The next morning, I awoke to the sensation that there was someone in my bed. I quickly felt the sheet beside me to realize that it was cold. Perhaps it was just a dream.

I padded down the hall to the guest room and was immediately struck with Rebecca’s sweet scent the moment I stepped inside. It was whatever flowery, fruity perfume she was wearing the previous night, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I walked to the long dress hanging from the bathroom doorway and inhaled. I had an almost Pavlovian response to it, my stomach buzzing as it often did when she was near. I picked up the bracelet on the dresser, wondering if I’d have a chance to put it back on her wrist. I had outfitted dates with jewelry before, but she was the first one who declined to take it as a parting gift. Either she was too humble to accept such a gift, or she was expecting to see me again. I hoped for the latter.

The rest of the morning was spent replaying the previous night in my head. I smiled when I remembered how brilliant she was with my new client. She said that the night was enough thanks from me, but I don’t think she realized how much money she was about to make me. I could shave off a fraction of my fees and probably pay for her entire business school tuition. Taking her to the dinner ended up costing me a few thousand dollars, but she helped open the door to much more income.

I had already made up in my mind to give her the internship. Or, at the very least, find her an equally good one. I realized that my bosses thought she was my girlfriend, and that might look suspicious to award her such a prestigious internship. But, they knew her and knew what she was capable of, so it might just work out after all. Not only was the she the most qualified student for the job, but there was no one else I’d rather have in the office, even if she did just file my paperwork and pick up my lunch.

She was stuck on my mind though, and it was making it impossible to do anything else. I couldn’t watch TV without wondering what she was up to. I couldn’t browse through student papers without thinking about all the things we talked about last night. I couldn’t even take a nap for a moment without her soft curves in that snug, red dress in my brain.

When I took a shower, she was fully on my mind. I kept imagining her in there with me, our bodies sliding around each other while the warm water cascaded down her long hair.

It was too much. I either needed to call a girl to relieve some tension or do it myself. I knew I could find someone to come over for some lazy weekend sex, but the thought wasn’t all that appealing to me. I didn’t want another girl. I wanted Rebecca.

Instead of making a booty call, I took matters into my own head. I closed my eyes and touched myself, thinking of her chest in that dress at the bar. Then, I pictured her in the classroom, bending over so low that I could see half of her ass in those sexy panties. I replayed the memory of her flirting with me as she stood between my legs, begging me to do something about it.

It didn’t take me long to relieve some of that pressure inside of me. Physically, I was taken care of for the time being, but it wasn’t enough. I needed the real thing or I was going to go crazy. Unfortunately, she was off limits. We completed our agreement, and now it was time to go back to our teacher-student relationship.

Back on the couch, I decided that I wanted to see her. If I could restrain myself, I reasoned that it might help me diffuse the strong feelings of attraction to her. If I cut myself off, cold turkey style, I would surely lose my mind. Besides, if I asked her to come to my apartment, she would surely turn me down. I needed to frame it in a way that would seem totally harmless.

I pulled out my phone and typed a few different drafts of the same sentiment, before erasing them and trying again. I wanted to take her somewhere nice for dinner, as a way to say thanks again. Then, I decided that dinner could be too sensual. There were always drinks involved, and when the lights went low, there was no telling how we would react. No, a dinner frequently ended with an invitation up to my place, something that was strictly off limits.

Lunch was safe. We could sit outside on the patio, in the full daylight. It was starting to get quite warm outside. It might be a little romantic, but could also pass for a business function. Lunch was just one step above coffee when it came to non-sensual dates. That would be perfect. I could get my little fix, then make it through the rest of the weekend until I saw her in class. That could work.

Would you be interested in going to lunch with me today? I can pick you up around noon and we can go to this new brunch spot girls your age love. Girls love brunch, right?

I sat with my phone clutched in my hand, eagerly awaiting a response. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when the device buzzed a few minutes later.

If breakfast foods in the afternoon and day drinking is a girl thing, then I’m glad I’m a girl. I’ll see you around noon.

I grinned and jumped up from my couch. It was clear that I was too excited about seeing this girl and that was a problem for me. But, it was a problem I would have to sort out this afternoon, once the high wore off.

After she gave her response, I continued to second guess my choice. Should I have asked her to dinner instead? If we had dinner, there was a greater chance she’d end up in my bed. Forbidden, yes, but the forbidden pleasures were double the fun. Was there any conceivable way a brunch could end in passion? It seemed unlikely.

One roll in the hay wouldn’t be a problem, right? A one-night stand could always be chalked up to having too much to drink, or just getting caught up in the moment. It was easy to walk away from a one-night stand. It was a mistake. Or, it was a lot of fun, but best if we didn’t do it again. Then, things could return to normal and I’d move on to my next infatuation.

The issue was when it went beyond the one night. That’s when feelings could develop. I wasn’t too worried about getting attached, but I had a feeling Rebecca would. She was a sweet girl and I didn’t want to break her heart. I would have to when the time came, but I didn’t want to if I could avoid it.

And, I didn’t want to get a taste if it meant I had to go back for more. The prospect of naughty afternoons in my office sounded appealing, but would only make things messy. No, I had to behave myself this one time.