"I have a confession," I said.

Lying in Harry's arms thirty minutes later, enjoying the post-coital bliss, I was almost too blissful to break the silence. Harry's fingers traced delicate lines up and down my back, his lips and nose buried somewhere at the top of my head as we laid there, simply feeling each other for the first time in months.

But there was one thing that had been weighing on me that I needed to get off my chest.

"A confession?" Harry calmly murmured against my hair.

"Yes," I bit my lip hesitantly, but then slowly pulled back, lifting my head so that I could meet his eyes. "I overheard you and Catarina talking together. In your classroom, that afternoon."

Harry lifted a brow, but I didn't see any kind of offense in his eyes. Instead he merely licked his lips, turning his eyes to the ceiling. "I see."

"I knew who she was the moment I saw her," I confessed. "And so when I saw her heading towards your classroom... I just had to know, I'm sorry. I know it was wrong of me to listen in."

"Seeing as we were talking about you, it seems only fair you'd be included in the conversation," Harry noted, looking back at me. The corner of his mouth tugged up. "Did you hear anything particular to your interest?"

"Well... She said..." I paused, pressing my lips together slowly. "She said that you changed your mind because of me. What did she mean by that?"

"It meant exactly what she thought it did. She thought I came to this college to teach because you convinced me I could do it."

"Which is what you told me," I reminded him. "But that's not the truth, is it?"

Harry paused for a moment, but then relented. "It's not."

"So what is?" I asked, furrowing my brows when I realized I still hadn't gotten the reason as to why he had come here.

"Isn't it obvious?" Harry said, meeting my eyes again. He slowly ran his thumb along my cheekbone, all the way down to my lips.

"Because of... me?" I asked, a small note of confusion. If that was the case, then why had he sent me away in the first place?

"Yes and no," Harry answered, his eyes lingering on my lips. "I accepted the position only two days after you left. To come to Toronto and teach a few classes."

"But I wasn't at Toronto, I was at Mississauga?" I reminded him.

"What you weren't," Harry paused, before pressing his lips into a firm line. His thumb rubbed my chin. "Was at my house."

My brows furrowed completely now, trying to understand. "So? Don't tell me you missed my disturbances," I teased, but when Harry's look didn't change, the smile fell from my lips. "Wait... did you?"

"Two days," He replied, shaking his head slowly. "It took me two whole days to resent the peace I had lived with my whole life. I couldn't stand the silence. It only emphasized how far away you were... and how much I missed having you there."

My heart weakened, and I couldn't help but smile softly, leaning in to place a tender kiss to his lips. Harry kissed me back slowly, his hand running up to my hair, tangling into the mess. His tongue played with the seams of my lips, but never passed. After a moment, I pulled back, feeling my cheeks flush.

"Who knew you were such a sap?" I then whispered, grinning slowly. Harry chuckled back, before shaking his head again. "So you really came all this way... chose to do the one thing you hated most in the world... just to escape the silence of my absence?"

"Giselle suggested I get a dog," He commented with a grimace, which made me burst out laughing. "Thought the barking would do the trick. Jean said it would be torture for the dog."

"I might be with Jean on this one," I laughed, pressing a kiss to his chest. "No offense, but I think you're more of a cat person than a dog."

Harry chuckled quietly, his hand still smoothing up and down my back. "Well, luckily, I chose the job. It was the perfect distraction right until..."

"Until the fire brought me right to you," I finished, knowing where he was going. Harry gave a simple nod. "And I was trying my best not to think of you when you suddenly walked into my classroom. A little warning would've been nice."

"I wanted to," Harry answered, running his fingertips up to my shoulder blades. He softly traced my spine. "But you would've asked too many questions."

"I did that anyway," I pointed out, seeing his lips lift for a second. "Come on. Did you seriously expect me not to question why you were there, after being so adamant about never teaching?"

"I had hoped, given how we left things last time... you might not be so inclined to talk to me." Harry's eyes lowered to my lips. "But that mouth of yours never quits, does it?"

