The warmth of the wine spreads through my body as Eliot and I sit alone in the Physical Kids Cottage. The semester break has emptied the building, leaving just the two of us and the crackling fire casting shadows on the walls. We've been making excuses to spend time together all week, but tonight feels different.

Eliot swirls his wine glass, eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes my pulse quicken. I've thought about his earlier offer every day since he made it - the casual mention of spanking or shaving that had sparked something unexpected inside me.

Now he sets his glass down and turns fully toward me on the couch, the firelight catching the edges of his dark hair. "Quentin, darling," he says, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "We need to talk about what happened during the trials."

My cheeks burn instantly at the memory of my reaction to his suggestion. "I - it was nothing," I stammer, looking away. "Was it?" His hand gently lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Because I couldn't help noticing your rather... enthusiastic reaction to my offer."

The air feels charged between us as I search his face, trying to detect if he's mocking me. Instead, I find only genuine curiosity and something deeper - desire. "Why are you asking?" I whisper, my voice catching in my throat.

He leans closer, his scent - woodsmoke and expensive cologne - overwhelming my senses. "Because," he murmurs, his lips inches from mine, "I think we might be more compatible than either of us realized."