Learn Your Limits, page 12
JustMilo: Of course. I can meet you a few streets down if you don’t mind the walk.
JustMilo: [attached pinned location]
As much as I hate the idea of having to meet him somewhere instead of him just being able to pick me up, I refuse to let the situation make things between us feel wrong.
The sneaking around is temporary.
CallMeCal: I’ll be there.
The location he sent shouldn’t take me more than ten minutes to walk to, giving me plenty of time to take a shower and get cleaned up. After the mess we made all over my skin this morning, I’m itching with the need to stand under the heated spray of water.
Taking a hot shower always seems to do wonders for my mindset, and by the time I've brushed my teeth and am slipping on a clean pair of boxer briefs and jeans, the nerves that were swirling in my stomach have vanished. In their place is nothing but excitement.
Getting ready to go on this vacation with Milo feels a little bit like getting ready for a first date. Being alone for the week will be a surefire way to see whether what we have is real or not. Hell, he may decide by the end of the week that he’s sick of me and that being with someone so much younger than him isn’t worth the hassle of sneaking around until the semester ends.
Once I've sprayed on some cologne, run some gel through my hair, and there’s nothing left to do, I shoot a message off to Milo.
CallMeCal: Walking out the door now. See you soon *kissy face emoji*
The pinned location he sent me takes me to a small neighborhood park. I find Milo’s car already pulled up alongside the curb beneath a large shade tree.
The passenger window rolls down as I approach, butterflies taking flight in my stomach as I lean down to meet his gaze. “Fancy meeting you here, Professor.”
Chapter twenty-six
Emiliano
The hours spent driving on thankfully clear highways with Reid were strangely quiet. Not in a sense of awkwardness, but perhaps more along the lines of restlessness? The dark cloud that was forming in my mind as I waited for him to meet me in our clandestine location near his neighborhood quickly dissipated when I saw the bright smile he wore approaching my car.
I was beginning to resent how I couldn’t pick him up from his apartment without it causing an issue. It was risky, having him come directly to my home last night, but I was a desperate man, and I knew he needed me just as much. It would only be a few more months of this secrecy. We have already survived the previous months of the semester, but a small part of me believes things will be even harder now that I know how he looks freshly-fucked in my sheets.
And even more so after becoming accustomed to the feeling of my hand wrapped around his inner thigh as I drove us to the cabin.
“We can unpack and settle in for the rest of the night. I was considering making a pasta dish, if you’d like to help me,” I comment, opening the passenger door for Reid. He steps out, standing a few inches from me in the little space afforded by the car door.
Smiling, he stares at me with a mischievous tilt to the corner of his lips. “Or,” he begins, licking at his bottom lip enticingly as he looks down at me. “We can break in the bed and deal with all that later.”
“Or,” I mock, wrapping my hand around the muscle at his hip. He pulls in a quick breath as I lean in close enough to make him believe he might receive a kiss. I whisper, “You could be a good boy and do as I say.” Patting at his hip, I move him away from the passenger’s area, close the door, and guide him to the back of the car with a firm hand.
“Yes, Daddy,” he mutters under his breath, and I can practically feel the way his eyes roll at my dismissal of his idea to break in the bed.
As annoyed as I am by his bratty response, I can’t deny the simmering arousal from hearing him call me “Daddy.” It was meant as a joke, I’m sure, but I’m curious to see if there’s a mutual liking of the moniker.
Recomposing myself, I follow Reid to the trunk where he has already grabbed the majority of our things. I slide beside him as he hauls the various suitcases, and I reach for the last two bags. As I’m waiting for the self-closing mechanism, I make the decision to push the idea.
Leaning over his brimming hands, I manage to capture his lips in a deep kiss, reveling in the way his eyelashes flutter against my closed lids. Stopping the kiss after a few seconds, I remain only centimeters from his pouty lips while I whisper, “Now be careful with Daddy’s things.”
As I turn to walk away, I hear a gentle moan fall from his lips before it’s suddenly cut off. Continuing my steps toward the cabin, I peer over my shoulder to see his teeth catching his full lower lip in a shy smile.
“This way, baby. Unless you’d like to continue your insolence, then you can stay outside.” There’s no threat behind my words, not when a small smile of my own starts spreading across my face.
Reid’s steps in the gravel echo behind me as I reach the front door and enter the code to unlock the cabin. Luckily for him, the small scrapes of the rocks against his shoes cover his grumbled protests.
Once inside, we strip off our jackets and shoes and begin settling our possessions. Keys and wallets at the entry, groceries on the tucked-away galley kitchen counter, and suitcases sat just inside the bedroom. The cabin is modern and sleek despite the rural location. It’s also compact but can still easily fit both of us.
I admit that I booked this accommodation with thoughts of escaping Reid. I hadn’t even made it through the first week of our semester—syllabus week—when I looked for a retreat to get away from what was blooming between us.
Peering to the side, I take in the forest with half of its leaves clinging to the last of the summer green, while others are deep into the stunning shades of autumn. I remember the pictures on the listing showed a progressed autumn forest, the leaves had all become a synchronized amber.
