Chapter 13

Cadella's POV

“So, if you aren’t against seeing me, does that mean that the offer still stands for assistance with projects and school?” I asked.

“Of course.” He smiled at me as he leaned back against the whiteboard.

“Thanks, I-I better go I have a lot of homework.” I mumbled suddenly feeling shy knowing that he was still at least willing to be friends.

I couldn’t mess this up again.

***********************************

Are we still on for this evening?

I smile as I picked up my phone.

Of course. 5pm in your classroom? I quickly type back.

Of course.

I knew that this was too quick to really develop any major feelings, but my heart disagreed. There was almost a familiarity about Vasile that made it easy. There was no awkwardness between us-even after the weekend of silence. Evenings passed too quickly and left me with another day to get through before I could see him again. The last week we had been in almost constant contact.

I smiled as I closed my eyes and thought of him. In my mind he was laughing. Laughing Vasile was something I could watch all day. His head was tipped back so far his longer hair on top was falling out of place. He looked back down to my face, and smiled so big small creases formed at the corner of his eyes. My heart skipped a beat.

Then said something and one side of his lips tipped up causing a small dimple to form on his cheek, while his eyes shined with laughter. It passed so quickly that I had to pay attention to see it before he broke into a full smile or start laughing. That was my favorite expression of his, and it only happened once in a while when he gave me a hard time about something.

But then there were times that I felt like he was holding back. Like there was secret he was holding back from me. I know we barely knew each other, but it felt like something was hanging over us-something big.

At first I thought I was imaging things. That I was seeing things that weren’t really there. I mean he was so polite and well mannered. But the more time I spent with him the it felt like things weren’t what I was imaging they were. That it was forced, or he was holding something back. Sometimes it was his eyebrows drawn together above his sharp nose, almost like he was in pain. Or a slight widening of his eyes as he inhaled sharply, like I’d caught him off guard or made him remember something painful. They were all little signs that if I wasn’t paying attention I would miss.

But I couldn’t not pay attention to him. I’d studied the man long enough that I could picture him in some of my favorite poses with such ease it was like looking at an actual photograph. Like him when we were alone in his classroom.

I was sitting in the first row, directly in front of his desk. Vasile was standing in front of his desk; his usual suit jacket was hanging off his chair behind him. He was leaning on the edge of the desk, his long legs crossed at the ankle as they stretched out in front of him. His button up long sleeve shirt was rolled to just above his elbows.

The corded muscles rolled and bunched under his skin as he stabilized himself with his hands on either side of his lean body. The white shirt bounced ever so slightly as his shoulders raised and lowered as a deep chuckle broke from his throat. His dark hair fell forward over his forehead as he dropped his head and gently shook it.

Then his eyes would raise back to study me, and if I was lucky his white teeth would be barely on display as he bit his lower lip and heat burned behind his eyes. It was a small micro expression that was gone before he looked fully up at me, but it was there, and always made me clench my thighs together.

Something that happened more and more recently. A need that I couldn’t meet on my own anymore and was growing steadily inside of me, only leaving me more hungry and needy for a partner. I believe the culprit was the dreams that suddenly stopped and hadn’t started again.

Instead of waking up flushed in damp sheets, I tossed and turned all night. Unable to settle in my bed. At first, I blamed it on being in a new space. I never slept well the first few nights in a new place, but now I was almost a month in. I should be settled.

My gaze fell onto my bare shoulder, the spot where the gold and blue broach normally sat. Usually, I felt called to it. Like the pull that had made me reach for the box in the first place. Tonight, I didn’t feel that, but I almost missed the heavy weight I’d grown accustomed to.

My phone beeped pulling me from my thoughts.

Are you on your way?

I smiled as I typed out a confirmation and grabbed my already packed bag. I gave myself one last look in the mirror. Satisfied I looked nice, without looking I was trying too hard, I left my dorm and locked the door behind me.

Tonight, was going to be a make-or-break night. I’d gone back and forth all week about whether to have the conversation I was about to have. Taking a steady breath, reinforcing my resolve, I walked quickly to Vasile’s classroom.

