"We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us."

**************

Lilly's POV

"Oh wow, he is so hot," Sally whispered with a dreamy sigh, eyeing Christian as he resumed the lecture like nothing just happened, "I applaud you for banging this beautiful human being."

I shot her a hard glare. I am over here panicking and thinking of what I am going to do for the rest of the semester and Sally is ogling at Christian like he's an eye candy. Truth be told, he is, but right now I kind of need her support, dammit!

"You really have a thing for blue eyes, don't you?" Sally whispered, and I hated everything about her words. At the moment, they made me feel as if I just replaced Chase with someone that reminds me of him, or that makes me feel an ounce of what he once made me feel.

I kicked her feet from under the table and hissed at her, "Stop undressing him with your eyes and tell me what the hell I am supposed to do now!"

"Well, nothing," She mumbled, "Maybe go and have more sex with him, I totally support that, I always had the professor-student fantasy," She added dreamily, "But just don't tell anyone because I am pretty sure he could lose his job because of this."

Oh shit.

He was so excited about getting this and the thought I might ruin it somehow made me feel bad. Well, he deserves it, no one told him to come and hit on me in a bar. Also, no one told me to go and sleep with him either. Ugh, I hate everything about this.

Even when I have an innocent-not-so-innocent one-night stand, the guy ends up being my professor. Seriously, nothing in my life is ever simple enough. I am so angry at everything.

The only solution is probably to drop out, leave the country and change my name. There isn't any other reasonable getaway except this.

Christian on the other hand, talked with ease, like he was made to stand there between a crowd and just speak, his tone grabbed everyone's attention; I had to say his looks played a role in that but even the guys seemed too focused and indulged as he went on and on introducing his course and what we're going to expect for the rest of this semester.

He made sure not to make eye contact with me, because it would surely ruin all of his act and composure. He explained the grading process and everyone started scribbling notes, except me probably. I was too busy in everything unfolding to care about the course that I suddenly don't even remember its name.

At the moment where everyone else was so busy, his eyes drifted to me for a couple of seconds and I shamelessly stared back, unable to look away, trying to communicate with him without using words, and trying to read whatever thoughts are racing through his mind at the moment.

His throat bobbed and he raked his fingers through his hair, messing it a bit, before he walked to the computer and closed the slides, "Since it's our first lecture, I think this is enough for today," He started and I swear I could hear the disappointed sighs echoing from around me. I almost rolled my eyes, no one wants Mr. hot professor to leave, "Next Monday, we can start with chapter one, I will see you then," He added, "Have a nice first week."

People started gathering their things, ready to head out. I tried to make my way in between them, hiding myself so that he can't notice me as I escape. I almost succeeded, but as we reached the door, one of the girls accidentally bumped into Sally and her two heavy books fell to the ground with a thud.

"Seriously, couldn't you watch where you're headed!" Sally said loudly, placing her hand over her hips and shooting daggers at the girl's back. I grasped at her sleeves, "Let's go!" I hissed, needing to get as far as possible from here.

Before she could lean down to pick them up, I felt his overbearing tall presence surround me as he lent down beside us and picked up Sally's book and handed them to her. Her anger faded away almost immediately and she smiled shyly, "Ah, thank you."

His gaze drifted to me and the class was almost clear by now, only a few students left, "Ms. Dolan, can I see you in my office, please." He requested, sticking to the professional tone and I gulped in fear, embarrassment, and all types of uncomfortableness.

My fingers tightened over Sally's sleeves, silently begging her not to leave me alone, but being the little back-stabber she is, she snatched her arm away, "I'll see you at our next class, Lilly," She mumbled lowly and gave Christian an angelic polite smile, "Have a nice day."

Christian's unwavering stare held me in my place for a couple of seconds before he made his way out of the class, with me quietly following behind, still plotting my escape somehow.

We reached the east-wing of the building and went down a corridor before he paused to a stop by one of the doors and unlocked it. My eyes immediately drifted to the sign hanging by the side, with the words, 'Assistant Prof. Christian Irvine', written over it.

Oh wow, I slept with the guy, and not till now that I have learned his last name.

