Chapter 12

Audery

I fell an electric current run through me at his touch.

Edwin's hand was cool and strady against mine, his palm pressing shirdily against the backs of my fingers. I thought my knees might buckle beneath me, or that I might even explode from the feeling of nur skin

But just as my lips were parting to speak, my gaze wandering up to meet Edwin's gray eyes, a cooling eucalyptus sensation spread across my pal

I snapped my eyes back down to our hands, my cheeks reddening when I saw the real reason behind why he had touched ne

He was running a soothing roller balin across my hand.

"Oh, I muttered, feeling my face heat up even more despite the cooling sensation on my hand. I hadn't realized it, but I had pricked myself multiple times with the pins when I had been draping the gown- a feeling that I had grown so used to over the years that I hadn't even noticed at

Edwin, on the other hand, had noticed the little red dots. That was why he had applied an ointment.

Atender, but ambiguous, gesture.

"You should be more careful," he said mutter-of-factly, finishing applying the ointment and reaching out to stuff the tube into my

jacket pocket. mark of a good seamstress is when she can pin something without destroying her hands,"

I swallowed hard as I stared down at my palm. A tiny part of me, I supposed, had felt excitement er his touch-and maybe a bit of hope that meant more than that. I knew I shouldn't, but 1 past couldn't helprit, Lowering my hand back to my side, I glanced up at Edwin to find him already turning

and striding back over to his desk. I watched the broad expanse of his shoulders for a second, feeling my hips move involuntarily at the sight of him. He had been wearing his usual tweed jacket today, but had s

of his v sluped body, sent a surge of hormones through me that was nearly imp "Professor," I blurted out. "are you

see his shoulders tense, his fingers straining to curl up into

in his tracks. For a moment, I swore only for a moment-a brief

continued to walk over

"No," he said simply.

my ribcage. Was he admitting to. It would be horrible of us, I was sure, but the energy between us was undeniable. And truthfully. I hadn't stopped thinkin Just as I was taking another step

assistant," he said. "It's my obligation to ensure your well-being in order to prevent

stopped abruptly and left me careening backwards into space. I froze, one foot forward, and felt the fingers of the hand where he had spread the ointr "Oh," I said, unable to fully hide

Eden blinked an

a moment longer before sucking in a breath through his teeth. But just as he opened his mouth to say something.

maybe more harshly than 1 had intended.

wide. Even I was

It was during

ting those tense moments

that I it

slow, knowing smile that spread across Edwin's

now, and

gathered, from our brief time together, that a smile gracing the gruff professor's face was a rare occurrence. But

after me,

435 PM

Chapter 12

hallway, the door clicking

was safely a little ways down the hallway, I finally stopped to catch my breath. Leaning against the row of lockers, I placed my palms behind. my lower back and pressed them into the cool metal, which w With a sigh, I shut my eyes and leaned my head back against

all our talk of losing my virginity to Edwin meaning very little, I certainly wasn't acting like it. Rather, I had acted like a naive teenager in those moments, unable to handle even

of a familiar voice and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255