A Thief In The Night

Burden Of Proof

Izabella

I woke up to the smells of breakfast and the morning light landing on my face. I shook my head. I hadn't planned on being here this late. It wasn't something I thought was wise or particularly prudent.

I found his shirt on a chair, slipped it on, and buttoned it up. I turned my head and pressed my face into the collar of his shirt as I walked out of his bedroom and down the hall. It smelled like Bill. Like smoke from a fire or fall leaves that could burst into flames at any moment. Tinder. The word formed in my head and seemed correct to me. I felt like I melted every time I came near him.

"Morning. Did you sleep well?" Bill asked as he leaned against the counter, wearing only the robe I had seen him in earlier that night.

"Yes. What are you making?"

"Spinach and feta quiche. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good, smells good. I'm looking forward to it."

The Professor's kitchen was the open floor plan kind where the island in the center served as a sink, a prep counter, and a bar top. I sat on one of the fancy stools across from where he stood. On the other side of the island against the wall was the stove, fridge, an espresso machine, cabinets, and more counter space. To the left of the kitchen was a living room space, the right was a small dining area, then the short hall to the bedroom and the master bath.

"Would you like anything to drink? I have orange juice, coffee, wine."

Bill earned credit for not mentioning water in his list. "Do you have a straw?"

"I do, actually."

"OJ, please."

He pulled out a water cup with a fancy plastic straw and a lid emblazoned with a TU logo. "It was a faculty gift that I never managed to use. I'm more of a caffeine drinker." Bill filled the cup halfway with juice, closed the lid then handed it to me. He picked up his own coffee cup with a TU logo and took a drink as he watched me take a sip.

"Did you have any other plans for today?" He asked.

"No, not as of yet. My assignment is over. I'm due for a break. It wasn't easy following you around for several months to figure out where you kept the artifact. Now that I've been paid, I don't have to take another job for a while."

"That was refreshingly honest. You could have said no and left it at that."

"Yes," I said softly, with a playful look, and took another sip of my juice. The look on Bill's face was a combination of amusement and desire. It was my turn to be amused. He still had no idea what I was capable of, only that I was a thief and had a very peculiar allergy.

"How did you manage to follow me? I would have noticed you. I'm certain of it."

"Did you ever pay attention to when your students were absent?"

"No, they're adults, they either showed up to class, or they don't."

"Most of your students like you. You're a good lecturer. A bit dry at times, but funny."

"Oh?" He said as he came around the island, walked up to me, and leaned against the counter next to my chair. "I thought being dry was one of the qualities you liked."

I leaned toward him and carefully pressed a kiss to his lips. "Oh, yes. It is."

"So, how then?" I could see him thinking about it.

"You could read my mind like you have before."

"What's the fun in that? I could do a lot of things, but then what? Life is in the moments. Like cooking, I generally don't like to cheat the process."

"But you occasionally do." I pointed out.

"Occasionally." The smirk on his face was charming. I was sure he'd charm many people out of all kinds of things if he'd let himself.

"Tell you what, I'll attend your lectures tomorrow. If you can pick me out of your classes without cheating, I'll give you another date." I could tell he liked that idea.

"If I don't?"

"You give me another coin." Might as well give myself a reason to give him a demonstration.

"No cheating? For either of us?" He pointed between the two of us, and I nodded.

"Precisely."

"It's a wager then," Bill said as the timer buzzed its angry bee song, which indicated the quiche was ready.

We ate, and it was the first time I didn't feel like I had to be self-conscious about how careful or how slow I ate. The conversation stuck to the usual banter and chit chat.

After spending two days with him, it seemed odd to leave, but it felt necessary. I needed distance and perspective about Bill before I went any further. Then I realized my little challenge wasn't likely to give me that. I tried not to think about it as I dressed and prepared to leave. As he walked me to the door in his robe, I handed him his phone.

"Checking my call log?" He asked with a smile as he took his phone from me.

"You'll probably want to update your security code. And no, I added my number. If you think you identified me, you can text me and let me know."

"Clever. One moment." He typed something on his phone, and I felt my phone vibrate in my purse. "So you know who the text messages are coming from."

He leaned across the threshold of his door to give me another kiss. "See you in class tomorrow."

"If you're very lucky, Professor."