The sun was setting, casting a warm golden hue across the campus as Jason sat at a table in the library, books sprawled out before him. His midterm was in just two days, and despite his best efforts, the material just wasn’t sticking. He had always struggled with math, and no amount of late-night studying seemed to make a difference.
“Need help?” a soft voice broke his concentration. He looked up, startled, and found himself staring at a pair of long legs—really long legs—encased in black jeans. The owner of those legs stood at least a head taller than him, her dark hair cascading down in waves, and her deep green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Uh… yeah. Actually, I do,” Jason stammered, slightly embarrassed. He had always been a little self-conscious about his academic struggles, especially around someone who clearly had it all together.
“Don’t worry, I won’t bite,” she said with a playful smile, as she lowered herself into the chair across from him. “I’m Emily, by the way. I’ve seen you around. You’re Jason, right?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” he said, feeling his face flush. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Emily opened her notebook, glanced at the textbook in front of him, and then back at Jason. “So, math. Not your strong suit, huh?” she teased, tapping the page where he had a few equations written out, each more confusing than the last.
“Not even close,” he sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. “I’ve been trying to study, but it’s like nothing’s clicking.”
“Well, you came to the right person,” Emily said confidently, her voice soft but assured. “I’m not just good at math—I’m really good at helping people understand it.” She sat forward, adjusting her glasses, her posture almost regal as she dove into the lesson.
Jason watched her, fascinated. There was something magnetic about her. She had this calm authority, the kind that drew people in without trying. She broke down the concepts for him slowly, guiding him through step by step.
As the minutes passed, the tension between them began to shift, not in an uncomfortable way, but in a way that made Jason feel a little lighter, more at ease. There was something undeniably sensual in the way Emily spoke—her words measured and deliberate, like she was in control of everything around her. The way her long fingers traced the numbers, the way she occasionally leaned in closer, brushing his hand as she reached for his pencil… it felt intimate, though they hadn’t said anything overtly flirtatious.
“I think I’m starting to get it,” Jason said, his voice quieter than usual, a spark of admiration in his eyes. He wasn’t just talking about the math anymore.
Emily looked up from her work, her lips curling into a small, knowing smile. “You’re not just good at math, are you, Jason?” she said, her voice suddenly lower, her gaze lingering on him. There was a heat in her eyes now, something more than just academic.
Jason swallowed, feeling the sudden shift in the air. His pulse quickened, but instead of pulling away, he leaned in slightly, intrigued. “What do you mean?”
Emily didn’t answer right away. Instead, she reached over, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear, a move that sent a shiver down his spine. “You’ve got potential, Jason,” she said softly, “in more ways than one.”
Jason’s heart hammered in his chest. She was teasing him, but there was something so serious in the way she looked at him. The space between them seemed to shrink, her presence overwhelming in the best way.
Before he could gather his thoughts, Emily stood up, her height suddenly even more apparent as she towered over him. “Let’s finish this up, shall we?” she said, her tone playful, but there was something else behind it now. A promise, unspoken but understood.
Jason nodded, his mouth dry as he stared up at her. He could feel the electricity in the air, the magnetic pull drawing him in. This was more than tutoring.
It was an invitation.