"Never," I assured him with half a smirk, before suddenly frowning again. "Is that why you were so cold to me in the beginning?"

Harry's smile faded as well, and with a slow breath, he gave a faint nod. "Yes."

"You were trying to push me away," I said, which had always been my suspicions. And now they were confirmed.

"I hoped I wouldn't have to," Harry softly spoke, lifting his hand to my cheek. He rubbed my skin, his eyes sliding over my melting face. "But then I saw you there in the crowd... looking at me like I wanted to look at you. And I knew you still wanted me."

"You knew," I exhaled. Of course he had.

"I knew. So I pushed you away," Harry admitted, the crease between his brows deepening.

"You should've lied better then," I said. "Did you honestly expect me to believe that you were just there to teach?"

Harry's lips lifted in a small smile, but there was something sad about it. "I knew you wouldn't buy it. But I'm not my brother," He replied, which caused me to snort. And thank Christ for that. "I don't enjoy lying to people. So instead, I gave you only half the truth, hoping it would be enough."

"But I saw through your bullshit," I grinned, letting my hand slide down to his groin, rubbing his soft member. "I always do, remember?"

Harry chuckled, cupping the back of my head, bringing my lips closer. "So it seems."

I met him halfway and kissed him hard, moaning shakily as he pulled me tighter, lifting me up on his lap. He then cupped my face in both his hands, letting me press my own against his chest, running along his jawline. We rested like that for another few minutes, our lips languidly kissing until air became hard to find.

"What happens now?" I finally asked, pulling an inch away. Harry's hand swept a few loose strands of hair behind my ear.

"Anything you want, Cassandra. This is your choice."

I pressed my lips together, feeling a soft pull in my stomach as Harry rubbed my cheek gently. He was giving me the choice to choose what this could mean. What we could mean.

"Will you be mine?" I whispered, almost like I was asking for an expensive gift I wasn't sure if I was deserving of. The truth was, I wasn't sure. I loved Harry, but an insecurity in my heart still made me think maybe he would stop loving me in the long run. After all, that's what all my mom's boyfriends had done. What if I had inherited her craziness? What if Harry one day grew tired of my mouth, the one he said he loved?

"Cassandra," Harry paused his hand, before gently gripping my chin. He met me with a stealthy gaze. "I already am," He assured me.

"Since when?" I asked, breathlessly.

Harry's lips twitched, before looking warmly into my eyes. "I trust you."

My mind immediately reeled back to a moment last summer, the last few moments we had spent together. I had given him my stupid little present, and Harry, in response had given me three little words.

'I trust you.'

Had that in reality been his secret love declaration?

"I trust you, too," I whispered back, swallowing hard. "And I want to be yours, too."

Harry smiled back, his hand combing into my hair again. "Then I'll do my best to deserve you, Miss Berry. Less of an asshole, right?"

I slowly smiled back, fighting a small grin. "Maybe not that much less. I didn't mind that little love tap just before."

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "I should put a muzzle on that naughty mouth."

"Don't make me wet now," I whispered, rubbing myself against him. "Who knew Harry Devon was such a romantic?"

"Oh, I know what romance is," He promised me, "But I go about it my way."

