Cuffing Season

by Danielle Allen

  “Maybe that’s part of the thrill—getting caught.”

  “I wouldn’t know. Anything that would get me sent to jail is not a fantasy of mine.”

  Luca’s smile widened, but he remained quiet.

  “Your silence is peculiar,” I announced, tapping my chin dramatically. “You brought one of those students here, didn’t you?”

  He shook his head. “Hell no.”

  “Why ‘hell no’ as opposed to just no?”

  “Because those were unplanned, unexpected one-night stands.” He shook his head. “This isn’t a place you take a one-night stand.”

  “And where do you take your one-night stands?”

  “Usually their place. Or a hotel.”

  “Why don’t you take your one-night stands home?”

  He chuckled. “Why do you keep saying one-night stands?”

  I grinned. “What do you want me to call them? Your dates? Why don’t you take your one-night stand dates home?”

  “Because I don’t let just anyone into my space.”

  “But you’re down to get into just anyone’s space.” I joked.

  “Ohhhh, you got jokes!” He bumped me with his shoulder.

  “I’m just playing!” I tried to wrap my arms around him to give him a hug, and he playfully pushed my arms away from him. “I really am just playing!” Giggling, I grabbed his arm. “I’m sorry. You know I’m not judging you at all. At all.”

  He stopped resisting, so we were leaning against each other. “I know.” He looked at me. “That you were joking,” he clarified.

  “So… why don’t you bring your dates home?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Always.”

  He cleared his throat. “If I’m dating someone, of course I invite them to my house. If it’s a one-time thing, it’s just sex. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea and think it could be more than that.” He shrugged. “I carry the situations differently.”

  “So, you bring your A-game when it’s something real, but your B-game for one-nighters?”

  He licked his lips. “All I have is A-game. I don’t know how to bring anything less than that. So, I find it best to not sleep with a woman more than once if I don’t want a relationship with her.”

  “Do you think a one-night stand can turn into a relationship?”

  “It’s possible. Hell, it’s happened.” He stared at me for a second and then smirked. “You’re asking a lot of questions about my sex life.”

  I elbowed him. “I’m just curious about how this one-and-done approach works.”

  “The no repeat rule keeps it casual and it’s better than unintentionally leading someone on.”

  “Do you always use protection?”

  “Always. Besides the fact that I’m not trying to have a kid right now, there’s too many other risks. What about you?”

  “Every single time. No exceptions. Unless I’m in a committed relationship, any partner I have has to wrap it up.”

  “Same here. Even in a relationship, if she’s not on birth control, I’m not taking the chance.”

  I hesitated for a moment. “If you only do one-night-stands, does that mean you have sex with a lot of random women, or do you only have sex every now and again? I’m intrigued.”

  He grinned. “You want the number, don’t you?”

  I pursed my lips to keep from smiling. “No, I don’t need to know your body count.”

  “Well, what if we were dating… if I said my body count was one hundred, you’d be cool with that?”

  “If you had a clean bill of health, I’d be fine with your sexual history. My concern would be if you were actually interested in me or if you were looking for another notch on your belt.”

  “That’s fair. What about you?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Are you asking me my body count?”

  “Would you answer me if I did?”

  “Yeah.” I lifted my shoulders. “You can ask me anything you want.”

  “Nah, I’m just playing with you. I wouldn’t ask you that.”

  “That’s fine.” I poked him in the chest. “Because we’re talking about you, your one-night stands, and your intimacy issues right now.”

  We laughed until there was just amused silence between us.

  “Sex with someone you care about is always going to be better. But when done right, sex is always intimate.”

  The sound of his voice when he said that was too much. Swallowing hard, I looked over the water. “I guess what I’m wondering is more about your personal fulfillment than anything. Since you don’t do repeats, are you satisfied with just that?”

  “Are you asking me if I want more?”

  I thought about it for a second and then I looked back at him. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Yes. I do. But it’s complicated.”

  “Well, when was your last relationship—?”

  “No, no, no,” he interrupted with a mischievous grin. “It’s my turn to ask you some personal questions. Are you single?”

  “Yes.”

  “When was the last time you had sex?”

  “Last week,” I admitted.

  Nodding slowly, his jaw clenched. “Ex-boyfriend? One-night stand? Friend with benefits?”

  “No, he wasn’t any of that. He was a candidate for a friends-with-benefits type of situation, but that’s not happening. I shut it down.”

  His jaw relaxed. “Why isn’t it going to work?”

  My lip curled in disgust. “Because I found out after the fact that he has a girlfriend.”

  “Damn, that’s fucked up.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, it really was. I was mad and when I said I was going to tell his girlfriend, he said she already knew.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what they have going on, but I told his ass that there would be no repeat performance.”

  “So, is that what you’re looking for? A friends-with-benefits situation?”

  “No, not necessarily. I just hadn’t had sex in a long time and he had been actively pursuing me since January, so I thought, why not?”

  “Why had it been so long?”

