The following week Eden found herself sitting in the classroom for Dark Histories: Fact and Folklore writing frantic notes, hanging on every word, every syllable that came out of Professor Thorne's mouth.

  Eden kept replaying last week—Professor Thorne’s quiet offer of sanctuary, her own ridiculous moment of sniffing the air like a lunatic. She wanted to scrub it from her memory until it was only a smudge.

  However, nothing out of the ordinary occurred when she'd stepped foot into the classroom. Professor Thorne didn't even look up from his notes when she walked in and hadn't called on her or even so much as look in her direction. Maybe she'd imagined him offering his office as a sanctuary to her the week prior? Had she imagined his smile after she'd leaned over to catch a whiff of his scent? Was it all in her head?

  Eden shook her head to clear it of thoughts. Ruminating over what did or did not happen was not going to get her a good grade in this class. She had a goal of graduating with a 4.0 and that was only going to happen if she focused.

  That was the moment where Professor Thorne's gaze latched onto hers and the entire classroom faded away. She felt his gaze like a flame licking across her skin—thrilling, dangerous, impossible to ignore.

  The glance only lasted a second but Eden felt time stretch - hot and breathless - between them. A corner of the professor's lip twitched up in a smirk as he focused his attention on another unsuspecting student. Eden felt cold after having burned from his attention. Her heart rate slowed to a normal cadence. In a frantic jolt, she started taking notes again. She made a mental note to purchase a recording device so that she could always hear his voice and commit it to memory.

  Like every week before, the room cleared quickly of students as the others went about their evenings. Some to study, others to party, and others who would go straight to bed. Normally she would head to her dorm-room to study and then go to sleep to ensure she had plenty of rest for the following day. Tonight Eden had a different plan.

  Eden lingered at her spot in the second row fiddling with her books and notes, she wanted to be perceived as busy so that she wouldn't draw the attention of the other students. After packing away her things, she slung her bag over her shoulder and looked up meeting Professor Thorne's eyes. He was shuffling papers for longer than was necessary. She could have sworn he was fidgeting with his papers to buy time just as she had messed with her supplies.

  As she descended the stairs, Professor Thorne turned away from her and went to his office door that was nestled at the back of the classroom. He gently pushed the door open and stepped to the side, gesturing for her to enter first. "Are you sure?" she asked tentatively. "Always" he said in return.

  Eden's heart pounded. She had never dreamed of having an intimate moment like this with anyone let alone her professor. He had offered though so she knew she wasn't intruding on anything. She smiled at him as she passed the threshold into his office.

  It smelled like him. Books, coffee, and comfort. The lights were dim and yellow. Books surrounded the walls from the floor to the ceiling. There were even piles of books strewn around the floor and a single wood desk set off to the side. There were no windows, or if there were they were hidden behind the many bookshelves.

  Eden heard the door close softly behind her and felt the professor's presence as he shifted further into the office. It hit her, all at once—the intimacy of the space, the blurred lines they were toeing. She turned quickly to leave, but collided with Professor Thorne's chest instead.

  "Eden," Professor Thorne said gently, his hands having come up to hold onto her arms to hold her in place. She peered into his eyes and could see her reflection in his glasses. Wide eyes. Wild hair. "Eden, you're safe."

  She felt his thumb start to rub circles on her arm. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes taking in the comfort of his presence and the aroma of the office. She knew better than to let this moment longer, to continue down this road, but she'd never had a connection like this before. It was a risk she was willing to take.

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  "Would you care for some tea?" he asked her. Eden nodded, her eyes were still closed. She shivered slightly as she felt him step away from her, his body heat vacating the space he'd been moments before.

  The professor messed with an electric tea kettle and some mugs, scooping loose tea into an infuser and dropping one into each mug. He stood with his back to her. She watched as his shoulders rose and fell. He turned his face enough to look at her from over his shoulder.

  Eden took a moment to browse the many books, not focusing on any single one but letting her be naturally drawn to them. "How many?" she asked, not turning away.