My only thought was how similar the color was to Reid’s eyes, yet it still lacked the brilliance found in the gold flecks of his irises. In the end, I planned my fall escape knowing I’d have at least some part of him with me.
Walking into the bedroom, I hear him approach me from behind, and a moment later, freckle-covered arms wrap around my middle just before I can unzip my suitcase.
“Reid,” I chastise, peering over my shoulder to catch his eye. “You should unpack your clothing before it wrinkles.”
With a long sigh, he lets me go only after I’ve nudged him with my shoulder. Carefully, I begin unpacking my clothes, placing my underclothes in the drawers while laying out items that need to be hung on top of the dresser.
Preoccupied with my organization, I don’t notice at first how loud Reid is as he shuffles his clothing around. It’s only when I turn to grab hangers from the wardrobe that I see how he has piled most of his clothing on top of his suitcase, unfolded and messy, while some other items cover one side of the bed.
The man doesn’t notice me gawking, happy to have his eyes closed as he leans back onto the only part of the bed not covered by clothing. His lips curl into a smirk as he props himself up on his elbows, his eyes scanning slowly down my body. “You sure you don’t wanna break in the bed first, Professor?”
“I’m sure it’ll break just fine under the piles of your clothing,” I snark, stepping to the side to point at the free drawers. “There are perfectly usable drawers right here. Why unpack your suitcase only to have your clothes pile on top of it?” I ask. I shouldn’t be so bewildered. Reid is a young man, most likely only used to living with other college students who may even be messier than he is.
He shrugs from his position on the bed, looking around at his mess of clothing. “Shit’s easier to find when it’s like this,” he counters.
My expression contorts as if I’ve smelled something sour. Whether or not he’s joking, I can’t fully tell, but this won’t do.
“Reid,” I begin, my voice dropping low. “You’ll put away your clothing or you’ll learn your lesson.” My eyes focus on the shirts I’m placing onto the hangers, not looking at the younger man but still expecting to hear him rise from the bed and organize his belongings.
“Learn my lesson, hm?” he taunts. “You’re not exactly making me wanna put away my stuff. Punishment might be fun.” His voice is teasing, and I steal a glance in time to see him move a hand to the hem of his shirt, lifting it to reveal a hint of the taut muscle beneath.
Methodically, I hang up my shirts, purposely choosing not to answer him right away. After a few seconds, I see Reid squirm from the corner of my eye.
Good.
Closing the wardrobe door lightly, I turn and slowly make my way toward the bed, where a now nervous-looking Reid shifts to meet my gaze as I lower onto the bed and tower over him.
“You know,” I speak softly, close enough that my breath ghosts over his lips. “There is a couch in the living room you’re welcome to break in by yourself.” Instead of moving closer to kiss him, I lift off the bed and close the drawers of the dresser on my way out of the room. “I don’t tolerate messes, Reid, and I’m not anyone’s maid.”
“Okay, I’ll admit,” Reid says as he leans back in his chair. “I was a little nervous when you started adding in the butternut squash, but that was actually really good.”
“It’s important to expand your palate,” I reply, standing to begin clearing the dishes from the small dining table. Turning to walk toward the sink, I catch a glimpse of the bedroom, devoid of the previous mess. I wasn’t sure if he would clean his clothing after my little lecture. Remembering the way he immediately rose from the bed after I barely crossed the threshold brings a tender smile to my lips.
He cares.
As I’m rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, Reid approaches and stands at my side, mirroring my motions as he prepares to help me clean. He pours soap onto a sponge while I scrape the bits of leftover food into the compost and then hand him the plates. Silently, we repeat the process for the pans as well, tension building in the air.
We need to have an important conversation. There are so many factors in our relationship that may cause issues for both of us, and we need to address them. In the back of my mind, I also know I need to reflect on my actions leading up to all of this. As much as I am enraptured with Reid, I am very aware of my position of authority over him and my lead in age.
Dishes now dry, I make my way over to the living area, choosing to sit at the end of a large leather sofa. Sitting down on the luxurious cushion provides some instant relief as I sink into it.
“Reid,” I call, turning slightly to see him finish wiping down the counter. “Sit with me, please.” A firm pat on the space beside me echoes in the room.
He takes a moment to hang the kitchen towel over the handle of the oven door and glance over the counters, ensuring everything is cleaned up and put away before he crosses the room to me. His eyes scan over the couch before he meets my gaze, slowly sinking onto the opposite end. “Is something wrong?” he asks, nerves lacing his voice.
“Nothing is wrong,” I reassure him. Curling my fingers, I invite him to move closer. “You’re too far away for my liking, though.”
The corner of his lips twitch into a slight smile as he shifts his body. He positions himself with his head in my lap, planting one foot on the floor for balance while his other leg is stretched out and draping over the arm of the couch. “This better?”
Tilting my upper body to get a better view of him, I brush away stray strands of auburn from his forehead before resting my hand on his chest. “What do you want from this, Reid?” I ask, too anxious to sugarcoat any questions. My eyes scan his face for an expression while also trying to relax him with a soft smile of my own. I’d like to think we are both working toward the same goal here, but nothing is sure until it’s spoken and shared.