And how in the hell is he an assistant professor, how old is he? Shouldn't he be in his thirties to earn that title? Jeez, I didn't know his last name, I still don't know his age...One night stands are definitely not for me!

He walked inside and I stepped in, closing the door behind us. He immediately turned around to face me and all of his composure faltered, "Look, I had no idea," He pressed his palm against his forehead, "Fuck, I can't even believe this, how in hell you're my student?"

My eyebrow raised, "The better question is, how come you are my professor, how old are you?"

His jaw tightened, "Lilly, you can't tell anyone about what happened, that was..." He shook his head, bewildered, "That was a huge mistake," A beautiful hot mistake but yeah, "If I had known, I would've never," He raked his hand in his hair for the thousand times, totally frustrated at the situation, "I always knew my bad-boy antics would follow me to this," He mumbled under his breath, scolding himself.

He sucked into a deep breath, trying to calm himself before he settled his piercing wild eyes on me again, "Look, Lilly, I have worked really hard to reach here, and I could lose quite a lot if someone from the faculty gets to know about this, so I am asking from you to keep what happened the night before just between the two of us."

I nodded, "Of course, it's not like I want to get the reputation as the girl who nailed the professor."

His eyebrow raised at my choice of words and I scoffed, "This is all very unbelievable."

"I second that," He mumbled and remarked, "Couldn't you like slip the information that you're still a student or something!"

My eyebrow raised, "Oh wow, so now this is my fault!" I shot out, "No one told you to go and hit on any girl you see at a bar."

Air pushed out of his nose and I carried on, my eyes narrowed at him, "Also, you could've mentioned you are a damn professor, Jesus Christ, how old are you?" I asked again, needing that information.

"Twenty-seven," He mumbled. Oh phew, six years gap isn't that much to dwell on.

"How come you are an assistant professor already?"

"Got into college early, at seventeen, perks of being born at the end of the year I guess," He explained with a tired sigh, "Graduated at twenty-one, got into a master's-PhD program for five years, just finished my one-year post-doc and here I am at my first day as an assistant professor, and the girl I slept with the night before shows up in my class, so you can imagine my frustration at the moment, I guess!"

I blew out a low breath, "Okay, we can still do some damage control," I mumbled, "No one needs to know, last thing I want is to ruin anyone's career or something."

He nodded, "I appreciate that," He said and leaned against his desk, finally allowing himself to breathe and calm down.

As the frustration of the moment slowly evaporated, my attention got focused on him again, his hair that was neatly pulled back, now is messed up from how many times he ran his hand through it.

He unbuttoned the first few buttons of his black dress shirt and rubbed a hand over his neck, his movement had his sleeves pulling up a bit, giving me a sight of his tattoo.

I couldn't understand how he could manage these two parts of his life that seem so opposing. One, him at the bar and the club the other night, his free and wild self, and then there is this, the man who was standing in my class today, so professional, and composed.

My breath came out shallow as my mind took me back to the night before, and I felt myself getting lost again in everything he is. No matter how much I feel that I regret that moment, but something in me, that wild thing fighting against my logic wouldn't want to take it back. Everything about that night was reckless, today proved to me just how reckless, and instead of hating it, I felt myself getting absorbed by the risk this is imposing.

Christian's eyes went to me, the silver in them dominating the blue and I wished I could read what he's thinking now, "Lilly, that night was..." He straightened himself and took a step forward, "It was something else," I noticed the bob in his throat, his hard swallow as he took a stop right in front of me, "But we both know just how wrong it was."

Fuck, don't say that.

Don't intrigue me, don't trigger me.

I nodded, looking up at his perfect features, "Very wrong," My voice came out low and his closeness had my stomach tightening in a weird way.

His nod was hesitant now, "I should be careful with this," He said, his voice just as low as mine, "I should stay in control," He mumbled, "And I don't really excel at doing that, so I need your help."

Oh, he is so asking the wrong person.

Maybe he was right when he said I remind him of himself. Just after one night, I noticed how we share so many similar qualities, and at the moment, I couldn't grasp just how dangerous would it be, for us both to lose control.

I nervously bit at my lower lip and his gaze drifted there for a second, "You should go," The plea in his voice was only pulling me in.

