Page 39 of Learning Curves

Audrey’s borrowed robe smelled like Michelle, that fresh, woodsy scent she’d been fantasizing about for months, except now she was wrapped up in it, sitting on the sofa in Michelle’s living room, sipping raspberry tea as Michelle sat next to her.

Audrey’s robe was navy blue and silky soft. Michelle’s was black and just as soft.

Michelle looked almost as soft as her robe, more relaxed than Audrey had ever seen her.

Her hair was down and messy. Her makeup was gone, her eyes languid.

She looked like a woman who’d been thoroughly fucked, and boy, was it a good look on her.

After they’d left Michelle’s bed, they’d stepped into a quick shower together, and then Michelle had made tea for them while they talked things through.

Except, so far, neither of them was doing much talking.

“So,” Audrey said. She sipped her tea. It was light and fruity, just right for the moment. Then she gave Michelle a silly grin. “Still want to fill out those HR forms?”

“It would be a good idea ... I mean, assuming you want this to be more than a onetime thing?” She gave Audrey what she probably thought was a guarded look, but the hope—and the insecurity—in her eyes was hard to miss, and it made Audrey’s heart clench.

“We have a lot to talk about, don’t we? I know I told you before that I didn’t want a relationship, and I meant it at the time, but I’m reconsidering that now because ... well, you kind of snuck in and made me want more.”

“I did?”

“Yes.” Audrey’s mom had been right. If Audrey kept waiting, she might miss the chance to be with this amazing woman.

Because already, she felt more for Michelle than she’d ever felt for anyone else.

Bottom line: Michelle was worth the risk.

“I know this thing between us is only hours old, but it’s not really, is it?

It’s been building for a while, and I already know that a night or a weekend with you would never be enough. I want to date you for real.”

Michelle sat with her teacup halfway to her mouth, lips slightly parted. “Really?”

“I can’t seem to get enough of you,” Audrey confirmed, reaching for Michelle’s free hand and clasping it in hers. “Have I somehow not given you that impression up to now?”

“I, well ... it’s a little surprising, yes.” Michelle set down her teacup. “I know I’m not always the easiest person to be around.”

Oh, Michelle ... “Well, I treasure our time together.” Audrey eyed the black-and-white creature currently lounging on a cat tower that overlooked the backyard. “I had no idea you had a cat, by the way.”

“Her name’s Muse, and she’s not technically mine.” Michelle’s lips pursed. “She was Kelly’s cat. She adored Kelly. She ... tolerates me.”

“Your ex-wife left her cat here with you when she moved out?” Audrey had already disliked the woman, but after seeing Michelle’s insecurity during sex and learning Kelly had abandoned her cat, “dislike” might’ve been too mild a word.

“Not here,” Michelle said. “I bought this house after the divorce, but yes, Kelly left us both, and I think Muse hates me for it.”

“Poor Muse. Why didn’t Kelly take her cat?”

Michelle shrugged, looking lost. “She said she needed a fresh start and that if I didn’t want Muse, I should take her to the shelter.”

“That’s so sad, and I hope it’s not overstepping for me to say it sounds like Kelly was extremely toxic. I hate that she made you doubt yourself and abandoned her cat.”

“I, well ...” Michelle looked away abruptly. “You might be right, but I don’t want to talk about my marriage right now.”

“Fair enough,” Audrey said. “How did Muse get her name? Is it art related?”

“In a way. When we were younger, Kelly used to say she was my muse. For the longest time, she held on to the hope that my love of art meant I would become an artist myself. Needless to say, she was quite disappointed when she realized I’m merely a historian.”

“Merely a historian.” Audrey scoffed. “First of all, historians are amazing, but also, you’re so much more than that. This sounds like another Kelly problem, if she wanted you to be something you aren’t.”

Michelle’s cheeks went slightly pink. “Well, she’s gone now, and I’m stuck with this unfortunately named cat who hates me.”

The whole situation made Audrey unspeakably sad. She hadn’t seen any evidence that Michelle’s cat didn’t like her, though.

“At any rate,” Michelle continued, picking up her teacup. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship either. In fact, as I told you before, I was content to remain single indefinitely.”

“You were or you are ?”

Michelle’s gaze settled on Audrey’s. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Until you came into my life, I was content on my own, but now ... I haven’t been content since you first kissed me. Even before that, if I’m being honest.”

“Wow.” Audrey hadn’t known Michelle felt so strongly, and now the knowledge had lodged itself in her chest, dangerously close to her heart.

