Infected

Chapter 3

No one ever tells you what it's really like to have your breath stolen from you. Your mind freezes and your pulse flutters like butterfly wings, but it's also painful, like you're blinded by the sun but can't help staring, continuing to damage your sanity as you drink in the sight that's before you. You question what you're seeing, wondering how an anomaly can exist in such a mundane world.

I stare at the anomaly like it was going to disappear, with a slacked jaw and widen eyes that want to drink in every little detail of the being that's turned away from me on my boss's couch. 

Mel was right, as she normally is, Professor Daugherty was stunning to look at. But even with the accuracy she'd described him, there was no way she could've warned me about how distinguishing his features were. 

He had dark brown hair, groomed with little effort to show off the waves that sat on top of his head. His jawline was soft and clean shaven, and a build that was similar to Galen's, only I knew there were muscles hidden under the soft deep green sweater that he wore, stretching the fabric around his broad shoulders and defined biceps. 

It should be a crime to hide a body like that.

I find my voice before emabrassing myself further and respond to a question that I barely heard my boss give me, "I got you a coffee. I didn't know that you were having a visitor so soon, otherwise I would've gotten another one."

"That's okay, Elle. Allow me to introduce you to one of my nurses. Quin, this is Elle Tulle." 

The stranger stands up from the couch, unfolding his over six foot height, towering over my short stature to make me feel like a field mouse. This was three for three on the list of things that Mel had given to describe the new professor.

Galen turns to me and takes the coffee from my frozen hands, "he's going to be teaching this upcoming fall."

"Yeah, uh, Mel told me about that. For the history department right?"

"Yes, one of their professors is on an extended leave so I took the opportunity when the university called, with a small referral from Nathaniel of course." 

He offers me his slender hand to shake. Without thinking I reach out and am instantly shocked by what I could only think was static. His skin is cool to the touch, but that could've been from the abnormal weather outside.

My hand pulls away abruptly as he bows his head in apology, "Sorry about that, these sweaters always seem to hold onto static. Maybe I'll use more dryer sheets next time."

I still haven't looked seen his eyes, a detail that I'm sure is even more gorgeous than the perfect smile he's hiding with his bent head.

"Oh no it's fine. It's nice to meet you"

"It's lovey to meet you as well Ms. Tulle. That's a French name am I right?" he gives a questioning look finally making eye contact with me.

His eyes. 

I'd never seen anything so blue, even the most luxurious fabrics in the world couldn't amount to the pools that swirled between his soft lashes. they were like crystals, shining brightly under the florescence of the office lights. They're youthful yet wise, serious yet kind and demanded attention while they sparkled with flecks of metallic gold. They, like the rest of his face, are impossible to understand existing and once again take away all thoughts from my mind. 

"Yeah, my father's family is from Louisiana."

"Well it's a beautiful name"

"Thank you."