"Uh, do you want anything to drink first?"

"I'm good, Miss."

"Suit yourself." She says and took a sip of her red wine. And I knew that drinking wine indicates that maybe she's nervous about this, just as I am.

I've been contemplating this situation as I made my way to their house. Wondering if this is a good idea and if I'm ready for it. My mind thought of many reasons why this shouldn't happen, but my heart kept pushing me to purse what it wants.

"Before anything else, I just want to clarify, you do know the consequences of all this, right?" She gestured between the two of us.

I nodded. "I'm aware."

It's not necessarily illegal since we're both adults, but that doesn't mean this isn't unprofessional. More so, the power dynamic in this.

Although if there's anything she's more worried about, I guess it would be how Aaron would take this. But I know she won't say anything to him as we're not technically anything but... friends, I guess.

"And you still... want to be with me?" I nodded once again. "G-d, why? You're young, Aiden–"

I cut her off with a scoff. "And we already established that as well, Miss. Sorry for interrupting, but I already explained everything to you. And my age doesn't mean shit."

"Excuse me?" She raised a brow, a look of annoyance crossing her beautiful face.

"Sorry for cursing, Miss." I mumbled quietly, cheeks heating up.

Shaking her head, she only sighed. "You can't blame me for worrying, Aiden. Besides, you said it yourself, you know the risks. This, us, this isn't going to work."

"But I want to try, don't you?" I asked seriously. I realized that beating around the bush and being subtle won't take us anywhere. I think want Amayah needs is a straightforward answer. "Are you willing to take the risk of being with me? Do you like me enough for that?"

Her mouth moved as if to say something, but no words came out from her. I could see the turmoil going on in her head, the way her brows furrowed and lips form a thin line. She's hesitating, thinking.

And I think that's better than saying no right away.

"Before you answer that, I just want to add something." Her brow raised in curiosity. "I'm not expecting anything right away. Like I said, I know the risks and it would be unethical for you to date your student."

Amayah rolled her eyes, probably to herself. We haven't really said the word 'student' and 'professor'. The main reasons I believe why this is a hard decision. But it's true, if we date now, it would be unethical, especially on her part.

Maybe I shouldn't have said the word.

"I'm not saying you will, but if you give me a chance, I can wait. I will wait. The first semester is almost finished and there's a chance you won't be my professor then, I'm willing to wait until you're finally ready."

"And if I'm not?"

I shrugged despite the feeling of hurt. "T-Then I have no choice but to respect your decision. I'm not here to force myself onto you."

Amayah nodded her head in understanding, lips pursed and eyes watching the way the liquid swirled around in the glass she's holding. Seemingly contemplating, I waited patiently and quietly to let her think and process her thoughts.

"If I'm ready, what then?"

"I'll be waiting. All I need is for you to be honest with me, because I don't want to wait for something that won't happen. I need an assurance that you want the same thing as me."

The beauty leaned against the counter, eyes looking anywhere but me. The silence made me anxious. I knew she was still thinking, but I couldn't help but fear the worst. If she says no again, it's already a battle not worth fighting for.

Because I'm only leaving with a broken heart, and saying yes to me would leave her in a constant fear for her career, reputation and family. It would be too selfish to keep pushing for something that would require her to sacrifice things just for the sake of this.

"Yes."

"You don't have to answer right away, I don't want you to feel pressured– huh?" My eyes widened when I realized her answer. "Yes?"

She rolled her eyes, bottom lip trapped between her teeth as she's fighting off a smile. "I said yes, I want to try."

"R-Really?" I beamed when she nodded her confirmation, my heart soaring at the acceptance. "Seriously?"

"Unless you changed your mind–"

"Thank you!" I launched myself at her, wrapping my arms around her body and lifting her up from the ground slightly. "Thank you for giving me a chance."

She chuckled heartily, hand touching my cheek. "Okay, okay, put me down."

I blushed a deep red at my action and her amused smile. "Sorry, I got too excited and happy."

"I just want to make sure that you know this doesn't mean we're dating, do you understand?"

And I think that's good enough. Because if she's willing to try, this means there's a chance for me to have a deeper relationship with her. Something I never thought I'd have.

It never crossed my mind that someone would like me, much less the person I have feelings for. Even though I'm still wary of my condition, her assurance eased my worries. Amayah likes me for me, she doesn't care about my appendage.

I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Miss. I'm like courting you for now, right?"

This means I'm her suitor. I'm Professor Peterson's suitor.

"Yes, and I would honestly appreciate it if you stop addressing me so formally. It doesn't help our case."

I wouldn't be opposed to being casual with her.

Fidgeting with my hands, my eyes drifted down to her red-painted lips. It wouldn't hurt to ask, right?

With my cheeks heating up, I dared to ask the request my mind has been begging me to let out. "Amayah?" She hummed, waiting for me to continue as she looks at me. "Is it okay if I kiss you again?"

Eyes widening slightly, Amayah let out a rather shaky breath. "Now?" I nodded. "You do know that courting me doesn't include kissing, right?"

I don't really know the concept of courtship. All I know is that our feelings are established and she kissed me yesterday. Is it wrong to kiss your suitor?

"It doesn't?" Hesitantly, I was given a nod. "So, I can't ask for a kiss?"

Biting her bottom lip, I couldn't help but stare at the action, remembering the kiss we shared last night. It was very different from what I shared with Vera, I couldn't really described it other than it felt like it was an out of this world experience.

It felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

Amayah cleared her throat, making me look up from her lips back to her captivating eyes. "Just one."

My eyes lit up. "One?"

"Just one."

Aiden leaned in and ever so gently took my bottom lip between hers. I let my eyes flutter close, pressing my back against the counter as my arms wrapped around her body. I couldn't help but remember the way it felt kissing her for the first time and how much I wanted to do it again.

Our kiss right now is slow and sweet, very different from last night but something I already expected from Aiden. She didn't rush, exploring my mouth slowly and carefully as if wanting to memorize every part of me. The innocence of the way she moved her mouth, her hands hesitant to place themselves on my body.

Taking her hand, I placed them on either side of my hips. I couldn't help but smile at her shyness, something I found myself adoring. The way she would blush and look away from my eyes, it was adorable.

A soft moan escaped my lips when her hands moved themselves over my shirt, touching the bare skin of my sides and causing a shiver to run throughout my body. Wanting to deepen the kiss, I coaxed her tongue into mixing with mine.

Her inexperience showed but it wasn't obvious, Aiden's kisses are sweet, passionate and warm. She wasn't trying hard nor pretending to know, her movement is firm, curious and determined.

I let my tongue trace her bottom lip, tugging the soft flesh between my teeth. Pulling away slightly, I fought the urge to press our lips once again with the way she's breathing so heavily. Her eyes full of curiosity, desire, and an emotion I'm not quite ready for just yet.

"Satisfied?" I whispered against her swollen lips.

"Hmm," she hummed, but the way her eyes kept on staring at me says otherwise.

"You can let go of me now." I mumbled quietly, although my arms didn't move from their place around her neck.

"Amayah?" I let out a small gasp when Aiden only pulled me closer, and I couldn't help but bite my lip when I felt something hard pressing just below my abdomen.

"Y-Yes?"

"You never answered my question."

My brows furrowed. "What question?"

"How did you know about my stuff?"