And fuck, I couldn't wait to begin exploring his particular brand of love.

~~~

A few hours and a couple of orgasms later, Harry and I finally decided to get out of bed, if for no other reason than needing a break. If that wasn't enough, the most enchanting smell had begun drifting up the stairs from below, eliciting hunger from both of us, though I suspected mostly me.

God, I had missed Jean's cooking.

"Honey and lemon marinated salmon, a fresh hollandaise sauce, lightly roasted asparagus with rosemary potatoes and bread on the side," Giselle presented as Harry and I came downstairs to eat dinner. I paused in amazement at the table that met me, set for two people, with flowers, flags and champagne already poured.

"Is that..." I asked, seeing Giselle and Jean in the kitchen door, smiling at me. Was this all because of my birthday? Exactly how much had Harry arranged?

"I did not tell them to do this," Harry muttered behind me, rubbing my lower back as I slowly walked further into the dining room. "But for once, I can't say I'm mad they took liberties."

Giselle rolled her eyes while Jean waved him off. "It is her birthday, Harry. We thought she would like a special meal—something filling."

Harry pursed his lips, but didn't argue. Instead, he gave a small smile. "Thank you, Giselle. Jean. That was very thoughtful."

"I will make a spectacular breakfast as well," Jean promised, kissing his fingers. "It will be perfect."

"Oh, I uh... I'm not staying till tomorrow," I quickly amended, feeling myself blush at the insinuation. As if they didn't know what had happened upstairs.

Lord, what if they had heard?

"You're not?" The response came from all three people in the room, in unison.

Shocked, I looked first at Jean and Giselle's confused, almost pouting faces, before turning and looking up at Harry who was frowning as well.

"I, uh... aren't I?" I questioned, now suddenly uncertain. I mean, as much as Harry and I had shared today, I didn't automatically just assume he would let me move in or even stay over. I mean, we should talk about that first, right?

"You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like," Harry answered, leaning down to peck my lips softly, rubbing my red cheek.

"I don't want to intrude on you," I whispered back, knowing Giselle and Jean were still in the room, watching me expectantly. "I mean, I wouldn't dream of—"

"Of offending Jean by turning down his perfect breakfast?" Harry interjected, motioning towards a hurt-looking Jean.

"I procured fresh fruits and berries from Italy," He told exasperatedly, which made me widen my eyes more.

"I, uh, guess I'm staying then," I laughed nervously, seeing the grin on Jean's face return, as well as Giselle's. She excitedly clapped her hands. "But I didn't bring any clothes—"

"I will get them!" Giselle volunteered, almost as eagerly as Katniss in the hunger games. I widened my eyes again.

"Thank you, Giselle, but we'll go get them later ourselves," Harry assured. "For now, why don't we eat."

I was so overwhelmed as Giselle and Jean finally left the room, looking like they just won the lottery by securing my company. Harry, on the other hand, didn't appear changed at all. He merely pulled the chair out for me as he led us to the table.

"You'll tell me if I'm intruding, right?" I said now that Jean and Giselle were gone, looking imploring at Harry. "I know this is new for you as well, and if it's too fast, I don't mind—"

"Cassandra," Harry took my hand in his, silencing me with a simple squeeze. He looked me over, sliding his eyes over my anxious features. "What part of me inviting you over today, kissing you and professing my love gave you the impression I was trying to get rid of you?"

Well, when he put it like that... "I just don't want you to feel like I'm suddenly just gonna mooch off of you," I mumbled, looking down at the expensive and deliciously prepared food on my plate, as well as the nice decorations around me. "This is all very nice, I just want you to know I don't expect this to come with any... attachments."

"The choice is yours whether or not you want to stay," Harry replied, stroking my hand with his thumb. "But if you're asking me if I want you here... I do."

Maybe this was my abandonment issues talking, but for some reason I needed to hear him say that. My heart pounded hard in my chest and my lungs expanded with some new kind of air I had never breathed before.

Was this love?

"Alright. I'll stay," I whispered, fighting a smile. "I mean, for Jean, obviously. I wouldn't dream missing his breakfast menagerie."

A smile stretched on Harry's lips, and with a light shake of his head, he squeezed my hand a last time and then reached for his cutlery. "Smart girl."

Grinning teasingly, I copied him and dug into my meal. As expected, the first bite drew a long moan from me, having truly forgotten how amazing Jean was in a kitchen.

He could get a girl pregnant with this shit.

"I missed this," I hummed, sighing happily as I sat there, enjoying a meal, surrounded by the people I cared for. And loved.

Harry merely smiled back, lifting his glass of champagne to take a sip. "Happy birthday, Miss Berry."

"Thank you," I gushed, lifting my own glass with a cheeky grin. "Professor Devon."

This was officially the best birthday ever.

