Chapter 8

Seven years ago, the artificial fog had rolled around their feet as the music faded, and the artificial stars on the stage backdrop had twinkled. That they would kiss was a natural extension of the emotion they had just portrayed. By today's standards, it was a chaste, sweet touching of lips upon lips.

As the curtains drew to a close, the audience erupted into applause. Opening their eyes, each suddenly realized exactly where they were and exactly what they had done.

As one they breathed, "oh my God" and stepped back guiltily. Before they even had a chance to come to grips with their actions, they had been surrounded by the rest of the cast. Kathryn was stunned into silence leaving AJ to smooth things over with his friends. Somehow he managed to convince them all that the entire thing had been planned and it was no big deal.

As if.

Kathryn had two weeks left in her term, and spent the better part of that time making sure she and AJ were never alone. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever considered becoming romantically involved with a student. It was unethical, it was immoral, and oh my god she'd never wanted anything so badly in her life. She saw him through totally different eyes now, and it made her life a living hell.

Two days before she was to return to FSU, he appeared in her office after school.

"You're avoiding me."

"No, I'm just busy. I have a lot of things to tie up before I can leave and ..."

"That's bullshit and you know it."

"Alex!"

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened," he said stepping closer and hoping she'd accept the outright lie at face value.

"I should have never agreed to sing with you."

"I want to see you again."

"We can't, it's not--"

"Ethical? No, it's not, but in another two weeks it won't matter."

"In another two weeks I'll be gone. You have to forget about this."

"Not likely, Kathryn."

She winced as he called her by name, but inherently knew that 'Miss Morrison' would sound ludicrous after all that had happened.

"I'll call you."

"Goodbye, Alex."

"If you're leaving, then you deserve a proper send-off." Kicking the door closed behind him, he pushed in the lock and tossed his hat on her desk. Firmly grasping her shoulders, he pressed his lips to hers. This kiss was nothing remotely like the one on stage two weeks earlier. Alone, away from the observant eyes of the rest of the school, he had given vent to the feelings that had been building for months.

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Deja vu indeed.

The only thing missing this time was the artificial fog and the critical glances of the school board.

Kathryn wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body closer as he deepened the kiss. The unmistakable feel of his erection pulsing against her hip made her whimper against his mouth.

With a ragged breath, AJ pulled away and whispered, "Let's get out of here."