Connie was just about able to stifle the exhale that threatened to turn into a whimper but it was a closely won thing. She felt about as in control of her emotions as the students she supervised on a daily basis but unlike them she didn’t have anybody scrutinising her every move. Perhaps that had been her biggest error? Allowing herself the freedom in life to let her foolish heart begin to yearn for things as though they were ever in her grasp – as though they were things she deserved.

Because Merlin did she want Carmelina Cramming. It had been far too long since she had met a woman that excited her like this one and Connie felt as though her whole body was attempting to betray the logical part of her brain. She was flushed, her stomach in knots and her chest tighter than it had been since she last set eyes upon Lavinia – she might have called the whole thing unpleasant if it weren’t for the fact she knew perfectly well how these terrible passions led to pleasure.

Damn Lavinia for that too.

“You’re terribly chivalrous,” Connie said fondly, letting her fingers linger against the other woman’s, not quite ready to cease the contact altogether. Merlin, she wasn’t going to sleep a wink tonight until she had taken matters in her own hands…

“But it’s freezing down by the dungeons this time of year. I’m quite used to it but I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill.” She smiled softly, her eyes alight with genuine affection as she let the pads of her fingers rub against the other woman’s.

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MJ made me beautiful