~~~

Waking up the next morning, warm in Harry's bed, I couldn't help but automatically smile when I felt a heavy weight laying limply over my waist.

Harry's arm was slung loosely over my body, a few inches of distance between us as we laid cuddled together, somehow still joined throughout the night. I watched the inches of space between us with disgust, before carefully creeping closer to a still very-much sleeping Harry.

– This was only my second time waking up next to him in all the time I had known him, and I planned to take full advantage of that.

Looking up at Harry's sleeping face, he looked so peaceful. I took in the sight, loving this moment almost as much as I had loved all of what happened yesterday. With a heavy thud in my chest, I wrapped my own arm around him, pressing myself into his chest until my nose was squished against him.

If he could be a sap, so could I.

Surprisingly, I felt Harry's arm tighten around me, almost unconsciously. His heavy breathing continued, telling me he was still sleeping. But the arm had a mind of its own.

Even in his sleep, he was so gentlemanly. He kept his space, whilst still letting me know he was there. Only when I made the move to move closer did he tighten his arm around me, pulling me in; leaving the choice up to me to accept his touch.

Why was that the most Harry-thing ever?

It was something I had come to realize over the past 24 hours. I had always considered Harry a gentleman, even if he was also part-time an annoying asshole, the side of him that shone through the most was his constant need to... respect me.

Back in the summer, I had wondered why he never initiated the first kisses. Why he never stayed in my bed till morning. Why he never came to me, why I was always the one to take the first step... and yesterday, it had become more clear than ever why.

Just like me, Harry had his past traumas. Even if he claimed he didn't give them his attention, it was clear they still weighed in on his everyday decisions; his whole life, people had tried to pressure him into things. To be a certain way, to act a certain way. To do this, to do that, not for his own benefit, but for theirs.

– And that behavior had caused him to be the most respectful man in every term of the word.

When he told me the real reason why he never tried to touch me last summer, the whole thing with his brother trying to prostitute me and Harry respecting me, it had made sense. But now I realized it was much bigger than that.

He never touched me because he didn't want to assume I just wanted his touch. He never made the first move because he never wanted me to think I had to do things with him. He had left every interaction, every teasing moment and every sexual encounter in my hands, simply following my lead, because...

He could never push himself onto me like that without my absolute permission.

Harry was a gentleman—a true and utter gentleman. All he had ever wanted was to protect me; even if it meant from himself.

But I could only take so much respecting until I needed a little 'disrespecting'.

Smiling to myself, I shook my head a little against the pillow, snuggling closer to Harry. We were definitely going to have to work on un-learning some of those manners of his, even if it might be impossible. But then again, maybe not that impossible?

– My ass still felt a small phantom tingle from where he spanked me yesterday.

"There's hope for you yet, Mr Devon," I whispered teasingly against his chest, not loud enough to wake him. I pressed a kiss to his pec, right where his heart was beating calmly against my cheek.

