One Night With My Alpha Professor

Chapter 68 Audrey

I couldn't help it. My face fell a bit when Edwin said those words that I was a good... assistant.

Is that all I was to him? Just another amistant? I knew it was silly, but I couldn't stop the disappointment from appearing across my face.

Edwin didn't seem to notice at first, both of us sipping our wine. But when I set my wine glass down and my hand shook slightly, he shot me a confused look. "Something wrong?"

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wine glass. Maybe the alcohol made me a bit bolder than I should have been. "It's just... I guess I always hoped I was a bit more than just an assistant to you," I admitted.

The silence that followed my words was deafening. Edwin's face was unreadable, his gray eyes searching mine as though he expected me to be joking. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I shouldn't have said anything.

"I'm sorry." I quickly backpedaled with a wave of my hand. "It's the wine talking. Forget I said anything."

Edwin leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Audrey, I-

I cut him off before he could finish, desperate to change the subject. I didn't want to hear whatever he had to say. "So, um, what are your plans for spring break?" I asked, my voice a little too high-pitched. A part of me wondered if he would be spending time with the beautiful woman from the photo.

Edwin seemed to consider the question for a moment, swirling the wine in his glass. "I don't have any plans, actually," he finally said.

"Really?" I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice, and it made me forget about the woman in the photograph for a second. "I would have thought that you would be the type to have everything lined up. You know, fancy trips or important meetings.

He shrugged, pushing his chair back and beginning to gather our empty plates. "Not this time. I'll probably catch up on some reading, maybe do some work around the apartment Exciting stuff, I know." Nodding, I stood as well and began to help clear the table. But before I could get far, Edwin yanked the plate from my hands and nodded toward the armchair in the living room. "Sit he commanded in a tone that brooked no argument. "You've already helped cook dinner. I won't let you clean up too."

It seemed there was no use arguing, so I grabbed my nearly-empty wine glass from the table and made my way over to the living room. I sat in the indicated armchair, the leather squeaking softly beneath my legs as I took my seat.

As I waited, my eyes darted to the photo on the shelf again. Suddenly, Edwin returned, and I felt my cheeks redden and quickly snapped my gaze away from the picture. If Edwin noticed, he didn't say anything. "What about you?" he asked as he topped off our glasses and took a seat in the armchair across from me, "Any exciting plans?

I nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Yes, actually. My friends and I scraped enough money together to rent a cottage at the beach. Nothing fancy, but it should be fun.

That sounds nice," Edwin said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs widely. "You deserve a vacation after all your hard work mester. Thanks" I took another sip of my wine and stared at the paintings on the wall, the fire, the ornate rug-anywhere but at his

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21:13 Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 68.

lap, which looked awfully inviting with all this wine in my system. "I'm looking forward to it. Just sun, sand, and no textbooks for a whole week."

Edwin chuckled. "Don't forget your sunscreen. I'd hate for my star student to come back looking like a lobster."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help smiling. "Yes, Professor. I'll be sure to protect my delicate human skin."

We fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, but I could feel the weight of my earlier words still hanging between us. I couldn't help but feel like I had ruined a perfectly nice evening with my **id comment. Why did I have to say anything? "Audrey," Edwin finally said almost as though reading my mind, about what you said earlier..."

I held up a hand to stop him. "Please, can we just forget it? I shouldn't have said anything. It was inappropriate."

He nodded, but I could see a flicker of what looked like conflict in his eyes. "Alright. If that's what you want. But I hope you know that you're not just another student to me. You're special

My heart s**ed a beat at his words. "Special how?" I asked, barely daring to breathe.

Edwin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're talented, driven, and you challenge me in ways no other student has. Working with you has been refreshing."

I felt a mix of emotions at his words. Pride, disappointment, confusion. I supposed that part of me hoped he would have said that his feelings for me were what made me special, not all that other stuff. Although that other stuff was nice, too.

"Thank you." I managed. "That means a lot coming from you."

We finished our wine in a charged silence, the tension between us palpable. I couldn't help but feel like something had shifted, like I had crossed some invisible line.

Finally, once I finished my wine, I knew it was time to leave before I said or did something stup**again. We both stood, and I suddenly realized this might be the last time we would be alone together like this- perhaps for the best. Maybe, after spring break was over, I would feel refreshed and not so bound to him.

tas

"Well I guess this is goodbye," I said, pausing in the doorway with my jacket clutched in my hands. "At least as teaching assistant and professor. Edwin nodded, his hand lingering on the doorframe. "Thanks for coming to dinner. That was... nice."

His words made my face turn so red it was almost like a ripe tomato, Without thinking, I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. His skin was warm against my lips, and I caught the scent of his cologne.

As I pulled away, Edwin reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was so intimate, so unexpected, that I felt my breath catch in my throat. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me.

No-1 hoped he might kiss me.

But the moment passed, and his lips didn't even come close to mine. I stepped back, my heart pounding in my chest. "Goodnight, Edwin," I said, my voice a bit shaky despite my best attempts to hide it. "Goodnight, Audrey," he replied softly. "Enjoy your spring break

-1 nodded, not trusting myself to speak. With one last look at him, I turned and left quickly, not daring to look back. I didn't stop until I reached the inside of the elevator, and only then did dare to look at his door. He was still standing there, his hand pressed into the doorframe and his gray eyes lingering on me.

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21:13 Mon, Sep 16

Chapter 68

And then the elevator doors closed, and I was gone.

Only once the elevator began to move did I finally let out the breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. Slipping my phone out of my purse, I saw a text from Tina waiting for me: "How was your hot date with Edwin?"

I huffed and typed out a quick response: "Again, it wasn't a date. And it was fine. I'm heading home now."

After hitting send, the elevator doors opened. I stepped out of the apartment lobby and into the cool night air, both disappointed and glad that it was over. Tomorrow was the first day of spring break-a chance to reset and push Edwin Brooks out of my mind.

Although, I wasn't sure if that was even possible. SEND GIFT

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