it feels like minutes, and as the night progresses, she has me completely hooked.

The conversation flows naturally between us, with no awkward silences, just the two of us feeling relaxed with each other, something I don't think I've ever felt before. The lingering stares and suggestive words intensify, and I have no idea how I'll be able to walk away from Tessa tonight without having kissed her.

Once the night draws to a close, we find ourselves outside the bar, waiting for her roommate to come and pick her up—Jen, a girl she's mentioned a few times tonight, and I can tell by the way she talks about her that she's a huge part of her life.

Tessa presses her back against the wall, and my attention is riveted on her. She appears to be holding her breath, anticipating my next move, and doesn't flinch as I draw closer.

"I think it's pretty clear that I want to see you again, Tessa."

"Yeah?" When I gaze down at her, I notice the slight curve of her lips, lips I want to devour.

"Are you free next week or busy with school?"

"I can be free. How about you? You're going to have a busy week settling into your new job." We both realize the night has come to an end when her phone buzzes in her hand.

"I'll find the time," I murmur, feeling the heat between us reigniting yet again. I slide my hand along the rough surface of the wall, inching closer to her face until my fingers brush against her soft skin and my lips lightly press against her cheek. "Thank you for coming out with me tonight." I start pulling back, but she grips my wrist with her delicate fingers, making it even harder for me to stay in control. "I'm trying to be a gentleman here, but you're not making it easy for me."

"Then stop." I run my other hand through her silky hair and tilt her head back slightly, distracted by the fire smoldering behind her eyes.

"What is it you want, sweetheart? Use your words."

"Kiss me." I gently kiss her mouth, fighting the urge to devour her the way my body craves. But the connection confirms everything I already knew, and as I pull back with my eyes closed, I bite my bottom lip in frustration. "Now kiss me like you mean it, Zane."

My hand reaches for her throat before my name even leaves her mouth, and I feel her pulse quicken beneath my fingertips. Her hands run through my hair as my lips crash into hers, pressing her against the wall and molding my body against her. The fire between us builds with each passing second, and as I push my hard-on against her stomach, I plunge my tongue deep into her mouth.

I reluctantly pull away from her. My mind has been racing with thoughts of her all night, and now they're louder than ever.

"I'll see you soon." I step back, my eyes fixated on her lips, swollen and glistening from our kiss. My gaze then lowers to her heaving chest, where I notice her nipples are pebbled and begging for attention, and a satisfied smile spreads across my lips as I realize the effectI've had on her.

"See you soon, Professor." My jaw clenches as she purrs my title and walks away from me.

After trying to keep my shit together all night, only one thought keeps replaying in my mind.

She's addictive, and I'm completely fucked.

Chapter 7

Tessa

Never in my life have I experienced a kiss quite like that.

The second our lips collided, he claimed my mouth, and with every stroke of his tongue, he deepened the kiss. He ravaged me, his hunger for me so clear, and god, I could've kissed him all damn night.

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