Chapter 2: The Bet

Ethan Carter slumped lazily against the worn leather booth in the back of King’s Diner, the usual Friday night hangout spot for him and his friends. The place smelled like greasy burgers and burnt coffee, but Ethan barely noticed. His mind was still reeling from his first encounter with Ms. Hayes. The woman was something else—elegant, composed, and completely immune to his charm.

For now.

“You’re unusually quiet, Carter,” Jason smirked, tossing a crumpled napkin at him. “What, the new teacher got you all hot and bothered?”

Ethan scoffed, grabbing his soda and taking a slow sip. “She’s just a challenge,” he admitted, voice laced with confidence. “And you know I don’t back down from challenges.”

Tyler, the cockiest of the group, leaned in, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. “Oh yeah? Prove it.”

Ethan raised a brow. “Prove what?”

“Seduce her.”

A slow, wicked grin spread across Ethan’s face. “Is that so?”

Jason chuckled. “No way in hell you can pull that off, man. She’s a teacher. She’s got morals and all that shit.”

Ethan leaned back, stretching his arms over the booth. “You forget who you’re talking to,” he drawled, a lazy smirk playing at his lips. “I’ve had girls wrapped around my finger since middle school.”

“Yeah, but they weren’t Ms. Hayes,” Tyler countered. “She’s not some high school girl desperate for attention. She’s a grown-ass woman. You’d need to up your game.”

Jason’s grin turned devilish. “I bet you can’t get her into bed.”

Ethan’s smirk didn’t falter. “Oh, I bet I can.”

Tyler drummed his fingers against the table. “Let’s make this interesting, then. Not only do you have to sleep with her… but you gotta record it.”

For the first time, Ethan hesitated, but only for a second. A challenge was a challenge, and he never backed down. Besides, the thought of having Ms. Hayes beneath him, breathless, surrendering—

He exhaled sharply, heat curling in his gut.

Jason leaned in, eyes gleaming. “What’s the matter, Carter? Second thoughts?”

Ethan’s jaw clenched, his pride flaring. “You’re on.”

The guys whooped, clinking their sodas together. “Now that’s the Carter we know,” Tyler laughed. “Better get to work, man. She won’t be easy.”

Ethan smirked. “I wouldn’t want her to be.”

---

The next Monday, Ethan was ready.

He entered the classroom early, lounging in his seat as Ms. Hayes arranged her lesson materials. She didn’t acknowledge him at first, but that only made him want her more.

“Morning, Ms. Hayes,” he greeted, voice smooth.

She glanced at him, unimpressed. “Morning, Mr. Carter.”

“No ‘good’ in there? That hurts.”

She sighed, tucking a stray lock of auburn hair behind her ear. “Do you need something?”

He grinned. “Just your attention.”

Her brows lifted, but she didn’t rise to the bait. “You’ll have it when class starts.”

Ethan chuckled, admiring her restraint. “You know, I think you like this little game we’re playing.”

Her expression turned unreadable. “There is no game.”

“Oh, but there is.” He leaned forward, voice dropping. “And we both know how it’s going to end.”

Vivian exhaled through her nose, clearly trying to remain unaffected. “Go to your seat, Ethan.”

He grinned. “I’m already there.”

She shook her head, turning back to her desk, but he caught the slight hesitation in her movements. It was small, but it was enough.

---

The next few days, Ethan turned up the heat. His flirtations became bolder, his words more suggestive. He lingered after class, making sure to find any excuse to be around her. He watched the way she tensed under his gaze, the slight hitch in her breath when he got too close. She was resisting, but barely. And Ethan loved it.

One afternoon, he waited until the classroom was empty before making his move.

“Ms. Hayes,” he murmured, stepping closer as she stacked her books. “Do you ever get tired of playing by the rules?”

She stiffened but didn’t turn. “Go home, Ethan.”

He smirked, inching closer, his voice dropping into something darker, more intimate. “You don’t even look at me when you say it.”

She turned then, and for the first time, her expression faltered. There was something there—hesitation, curiosity, maybe even something deeper. It sent a thrill down Ethan’s spine.

“You’re out of line,” she said quietly, but her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Ethan reached up, brushing his fingers over the edge of her desk, his gaze never leaving hers. “Then tell me to stop.”

Silence. Heavy, charged.

Her lips parted, but no words came.

Ethan leaned in just a little more, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Ms. Hayes.”

And with that, he walked away, leaving her standing there, breathless and shaken.

This was going to be easier than he thought.