I turned my body around, ready to reach for the door but at the same time, his hand shot out toward the knob to open it. My eyes grew a bit wide and my pulse accelerated as I became trapped between him and the door, his warmness radiated off my back and his arm extended beside me, his hand wrapped over the knob, mine just right beside him, ready to twist it but neither did he nor did I, at least not yet.

The part of me that decided to let go reveled in every wrong thing about this. On every level, this was a violation. He is my professor, that's unethical. He is the only guy to touch me after Chase. He's the one I broke my promise with after three years of waiting. He is the one that triggered in me a feeling I've missed. The feeling to be free. To just let go.

I was fully aware that my next move could determine everything thereafter. I either let him open the door and I leave, or I just turn around.

One simple decision. One logical answer.

I slowly turned around.

One big mistake.

He was so close to me; crowding and surrounding me with his musky scent and intimidating presence.

On a low exhale, I lifted my face up and he looked down at me. Few millimeters separated us from something so wrong and...forbidden. What's it about the human nature to crave and yearn for the things we can't or shouldn't have?

What's it about finding pleasure in what's dangerous, in what could easily ruin us?

I got my answer the moment I closed that little gap and pressed my lips over his. A low groan rumbled from his throat and he pushed his body against mine. My back hit the door at impact and Christian took all the control, devouring my mouth as his action defied every word we just spoke.

There was no control here. He and I both lacked that.

In between his frantic kisses, his hand went beside me and I heard a twist as he locked the door. I felt his hand grasping my thigh, grazing my skin, and lifting up my dress. My arms wrapped around his neck, sinking into how good everything about this felt, and instinctively my legs wrapped around him. With his palm, he lifted my legs up, high enough and I tightened my hold, making it easier on him as he carried me to his desk.

I felt my ass hit the wooden surface and not once did I break the hold of my lips over his. There was something purely intoxicating about kissing him. There is chemistry between our skins, something I can't just ignore, something I had only with Chase, and the part in my heart that only felt pain all these years wanted this, needed this, to focus on anything but heartbreak.

"You came into my life to ruin me, didn't you?" Christian mumbled into my mouth, exploring every inch of it before he bit down at my lower lip, releasing his frustration into my mouth.

"I am scared it's the other way around," I said back, feeling how his fire and mine could only result in pure chaos in the end.

His lips feathered beside my mouth, he kissed the corner of my lips then my chin, and went all the way to my neck. I pressed my eyes shut, and my fingers tightened over his hair when he nibbled just at the right area where I lose all of my control.

A moan raced up my throat and I did my best to suppress it down. The whole thing about being in his office, behind only one closed door, separating us from everyone else made this the more exciting and thrilling. I only tightened my legs around his waist, needing him in that way again, and defying all the rules behind a one-night stand.

"It took everything in me," He said against my skin as his hand made its way up my thigh and his finger teased at the side of my underwear, "Not to look at you in class," I gasped at the sensation and he slammed his lips against mine again, swallowing down my gasps, "Wearing this fucking dress," He added and stroked against the spot that's dying to have him again.

He groaned, "Fuck Lilly, tell me to stop," I only shook my head and my nails dug into his shoulder as I heaved out, "Don't you dare stop."

"This is wrong," He mumbled, silently begging me to be the one in control.

"I don't care," At the moment all I cared about was his fingers masterfully moving and bringing me right to the edge of pleasure.

"This will only end in a disaster."

"Let it."

He groaned, unable to hold back, "You're insane."

"You are too."

He backed away a fraction, his eyes settled on mine, trapping me, "We need to find a way to stop."

His eyes said otherwise so I pulled him back to my lips, "We will," I mumbled, "But that's for later."

*************

"What the hell took you so long?" Sally hissed at me as I arrived at her side, waiting by our next class's door. Her eyebrows pulled closer and she looked at me from up to down, "You're face is all flushed," She mumbled, narrowing her eyes at me, "And your hair is all messed up," Her eyes widened, "What the hell did you do?"

I gulped down and pulled her to the side, where no one could hear us. I tried to fix my hair and casually dropped the news on her, "We kind of had a quickie in his office."

Her eyes grew even wider, "Oh my fucking god, one night stands and quickies with professors," She whisper-yelled, "Who the hell are you and where is my friend Lilly who was pretending to be virgin Mary over the past three years?"