  “The main reason is that there’s no time. I have school, and I’m building my business and for whatever reason, that’s a problem for a lot of these guys out here. It’s…” My sentence trailed off as I tried to figure out the best way to put it without sounding arrogant.

  “It’s hard to find people who get it, who are as ambitious as you, who grind like you do,” he offered, taking the words from my mouth.

  Startled, I met his gaze and held it. “Yeah,” I whispered. “Exactly.”

  “It’s hard to find someone who understands what you do and why you do it. Especially when it’s not a traditional career path.” He shifted his gaze to the lake. “I get that.”

  I observed his profile and the way he chewed on his bottom lip. “Is that why you said you wanted a relationship, but it’s complicated?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.” He looked at me. “Because if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right and with the right one.”

  There was a little flutter in my belly. “I feel the same way.”

  “What—”

  Dragging my eyes and thoughts away from him, I interrupted, “Nope, my turn!” I folded my arms across my chest. “What happened today?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why did you just need to drive?”

  He didn’t say anything for a while. “Long day, and I needed to relax.”

  “This is a great place to relax,” I sighed, taking in the scenic view. “I hope it’s helping.”

  “It is.”

  I looked up into the sky. “I haven’t taken time like this in forever. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “Usually nothing stops my mind from thinking about work. From design, production, marketing, to the work I have to do for school, my mind is constantly focused on my goals.” Marveling at the stars, I inhaled the cri
sp air deeply. “I needed this, and I didn’t even know I needed it.”

  I opened my mouth to continue, but froze when I glanced over at him.

  Luca was studying me and when our eyes locked, his gaze was penetrating. I felt seen in a way that made me feel vulnerable and simultaneously exhilarated.

  A small huff of air left my lungs.

  “We should head back,” he uttered softly.

  I nodded, unable to speak.

  Chapter Five

  Because of the impromptu meeting with Luca, I’d spent all night thinking about that moment before we left the lake. We drove home and were singing and joking around like old friends. Everything was fine. But when I got home and climbed in bed, all I could think about was the way he looked at me. But when I woke up on Monday, I was all over the place.

  Sketches, swatches, idea notebook What am I missing? I don’t want him to think I’m unprepared. I don’t want him to think that because we hung out a couple of times, I’m not professional. Am I going to be late? Shit! I am.

  I arrived on campus and to class later than usual. But being in class got me out of my head and into fashion mode. By the time class ended, I was mentally ready to see Luca again.

  “Did you get the email?” Kate asked as we walked out of the classroom together. “Are you going to apply?”

  The email for an additional section of Photography 250: Visual Storytelling went out that morning, and I feigned surprise along with everyone else.

  “I’m not going to apply. It’s more geared towards writers, and that’s not me.” I checked the time on my phone before slipping it into the pocket of my purple dress. “What about you?”

  “Of course! I’m going to have one of the writing tutors review the sample I submitted before and tweak that.”

  “Great idea. Good luck!”

  She lowered her voice as we exited the building. “Maybe you could put in a good word for me.”

  I felt the knot form in my gut. Keeping my voice steady, I asked, “What do you mean?”

  She tucked her blondish brown hair behind her ear and whispered, “With Luca.”

  “Huh?”

  Kate stopped walking and looked at me quizzically. “You don’t have to hide it. Everyone knows about you two.”

  Everyone found out I was posing for Luca’s project? How? Is he going to think I told everyone? Is he going to remove me from the project? Is he still going to help me? Is the school going to suspend or expel me?

  Questions spun in my head at a dizzying rate, but the only question I could muster to ask Kate fell from my lips in a stunned sputter.

  I blinked. “What?”

  “Everyone knows.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammered nervously. I didn’t rattle easily, but that shook me to my core.

  “Don’t even try to deny it! Everyone—and I mean everyone—knows.”

  “Everyone knows?”

  She nodded profusely. “I found out because I overheard a couple of people talking about it in the library. Then, before I could get my notebook out, the entire table was discussing it. Apparently, it’s been all over the place since the email went out announcing his second class.”

  “They…were talking about me and Luca?” Confusion slowing down my words.

  “Yes!”

  My mouth opened and then closed several times as I tried to come up with what to say.

  “It’s a good thing, Serena! You’re so lucky. I have so many questions, but I don’t want to be rude.” She giggled. “I don’t want to overstep.”

  “I don’t…know what to say.” My heart thudded against my chest as I stopped in front of the building where Luca’s classroom was located. “I um…”

  She winked. “Yeah, I know you probably can’t say much. But just answer this. How did you score with him? I mean, yes, you’re gorgeous. But with the ban on us approaching him, how did you manage to get close enough to him to get him?”

  I swallowed hard.

  If I answer this, does that mean that I’m confirming that I violated the school mandate? If I answer this, does that mean that I will put both my future with Hamilton University, and Luca’s, in jeopardy? If I answer this, will it make things better or worse?

  I only had a split second to decide.

  “We were introduced by an acquaintance,” I blurted out.