His brows furrow at my question. “From this?” His hand covers mine on his chest. “Do you mean... with us? Or from this trip?”
“I want to know all your thoughts,” I reply, twisting my hand so that my palm faces his, and I interlock our fingers. “But let’s start with the big picture. Do you envision a lasting relationship with me?”
His hand tightens around mine as he lies there quietly, his gaze on our intertwined fingers. “The future scares me,” he murmurs. “But when I close my eyes and let myself dream... I see you in it.” His head tilts back in my lap, amber eyes meeting mine.
The heavy feeling in my stomach settles a little at his confession, my smile spreading until my cheeks strain from the stretch as I look down at this gorgeous man. “Good.” The word almost comes out as a purr. “We are on the same page. I can picture the rest of my life with you in it.”
He’s quiet for a moment, his warm bronze gaze drifting to where our fingers remain laced together. “And what do you want the rest of your life to look like?” His voice is soft and filled with sincerity as his thumb strokes over the back of my hand.
“I enjoy adventure and new experiences,” I confess, lightly running my thumb over his knuckles as I think out loud. “A partner who values exploration is something that is highly important to me, but I also am a bit of a homebody. I’d like my home to be my sanctuary, and I crave having someone to come home to at the end of a long day.” Truly, these thoughts haven’t been at the forefront of my mind until meeting a certain redheaded man. “And you, Reid?”
“I didn’t put much thought into what my future might look like until I met you. I’d love to travel and explore the world. And I like the idea of having a family, but I don’t like the idea of having kids and subjecting them to the same kind of bullshit that I had to deal with growing up.” He falls silent again, but I get the sense that there’s more weighing on his chest. “That’s part of why I want to become a school counselor. I want kids to have a safe place, even if it’s just at school. I wanna be able to guide them through tough situations when they feel like no one else is in their corner.”
Bringing our hands up to my lips, I press a soft kiss to his wrist, hoping the act conveys my gratitude for him opening up to me. “You have a kind soul, and anyone you choose to share it with is fortunate.”
Myself included.
“How do you see the rest of this semester going, Muñeco ?” I ask.
His cheeks turn a pretty shade of red. “I love it when you call me that,” he murmurs. Then, with a sigh, he says, “Pretending you're nothing more than my professor is gonna be hard after this. It's already been a challenge, and now it's gonna feel fuckin’ impossible.”
“Unfortunately, there aren’t many viable choices. It’s unethical enough, being involved with you while you earn a grade in my class,” I comment, gently combing through his hair with my free hand. “Luckily, you’re a fairly decent student.” My smirk betrays the serious tone of my voice.
He shrugs. “It's easy to pay attention in your class. I just wanna be able to see you more. I can't imagine going back to only talking over the app. I understand why we can't even exchange phone numbers yet”—he waves a hand in the air as if to gesture to the boundaries we need to keep in place—“but Emiliano, I need to be able to see you outside of class.”
“It’ll be easy enough to share a lunch or breakfast on campus without causing suspicion, but I’m also afraid we may not get much quality time like this.” I think out loud, letting Reid into my stream of consciousness. “Perhaps we can manage weekends together? Would your roommates find it odd if you were to leave every weekend?”
“They'll probably both be too busy with football practice and games to notice. Or they'll just assume I'm doing whatever I have to in order to keep my dad off my ass,” he scoffs, shaking his head.
A small sigh of relief escapes me at the mention of his father. I wasn’t sure if it would be polite to be the one to broach the subject. “And your parents? Will they wonder where you are?” I ask, my fingers stilling in his hair as I wait for the answer. Though I think I already know what he’ll say.
“They don't pay that much attention to what I'm doing, as long as what I do doesn't reflect poorly on them. But,” he sighs, “at some point, my dad will realize I'm not actually dating the girl he made me take out.”
My assumptions are true, then. He has been neglected by his father. Possibly his mother as well, but I’ve not heard much about her, specifically. The professionally trained part of my brain isn’t so easy to shut off, even when I don’t want to deep dive into analyzing Reid’s behavior.
Clearing my throat, I secretly thank him for breaching yet another topic I didn’t know how to bring up. “The girl,” I begin, soothing myself by running my fingers through his hair once again. “Is she expecting you to date her?”
“Not at all,” he laughs and then moves to sit up beside me, his hand grasping my thigh as he looks at me. “She knows I'm involved with someone else. I honestly don't think she wants anything from me. She seemed just as forced into that situation as I was.”
My laugh is full of relief, the tense muscles in my body relaxing as soon as I feel Reid’s large hand on my thigh. “Would it be beneficial to her as well, if you two were to lie about your involvement?” I ask, more curious than anything now.
“Um... Yeah, I mean it probably would. But with our parents being involved in business together, they might expect us to show up for family dinners and events together. I don’t wanna do something that’s going to make you uncomfortable. I won't risk what we have.”
“You’ve made your priorities clear, Reid. I don’t feel like my heart is in danger with you, even when you pretend to date someone else.” Reclining, I stretch my arm across the back of the sofa and wrap my hand around his shoulder. My other hand cups around his chin, moving him so he faces me directly. “No offense to the lovely girl, but I don’t think she could fuck you like I could. Like you need.”
