Chapter 202
**Sara**
The city lights sparkled below like scattered diamonds, a perfect backdrop for our celebration. Tom's balcony had become my favorite spot—I loved the plush couch, the view, and, most importantly, the company.
"Someone's prepared," I said as Tom emerged with an expensive-looking bottle of wine and two glasses.
The cork popped with a satisfying sound. Dark liquid swirled into the crystal, catching the soft glow from the balcony lights. Tom handed me a glass, his fingers brushing mine.
"To my brilliant student who proved me completely wrong." He clinked his glass against mine. "I thought you'd need at least two or three months."
I took a slow sip, savoring both the wine and his admission. "Mm, is that disappointment I detect? Were you looking forward to having me at your mercy for a week?"
"You have no idea." His eyes darkened. "I had plans."
"Well, now you get to experience something else entirely - a whole month of cold showers."
Tom nearly choked on his wine. "You're really going to enforce that bet?"
"Every. Single. Day." I traced the rim of my glass. "No touching. No kissing. No... anything."
"That's cruel."
"That's what you get for underestimating me." I shifted closer, letting my dress ride up just enough. "But hey, at least you can think about all the things you're missing."
His hand found my thigh. "You're evil."
"Successful and evil. Get used to it." I moved his hand away with a smirk. "Clock's ticking, professor. Better make the most of tonight."
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Almost as much as you'll enjoy your quality time with your right hand." I took another sip of wine, watching his expression darken. "Think of it as a learning experience. Next time, you'll know better than to bet against me."
"I'm starting to think I created a monster."
"Too late now." I stretched deliberately, arching my back. "One whole month of looking but not touching. Sure you can handle it?"
Tom's eyes traced my movements, his jaw tightening. "Oh, I can handle it very well. In fact, I might even enjoy watching you squirm when I walk around shirtless after my workouts."
I shifted on the couch, letting my dress ride higher. "That's cute. You think you're the only one who can play dirty?" My fingers traced along the hem, inching it to reveal a flash of red lace. "I bought some new lingerie to celebrate my job. Shame you won't get to properly appreciate it for a whole month."
Tom's eyes locked onto the exposed skin. His fingers twitched against his wine glass.
"Not falling for your tricks, Sara. I have excellent self-control." Tom's voice sounded confident, but his eyes betrayed him. They lingered on my exposed thigh, the fabric of my dress teasingly close to revealing more.
"Is that so?" I leaned back against the couch, arching my back slightly to give him a better view of my cleavage. "Because it looks like you're struggling."
His grip tightened on the wine glass. "I'm perfectly fine."
"Sure you are." I ran a finger down my neck, tracing the path to my chest. "Just enjoying the view, then?"
Tom's eyes followed my finger as it danced along the edge of my dress. I bit my lip, fighting back a smile. He was suffering, and it was delicious to watch.
Slowly, I let the straps of my dress slip off my shoulders. The fabric fell away, exposing more skin. Tom's breath hitched.
I let one hand travel down to the curve of my breast, cupping it lightly through the thin lace of my bra. "Tell me again about that self-control."
He swallowed hard, his eyes locked onto my movements. "It's... still intact."
"Is it?" I laughed softly and slipped a hand beneath the lace, squeezing gently. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the glass tighter.
With deliberate slowness, I pulled the dress down further, exposing both breasts, now fully encased in red lace. Tom's gaze grew darker, more intense.
"I could do this all night," I said, tweaking a nipple through the fabric.
"You're killing me," he groaned.
"No touching," I reminded him sweetly. "Remember?"
He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a curse. Good. I wanted him squirming.
My hand trailed lower, skimming over my stomach and slipping beneath the waistband of my panties. Tom's eyes widened as he watched me tease myself.
"Enjoying the show?" I asked innocently.
His answer was a strangled noise that made me smile even wider. God, this was fun.
I slipped a finger inside my pussy, moaning softly for effect. Tom's jaw clenched so hard I thought it might crack.
"How's that self-control holding up?" My voice came out breathier than intended.
"It's... not easy," he admitted through gritted teeth.
"No? Want to come over here and help me out?" I teased, knowing he couldn't touch me because of the bet. But watching him struggle was intoxicating.
"You know I can't." His voice wavered just enough to betray his resolve.
"Your loss," I added another finger and threw my head back against the couch, closing my eyes as if lost in pleasure. When I peeked at him through half-lidded eyes, he looked ready to explode.
"I hate you," he growled.
"You love me," I countered with a wink before slipping another finger inside myself and letting out an exaggerated moan that had him shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
His fingers twitched again around his wine glass. The man looked ready to shatter it alone with sheer willpower.
My free hand traveled up to play with one breast again, adding fuel to his fire. I tweaked my nipple through the lace, letting out a small, teasing moan. His eyes were glued to my every move, the tension in his jaw palpable.
With a wicked grin, I slowly pulled my fingers out from beneath my panties, coated in my juices. "Want a taste?" I asked, holding my glistening fingers up for him to see.
Tom's gaze flickered from my fingers to my face and back again. He licked his lips, the struggle evident in his eyes. "You are pure evil."
"Just giving you a little preview," I said, licking my fingers clean. "Mmm, delicious."
He shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. His erection strained against the fabric of his pants, and he tried - unsuccessfully - to hide it by adjusting his position. It only made it more obvious.
I laughed. "You know you're not fooling anyone, right? I can see how hard you are."
"Glad you're enjoying the view," he muttered through clenched teeth.
"Oh, I am," I purred. "But it's you I'm worried about. You look like you're about to burst."
His eyes narrowed. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe a little," I admitted with a shrug. "But can you blame me? It's not every day I get to see you squirm like this."
"I hate you," he repeated, though there was no heat behind the words.
"You love me," I countered with a smirk. "And right now, you're suffering for it."
He let out a frustrated groan and leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "You're going to pay for this."
"Promises, promises." I stretched out on the couch, making sure to give him an even better view of my barely-clad body.
The silence stretched between us, thick with tension and unspoken desire. Neither of us made a move to break it. Tom's eyes roamed over me hungrily while I reveled in the power I held over him.