  Answering the question and getting in front of it had to be better than denying it and then Luca’s project getting published.

  “Ahh! That’s amazing, Serena! I’m so happy for you!” Kate yelped, jumping up and down enthusiastically. She pulled her ringing phone out of her pocket. Staring at her phone with a puzzled expression, she continued, “And don’t worry about the other stuff. People are just jealous. Hello?”

  She answered the phone before I had a chance to process what she’d said.

  “What other stuff?”

  She pointed at the phone and mouthed, “I’ll call you later.”

  Waving at me, she walked away, leaving me stunned. I turned around and jumped a little. “Corey!”

  “I didn’t mean to startle you.” Corey’s voice was low and flat. “I wanted us to talk privately. I was waiting until I saw you and Kate were finished before I came up.”

  “What’s up?” My brows knitted. I felt unease as I registered the way he regarded me. “I have a meeting.”

  “Is it true?”

  I started to walk by him, but he put his hand on my arm to stop me. “I have a meeting, Corey.”

  He dropped his hand from my skin. “I just… I guess I’m confused and disappointed. I didn’t think you were like that.”

  You didn’t think I would violate the policy? You didn’t think I would go behind everyone’s back and try to get in good with Luca? You didn’t think I would go so far to make sure my career takes off and I’m successful?

  I pulled my eyes away from him.

  Even though I knew that I technically didn’t do anything wrong, I felt a little guilty. I felt like I was going to get this personal one-on-one experience that other people had to pay for because I found a loophole.

  I didn’t do anything wrong. I mean, not really.

  I had nothing to be ashamed of, so I rolled my shoulders back and looked him square in the eye. That surge of confidence was short-lived because the way Corey was looking at me stung.

  “Wow, so it’s true.” He recoiled, shaking his head. “I thought you and I—” He cut himself off and made a face. “I didn’t think you were like that. I can’t even look at you the same, Serena.”

  “I have to go. Have a good night,” I announced, rushing into the building.

  Even though I had on high-heeled boots, I ran up the steps as if I was wearing sneakers. I didn’t stop moving until I burst my way into Luca’s classroom, unintentionally slamming the door behind me.

  “Serena.” Luca stood up. “What’s wrong?

  “Oh, sorry,” I apologized, forcing a smile on my face. “I’m okay.”

  He walked around to the front of his desk and leaned against it. “You came into my classroom and slammed my door, and now you’re lying to my face?” He let out a low whistle. “You’re on thin ice.”

  His words tugged a small smile out of me, but my mind was racing, and I couldn’t speak.

  “Come here.” He gestured to the desk directly in front of him. “Come. Here,” he repeated, firmly.

  Sighing, I sulked across the room and placed my stuff on the desk. I was too wired to sit.

  He silently observed me.

  I didn’t know how to tell him what was happening. I figured he wasn’t up to date with campus gossip and since it affected him too, I needed to let him know.

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I took a deep breath. “Okay, so…I just found out that a bunch of people have been talking.”

  Luca nodded. “That’s what people do. Don’t let it get to you.” He paused. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  I swallowed hard. It was m
ore difficult than I thought it was going to be to tell him that the cat was out of the bag. I didn’t know if he was going to be mad. I didn’t know if he was going to no longer work with me. But worst of all, I didn’t know if I was going to be expelled for violating the no-Luca mandate from the administrators.

  I was going to be sick.

  “Luca, I have to tell you something.”

  His brown eyes inadvertently comforted me as he searched my face. “After all the stories we swapped this weekend, you can tell me anything.”

  I stuffed my hands in my pockets. Shifting my weight from my left foot to my right and back again, I rolled my shoulders back and met his gaze.

  My stomach knotted.

  Something about the way he looked at me made me want to spill my guts.

  “Akila approached me to pose for her picture, and I told her to give you my card. We weren’t supposed to approach you, and so I felt like because she approached me, and she would be giving you the card, and it was completely up to you to call…” My explanation trailed off as I let the information settle around us. “The opportunity presented itself, and I jumped on it. I didn’t know her before she approached me, but she needed something from me, and I wanted to be on your radar. I don’t feel like I did anything wrong, per se. But I do feel a little guilty now that everyone knows.”

  “Everyone knows that you gave a fellow student a business card?”

  “Everyone knows that we’re working together because I found a loophole.”

  His brows furrowed. “Did you tell anyone that we’re working together and that you’re my muse?”

  His muse? Did he say muse?

  “No.” My voice faltered so I cleared my voice to mask it. “Well, my best friend knows, but she doesn’t go here anymore. But no one here knows.”

  “I haven’t told anyone. When I choose a new muse, I keep it a secret until I finish the project.” Rubbing his hands together, he took a step toward me. “So, if you haven’t told anyone and I haven’t told anyone, how would anyone know we’re working together?”

  “I don’t know.” I pulled my hands out of my pockets and shrugged, palms up.

  Grabbing my hands, Luca pulled me closer to him. He stared at the nail indentions in my palms. “What are you doing?”