e symphony of Dr. Alistair Finch's voice. To anyone else, he was just another academic-pas

ehead as he leaned over the podium, the precise, elegant movements of his hands as he emphasized a poi

es, with a lean frame dressed in perfectly tailored twe

th more doodles of his pr

ing me with my elbow. "You're staring so hard you'

"I am not. I'm contemplating the s

smirked, her

sed us, his smooth baritone vibrating in my

ty Tap," Chloe called

ollowed. "Work out

-out speaker thumped a generic beat. We found a wobbly tabl

ble. A wobbly, green-necked beer

grin w

r dare,

Always

ar

e you... to kiss a guy.

ud jocks. A couple in a corner booth, practically fused together. An older m

old man was the least terrifying option. I could make it quick, a peck on the cheek,

t-there" mission after my breakup with Mark. They meant well,

im, the vinyl cracked and stick

tarted, my voice

nk. Clean laundry, old books, something l

tric, a jolt of recognition that shot straight to my core

was

Fi

and arms. His hair was slightly messy, falling over those intense grey eyes. He looked younger, softer, more

ed, his voice a low rumble th

mind a complete blank. "

wasn't the polite, professional smile fr

scent enveloping me. His bre

ed. "And what, exac

dry. "To... t

to be undeniable. He didn't look surprised

ide of my wrist. His eyes flickered towards my table, where Chloe

he chatter, it all faded to a dull hum, repl

ed to my lips,

m?" He gave a minute tilt of his

. safe," I b

my name. I was in his class. But the way he said it, like a s

amed at me to run, but my feet were rooted to the sticky floor. This was a line, a bri

brushing lightly against my lower lip. The touch

n us. The heat of his palm on my cheek

expressio

remembered

fell away

tment flashed through m

a hand through his hair. His jaw tighten

ad idea," he

harder than th

were openly staring now, whisp

ack to my frie

ied, though he didn

r of u

us felt sharp enou

ed smile-the careful, controlled vers

ur evenin

leaving me standing there with my pulse racin