“You’ll hear about it in class.”
“No, I’d like to hear now.”
“I’d rather discuss it in class.”
He changed the subject. “How are you finding London?”
I watched as he picked up a fountain pen and dipped it in an inkwell. I was surprised to see him with such an old-fashioned piece of writing equipment.
“It’s fine.”
“Everything you hoped it would be?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“Is the Victoria and Albert Museum as you expected it?”
“Huh?” I looked at him in confusion. How did he know I’d been waiting my whole life to go there? For some reason, it had been a lifelong dream for me to peruse the exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert and the British Museums, but I’d never really told anyone that. Just Anna and my journal.
“You wrote about it in your application essay. You said it was a lifelong dream of yours to walk through the museums in Europe and that you were dying to see the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the—”
“Okay, okay. I remember,” I said, cutting him off. “I didn’t know you read the essays.”
“Of course. I read the essays of all the students who were interested in being my assistant.”
“But I thought I was the only one.” I frowned.
“So have you been?” He ignored my question and I shook my head. “Then we must go this afternoon.”
“We have class.”
“We shall go after class.”
“That’s okay. I can go by myself.”
“No, you cannot appreciate and delight in your first experience by yourself.” His words were soft, light, and lyrical. His words made me think of losing my virginity and not going to a museum.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I smiled at him weakly.
“No, we shall go together. I happen to know the curator. I can show you some paintings that you wouldn’t get to see if you went by yourself.”
“I don’t want to take up your time.”
“You won’t be. It will be my pleasure.” He gave me the same odd little bow that his brother had given me the other night. “Did you know that many of the royal families in Europe are connected through Queen Victoria?”
“No, I don’t really follow the Royal Family much. All I really know is that Prince William just got married and had a baby.”
“I thought Americans were obsessed with all things royal?”
“Not me.” I shrugged. “I have a life.”
“Touché, Lola. Touché.”
“Did you just learn that word or something? You’re really using it a lot.”
“Did I just learn it?” He cocked back his head and laughed. He laughed so hard that his eyes were wet as he looked at me with his crinkly smile. “I like you, Lola. I think we will be friends. Ah!” He held his hand up. “Do not tell me again that we cannot be friends. I think I’d like to prove you wrong.”
“Why?” I asked him softly, my head swirling in confusion. It was hard to keep up with Xavier. I didn’t understand him or who he was, and because I didn’t understand him, I also didn’t understand how I felt.
“Because, dear Lola—” he leaned towards me “—there are things I want to show you, to teach you.”
“Oh?” I breathed slowly, waiting for his kiss.
“Yes.” I could feel his breath against my lips, and then he pulled back with sparkling eyes. “I think you should visit the National Gallery first.” He grinned at the perplexed look on my face. “If you want to see Impressionist art, you must visit the National Gallery and not the Victoria and Albert.”
“What?” I blinked at him.
“The Victoria and Albert is a fine museum but not the best museum.” He grinned to himself. “There are many things I have to teach you.”
“You can teach me all of that as my professor.” I stepped back, slightly embarrassed. I hoped he didn’t realize that I thought he was going to teach me about sex.
“But it would mean so much more if I were your friend.” He stared at me for a second and I looked down, not sure what to say. I didn’t understand why he cared about being my friend—especially after he had been such a jerk when we had slept together.
“Do you have anything else you need me to do or can I go now?”
“There are many things I want you to do.” He grinned at me. “Though I suppose I don’t need you to do them.”
“Why are you flirting with me?” I frowned.
“What are you talking about?” He stared at me, unblinking.
“I, uh, thought you were flirting with me.”
“Lola, I was going to suggest you file some of my papers.” He pointed at his desk. “I would like you to start them at some point but was going to say I don’t need you to do it now.”
“Oh.” I made an embarrassed face. “Well, I feel dumb.”
“But you aren’t dumb, are you?” He cocked his head and observed my face. I blushed as he stared at me intently, but I held his gaze firmly.
“Why do I feel like you’re unsure of the answer?”
“What happened to my timid Lola?” He laughed. “You’re talking back to me again.”
“You don’t intimidate me, Xavier.” I tried to keep my voice calm though I was shaking inside. “I’m not some silly, dumb girl who’s captivated by your handsome face and position.”
“You’re not?” He looked at me in amusement.
“No, I’m not.”
“That’s a pity.”
“Is there anything else you want me to do?” I folded my arms.
“Kiss me.”
“What?” My mouth dropped open. “You want me to what?”
“I want you to kiss me,” he repeated slowly. “I want to feel your soft lips against mine. I want to taste your tongue on my tongue. I want to hear your small whimper as I bite your lower lip.”
“Are you crazy?” I stared at him with wide eyes.
“Are you mad?”
“No, I’m not.”
“No,” he laughed. “An English girl would say, ‘Are you mad?’ and not, ‘Are you crazy?’ I figured now that you are in London, you should learn the local ways.”
“You really are crazy, aren’t you?” I shook my head, and his eyes twinkled at me.
“Perhaps.” He grabbed my upper arms and pulled me towards him before lowering his head and leaning down. “Perhaps you make me mad,” he whispered against my lips before kissing me.
My knees buckled at the touch of him, and I reached up instinctively and grabbed ahold of his arms. His tongue sought entrance to my mouth, and my fingers ran up to feel his hair as he attempted to conquer my mouth. I groaned as his tongue gently ran along my lower lip before his teeth nibbled quickly. His hands ran up the back of my top and caressed my naked back. His hands were warm and soft and I melted against him.
His fingers ran to the front of my body and played with my belly button. A sensation of lust sprang straight down from my stomach, and I took a step forward. I felt intoxicated by his touch. His eyes glittered as I stared up at him, and I wanted to pull away from him. Only I couldn’t.
My body argued with my brain and won. I closed my eyes and ran my hands down his back to his ass, squeezing his firm butt and enjoying the stilling of his body as he waited to see where I was going to touch next. I ran my hands to the front of his pants, but then Xavier quickly stepped back from me.
“You’re trying to seduce me.”
“Who, me?” I smiled up at him sweetly. “Why would I do that?”
“You’re playing with me?” He glared at me, and I shrugged.
“Never.” I laughed lightly and ran a finger down the front of his pants, making sure to press down on his hardness. “Though it seems like you may need to do some playing with yourself before class.”
I heard his sharp intake of breath and turned around quickly. Score one for me, I thought to myself, even though I was trembling inside.