Lots of hope, indeed.

~~~

20 minutes later, Harry was still asleep, perhaps worn out from all the extra activities of yesterday. Either way, I couldn't wait for him to wake up any longer, because my nipples were getting cold.

Tapping the ruler I had found on Harry's desk against the end of the bed, I snapped it loudly against the wooden frame and made Harry jolt awake with a small start. His tired eyes sprung open, and with a lazy hand, he rubbed his palm down his face. "Cassandra...?"

"Quiet," I said in a strict, authoritative voice. I bit down my smirk when Harry's eyes finally focused on me standing by the end of the bed, holding my ruler.

His gaze slowly slid over my appearance, and with a suddenly more awake motion, Harry sat up against his headboard. A slow smile spread on his lips. "What on earth are you wearing, Cassandra?"

I had to fight to stay in-character, because I had worked really hard on coming up with this bit. So, ignoring his question, I stayed true to my act. "That's enough chatter. Class is in session and I'll demand full attention from my students."

Harry's brow furrowed a little. "Class...? Cassa—"

"Quiet down. I'm going to do a quick name-call to check if all students have arrived." I pretended to look over the piece of paper in my hand—another random piece of math-scribbled paper I had found amongst Harry's messy desk. "Mr Harry Devon?"

Harry, who was looking at me with a crooked little smile, finally sighed and folded his hands over his chest. "Present."

"Excellent. Now that all students have arrived, we can begin today's class on Relationship 101," I stated, seeing Harry lift a piqued brow. "Today we will be discussion a key feature named... communication."

I watched Harry's smile stretch, but he didn't comment. Instead, he laid calmly, watching me strut back and forth by the end of his bed, keeping in character. Something told me he was enjoying the show.

"Now," I said, clearing my throat importantly. "When in a relationship with a significant other, one of the most important things is being able to communicate well with your partner. To express your likes, your wants, your needs... to relay emotions and convey feelings. But most importantly, to express what you don't like."

I pinpointed Harry with a serious look, seeing him slowly frown again, but still remain silent. Good.

"When in a committed, long-term relationship, it is normally understood that consent is a large factor of what makes a partnership work. However, it is also normally understood, that whilst with a partner, your consent is given until spoken otherwise."

Harry now frowned deeper, slowly sitting up. "Cassandra, if—"

"Students will raise their hand in my classroom!" I declared loudly, seeing Harry fall silent again. "And that's Professor Berry to you, Mr Devon. Can't you tell I'm wearing a tie?"

Gesturing down to the tie hanging loosely around my neck, which also happened to be the only thing I was currently wearing, I gave a sharp tsk of my lips to Harry, who slowly went back to smiling at my silly antics. He laid back down, and with a bemused look, he slowly lifted his hand.

"Yes, Mr Devon?"

"I think your logic is a bit faulty, Professor Berry," He emphasized for my sake. "I don't believe consent should ever just be implied in a relationship, no matter how long-term it is. If you truly respect your partner, you should always secure their consent before engaging in any manner of sexual frivolity."

Such ambiguous language. I expected nothing else from a student such as Harry. I briefly wondered what his real teachers must've gone through while he was in actual school. Lord, the massacre.

"You are quite right, Mr Devon," I acknowledged, rightly so. "One should never assume consent, unless otherwise agreed upon. Which brings me to the key point of today's lesson."

I threw the ruler away and slowly climbed onto the bed, straddling Harry, who calmly chuckled as I leaned down to his lips. "I believe this could be considered sexual harassment, Professor Berry."

"Oh, hush," I shushed him, seeing his smile grow. "Being respectful is a nice thing. But please note that it's not needed all the time," I explained, running my fingertip along his jawline. "I know this is hard for you to understand, but... you don't need to ask my permission every time before doing anything to me, Harry. I know you never want to assume, but here's me telling you to assume this," I said, now pressing myself entirely against him, only the thin sheets keeping us apart. "Unless told otherwise, you always have my permission. Unless told differently, always assume that I want you," I whispered, brushing my lips featherlight against his. Harry's eyes slowly darkened, watching me breathe labored against his mouth. "Always assume I want your touch... always assume I'm wet for you."

I took his hand and now brought it down to my wet center, showing him exactly what I meant. Harry's breath turned heavy in response, just as his pupils dilated and his gaze grew darker. "Cassandra..."

