LOGINChapter 3 I went back the next week like he knew I would. The second office hour session ran even longer than the first. We argued over every paragraph until my notes were useless and my thighs were pressed so tight together I could barely walk straight when I left. He still kept the door closed the whole time. He still watched my mouth when I talked. He still told me in that same calm voice to come back if I wanted to keep going. I did. Twice more. By the time the late evening seminar rolled around I was so wound up that even the sound of him saying my name in class made my stomach drop. The seminar ran past nine. Most of the other students packed up the second he dismissed us and scattered into the dark. I stayed in my seat longer than I needed to, pretending to finish a note that didn’t matter. When the room was almost empty I stood and walked down to the front. “One more question,” I said. Lawrence was packing his bag. He looked up, eyes steady on mine. “Ask it.” I asked some
Chapter 2 I booked the appointment two days later under the excuse of needing proper feedback on the marked paper. His office hours were listed as four to six on Tuesdays. I showed up at four-ten with the folder under my arm and a pulse that had already started low in my stomach. The door was half open. I knocked once. “Come in.” Lawrence sat behind the desk in the same dark shirt rolled to the elbows this time. No jacket. The small office smelled like paper and something clean underneath. A single window let in late afternoon light. He nodded at the chair across from him. “Sit. Show me where you’re stuck.” I sat and opened the folder. My notes from the night before were messy. I pointed at the third page. “You wrote that the transition here is weak. I don’t see it.” He leaned forward, elbows on the desk. “Read it out loud.” I did. My voice sounded steadier than I felt. When I finished he took the page from me, our fingers brushing for half a second. He didn’t pull away fast.
Chapter 1 I picked the middle row on purpose. Not too close to the front where he’d notice me, not far enough back that I’d look like I was hiding. Advanced literature seminar. Third week of the semester and I still hadn’t decided if I actually liked the class or just liked the way the room went quiet when he walked in. I had my notebook open and my pen ready like I was actually going to focus this time. Then Professor Lawrence walked in. Tall. Dark suit that fit like it had been made for him, the kind of cut that showed the width of his shoulders without trying too hard. Shirt open at the collar, no tie, a little of his throat showing. Early forties maybe, but the kind of face that didn’t give a shit about age. He set his bag down on the desk, looked over the room once like he was already bored of us, and started talking without raising his voice. He never needed to. The whole class went quiet the second he opened his mouth. That low, even tone just settled over everyone and made
Chapter 5 A full week dragged by after the rooftop. Classes felt endless. Lucas still sat next to me every time but the space between us had changed. Every brush of his arm or press of his knee sent the same sharp ache straight between my legs. We barely spoke. We didn’t need to. The look he gave me said everything. Friday night I stopped pretending I could wait any longer. I bought a cheap bottle of red from the corner store, shoved it in my bag, and walked the six blocks to the address he’d given me weeks ago for the group project. His place was a small second-floor apartment above a quiet side street. I climbed the stairs with my heart already pounding and knocked once. He opened the door in a black t-shirt and jeans, hair still damp like he’d just showered. His eyes dropped over me once, slow, then came back up. “Flora.” “I brought wine,” I said, holding the bag up. “Zero intention of studying.” He stepped aside without another word. The second the door clicked shut behind
Chapter 4 Three days of that restless ache and I was ready to climb the walls. Every class Lucas sat next to me felt longer than the last. His knee still pressed against mine. His eyes still dropped to my mouth when I talked. Neither of us brought up the fire escape or the almost-kiss. We just let the silence sit heavy between us until I started wondering if I’d imagined the whole thing. Thursday night I went to the library to finish a paper I should have started days ago. The place was nearly empty by the time I got there. Rain had been threatening all afternoon and by nine it finally broke hard against the windows. I found a table on the third floor near the back stacks and tried to focus. Twenty minutes later someone dropped into the chair across from me. Lucas. Hoodie damp at the shoulders. Hair darker from the rain. “You always work this late?” he asked, voice low so it wouldn’t carry. “You always follow me?” “Saw you come in. Figured I’d say hi before security kicks us out
Chapter 3 I barely slept after that walk home. Every time I closed my eyes I felt his knee against mine under the table and heard his voice saying my name low like he already knew how it would sound if I came for him. By morning my sheets were twisted and my hand had already been between my legs twice. It didn’t help. Days passed. Classes came and went. Lucas still sat next to me. Still let his leg rest against mine. Still looked at my mouth when I talked. Neither of us brought up the study room or the walk or the way my jeans had been damp by the time I got upstairs. The tension just sat there between us, heavy and unfinished. Friday night my roommate dragged me to a house party two blocks off campus. I went because the alternative was lying in bed thinking about Lucas again. I had two drinks before we even left the dorm and another one the second we walked through the door. The music was too loud. The air smelled like beer and sweat and cheap body spray. People packed every room.
Chapter 5: The First TouchThe next few nights blurred into a haze of secret anticipation. Every evening after dinner, Colt would catch my eye across the table with that knowing look and murmur, “Night ride tonight, little filly. Wear something easy to move in.” My body had started craving it befo
Chapter 4: Private Night RidesThe house had gone quiet after dinner, but sleep felt impossible. My body still hummed from the day’s chores and another riding lesson where Colt’s hands had lingered just a second too long on my hips. I was standing by my window again, staring at the moonlit pasture
Chapter 3: Settling In and Sparks IgniteThe days started blurring together in the best kind of way. By the third morning, my muscles ached from yesterday’s ride, but I refused to complain. After breakfast eggs, bacon, and strong black coffee that Colt made like it was his personal mission to wake
Chapter 1: Arrival at Graves RanchThe old pickup truck rattled to a stop in front of the sprawling wooden house, kicking up a cloud of red dust that clung to my skin like regret. I stepped out with my beat up suitcase in one hand, the Texas heat slamming into me like a living thing. Nineteen year