I shot her a glare at her over-dramatic response and sucked into a deep breath to calm my inside from this overwhelming feeling, "I have no idea what's wrong with me." It's like he got me under his spell and the longer I am surrounded by him, it's becoming harder and harder to break free.

Worry replaced the shock in her eyes, "Lilly, don't scare me, I think you need to be more careful," She shook her head, "I know I said go and have more sex with him but I was kidding," She gulped down, "We don't know who he is, so tread more carefully," She mumbled, "This feels like a very dangerous territory to be stepping in," Her eyebrow raised, "He is still our damn professor after all."

I swallowed hard and nodded, both agreeing and disagreeing. I get how fast and reckless I am taking this, but it's like he unleashes in me something wild I can't just put into words. Maybe I don't know who he is, but somehow I feel like I do. It's stupid I know, but he feels so familiar and that familiarity soothes me in a way that makes this risk worth taking.

"He said after my class to meet him outside by the parking lot," I said, "That we need to sit down and talk about this," He said that we need to find a way to stop this before it's too late to do so.

Sally nodded, "Okay, that's good, but actually talk this time, don't have sex again!"

I rolled my eyes and pulled her into the class, "Now apart from all the red flags, he is so damn hot, so tell me exactly and in specific details what happened in his office."

I slapped her arm at the insinuation and sat down, waiting for this last class to finish so I can go and see him again. This time, I didn't think things through, I didn't over-analyze. I did that with Chase and look where it took us.

With Christian, I plan not to think, and just let it be what it'll be.

*************

"He said to meet him here?" Sally asked and I nodded, leaning against my car, my eyes scanning around and searching for his handsome face.

"Hold on, if you're not coming home, who will drop me there?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes and handed her my keys, "Take my car, I'll probably go with him."

Her eyebrow raised, "You better go and sit in a public place, not his house."

I sighed, "Can you not act like my mother?"

"Hey!" She shot out, "Usually I am the more loose one between us, but I am just worried, that's all." I stared back at her and understood it. She is the only one who's been with me since Chase left, she knows what I went through, she knows how long it took me to be okay again.

She is scared this is me retaliating against that. She is kind of right.

I smiled, "Don't worry, if he kidnaps me, you know what to tell the police."

She shot me a glare, totally not impressed by my joke before her gaze drifted behind me, "He's coming."

For some reason, my anxiety double and then tripled and I stood straight, I smoothed down my dress, preparing myself to see him again. I licked my lips as they suddenly felt dry and my gaze fell on him. His eyes drifted from me to Sally, then back to me, his gaze questioning, "It's okay, she is my best friend." I explained, showing that there is no reason for him to be worried about her.

Sally looked at me, "Don't be late," She stressed out, indirectly warning Christian, "I will be waiting for you," She added before she got into my car and Christian led my way toward his, a few cars away from mine.

When we sat inside, he placed the keys in but didn't start the engine. He backed into his seat and ran his hand over his face before he raked it through his hair, his whole being vibrating with negative frustrated energy.

"What?" I hesitantly asked.

He sighed, "I am just thinking how I got myself in this fucked up situation."

"Oh wow, thanks," I mumbled, offended at being part of the word fucked-up.

He turned his head to me and his hand went over mine, "I didn't mean you," He said, his words genuine, "I am just scared that my recklessness could take from me something I care about, or maybe that it could end up hurting you somehow."

I shook my head, "We can try and not let it do that."

His eyebrows pulled closer, "As much as we'd be careful, we're bound to get caught by the end," He explained, "Just this now, you in my car, if anyone were to see us, a big problem could arise." He added and I knew he's right, but considering it's the first day and it's getting late, the parking lot has cleared out with just a few cars here and there.

"Look, I am just not able to think straight yet, still shocked by everything that happened today," He added and I sighed, "Believe me, me too."

"Okay, Louis and the guys said they're gonna drop by my place later tonight, so if you want we can go to my place, sit down and see what to do about...this, before they get there."

I nodded and pulled on my seatbelt, "Okay."