The sidewalks were busy tonight, but I figured it would be. Everyone was preparing for the Halloween festival that was coming up and it was a Friday night. Students were looking to let loose and start off the weekend being around friends.

I was suddenly glad that I was more of a loner. I could only imagine what it would be like to have to explain that I was going to spend my Friday night with a professor instead of with other students. That I was going to spend my evening talking about history, lore, and legends instead of going partying.

Mentally, I winced. My inner nerd was showing big time.

Opening the door to the building Vasile’s classroom was in I paused for a moment. Taking one last deep breath I smiled as I opened on the door. Stepping just inside, the smell of pizza made my stomach rumble.

Walking down the walkway between desks, I stared at Vasile. He was sitting at his desk, a red pen in his hand that was tapping on the desk. The long fingers on his other hand were threaded through the longer strands of hair on top of his head. A disapproving frown curved his lips downward. Whatever he was reading clearly wasn’t up to standards, something I knew annoyed him greatly.

He finished the page he was ready and made a mark in the top right corner and circled it. His poor pen splattered a few drops of ink from the aggressive strokes he used. The paper was not getting a good grade.

Setting my bag down, Vasile’s head snapped up and a surprised look passed over his face before he smiled. Concern made my heart flutter in my chest. He always heard me as soon as I entered the room. I let my eyes move over him, but it only made the concern grow more.

He looked tired. Something that I’d never seen on him before. I stepped to the desk.

“Is everything alright?” I asked.

“Yes, of course.” His smile grew. “I was starving, so I ordered a pizza. I got enough for both of us. Want a slice?” He asked pushing the box in my direction.

“Sure.” I said grabbing a paper plate from beside the box and putting a slice on it for me. “Do you want one?” I asked, noting that the pizza was still whole.

He’d waited for me to arrive before eating.

He nodded and I served him a piece. Walking around his desk I sat his plate down in front of him and leaned against the drawers beside him. His eyes ran over me, with an almost wary look, but he didn’t move or say anything. Instead, he grabbed his plate and pulled it a little closer before picking up the pizza and taking a bite.

We ate in silence as I worked up the courage to say what had been weighing on my mind. Thoughts raced around as I tried to put them in order, trying to make them make sense and not resort to my usual stuttering rambling that always seemed to happen in Vasile’s presence. My cheeks heated at the thought.

He chuckled and turned to face me as he pushed his empty plate away.

“What has you looking so red tonight, soricel.” He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees as he studied me.

“Nothing.” I muttered, shoving the last of my crust into my mouth while hoping he’d take the hint.

He didn’t.

His hand fell onto my side and squeezed.

“Liar.”

I rolled my eyes as I chewed, while my body hummed at his touch. The more we hung out the more I saw him catch himself reaching for me. I like his touch, craved it. Usually, he stopped himself or clenched his hands into fists before he even reached out. The last few times we’d gotten together he didn’t stop himself.

The touches were innocent. Drawing circles on my knee, or hand. Holding my knee or low on my thigh, a hand on my shoulder. Or even just sitting or standing close enough that our sides touched.

As much as I wanted his touch, his attention, I knew that his role as my professor caused conflict within him. It stopped him from going further, or at least I hoped that was what it was. I wanted him to go further. To touch me more, to let his hand wander higher up my thigh. My heart pounded heavily in my chest as I thought of his cool touch moving over me like the man from dream allowed his hands to wander.

“Cadella, tell me what you’re thinking.” He grumbled, his gaze darkening.

“I don’t think I should.” I mumbled.

“And why’s that?” A dark eyebrow raised to hide behind a lock of hair that fallen over his forehead.

“Because it’s highly inappropriate.”

“Oh, then you need to tell me. Those are my favorite.” His gaze darkened more, enough that his eyes almost changed color.

I shook my head. That’s crazy, my imagination was playing with me. Eyes don’t change color, especially from amber to a golden color that was almost red.

“I think I’m falling in love you.” I blurt.