A brief chat, followed by a surprise.

"That went pretty well," Brian says as the two of you leave the office.

"As well as we could have expected," you answer. "Valerie kept her shit together, thank God. Interesting bit about the stepmother planning to hang around." You raise one eyebrow and look at him with a crooked smile.

"Yeah," he chuckles. "Didn't see that coming, but what the hell, it might be interesting. She wants to get railed and apparently the husband's useless in the sack. She started talking about a three way with you and the Dean last night. Seriously, she's a fucking maniac in bed."

You shake your head, chuckling. "There must be something in the water up here. The Mom wants to be fucked too. She'd probably do both of us if she had half a chance."

"Like daughter like mother," Brian laughs. "You going for lunch?"

"In a bit. I bought some stuff in town and it's still in the car. I'll take it to the cottage and catch up."

"Sounds good. See you later."

You get the books and picture out of your car and walk to your cottage, smiling at a few students as you pass them. You note that the speculative glances from some of the teens haven't lessened, and in some cases have taken on a knowing look that you find slightly unsettling. You have no doubt that some of the girls have talked, and once again you find yourself wondering how long it will be before your dalliance with students is exposed and you're fired. Or worse.

You've just reached the path to your cottage when you hear your name called and turn to see a student striding towards you with a smile. She's a striking brunette and for a moment you don't recognise her.

"Good Afternoon Mr. Carter," she says with a glittering smile. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

"It certainly is," you smile. "You have me at a disadvantage though."

"I'm sorry, I'm Charlene Whitford. My friends call me Charly," she says with the same glittering smile and extending a hand. "Welcome to Pink Rose Mr. Carter, and I hope you'll consider me a friend as well as a student."

"So I should call you Charly?" you smile as you take her hand.

"I hope so. After all, I'd hope that it was a friend who was watching me cavort with my lover in the woods this morning. After you followed us from town." She gives a burst of throaty laughter at the surprised expression on your face.

"Don't look so surprised Mr. Carter. I saw you but I didn't want to make a scene where Marco could hear. I don't know you and I wasn't sure what you intended. I want to talk about it." She puts her hands on her hips and looks at you with a smile, her eyes full of amused intelligence. You smile back at her, gauging your words as you admire her toned, athletic body and pretty face.

"What do you want to talk about?" you ask with a slight smile. "You were doing something you wanted to do, and as far as I can tell you were a willing and eager participant."

"And I'm an adult," she smiles. "Capable of making informed decisions for myself. What are your intentions Mr. Carter."

"What do you mean Miss Whitford?"

"I mean do you intend to inform the school administration, my family, or other members of the faculty that you found me having sex in the bushes with a man who isn't part of the social 'elite' everyone seems to worship?"

"The social elite you're a member of?" you smile.

"Accident of birth Mr. Carter. And my question stands. Do you intend to report what you saw?"

"Why shouldn't I?" you ask. "You seem to be going somewhere with this Miss Whitford."

She smiles again, her eyes glinting.

"Just that I don't much care of you report it. Ms. Naylor might or might not discipline me, but if she does, or if Dean Hawksworth paddles me, I can handle it. My father is well aware that I'm a headstrong, wilful, intelligent and sexually active young woman. He might disapprove of my choices at times, but he thinks I'm mature enough to make them for myself. As to other members of the faculty, or my fellow students, I have little interest in their opinion about what I do. That leaves you, Mr. Carter. What's your agenda?"

"Miss Whitford?"

"Do you think you can pressure me or **** me? For money or sex? Or are you going to admonish me for romping with someone beneath my so called station, fucking him in the woods like a horny high school girl"

You start to chuckle, appreciating her frank intelligence and the glitter of sardonic amusement in her eyes.

"None of the above Miss Whitford. You're legally an adult, and if I've learned anything about you in the last few minutes, it's that you're a highly intelligent person. I wouldn't insult you by attempting to admonish or **** you, and I'm trying very hard not to be insulted by your suggestion that I might."

"You're grinning Mr. Carter," she smiles. "I doubt that you're deeply insulted. Nonetheless, I withdraw the comment."

You smile back at her and offer your hand. She winks at you and gives you firm handshake, then steps closer and kisses your cheek.

"I like you Mr. Carter. I like intelligent men. I think they're sexy. And no, that isn't a pass."

"Unlucky me," you chuckle.

"You never know. Nothing's written in stone," she laughs, stepping back. "Besides, don't you have enough on your plate?"

You look at her carefully, once again trying to gauge her. You find yourself intrigued by this bright young woman, especially in comparison to the flighty and generally shallow girls you've met so far.

"It's a big plate Miss Whitford."

"So I hear Mr. Carter. And now you'll excuse me, I have to go." She flashes another brilliant smile and a quick wave before turning and striding away.

You grin as you watch her toned ass moving away, then turn down the path to your cottage. Entering, you start towards the stairs, intending to put your purchases away in your room.

"Aren't you going to say 'hello' Mr. Carter?" a feminine voice asks from your living room, stopping you in your tracks.