Muse

Web Master's Note: this was written by the talented and amazing uni for a fic-art trade we did! she did amazing and i kicked my feet when rereading this to post hehe

It was cramped. It was hot. It smelled like chemicals. It was not where Jacq imagined he’d have his first steamy encounter with Paloma. Yet one thing led to another, and now here they were, grinding against one another in this dark supply closet. The sounds of their labored breathing and the rustling of clothes nearly masked the muffled music and lively fraternization of the staff party taking place not too far away.

Jacq didn’t have many thoughts in his mind. They were mostly consumed by Paloma, but the tiny sliver of clarity in the back of his head recognized this as the natural evolution of the months of mounting tension that had only grown more palpable as their relationship developed.

At first, it was mere camaraderie. A nod at each other in the hallways when they passed one another. Grabbing the chair beside hers at the faculty meetings because it was the last one near the back that was free when he arrived right as it was getting started. It progressed to a few little jokes under his breath during said meetings, encouraged by the way she giggled behind her hand.

Jacq wasn’t one for regular meals, at least not during the day. Being a little scatterbrained, he often survived on coffee and forgot to eat until way later in the afternoon. On the rare occasion he went into the staff room to eat, whether it be because the staff got something catered or a student called him out on it, he’d ask if the seat beside Paloma was taken if she happened to be there on lunch too. He used this time to chat her up. He’d ask how she was liking it at the school so far or about the students they shared. Once he got her out of her shell a little more, he managed to get her to open up about herself.

As she grew more comfortable around him, she revealed that she had recently graduated university herself, that this was her first year as an instructor. He eventually learned that in addition to being a literature teacher, she had a knack for writing.

As she spoke about her writing, he noticed a spark and passion in her that he’d never noticed in their previous interactions. He found himself leaning closer to listen with intrigue as she spoke, filled with curiosity and fascination that she had written novels while she was in university. Though flirting wasn’t his initial intention when he asked what kind of stories she wrote, it certainly turned to that when she revealed that she wrote romance.

Naturally, he asked if she had written anything lately. With a pensive sigh, she told him that she had shelved the hobby to adjust to her new life. It hurt to hear that, especially considering how disappointed she sounded when she revealed that. He can’t even remember what exactly he said, but he expressed that it was a shame and encouraged her to give it another shot in her downtime. A kind smile was donned as she nodded and said she’d try for him… and that’s how he became her muse.

Jacq made it a point to eat lunch with Paloma, though it did require her to swing by his classroom on her own way. She’d give him updates on what she had been working on, even letting him read excerpts that left him flushed and speechless. He was surprised that as reserved as she was, she was so willing to share something so intimate with him, but refused to take it for granted. Her talent was only rivaled by her beauty in his eyes. They chatted more and more often, grabbed coffee after work, or even stayed late at the academy just keeping each other company.

For all intents and purposes, they were practically dating by the end of the first semester, it just had yet to get physical… Until the academy’s annual staff holiday party. Maybe it was seeing her outside of a school setting, or maybe it was the alcohol that flowed through their veins, but Jacq couldn’t tear his eyes away from Paloma all night. The thoughts that he had kept safely guarded until he was alone at night were beginning to cloud his mind. Judging by the look in her eyes and the smirk on her lips, there was no doubt that it was mutual.

As the evening drew on, the sexual tension between the instructors was so thick that it could be sliced with a blade. Even as they both mingled with others, any time Jacq looked remotely in her direction, their eyes would lock in a smoldering gaze. He was thankful for his perpetual baggy attire, because just the thought of her was enough to cause an uncomfortable tightness in his boxers that he’d prefer that the other teachers didn’t notice. He had to sit down to collect himself. He grabbed another drink to nurse as he tried to calm himself down.

The buzz of the Rotomphone in his pocket nearly made him drop his drink, snapping him out of his reverie. It flew out of his pocket and floated in front of him, allowing him to see the message he received. His eyes skimmed the text, then widened behind the hexagonal frames of his glasses. Though the message was rather brief, the words she sent could have been plucked straight from one of her spicy novels, detailing what she’d like to do with him if he met her in the supply closet. If he wasn’t struggling before, now he was outright suffering. An attempt was made to glance in her direction to read her expression, but she looked just as cool as ever. He would have doubted that she even meant to send such a thing if she didn’t wink at him.

After a quick assessment of the room, Jacq confidently deducted none were paying him nor her any bit of attention. Most of the other staff members were inebriated at this point. Many were focused on their own conversations; a few were engaged in a drunken line dance. He downed the last bit of liquid courage remaining in his glass, then walked in the direction of the rendezvous point.

The door of the supply closet was conveniently nestled between the doors of the restrooms on either side of it. More than once, a student or newer staff member had mistakenly wandered inside. To their defense, the door could have benefitted from a label or even a knob that locked. It was the perfect spot to sneak off with someone else.

After slipping inside, he stood in the darkened room by himself, with only the dim light of his

Rotomphone to permit him to see the tight quarters he had found himself in. He began to feel foolish standing alone in the dark like this as the minutes dragged. Maybe she didn’t see him walk in, he tried to assure himself; or maybe she got stopped by someone on her way over. As he grabbed his phone to shoot her a message, the door cracked open.

Jacq only caught a glimpse of her as she ducked in. An awkward silence hung heavy around them as she stood quietly by his side. His heart was pounding so loud, he barely heard her stammer out, “So, um…”

When he registered after a beat that she had spoken, he turned to her and felt arms fling around his neck and pull him close. He fell forward, crashing his lips against hers. Her kiss tasted of the fruity drink she had been sipping on all night, and he couldn’t get enough. Her hands travelled down his body, and his settled on her waist as things began to heat up. She was guided against the closet door; pinned by him against it so her body would prevent anyone from opening it to catch them. The grip he had on her let her keep her balance enough to hook one leg behind him. Her skirt had bunched up against her hips, and he could feel the heat of her arousal through her tights and his pants. After denying himself so long, even this tiny bit of friction was enough to pull a groan from his throat. He rocked his hips against her as they continued to chase each other’s lips in the darkness. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of what they had gotten into.

“You planned this, didn’t you?” he whispered against her mouth between smooches. She hummed inquisitively, causing him to clarify. “To rile me up enough to get this storybook hookup.”

Paloma laughed, tightening her arms around him.

“What can I say?” she said. “You’re my muse.”