Page 18 of Come to Me

"Yeah, but I don't remember."

"You don't fool me, Lawrence. I know what you're trying to do." But her lips are curled into a smile. She likes talking about this kind of thing.

I move towards her. "Miss Summers, I meant what I said. I just want to learn a bit more about theater from my favorite teacher."

"You could start with an acting lesson so I'd buy that story."

She rolls her eyes, but she's laughing. I have her exactly where I want her.

I sit next to Alyssa, my body facing hers. "You don't have to believe me. But you do have to humor me."

"I have to do nothing."

I shrug.

"But you want to."

She folds her arms. "Maybe."

"So what about this desire?"

"Go read Spark Notes."

"But there's no chance Spark Notes will end with you on top of me."

That gets her attention.

She shakes her head, but her voice is low and throaty. She's not opposed to the idea. "You're shameless."

Sure am.

I press my lips to hers.

She kisses back hard, hungry.

"See, you're teaching me so much already," I say, feeling a little breathless.

"Jesus." She frowns at me. "You aren't going to stop, are you?"

I shake my head.

"Fine," she sighs. "You win." She tilts her head back, looking up at the ceiling. Composing her thoughts. "Well. It's been a little while since I've looked atA Streetcar Named Desire, but I'll explain it as well as I can. Blanche is obsessed with being the object of desire. She's always flirting with men and taking great delight in dressing provocatively. There's a scene where she comes on to a young man. But she's got this Virgin/Whore thing going on. When she tries to seduce a proper suitor, she pretends like she's this chaste, honorable woman."

Her face lights up as she explains it to me, her passion for the play so clear it makes my heart ache.

Why the fuck is she shutting this down so hard?

"That sounds like a fascinating character."

She rolls her eyes. "You're so obvious." Her eyes turn to mine. Her defenses fall away, leaving her raw and open. There's no pretense to hide behind anymore. "I can't leave you for six months, Luke. It's out of the question."

She's scared.

I nod. I need to tread softly. "I'll respect your decision."

She gives me a skeptical look.

"Uh-huh."