Chapter 37: Part 37

I kissed Abel again. And I had barely even registered how it felt when it was happening, considering that I had already been too taken in by the fact that we were finally able to move past the idle press of lips. That felt more important at the time than realising how much I liked kissing the Alpha or noticing how soft his lips were and how perfect they felt against my own. But now that I was slowly getting on my feet, knees feeling shaky, it came rushing to me all at once; my face heated up, and I blushed furiously.

What was I thinking? That was the Dean of our university, and if he had caught us in such a position, hell would break loose. With my brother still in town, the situation might have only escalated.

I could feel the warmth of my blood rushing to my cheeks. Swiping a tongue across my bottom lip, I realised that I could still taste his salty release. In the back of my mind, I knew then that resisting the Alpha after that experience would probably end up being even more difficult than before.

I swallowed noisily, wincing at the sore sting that coursed through me as I held the chair for support. What now? I thought, my cheeks burning red, shifting on my feet. At least I was wearing wide-leg jeans, or my bruised knees would have been displayed for everyone to see.

"Uh..." I fiddled with the chair's fabric, digging my nails in, unsure how to proceed further. This was my first time doing things with a guy who wasn't my boyfriend. My first casual hook up. And it's with a Professor. I winced the more I kept having those kinds of thoughts.

"So..."

We started simultaneously, a grin curving on his lips, almost blinding. He motioned for me to continue, the chair creaking under his weight as he sagged back.

Abel pulled his pants, taking his time to button them before he slumped in the chair with a sigh, running his hands through the mussed hair. I followed the motion with a hitch in my breath, knowing I was the one to tug on them earlier.

The mobile phone on his desk rang, almost startling the both of us. He cursed under his breath before eyeing the screen and letting out a huff.

"It's the Dean! He needs to learn a thing or two about patience. Please excuse me..."

I nodded, averting my eyes and roaming around the room. Abel began to speak in a hushed voice while I took in the interior of his office. Nothing much changed from the last time I had been here.

My eyes narrowed on the photo on his desk, of a young Abel receiving a degree. There was no smile on his face, severe and bored while he faced the camera. I wondered what happened over the course of a decade that made him like this.

"Sorry for the disturbance..." He cleared his throat, snapping me out of my thoughts. "He won't leave me alone until I meet him."

I shrugged at him, my voice coming hoarse and wrecked. "I-It's alright. I should be on my way. My classes are done for the day."

His gaze seared into my skin, a devilish smile taking over as he took in my voice. “Are you sure? I can drop you..."

"No! No, it's fine. I'll walk home."

"Okay..." He reluctantly nodded, standing up and picking up his blazer on the way. I turned on my feet, a gasp slipping past me as his hand settled over my back, warm and encompassing. "Let's go."

"Sir, what are you..."

"Abel", He uttered his name, the air growing heavy and thrumming sluggishly as it wrapped around us. "Call me by my name, Emma." The Alphas voice was low, wanting.

I blushed harder, a shiver running down, toes curling as I tilted my head up to meet his gaze, "Umm...but..." I trailed while he regarded me with frustration, longing, gazing down at my parting lips, watching as a shaky breath escaped them.

"I want you to call me by my name, although sir isn't all that bad..."

The implication behind his words was clear, making my cheeks heat up. Swallowing the lump lodged in my throat, I slowly nodded, averting my gaze.

"Okay, Abel." I exhaled the name, the feel of it lovingly slipping from my tongue. His eyes caught on the soft movement of my lips, the grip of his hand tightening slightly. I was startled minutely when I felt his other hand reach up, the pad of his thumb gently caressing my jaw.

"Good. I'll see you soon." He said, and just like that, he was gone.

***

I walked into my apartment, a smile still present on the curves of my lips as I dropped my bag on the bed. My eyes widened when I caught the reflection in the mirror. I took in the dark reds and purples that had bloomed across my neck, the unruly and tangled hair, my lips red and swollen. A giddy feeling sat in the bottom of my stomach with the knowledge that Abel was the one who did this, fingers ghosting over his marks on my neck.

After trying and failing to tame my

hair, I left the bathroom, heading to the kitchen searching for food.

"Allie?" I raised a brow, spotting her rush through the doors.

"Your brother is an ass!"

I blinked at the aggressive tone, my arms falling by my side. "O-Okay. What did he do?" My eyes scanned her appearance, taking in the wild hair and pink bag sliding off her arm.

"Where do I start?"

"Maybe from the beginning...." I joked while she slammed the door behind her with a thud.

"He has been nothing but an ass to me ever since he returned. I tried to be nice; believe me, he surrendered in that stupid drinking game on purpose, declined my lunch invitation and instead agreed to go on a date with this bimbo from work who chews gum!"

I watched as she exhaled loudly, slumping on the couch, head thrown back.

"Oh?" I made a sound. "Maybe he likes her."

"That's all you got?!" Allie huffed. "You both siblings are the same." With that, she stomped to her room and slammed the door again.

***

I decided to go and talk to my dear brother next door about the reason behind Allie's foul mood. She rarely reacted like this. My phone pinged with a text. It's Avon.

Where are you? I have been looking all over for you.

I cursed under my breath. He asked me to meet him after the class, and I went away.

Sorry. Allie called me back. It's an emergency.

Shame crawled my features about lying to him, but I could not tell him the real reason. Especially knowing he and Abel had some weird rivalry.

Oh no, is it serious? I can swing by if you want.

No, no, it's under control. I'll see you in class tomorrow.

Are you not working at the cafe today?

My thumbs hovered above the keys; a choked up feeling in my chest. I was not ready to go back as it only bought terrible memories.

Not today.

Okay. I'll see you later x

I eyed the x at the end but did not think much of it, pocketing my phone after replying to him. He might have accidentally pressed it.

With a suppressed sigh, I rushed to my dresser, jittery about picking an outfit before I did not care about putting effort into picking my dress, slipping on a loose tee and a pair of loose washed up jeans.

After staring, I pulled out a pair of neon shorts and a white casual tee, tight around my chest but with loose sleeves. While dressing, I could not help but think about Abel, his broad, expressive eyes and the lush curve of his full mouth. About how he talked with his hands, expression and movements mirroring the calm, slow nature of his voice. There's a healthy flush to my cheeks, borne of thinking about the Alpha a bit too explicitly, but I blamed it on having a long shower and on the heat of the afternoon pressing against the windows.

***

The first thing I saw outside Abel's door was it's ajar. I pushed through and stepped inside, shivering at the warm air hitting me. The hallway was empty, but surprisingly neat, save for a pillow and a shawl on the floor next to the couch.

"Hello? Is anyone in here?" I called out, my voice echoing inside.

"Emma?" My brother's familiar voice echoed back. "Is that you?"

"Yes!"

"We are on the balcony. Come in."

I pushed past the doors; my breath lodged in my lungs when I saw Abel sprawled out on a white bench, his hand resting on his toned stomach and eyes shut as he soaked up the warm summer sun. His shirt was gaping open to mid-chest, and a glass was placed next to the table.

***