Chapter Nine
Carla sat down on a barstool beside Ashley, bringing over two fresh cups of coffee. She’d spent the last hour getting to know Ashley a little better as they ate pastries from the bakery across the street, but Carla knew she had to talk to Ashley about what it was they were doing.
Carla met Ashley’s eyes. “Can I ask you something?”
Ashley nodded, visibly swallowing. “Sure.”
Carla pursed her lips. Ashley must have been anticipating this conversation. She seemed nervous all of a sudden, her knee bouncing underneath the counter.
“I had assumed that professors couldn’t date their students,” Carla started. “But I had a look at the handbook, and you’re right. It doesn’t specifically mention that those kinds of relationships are forbidden.”
“I’m sensing a ‘but’ here.”
Carla tilted her head. “It’s still my job. My career. My reputation.”
“What are you saying? This can’t happen?”
Carla knew what she should say, but she just couldn’t. “What I’m saying is that if… If we wanted to see each other, it would have to be in secret.”
Ashley’s mouth fell open. “What?”
“Look, I know it’s not fair. And I would completely understand if you didn’t agree with it. I’m probably an asshole for asking, but…” Carla shrugged. “It’s too risky. I don’t want to be the one they use as an example. You know what I mean? I don’t want to be the one that they create that rule for.”
Ashley chuckled. “Sorry.” She shook her head, her eyes bright. “I completely agree. I’m just in shock. I thought for sure you were going to end it. I mean, not that we’re together. I just thought that you wouldn’t want to see me again. At all.”
Carla reached out to push a few strands of Ashley’s blond hair behind her ear. “I know you said you’re a senior. And the sensible thing to do would be to just wait a few months. Pick up where we left off in the summer… But I don’t think I have the willpower for that.”
“Me neither. The last seven weeks have been torture… And I’m so sorry about all that. About not telling you.”
Carla covered Ashley’s hand with her own. “It’s okay. I get it.”
Ashley looked down at their hands. “I just want a chance with you, Carla. Whatever that looks like.”
“Why don’t we just…” Carla sighed, a smile coming to her lips as she spoke, as the prospect of this all sunk in. “Why don’t we see where the next few weeks take us? If you don’t mind confining our dates to this apartment that is.”
“Not at all.” Ashley smiled. “I think I might prefer it, actually.”
“Is that so?”
Ashley’s hand left Carla’s, her fingertips gently tracing a pattern over her palm as she spoke. “I’ve only had very positive experiences here. So far.”
Carla suppressed a shudder when Ashley’s hand delicately moved over her skin before interlacing their fingers. “Is that a challenge?”
Ashley shrugged, a smirk on her lips. “I’m not very competitive, but sure. Why not?”
Carla laughed. “I am quite competitive. Just so you know.”
“I figured that.”
Carla lost herself in those gorgeous blue eyes, and she felt a warm glow move through her.
Whether this was right thing to do or not, Carla really didn’t care. This was the happiest she’d been in a very long time. And it had been so unexpected.
Carla had been ready to throw in the towel when it came to dating, so sick of going for drinks with someone she had no connection with, no spark.
There were certainly sparks here, in the most unlikely of places. With a woman eighteen years younger than her. A student. Her student.
Carla had to believe that this was the best option. To keep seeing Ashley, although secretively.
Carla had to protect her career. But at the same time, she couldn’t walk away from this.
“Do you have any plans for today?” Ashley asked.
“None.”
“I assume we’ll be limiting this to the weekends?”
Carla nodded. “It makes the most sense. That way it won’t interfere with college.”
“Then we shouldn’t waste any time. Although I did want to go home and grab a quick shower and change into something fresh.”
Carla leaned in, brushing her lips across Ashley’s. “Shower here.”
“And the change of clothes?” Ashley asked.
“Unnecessary.”
Ashley smiled into the kiss, threading her fingers through Carla’s hair before they stumbled their way down the hall and into the bedroom.
Carla didn’t recognize this side of herself. It had been so long since she’d had this carefree, fun attitude. About life. About sex.
She had to give this a chance.