One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 115 Audrey

I stormed into the house that night, slamming the door behind me with a force that reverberated through the walls. My mind was still reeling from that unexpected encounter with Edwin, the scent of him still lingering on my skin. All I could think about was washing it off, scrubbing away every part of him-

"Whoa, what's got you all worked up?" Tina's voice cut through my haze, and I looked up to see her peering over the back of the couch with wide eyes.

I shook my head, not ready to delve into what had just happened-not even with her. "Nothing. Just... work stuff, I lied, trying to keep the bitter edge out of my voice but failing miserably.

Gavin emerged from the kitchen next with a slice of half-eaten pizza in hand. "You okay, Audrey?"

"I'm fine," I snapped, the words more abrupt than I intended. Instantly, I regretted my tone. "Sorry, I just.. I need to unwind.

Betty and Avis exchanged a glance, and Betty's face lit up. "I know just the thing. Midnight swim, anyone?"

The suggestion took me by surprise. "A swim!" I asked.

Betty nodded. "There's a lake not far from here. We can walk there, bring some booze..."

Phit my lip, considering for a moment. It was late on Wednesday night, and I had work in the morning, but the idea of going for a dip and getting tipsy under the stars sounded appealing. "F**k it," I said, throwing my hands up in the air. "A swim sounds f**king fantastic.

"Yes!" Avis cheered, leaping up from the couch. "I'll grab the wine!"

Within minutes, we were making our way out of the house, armed with bottles of wine and towels. The night air was thick with the scent of summer-blooming flowers and freshly mowed grass-as we scurried through the woods behind the

house.

"Here it is," Betty said, pulling aside a fern frond to reveal a small, glimmering lake sitting in the middle of the woods.

I couldn't help but gasp softly as I stepped onto the rocky shore.

The moon hung low and full in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the tranquil water. The entire lake was surrounded by trees aside from one cottage sitting at the far end, entirely secluded. It was like something out of a dream: peaceful and idyllic, exactly what I needed after the day I'd had.

As we set our things down, Gavin didn't waste any time. There was a rope hanging from a nearby tree branch, and he grabbed it with a grin, his laughter ringing out into the air as he launched himself into the water with a wh**p.

in, the water's great!" he called out when

a bottle of wine. "Last one

The initial shock of the cool water was startling, but as I surfaced, pushing my wet hair back from my face, I already felt better. I couldn't help but

wine bottle in one hand. "You look

warmth that spread through my chest, the

1/4

Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 115

said, handing the bottle

here all the time as a teenager whenever I

second secret place you've shared with me,

When I raised an eyebrow, Betty added, "The attic bedroom used to be my

69%a

around in the background. "Look, I... I know you're going through some stuff. I don't know

her head, taking a swig from the wine bottle. She handed it to me, and I did the same. "Thank you. Betty," was all I could

began to backstroke away-a silent offer of some much-needed space to clear my head. I decided to take a quiet swim by myself along the rocky shore. The wine had loosened my muscles, and the gentle lapping from. of the water against my skin was soothing, like

struck it hard, and I let out a yelp of pain, the sharp sting jolting up my leg. "S**t," I

away to hear me. I was close enough to the cottage, though, so gritting my teeth, I swam toward the small dock, the effort making

managed to pull myself up onto the weathered wood, wincing as I examined my foot in the dim moonlight. The sight of the blood made me feel light-headed. It looked worse than it

thought. Now I was going to get in trouble for tre**ing on top of everything else.

footsteps approaching, and then a familiar voice called

his hand and a look of surprise written across his face. His presence was the last thing I expected, and it took

the same thing," he said, slowly sipping his whiskey. This

bitter laugh, feeling entirely as if I was having another nightmare. "Of course it is. Because apparently, I can't escape you

fell to my foot, and his expression shifted to one of genuine concern. "You're bleeding. Come inside, let me

my friends seemed suddenly overwhelming, but as I looked around, I could see a dirt path snaking out from Edwin's

13:01 Wed, Sep 180

Chapter 115

through his hair in frustration as he followed my limping gait toward the path. "Audrey, don't be stubborn. You don't have to forgive me, but at least let me put a band-aid on it." I wanted to refuse, to tell him to go to hell. But my steps faltered and although I attributed it to the pain in my foot, there was another part of me nagging me to stay.

muttered, not meeting his gaze. "But this doesn't change