Not so long after, I was again making my way into his apartment, but this time in an entirely different way and for a whole different purpose. I stepped into the living room and took my time to discover the design of its interior. I was too busy last time to make sense of my surroundings. I only remember kissing him against that wall and him taking my shirt down that corridor and the rest became history as we went into his room.

His apartment isn't anything too fancy or exaggerated, but it's cozy in a way, beautifully furnitured with a grey and white schemed design. His average-sized living space is very adoring. There is a big L-shaped couch of a light grey color with many pillows on it, across from it stood a one-person seat of the same color and design. His laptop and some books were still over the couch, with a black blanket and I smiled as I imagined him sitting here last night, preparing for today's lectures.

On one corner stood a large white bookshelf filled with numerous books. Given the fact that he is a little nerd behind that bad-boy exterior, he must've read every and each one of them. On one of the walls hung two frames holding very beautiful pieces of art and on the other wall stood a large flat TV screen.

On the other side, the American-style kitchen looked complete with modern tools and cooking instruments, matching the whole neutral grey-white design he got going on.

"Your place is nice," I commented before I took a seat on the L-shaped couch.

"Thanks," He mumbled and I happily watched as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, and the sight of his tattoo took me back to the Christian I met at the bar, not the all-together composed professor in my classroom this morning.

"Would you like to have coffee or tea?" He asked.

"Since I am trying to fit in with you British people, tea would do just fine."

At my words, he finally smiled, that smile that made him the Christian I first met. I felt my heart beating faster at its sight.

He went to the kitchen to prepare us some tea and I grabbed the book laying beside his laptop, I opened it and read through the boring gibberish scattered here and there. I closed it and placed it back on his couch before my gaze flickered to him, interestingly watching as he prepared us both something to drink.

There was something weirdly comforting about this. About him, about being here. It was so weird, and it left me all baffled.

Minutes later and he returned with our tea cups, he handed me one and placed his on the small table stationed in front of the couch. He sat beside me and silence consumed us for a couple of minutes. I sipped slowly on my tea and observed him and his body language. He traced the cup's edge with his fingers, while his eyes seemed to be lost somewhere.

He is really worried about this ruining his career and it felt rather selfish from my side to pressure him more. I wanted this for all the wrong unethical reasons so I cleared my throat realizing that maybe I shouldn't let go, "I get that you're worried, but you don't have to be anymore, that night and today, like you said are big mistakes," I said, grabbing his attention to me, "And as much as the taste of this forbidden thing is good, I promise I will stay away," I explained, "After I leave your house today, you're only my professor and I am your student, we will just never meet again in confined places," A hint of a smile curved his lips at my last words, "I could be the one in control and stop this."

I've been practicing this control for the past three years. I can hold longer. Maybe, I wasn't meant to just enjoy things for the heck of it. I should go back into overthinking and analyzing every step I make. The old Lilly is gone, I should just accept that.

Chase took her with him, and Christian isn't the right guy to unleash her again.

He nodded but kept silent afterward, keeping me guessing for his thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, placing the cup to my lips and taking another sip.

He turned to me, "Just how perfect would've it been if I met you in a different place or in a different time," His mischievous smile came back, giving me a sight of his faded dimple, "I mean it's obvious how I am hugely attracted to you."

I involuntary choked on my tea as his words made the liquid go through the wrong pipe. I coughed and immediately placed the cup away.

Christian inched closer and chuckled lowly before he soothingly rubbed at my back, "Careful," He said, totally amused.

I was the one amused at how directly and honestly he talked. He really is like me in so many ways.

I looked at him, "I swear I am not clumsy or anything," I defended myself, addressing how I seem to choke on my drinks every time he's around, "But, there is just something about you."

His smile turned into a smirk, "Yeah, I kind of get that a lot."

My eyes narrowed at him, "How do you get to be both a nerd and a playboy?"

He chuckled, "I am not a playboy," His eyebrows pulled closer, "Hold on, that isn't the part that I should be objecting on, I am not a nerd either."

My eyebrow raised playfully calling him on his bullshit, "I mean I do have my history with girls," He shrugged ever so innocently, "And I am kind of smart, and also graduated with a GPA of four, but yeah who is counting, am I right?" His cockiness and confidence vibrated off him in waves and I found myself smiling, liking every single thing about this man.

