All Chapters of Dirty (short stories): Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Lila couldn’t stop thinking about the moment on the couch with Victor. His hand on her thigh, his breath against her neck, the way he had allowed her touch his body, It made her body burn with guilt and desire at the same time. She needed to talk to someone. She needed her mother.She quietly left her room and walked down the hallway toward her mother’s bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and a soft light was on inside. Lila was about to knock when she heard her mother’s voice.“…yes, baby. Victor is still at that stupid business dinner. He won’t be back for hours.”Lila froze, hand hovering near the door.Her mother laughed softly. “No, he has no idea. He thinks I’m just shopping and spa-ing all day. As long as I keep him happy and don’t ask too many questions about his money, he doesn’t care what I do.”There was a pause, then her mother’s voice turned flirtatious. “Of course I miss you. Come over tomorrow afternoon when he’s in the office. We can have the whole house to ourselves…

Lila woke up the next morning with a heavy mix of guilt and confusion. The memory of Marcus’s hand in contrast with Victor's on her breast the night before kept replaying in her mind. She showered quickly, trying to wash away the conflicting feelings, then went downstairs.The kitchen was quiet. Marcus was already there, making breakfast. When he saw her, he gave her a soft, hopeful smile.“Morning,” he said, sliding a plate of pancakes toward her. “I made your favorite.”Lila sat down, forcing a smile. “Thanks, Marcus.”They ate together, talking about light things. Marcus was gentle and attentive, but Lila’s mind kept drifting to Victor. Every time Marcus looked at her with those kind eyes, she felt a pang of guilt.Marcus finished his breakfast and excused himself to go work on a painting in his studio.Lila stayed in the kitchen, cleaning up. A few minutes later, Victor walked in. He was dressed in a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing his tattooed forearms.

Chapter 2Ethan stood there a few steps ahead, his backpack slung over one shoulder, clutching a manila folder with both hands. He looked like he had been waiting.“Professor Voss,” he said softly, his eyes fixed somewhere near my collarbone, almost like he was avoiding eye contact. “I finished the revision on my essay. You said it was due today.”He stepped closer, his head bending even lower in that familiar shy way, and he held the folder out to me. Our fingers brushed as I took it. The contact sent a warm spark racing up my arm. I could still feel how wet I had been moments earlier, my body still sensitive and unsettled.“Thank you, Mr. Hale,” I replied, keeping my tone even and professional. I tucked the folder under my arm without looking inside it. “I’ll review it this evening.”He nodded quickly, mumbled a quiet “thank you,” and scurried away down the hall, head still slightly bowed. I watched him go, noting the neat line of his back and the way his khakis moved with each st

Chapter 4I sat at my kitchen table, it was a Saturday morning, my coffee growing cold beside my laptop. Ethan’s email from the night before still sat open on the screen. His little polite check in had left a restless energy under my skin. I typed my reply carefully, reading it over twice before sending.*Ethan,**Since you’ll be assisting me for the next two weeks, I’d like to get a head start this weekend. Come by my apartment tomorrow afternoon so we can go over your responsibilities in detail. My address is below. 2 PM would work best.*I hit send and immediately felt a flutter of nerves. It was just work, I told myself. Professional preparation, nothing more.Who was I kidding, I chuckled slowly.His answer came nearly twenty minutes later.*Professor Voss, I’m sorry but I’m really busy this weekend with other assignments and family stuff. I can meet you on Monday at school instead if that’s okay.*I stared at the message, pangs of irritation mixed with something hotter, rising