“Quite simply, you’re the best part of my day,” Michelle murmured, and the way she said it felt more intimate than a declaration of love.

Audrey’s eyes were damp, and her heart was a runaway train in her chest. “That’s so freaking romantic. Oh my god, Michelle.”

“It’s true.”

“So let’s do this, then, but maybe we should wait on the HR paperwork until I find out what’s happening with my job. Can we keep things discreet—and casual—to start?”

Michelle looked down at her hands. “Casual is fine as long as you aren’t sleeping with anyone else, because nonexclusive relationships just aren’t for me. I’m sorry if that’s a deal-breaker for you.”

On the contrary, Michelle seemed to know what she wanted and needed in a relationship, and that was hot as hell as far as Audrey was concerned. It was a refreshing change from the people she’d dated in the past.

She cupped Michelle’s jaw, surprised by the vulnerability she saw on that beautiful face. “I can’t imagine even looking at anyone else while I’m with you, let alone sleeping with them. I’m the exclusive type too. No worries there.”

“Good, because I’m monogamous to my bones.” Michelle leaned in so her forehead rested against Audrey’s. Her breath puffed warm and damp against Audrey’s mouth. The gesture was so tender—so intimate—Audrey’s heart quivered inside her chest.

She was kidding herself to think she wouldn’t be head over heels for this woman in no time. Michelle Thompson had always been her dream woman, and so far, at least, the reality of her was even more wonderful than the fantasy. “Michelle ...”

“Mm?” Michelle settled closer against her, their lips brushing together.

“I’m awfully glad you came to observe my class today.”

Michelle smiled against Audrey’s lips. “So am I. What do you say I make us some dinner and you spend the night?”

“I’d say . . . yes.”

Michelle woke to the feel of a warm body pressed against hers, something she hadn’t felt in so long, she’d almost forgotten how much she enjoyed it.

In the final years of their marriage, she and Kelly had been strangers sharing a bed.

There had been no cuddling and very little sex. Nothing like this.

She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of Audrey’s hand resting against Michelle’s stomach, wrapping her in warmth and comfort.

Last night, Michelle had prepared a simple pasta dish for them, and they’d spent most of the rest of the evening here in bed.

No doubt, she’d be sore when she finally got around to moving .

.. something she was in no hurry to do.

“Morning,” Audrey murmured into her hair, her arm tightening slightly, drawing Michelle closer against her.

She went willingly, loving the sensation of Audrey’s body against hers, except .

.. if this went where she hoped it was going, Michelle needed to freshen up first. Sex with a full bladder and morning breath wasn’t that great, in her opinion.

“I’ll be right back,” she murmured, turning to kiss Audrey’s cheek.

Then she slid to her feet, looking for her robe, but she wasn’t sure where she’d left it last night.

She hurried into the bathroom, vaguely embarrassed to be walking around naked and also chilled from the morning air.

When she came back out a few minutes later, she slid under the covers to warm up.

Audrey kissed her before going into the bathroom herself. Soon, she was back, snuggled against Michelle beneath the covers. Her skin had cooled while she was up, though, and it made Michelle shiver.

Audrey giggled. “Maybe you should turn your thermostat up a little bit. It’s cold in here.”

“I like it cold when I sleep, but I don’t usually walk around naked in the morning.”

“Fair point. Anyway, I know a good way to warm ourselves back up ...”

Her fingers slipped between Michelle’s thighs, and this time there was no discomfort to get in the way.

They moved together beneath the covers, and it was a beautiful way to start the day, soft and quiet and unrushed.

When they were sated, they lay facing each other.

Audrey’s hair was in her face, sticking to her sweat-damp cheeks, and something about the image reminded Michelle of a much younger Audrey, the way she’d looked in college.

“Does our history bother you?” Michelle asked. “That I was your professor?”

“Are you kidding? On the contrary, I’m living out a fantasy right now.”

“You’re . . . what?”

Audrey slid closer, resting a hand on Michelle’s hip. She seemed to be a very tactile person, and Michelle was starting to realize she loved it. “Did you honestly not see the way I looked at you back then? I’ve always wondered.”

“You idolized me. I did notice.”

“No.” Audrey’s fingers traced hearts on Michelle’s hip. “I mean, yes, I did idolize you, but it was more than that. I had the biggest crush on you. I was hot for teacher, big time.”

Michelle flinched. “Really? That’s ... that’s awkward.”