The Last Architects

Chapter Seven.

I couldn't believe I'd given the professor my number. Let alone, that he'd used it. Which I mean, he was entitled to. But I still needed to remind myself it was purely attraction.

Technically, I was dating Heidi, as that's what we'd agreed on to keep me out of trouble with my family. But as pretty as she was, I had no physical connection to her.

"Professor, can I ask a question before we start?" I looked him over as I leaned against his desk in the empty classroom.

"Yes?" He looked up from getting his art supplies, and I was curious what brands he used.

"It might be too personal to ask a teacher, but I was curious how old you were?" He had said he wanted to start with sketching my hands, so I began to roll up my sleeves as I spoke, not seeing anything special as I stared down at my palms.

"I'm 29, just turned." Oh, wow. He looked much younger... When he walked closer, I could feel myself getting slightly flustered. "You?"

"I turn 18 later in the month. I just asked because you seemed really young to be a teacher, but I guess now it makes sense." I chuckled, lifting a hand. "How would you like it?"

"May I?" He gestured to fix it how he wanted, and I nodded, letting him take my hand. His were awfully soft for an art teacher... most of the time, even mine got rough from holding a paintbrush too long, but with the gentleness he held my hand, I almost started to laugh.

"I won't break, Professor Rand, just move it however you'd like and I'll try and keep it in place, I've never modeled before for anyone except myself." I shook my head, moving to sit on the desk to be more comfortable when it seemed like the possibility of my hand being raised for a good amount of time was high.

"Oh, actually, pardon." I was confused for a moment until he pulled out a chair, "mind I get a little of your face?" I didn't really know how to answer, and as he started to adjust me into the pose he wanted, I paused.

"No, I don't mind, but do you want me to take my jacket off first?" I looked up at him, leaning my arms against the wood as he directed, "it's kinda big, so I wouldn't want it ruining your inspiration."

"If you'd be so kind." He seemed to always be smiling, but I couldn't let myself be fooled over such little things... "I know it's silly but I feel so bossy already." His deep chuckle had me actually paying attention once I realized I was zoning out, and I stared up at him with an expression I didn't think was too subtle as he put on his glasses.

"Huh?- Oh, no, Professor, hardly so. My old teachers were much more stern and I wasn't even modeling for them, so don't worry." I waved my hands before pulling my jacket off my shoulders, looking down to close up the last two buttons that I deemed were a bit too low. "I'm a bit nervous, to say the least, but that's completely me, you're perfect." No way I just fucking said that.

"Why, thank you, Ema. I'm flattered." He laughed and I wanted to hide, just barely did I even manage to meet his gaze when he leaned forward on the desk across from me, seemingly looking over the pose he had chosen, "you'll be an amazing muse for someone if you aren't already, so it does mean a lot." He winked and I wanted to cover more of my face, knowing I was surely blushing by now.

But as he took out his pencil, I knew I could suck it up a bit longer. I had agreed to this, afterall. It's not like he was making me uncomfortable. I was doing a fine job at doing that to myself. "Sorry, sometimes I still deal with translation errors. I'm fluent, but mistakes happen. So if I say anything that doesn't make sense... Blame that..." I chuckled more awkwardly than anything else, rolling my head back before he started sketching.