Chapter 26: The Kiss

The moment the door clicked shut, he shot to his feet.

His chair scraped violently against the tile. He didn't care.

One step—Two—And then his hand slammed down on the lock, twisting it with a harsh, final click.He turned slowly.

Lara stood.

No apology.No fear.Just a serene calm as she rose from beneath the desk like she hadn't just undermined everything. Like she hadn't nearly detonated his life with nothing but silence and touch.

She brushed down her skirt. Neat. Deliberate.

His chest heaved. Fury boiled in his blood—thick and loud. His heartbeat like a war drum in his ears."What the hell was that?" he snapped. His voice was low, but it trembled with rage. "Are you out of your goddamn mind?"

She didn't flinch.Didn't blink.

Instead, she tilted her head, appraising him like he was the one misbehaving.

"You tell me," she said smoothly. "You're the one shaking."

He was shaking. Every muscle wound tight like a trap ready to spring. Rage, panic, arousal—he couldn't even tell them apart anymore."Lara," he growled. "Don't push me."

But she stepped closer.Unbothered. Bold. Like she knew he wouldn't touch her. Couldn't.And that—somehow—made her invincible.

"I know you've been looking into me," she said, voice low, even. "I just heard that you called Halemont High."

His gut turned to ice. "How did you know?" That was weeks ago and he never contacted the school again.

"I told you," she continued, her tone sliding into something electric and dangerous, "you were the only adult who cared."

Another step. Closer.

"And I cared back," she said. "But now you're being nosy."

He tried to stay still. Keep the upper hand. He was the adult. He had to be."Why won't you want me to dig into you?" he asked... Genuinely curious too why.

She smiled.

"It's too early," she whispered. "And you are not ready, Mr. Hayes." 

Her eyes locked onto his—dark, glittering, wicked. Her innocent mask revealing now her true nature. 

Fierce.Beautiful.Deadly.

"And enjoy it while I'm still your sweet student," she added.

He hated the way those words made something inside him flicker.Fear. Lust. Guilt. Power.It was all tangled together.

"I like it," she said, stepping closer again, "when you act responsible."

Her voice dropped. Velvet and venom."But if you don't stop digging…" She leaned in, so close he could feel her breath on his skin, "…I'll do something worse."

His breath hitched."Worse than this?" he snapped, throwing a hand toward the desk. "You nearly got me fired—"

But she didn't give him the chance to finish.

Her fingers found his collar, yanked him down, and her mouth crashed into his.

It was not soft.

It was wildfire.

Hot and hungry and without mercy.

Her lips devoured his, stealing the breath from his lungs. Her body pressed to his like she belonged there. Like she owned him. And for one horrifying second—he let her.

His fists clenched at his sides.His mind screamed stop—but his mouth opened against hers.

And when her tongue slipped past his lips, he tasted danger.

He felt it shoot through his spine, sharp and addictive. His body betrayed him. Hardened more instantly. Responded like it didn't know better.

Like she was what it wanted.

He almost moaned.Almost.

But then—she pulled away. Abrupt. Breathless. Smiling like sin.

"See?" she murmured. "I know exactly what you want."

He stared at her. Stunned. Panting.Hard as hell.

"You're so easy to read," she said, already walking toward the door. Her hips swayed deliberately with every step.Like punctuation.

She reached the lock. Turned it.

Paused.

Glanced over her shoulder, still smirking.

"Stop looking into me," she said softly. "Or I'll kiss you next time in front of everyone."

And then she was gone.

The door clicked gently behind her, like nothing had happened at all.

He didn't move.

Couldn't.

His breath came in sharp, uneven gasps. His chest still tight. His hands trembling at his sides.

He looked down—His arousal still pressed painfully against his slacks. His jaw clenched. His heart racing.

She'd played him.

And he didn't know what terrified him more—That she could do it so easily…Or that part of him wanted her to do it again.

He dropped into his chair.

Elbows on the desk.

Head in his hands.

Not sure if he wanted to scream…

Or chase her.