CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The very next morning , Eleanor found herself lying awake in her bed. She couldn't sleep, and her thoughts were consumed by the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped her.

It had only been hours since her heated encounter with Kamsi, leaving her more confused about her life than she initially was.

She knew deep down she felt something for Alexander, her Professor, she couldn't deny the sparks that flew between them but the memory of Kamsi's lips on hers still sent shivers of pleasure down her spine.

Eleanor groaned as she dragged herself out of bed, her mind a battlefield of emotions after the passionate kiss she had shared with Kamsi. The weight of unspoken desires hung heavy in the air, and she knew she had to confront her feelings.

Despite her internal turmoil, Eleanor went through her morning routine and prepared for class. As she sat in her seat, the memory of Kamsi's lips on hers and the rush of desire it had ignited kept playing on a loop in her mind. What did that kiss mean for their friendship? Could they return to being just friends after crossing such a passionate threshold?

Lost in thought, Eleanor scarcely noticed the beginning of the class. Her mind wandered, torn between the magnetic allure of Kamsi and her admiration for her enigmatic art professor, Professor Thornton. Just as she was deep in contemplation, Professor Thornton's voice broke through her reverie, bringing her back to the classroom.

His voice cut through her thoughts, and she felt a chill run down her spine as she met his stern and pissed-off gaze.

His normally composed and enigmatic demeanor had given way to a sharp irritation, and his jaw was ticking with an undercurrent of anger. The intensity of his gaze seemed to burn through her, "I'd like you to pay attention to the class unless there's something you want to share with the rest of the class" his voice seemed to have venom in it and Eleanor felt a blush creep up her cheeks as he reprimanded her to pay attention to the class

Her heart raced, both from the intensity of his anger, Eleanor, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment, quickly apologized to Professor Thornton for her inattentiveness. However, all she received in return was a harsh glare from him. His anger and annoyance were palpable, and he made no effort to acknowledge her apology.

With a heavy heart, she turned her attention back to the class, determined not to further provoke his ire. Her thoughts were tumultuous, a mixture of confusion about her feelings and frustration at his harsh response. What had crawled up his ass to make him so irritable today?

Eleanor couldn't help but regret choosing to sit at the front of the classroom today, especially after the stern reprimand from Professor Thornton. As the class went on, she made a conscious effort to pay attention and keep her wandering thoughts in check.

When the class finally ended, she watched the rest of the students pack up and leave. Her eyes followed the professor as he retreated to his office, leaving her alone in the classroom. The uncharted territory of her desires beckoned her, and she couldn't resist the pull any longer.

With a determined breath, Eleanor packed up her things slowly, waiting for the last student to leave. Her eyes remained fixed on the closed door of Professor Thornton's office. As soon as she saw the last student make their exit, she seized the opportunity and gathered her courage.

Without knocking, she walked briskly to his office door, pushed it open, and entered, her heart pounding in her chest.

Eleanor entered Professor Thornton's office, finding him standing in front of his desk with his back turned to her, engrossed in a book. Her heart was still racing as she tentatively broke the silence, asking, "Did I do something to offend you?"

He placed the book down on his desk and let out a sigh before turning around to face her. However, he remained silent, his bored expression revealing nothing about his current mood. His gaze drifted over her face, then downward to her neck, where her pulse quickened beneath her skin.

The moment his eyes darkened, Eleanor felt a shiver down her spine. It was as though the anger that had simmered within him earlier had been reignited, but for reasons she couldn't quite fathom.

As Professor Thornton took a step toward her, Eleanor instinctively took a step backward. His voice, low and gruff, sent a shiver through her. His words hung in the air like a heavy curtain of tension, and she could feel his intensity weighing upon her.

He continued, his tone dripping with an enigmatic mix of anger and something else she couldn't quite decipher, "You tell me, Eleanor. Did you do something to offend me?"

Eleanor struggled to find words, Eleanor replied with a quiet, almost inaudible, "No," to his question, her voice trembling in the charged atmosphere. Professor Thornton's lips curled into a smile, but his eyes, dark and conflicted, betrayed the true complexity of his emotions.

With a soft but possessive grip, he reached out and his hand gently curled around her neck. He turned her head to the side, exposing her neck to his searching gaze. His voice dripped with venom as he asked, "Why do you have a hickey on your neck?"

Eleanor's heart pounded in her chest as she met his accusing eyes."Explain, Eleanor," he demanded, his eyes searching hers for a truth she wasn't sure how to articulate.

AUTHORS NOTE: I wonder how Eleanor will get herself out of this one lol😊❤️❤️❤️