One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 31

Audrey

I pushed the plate back with a satisfied sigh, my belly full of rich steak and the tang of gin and tonic. My gaze swept over to Edwin, who had finished eating as well and was now draining the last dregs of his whiskey.

A blush instantly crept across my face. I quickly grabbed my bag, rifling around for some cash.

"Here," I said, handing him the wad of bills. "For tonight."

Edwin eyed the cash, then eyed me, and pursed his lips. "It's fine. I'm not taking your money."

"But-"

"I said I'm not taking your money, Audrey."

My face turned an even deeper shade of crimson as I slipped the money back into my bag. "Oh. Well... Thank you," I managed, standing. Now that a little time had passed, I realized that I had commandeered what was clearly meant to be a solitary night for the stern professor. "I should head out."

"Right. It's getting late."

Before I could protest, Edwin was tossing a pile of his own cash onto the bar, standing, and grabbing his jacket.

"Wait-I'm just walking home," I said. "You don't have to-"

"Nonsense. I'm not letting a young lady walk home in the dark by herself."

Despite my urge to protest, Edwin's voice brooked no argument; and besides, he was already headed for the door. Blushing, I had to break into a jog just to catch up with his long strides.

By the time we stepped out into the chilly night air, it was nearly ten o'clock. The gin and tonic I had had gave me a bit of protection against the chill, although I still couldn't help but clutch my jacket a bit tighter around my shoulders as we walked.

We walked in silence for some time, passing by rows of closed stores and cafes. I always liked the downtown area near campus; there was always so much to do. Plenty of shopping options, places to grab good coffee, cheap restaurants, a movie theater, a few parks. And I especially liked it at night-when the cobblestone streets were quiet and the streetlamps cast a gentle amber hue over everything.

to cast a glance down at my feet. "Don't you get tired wearing heels all of

to give myself a bit of height. I was quite short, and given my status as a human, I needed to take every effort to make sure I was taken seriously.

don't mind,"

for a few moments longer before my footsteps slowed; there, up ahead, was an antique shop that I liked to frequent. In the window was an extravagant vintage dress that I often ogled whenever I

a standstill in front of the shop window. I peered up at the tea-length dress on the mannequin, taking in

noticing that I had stopped right away, wheeled around a few paces ahead and

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Chapter 31

shoving

and adjusted my bag on my shoulder. "Nothing. I just

my side, his tall form practically dwarfing me in the window's reflection. He leaned closer to

replied. "It was made by a French designer way back

in the nineties?" he echoed incredulously. "Was it really all that long ago

"Well, I mean... I

splash of redness across his cheeks. He quickly looked away, clearing his throat. "Do you want the

way down the sidewalk again. "It's too expensive," I said, "and besides, I don't have anywhere

of us spoke for the rest of the walk. Soon, the brick facades and stripped roofs of campus came into view. The dorms were still lively, orange and yellow lights spilling out of the windows and onto the pavement. Edwin stopped a

here," he said, peering warily up

realized his implication; it was late, and we were both returning at the same time. People might get the wrong idea if they saw a student and his professor together like this.

"Goodnight, Audrey?"

strode away, worrying my lower lip between my teeth. I was certain that Edwin watched me the whole way-I didn't look back, but

the grinning faces of Avis and Tina. They were both waiting on my bed with a take-out pizza between them and dual looks of mischief on their faces. "What are you two doing in my room?"

is: what were

off. I quickly turned around and pretended to busy myself with something on

You don't have to hide it from

pizza. "You can be honest.