"You have my permission to take me," I whispered with sincerity—with earnestness. "To kiss me, to seduce me... anytime you want, unless told otherwise. Understood?"

"Understood," Harry rumbled back, lifting his hand to cup my face.

"And I hope you'll be kind enough to tell me the same," I asked, biting my lip. "That if I ever cross a line, or if ever you don't want me... you'll tell me, no bars held. Promise?"

"Promise," Harry repeated, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Good," I smiled back, before leaning down to his mouth. "Then class is dismissed." And with that, I pressed my lips against his.

Harry didn't hesitate to kiss me back, tangling one hand into my hair while the other slid around me, holding me tightly to him. Then, in a move I didn't see coming, I felt as Harry suddenly rolled us over and trapped me beneath him.

– I guess he had learned his lesson about not asking for permission. A quick study, just as I had expected.

"This belongs to me, I'm pretty sure," Harry murmured, tugging at the tie around my neck.

"All of this does," I said, taking that same hand and guiding it down my body; From the feminine swell of my breasts, to the indent of my hips, all the way down to the curve of my wet center. "All yours."

"Cassandra..." Harry's voice deepened as his fingers stayed at my folds, slowly parting them and finding my throbbing clit ready and needy for his touch.

"Please..." I gasped when I felt the pad of his middle finger rubbing lazily over it. It sent a shiver of pleasure through my whole body, causing my core to tighten around air. "Harry..."

Harry's lips pressed against my throat, before moving up to my ear. His raspy voice resonated through me; "Spread your legs for me."

Like the Red Sea, my legs parted just as a gush of wetness ironically seemed to flow down to my center. I bit my lip not to moan as Harry then pulled the sheets between us completely off and settled between my legs, pressing his warm length to my folds.

"Look at me."

I didn't realize my eyes had fallen shut until I heard his command. Opening my eyes, I met Harry's molten gaze, looming over me with a hungry, yet deep look.

With a slow, burning kiss, Harry then pressed his lips to mine and made me forget which planet I was on. I moaned throatily and clung around him, feeling him suddenly move above me.

In one sweet, merciless thrust, he then slid inside me. I cried out softly and arched my back, feeling all of him enter me in one go. Harry breathed hard against my mouth as I stretched around him in the most delicious way possible.

Letting my inner walls adjust, I breathed shallowly as Harry then kissed me again, this time slowly and deeply. With each unrushed brush of his tongue against mine, I melted more and more, easing up around him. My core fluttered and began pulsing with need, and sensing this, Harry then slowly began to move. Thrusting back almost lazily, he then surged back inside and made me moan against his lips again, gripping onto his shoulders. "Harry."

Gripping my chin, he steered my lips against his and quashed my moans as he continued to take me higher and higher, grinding himself deeper. I shuddered and writhed, feeling myself grow closer as he continued to strike one certain spot that made me see blinding stars.

And to think this man was a virgin before he met me. How the fuck did he know where to do this?

Crying, I clenched my inner muscles around him, hearing Harry grunt against my lips as things grew hotter around us. Sliding one hand down between us, I then felt as he suddenly pressed a thumb against my swollen clit, rubbing it in tantric circles.

"Oh God, please," I cried, throwing my head back when the pleasure became too much. Paired with his aimed thrusts, I couldn't lie still as my legs began shaking and stomach tightened in a hard knot. I was gonna cu—

With a hard cry, I felt myself come apart, bursting under Harry in a melting mess. I clung to him desperately as he continued to kiss me, rub me, thrust inside me—prolonging my orgasm until I was sure I was gonna turn into mush.

With a last whimper, I then felt as Harry staggered to a halt, burying himself deep inside me. I looked up and saw him shut his eyes, before he with a groan exhaled hard against my mouth.

Warmth filled me. I shuddered and rubbed his back as he joined me in an orgasm, his head falling into the crook of my neck. I felt his lips press hot, labored kisses against my throat, even as I felt his spurts dry out. Minutes passed like this, none of us moving. I could feel Harry eventually softening, yet he still stayed where he was, buried inside me.

Closing my eyes, I then smiled, feeling him finally wrap his arms around me and pull me to his chest. Bodies pressed together, we laid like that for what could've been hours, but was probably just minutes.

But in this moment, it felt like I was holding a piece of my future in my hands. This, right here, this very moment... Harry's and my future.

And for the first time in ages, I felt myself actually praying I might be right for once.

• • •

A moment to last an eternity.