my professor, my obsession || cillian murphy

chapter thirty three

     "Who was that kid?" Cillian's voice cut through the quiet of the car as he glanced at me, his brow knit with curiosity.

"That was Nick. He's... not my favorite person," I replied, a hint of disdain coloring my tone.

Cillian let out a soft chuckle, his amusement evident in the twinkle of his eyes. "Yeah, I can see that," he remarked, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Seems like he's got a thing for you."

"Maybe," I shrugged. "But it doesn't matter to me."

"I know," Cillian grinned knowingly. "Has he always been like that, though?"

"Honestly, I can't remember," I admitted. "Most of my high school memories are suppressed," I confessed, meeting Cillian's gaze with a faint shrug. "But I'm sure he hasn't changed much." Cillian's laughter filled the car, a warm sound that eased the tension in the air. "I think you got under his skin," I remarked, a smirk dancing on my lips.

"Good," Cillian replied, a satisfied glint in his eyes. "He deserved to be brought down a peg."

"Thank you," I chuckled appreciatively.

As we continued down the road, Cillian's question broke the momentary silence. "Can I take you somewhere?" he asked, his gaze lingering on me as he subtly increased the speed of the car, a playful spark igniting in his eyes.

"Take me anywhere you want," I urged him, excitement bubbling in my chest as I gazed out the window. A smile tugged at his lips, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes as he accelerated, the car humming beneath us as he navigated onto the freeway with practiced ease.

"How do you know where you're going?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by the sudden change in direction.

"I've been here a few times," he replied, a confident grin playing on his lips. "You're gonna love it."

With each passing mile, my anticipation grew, the unknown destination adding an extra thrill to the journey. As he turned off onto an unfamiliar exit, I couldn't help but wonder what surprise awaited me.

The road twisted and turned, leading us higher and higher until we reached its peak. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the breathtaking sight before us. Spread out like a glittering tapestry below, the city sprawled beneath us, its lights twinkling in the darkness. From this high point, we could see it all—the shimmering water, the iconic landmarks, even the distant silhouette of Alcatraz. 

It was a view unlike any other, a sight that took my breath away. Despite having lived in the city for years, I had never truly seen it from this perspective. It was a revelation.

"It's beautiful," I said softly as he parked the car.

"I knew you'd appreciate it," he remarked with a satisfied grin, his gaze fixed on me as I remained captivated by the view.

"It's amazing, but you know, I still miss the sky in Boulder," I confessed, my gaze still lingering on the horizon. "There's no stars here."

He gently tilted my chin, guiding my gaze to meet his own. His eyes glimmered as they flickered between my lips and my eyes. "Then I know the perfect place to take you when you come back," he said.

"Really?" I replied, a spark of curiosity igniting within me.

"Mhm," he murmured, his fingers deftly undoing my seatbelt before attending to his own. "Come here," he whispered, reclining in his seat and gesturing for me to straddle him.

A soft smile adorned my lips as I carefully positioned myself atop him, straddling his lap while his hands found their place on my hips. "God, you're stunning," he murmured, his intense gaze locking onto mine as if delving into the depths of my soul. "How did I get so lucky?" His voice was a tender whisper, his fingers gently threading through the strands of my hair.