  "Too many to count," he said with a soft chuckle. She felt his warmth return by her side as he stood next to her, a cup of tea in his extended hand. An offering. Their hands touched briefly as she took the mug. She smiled warmly at him ignoring the jolt of electricity that she felt from that touch. Then she watched as his own mug reached his lips and his adam's apple bobbed as the liquid moved down his throat. She took a sip of her own tea, chamomile for a calming effect.

  "Not coffee?" she asked after her first sip. Not that she was complaining. Tea and coffee had their places for each day. Coffee to start the day, tea to unwind at the end of the day. He shook his head. "If I drink caffeine past two in the afternoon, I'll be awake all night." His eyes crinkled at the edges with a smile. Eden noticed the smile didn't seem as bright as some of his other ones. This one was tinged with sadness.

  The hint of his age may have drawn him some concern but it didn't bother her at all. She touched his arm slightly, "I love tea. Especially in the evenings. It feels like a warm blanket wrapping you up softly for a cozy night." The professor smiled at this and took another sip of tea. "I like cozy," he said.

  The rest of the evening was spent surrounded by books and each other's presence. Eden felt a closeness to the professor, a desire to be near him, in a way that she had never encountered before. She hoped that he felt the same way. Even though it went against every rule and regulation, she wanted him to want her.

  ****

  Journal Entry: 252.

  I knew better than pursue her but I felt drawn to her. To her presence. To her mind. To her attention.

  Years had passed since anyone looked at me the way she does. I know about the rumors students circulate about me. None of it mattered. Not until her.

  I remember the first day she entered my classroom. All of the students ignored her, pretended she didn't exist, but I saw her. I saw her the moment she walked in. Lithe, pale, dark hair framing her face. Her pink pouty lips. The desire to know what she tasted like was so strong in that moment, I didn't even know her name.

  I had to wait to call attention to her. I had to wait until it felt more appropriate. So I waited until I couldn't any longer.

  The look she gave me when I said her name nearly melted me where I stood. Her answer was as thought out as I knew it would be. I'd spent the weeks prior reading essays from her and knew that she was an intellectual not unlike myself.

  Then she lingered after class and tried to be subtle when she caught my scent. I saw what it did to her, her eyes darkened before they grew wide with shock when she realized I knew what she'd done. I couldn't help but chuckle. Her innocence almost made me want her all the more

  We've been spending more time together. More late nights drinking tea and discussing folklore, myth, and legends. I love her mind. I love the way she processes new ideas.

  The time we've spent together have been some of the best moments I've had in some time. I find myself struggling during the in-between moments where she's not around with whether I should continue to pursue her.

  Logic seems to be thrown out the window when I'm around her. The pull too strong.

  This goes against everything within academics. But what's the harm of it? She'll be in my class for one semester and then no longer will she be my student. We'll be free to connect in the open instead of hiding in the shadows.

  Considering how the university would frown upon us made it too easy for me to decide to ask her to become my aide. The University had been begging me to get one for years and I'd always refused. Eden would be perfect and it gives me an excuse to spend more time alone with her. No one would suspect what was really going on.

  Which is how we got to tonight. Grading papers in silence. Reading essay after essay with the quiet of my office and tea on our lips. Without thought, we both moved our hands toward the stack of papers, my hand resting on hers. I didn't move it. She didn't move hers. Our eyes locked and in that moment I knew she felt the same as me.

  Without wasting another moment, I leaned forward, taking her chin under my hand to raise her face towards mine. I wanted to peer into those deep brown eyes. I wanted to feel the heat of her breath on my face as I leaned closer and brushed my lips against hers.

  It was powerful. It was magical.

  Our kiss lasted but a moment. No need to be hasty with this. Considering the situation, professor and student, we need to be careful. There will be other nights. Other moments like this.

  I will ensure this is the road she wants to take. Based on the blush that crept up her cheeks tonight, I feel safe in believing this is what she wants.

  Still, I feel like an old fool acting like a young man. The age difference is not insignificant and I will bear it in mind as we continue to see each other.

  Andrew Thorne