"Yeah, poor you," I said with fake pitty, "Must've been really hard to get girls with your smart brain, cocky self, and handsome looks."

He playfully nudged my arm with his elbow, "Did you just call me handsome?"

Is he seriously the same man who was in my class today? Jesus, how can he be two different people?

I rolled my eyes, "It's not like it isn't so obvious," I mumbled, "Everyone now wants to sign up for Mr. hot professor's class."

He chuckled and his head tilted to the side as he eyed me, like he had known me for so long, "The weird thing is," He started, "I've never lost this much control for any girl before."

"Well, in two years, I will graduate," I said, "I will give you a call then and we can have another night of some hot wild sex."

His laugh was contagious, "Hot wild sex, you say."

I shook my head, unable to hide my smile, "You guys really love it when we boost your sex skills, don't you?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it's the Y-chromosome," He said, "It probably has some weird mutation that makes us who we are."

I chuckled and shook my head, "I've never heard anything more true."

Christian's eyes didn't leave me and he genuinely said, "This is nice."

"What's nice?"

He nodded at me, "Just you and I, sitting on my couch, talking about random things," He pulled a breath into his lungs and his smile slowly faded, "It's just nice."

Before I could comment on his words, the doorbell rang, and Christian got up to his feet to open it.

I first heard Louis's voice, "I got the wine," and then Stacy added, "And I got the cheese," Before I heard many footsteps near me.

"Oh, Lilly is also here!" Louis said in excitement and the moment I stood up to say hi, he pulled me into a hug, my eyes widened a bit, taken aback by his fast show of affection.

Stacy waved her hand, "Hey!" She said with a smile and Joe nodded his head, acknowledging my presence.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Louis added in amusement, his eyes going from me to Christian.

"Actually, I have to leave now," I said, deciding to stick to my words and keep Christian and his friends in that one night only.

"Oh no, no way," Louis interjected, pulling me from my arm into the couch, "You're staying," he ordered and screamed at Stacy, who is already in the kitchen, "Bring a glass for Lilly as well, she is staying."

"No, really, I should be going," I insisted, my eyes drifting to Christian, asking him to support me in this.

"Actually, if you would like, you can stay and when they leave, I can drop you off at your place," He said, trying to reason with me and it felt like he wanted me to stay, as if he liked my presence, just for the heck of it.

Stacy came back with glasses, "Lilly, why don't you help me prepare the cheese plate," She asked politely and for some reason, I wanted to stay. They were fun to hang out with and it's not like I am gonna sleep with Christian with them here, so there isn't anything wrong about this, right?

My gaze fell on Christian one more time and he gave me a small smile, convincing me to just stay.

"Okay, but I can't stay for too late," I said and Louis mumbled, "Yay!"

I headed to the kitchen with Stacy and helped her set up the plate as the three guys talked on and on in the living room, "So," Stacy said, her brown eyes went to me, "You and Christian, huh?"

I immediately shook my head, "Oh no, it's not like that, believe me."

She gave me a knowing look, "Well, Christian never brings any girl to the group, so," She shrugged, hinting at the words in between the lines.

I shook my head again, "Believe me, it's just too complicated." He is my damn professor for god's sake.

She took the finished cheese plate and said, "When is it ever not complicated?"

She walked back to the living room and I followed, thinking just how true her words are. As if my relationship with Chase wasn't complicated. It was. It's always complicated.

Conversations went on and on between the five of us, Joe wasn't much of a talker, whereas Louis and Christian definitely are. I learned that Louis works in a medical device company as the sales manager and Joe works at the same company but as the head of the technical service department.

They were all of the same age and I felt like I am surrounded by actual mature all-together adults with serious jobs and all, but they were so outgoing and I couldn't even sense the age difference between us. Thankfully, Stacy was just a year older than me, I learned that she is working on her master's degree at Cambridge as well.

I am really surrounded by hardworking nerds. Hot, nice, fun, and very outgoing nerds, who didn't make me at all feel like a foreigner in this country after feeling that for the past two years.

A part of me loved being in this group. The last time I was part of a group of friends was with Chase, Conner, Zack, Sally, and Aylin. Look at us now, everyone in a different corner, unaware of what the other is doing. We were so close up till Aylin betrayed my friendship, till Zack stabbed his cousin in the back, till Chase and Conner left.

