**Chapter 7: A Message of Desire**

Maya's fingers trembled as she walked out of the classroom, her phone still clutched in her hand. She couldn't believe the messages Eric had been sending her. They were explicit and thrilling, and she couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement every time she read them. As she walked down the hallway, she noticed a group of students huddled together, chatting and laughing. They seemed to sense her presence and parted to let her through, their eyes curious but not unkind. Maya smiled weakly, trying to compose herself, but her mind was still reeling from the messages. She made her way to the staff room, hoping to collect her thoughts before the next lesson. As she entered, she spotted her colleague, Rachel, sipping a cup of coffee and grading papers. Maya tried to join in the conversation, but her mind kept drifting back to Eric's messages. Rachel noticed Maya's distant expression and asked, "Hey, are you okay? You seem a bit... preoccupied." Maya shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... Eric and I are going to the cabin this weekend, and I'm excited." Rachel raised an eyebrow. "The cabin, huh? That sounds like fun. You two always have such a great time there." Maya nodded, feeling a bit guilty for not being able to share her true excitement with Rachel. She didn't want to reveal the nature of Eric's messages, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation for their weekend together. The rest of the day flew by in a blur as Maya tried to focus on her teaching. She lectured on Dickens and the Romantics, but her mind kept wandering back to Eric and the cabin. What would they do when they got there? Would they make love all night, or just sit by the fire and talk? As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Maya felt a sense of relief wash over her. She quickly gathered her things and headed out of the school, her phone buzzing in her pocket once again. This time, it was a photo of Eric's lips, curved into a sensual smile. The message read: "Can't wait to see you tonight. I have a surprise for you." Maya's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and her body responded accordingly. She couldn't wait to get to the cabin and experience Eric's surprise for herself.