“It doesn’t really matter, does it? We’re not together. What we had was a meaningless summer fling.”

Her words cut deeply, but I’m not sure I believe her, not when she’s staring at me with her heart in her eyes.

“It wasn’t meaningless to me,” I say before I lean closer, brushing her tender lips with the tip of my tongue. God, I missed her taste.

I hear Chiara’s sharp intake of breath right before she parts her lips and welcomes my invasion. She tastes like peppermint dipped in honey, waking a wild hunger in me no one else but her can satiate.

Goldilocks has unleashed the Big Bad Wolf.

With a groan, I deepen the kiss, bringing my body flush against hers. The craving intensifies tenfold, an uncontrollable sensation that spreads throughout my entire body. Warning bells are going off in my head, telling me this is a mistake. But I’m powerless to stop it. I’m taken over by a reckless fever.

The sound of my cell phone ringing snaps me from the madness. I pull away, taking a couple of steps back for good measure.

Chiara stares at me with cheeks flushed and wide eyes.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that,” I say.

“I’m not sorry.”

Her answer surprises me. It makes me ecstatic, but it doesn’t change the fact that we can’t continue what’s going on here. She’s my student. I’m risking not only my reputation but the school’s. If Nadine finds out, she’ll also ruin Chiara’s life.

I run my fingers through my hair, frustrated as hell with myself for not being able to fight my crazy attraction to this girl.

“Chiara, this was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

She narrows her eyes. “Do I look like a fucking blow-up doll to you? Some idiotic bimbo with big tits you can dry hump one minute and discard the next?”

“What? Of course not. Goldilo—”

“Don’t call me that! My earlier assessment of you was right. You’re nothing more than a washed-up child actor with a big ego. I wish I had never laid eyes on you.”

She opens the door and is gone before I can stop her.

It’s not the first time someone’s called me that, but hearing the words from Chiara cut deeper than a knife. Her youthful cruelty should be enough to halt whatever it is I’m feeling for her, but it does exactly the opposite. I know the drill; I was once like that, so angry that the only way I could cope was to lash out at those closest to me.

My stomach churns as guilt sets in.

Fuck. What have I done?

20

Chiara

I manage to hold off the tears until I’m outside the building, but then the water flow starts and I can’t control it. I run off without direction. All I want is to put as much distance between me and Alistair as I can.

He kissed me. He fucking kissed me, then took it back like it was the biggest mistake of his life.

I don’t know why I’m surprised. Hadn’t I already established he’s an asshole?

I can’t believe I told him I wasn’t sorry he kissed me. I left him in Italy without saying goodbye to avoid the heartache, but here I am, making a fool of myself at the first opportunity. I’m so stupid.

Cutting through the park to reach my apartment building faster, I bump into a solid chest. I would have fallen on my ass if the person hadn’t held my arms.

“Whoa, Chiara. Where’s the fire?”

“Hey, Josh. I didn’t see you there.”

He frowns and looks intently at me. “What happened?”

Ah shit. I forgot I was crying. I hastily take a step back and wipe the moisture from my cheeks. “Nothing.”

“Chiara, come on. It looks like you’ve been crying your eyes out. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing. I’m homesick, that’s all.”

Josh narrows his gaze. He’s not buying my bullshit.

“Fine. I’ll pretend I believe you. It looks like you need a pick-me-up. Why don’t you come with me to Ditzy Donuts? My treat.”

I should say no and head back to my apartment. But I can’t bear the thought of being alone right now.

“All right. I can’t say no to sugary treats.”

“Andiamo, then,” he says, and despite everything, I laugh.

God, why couldn’t I have met Josh first?

It turns out it’s always busy at the donut shop, no matter the time of day. Josh and I have to wait ten minutes in line to place our order. Grabbing a table outside is impossible, so we head back to the park near school.

We manage to snatch a shady spot under a tree, which works out better than the donut shop would. At least here, there aren’t a lot of people nearby to eavesdrop on our conversation.

“So, why do you think Mr. Walsh failed us like that?” Josh asks, and I groan to myself.

He had to bring up the man I’m trying to forget.

I shrug, ignoring the sharp pain in my chest. “Because he’s a jerk?”

“I don’t know. This is my third year at DuBose, and not once have I heard anyone say he was a douchebag, despite his colorful past.”

“Colorful past?” I ask with a smirk.

Josh makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “You know, his child acting past. He’s known to be a serious and fair teacher, so I got totally blindsided by his attitude today.”

“Well, at least he let us resend the assignment.”

Why are you defending him, Chiara?

“Yeah, there’s that. So, are you going to tell me the real reason you were crying earlier?”