I shook my head, shaking the thought of them away.

When they asked me what I do, Christian broke the news on them and Louis was the one to spill his wine all over the ground; thankfully, it didn't reach the carpet and leave a stain.

They didn't comment more on the subject after, probably trying to not make us feel uncomfortable. They are really such a cute understanding group of friends and I really don't regret meeting them.

If Christian won't mind, I would love to stay as a part of their little group.

"Oh Lilly, next weekend, free yourself up," Louis said with a big smile, "It's my birthday, so, we all are going to a resort, it isn't that far from here, but we all really need to blow off some steam and of course, celebrate my existence," He said ever so proudly, "You'll go with us, alright?"

"I don't think I can," I mumbled, trying to find an excuse but found none. I would love to go but damn it, it would be so awkward to go on a vacation with Christian, what if we were to be left alone there, I probably won't be able to hold my end of the deal.

Louis scoffed, "Of course you can, you're not running away from getting me a gift!"

I felt myself turning to Christian, as if taking his permission, to see if he's okay with this, "We'll have fun," He said, a smile curving his lips, "It wouldn't be too bad if you came as well."

I pulled into a deep breath and nodded, "Okay," I mumbled, already looking forward to this.

It was approaching midnight, so they all decided it's time to head out, "We need to be going, since unfortunately, we all have jobs to wake up to at eight in the morning," Louis said with a groan, "And you've got a school to attend, little one." He added mockingly, looking at me.

"Lilly, I will drop you off, let me just grab my keys," Christian said, getting up as well.

"Actually, you don't have to," Louis said and looked at me, "I am already headed that way, I can drop you off, makes more sense."

Christian didn't seem satisfied, his shoulders slumped down a bit and he nodded, "Makes more sense."

The guys fist-bumped with Christian and so did Stacy before they headed to the door. While I stood there not knowing what to do, should I fist-bump him, should I wave, should I hug him, how in hell I am supposed to say goodbye to the professor I've had sex with.

Talk about complicated.

Before I could dwell more on this, I lifted my fist up and when Christian's eyes fell on it, he shook his head and his fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me closer before he pressed a gentle sweet kiss to my cheek, "Goodnight, Lilly," he mumbled beside my ear.

I looked up at him, and my heart raced, "Goodnight, Christian."

Once downstairs, I waved goodbye to Stacy as she got into Joe's car and they drove away. Louis started the car and I explained to him the route to my house before he also took off.

"You guys are really close," I commented, starting a conversation, "When did you all become friends?"

Louis cracked a smile at my question, "Well, Christian, Joe, and I, we know each other since we were ten years old, we practically grew up other," Oh wow, "We met Stacy at college," He added, "I set her up with Joe right away," He added proudly, "And since then, it became the four of us, Cobey and Alisha do hang out with us sometimes," He said referring to the other two that were in the club, "But, the four of us are more close."

"That's so cool," I said, and my curiosity took the best of me as I continued asking, as if trying to know more about Christian, "So, did you all go to the same school, or did you live in the same neighborhood?"

Something about my question had Louis's smile dropping down, his hand tightened a bit over the steering wheel, "Actually neither," He turned to me and dropped a piece of news I wasn't expecting for some reason, "Christian, Joe and I, we grew up in the same orphanage."

************************************

Chase and Lilly are opposites. Christian and Lilly are the same.

So, what more do you believe in; opposites attract? Or do you prefer to have someone who is just like you?

Also, I will let you on a little secret; usually when I write, some scenes are just made up from my mind and others are based on things I've been through or my friends has been through.

Christian and his group of friends are kind of based on my boyfriend and his group of friends. Of course, there are major differences, of course I didn't sleep with my professor lmao xD

But I remember when I first started hanging out with them, they all felt like these adults, who got it all together yet they are still the funniest people to hang out with, and they always keep on teasing me because I am the youngest among them lol xD which is something Lilly is gonna go through like me.

Anyways, felt like giving you a peek into behind the scenes of writing my stories, usually there'll be some scenes that I've stolen from real life, sorry life xD

I talked too much, I will be shutting up now, so I love ya all!