Meant to be

Ms. Vitale's confusion amused me as I rose from my desk and approached her—deliberately measured, deliberately controlled.

"You're overthinking this," I said, my voice low. "I have no schemes... but I did arrange something else." The admission hung between us, heavy with promise.

Her wide eyes searched mine. "W-what do you mean?"

Adorable.

"That day was a mistake on my part. Kissing you without permission crossed a line, and you deserved better." I stepped closer, watching her process my apology.

"You're actually apologizing?" Surprise colored her voice.

"I am." Another step forward, and the air shifted between us.

She retreated fractionally—barely perceptible—but held her ground, clinging to composure. Brave girl.

"Then why are you...?" Her question trailed off, barely audible.

One final step erased the distance. Heat radiated from her skin, intoxicating and impossible to ignore.

My fingers traced a deliberate path along her arm to her collarbone. She trembled, goosebumps blooming across her skin at my touch.

I lowered my head, my lips brushing her ear, disrupting her breathing into something ragged and desperate.

"Are you seeing anyone, Ms. Vitale?"

"N-no..." Her answer emerged as a breathless confession.

"Perfect."