Between the desks

Chapter 97

Next Saturday...

Elizabeth's POV

The entire week had been different—off-kilter, full of anticipation that gnawed at me from the inside out. My nerves were constantly on edge, a slow burn that refused to let up. I had a date today. A date with her. For days, my mind had been consumed with nothing but thoughts of Amren—her voice, her touch, her eyes. And every hour that passed brought me closer to tonight.

I was anxious. I was needy. Above all, I was hopelessly in love.

It had been weeks since that kiss, but I could still feel the heat of her lips on mine. The memory of it haunted me, lingering like a half-remembered dream I couldn't shake. The way her hands had gripped my waist, how our breath had mingled for those electric seconds. My whole world had shifted after that kiss, and I'd been an absolute mess ever since.

Scar had noticed. Aubrey and Kathryn too. They all saw how distracted I was, how I'd been carrying myself differently. But none of them knew the truth—they had no idea it was Amren who had unraveled me like this. They knew I was in love, sure, but they thought it was someone else. Scar, especially, was thrilled that I was "finally over Amren." She kept telling me how proud she was that I had moved on, and I'd nod along, biting my tongue, knowing full well that I had never been deeper in.

I was far from over Amren. In fact, I was drowning in her. I craved her—everything about her. The sound of her laugh, the way her gaze could pierce through me like she knew every thought I tried to hide. I was completely and utterly addicted.

I stood in front of my mirror, my reflection staring back at me with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. I had picked out my white suit for the evening, the one I only ever wore for special occasions. The crisp fabric clung to my body, the subtle dip of cleavage just enough to feel confident without being too obvious. My pearl stilettos completed the look, elegant but understated. I wanted to feel powerful tonight—like I was in control, even though my heart was racing out of control beneath the surface.

My hair, now shorter than it used to be, had been styled with just enough wave from the curler to give it a soft, polished look. I spritzed on my favorite perfume, the one Amren had once complimented me on. I glanced at the clock—it was 19:54. Any minute now.

I had sent Amren my address earlier, and she told me she was on her way. I knew it was about a twenty-minute drive from her place to mine. I'd been there before, though not under the same circumstances. This wasn't tutoring, wasn't an excuse to discuss coursework. This was different. Tonight was... intimate.

I took a deep breath, smoothing my hands over my suit. My palms were damp with nerves, but I couldn't help it. The thought of seeing her again, of being with her outside of the university walls, sent waves of anxious excitement through me. I tried to shake it off, but there was no escaping it.

Then, I heard it—a car pulling into the driveway. My heart leaped into my throat, my legs suddenly feeling like jelly. I rushed to the window, peeking out just in time to see Amren step out of her car. The sight of her took my breath away.

She looked... stunning. Absolutely stunning. Her black silk dress clung to her figure in all the right ways, the fabric swaying delicately around her legs as she moved. A slit revealed just enough of her thigh to make my pulse quicken, and her hair, slicked back, gave her an air of confidence and grace that was intoxicating. Even from this distance, I could catch a faint hint of her perfume—something heady and sweet that sent my senses reeling.

I practically flew down the stairs, opening the door just as she reached it. And then there she was, standing before me, more beautiful up close than I had prepared myself for.

"Good evening, Professor," she greeted me with a teasing smile, her voice smooth and confident. She was shorter than me, and as I looked down at her, I could see the subtle play of amusement in her eyes.

"Good evening, Amren," I replied, my voice coming out lower than I expected, barely concealing the nerves underneath.

She stepped inside, and for a moment, we stood in the entryway, the air between us charged with unspoken tension. My gaze drifted down her body, taking her in, and before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out.

"You look beautiful."

She blushed—actually blushed—and it made my heart flip in my chest. "I could say the same thing about you," she replied, her voice soft, almost shy. The way her eyes flickered over me sent a rush of heat to my cheeks.

God, why did she have to be so perfect?

"You ready to go?" she asked after a beat, her smile returning as she gestured towards the door. I nodded, too flustered to trust my voice, and we both stepped outside. The silence between us was thick, but not uncomfortable—it was the kind of silence that buzzed with anticipation, with things neither of us knew how to say.

Amren walked ahead, opening the passenger door for me with a small smile, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of warmth at the gesture. Always such a gentlewoman. I slid into the seat, and she moved around to the driver's side, her presence filling the car as she sat beside me.

As she started the engine and pulled out of the driveway, I stole a glance at her. Her hands gripped the steering wheel with a quiet confidence, her profile illuminated by the glow of the streetlights as we passed under them. She looked calm, collected, but I could feel the tension radiating off her. It matched mine. This wasn't just any night for her, either.

The quiet between us stretched, and my fingers itched to break it. I wanted to say something—anything—but my mind was a jumble. Every word felt too heavy, too loaded. Instead, I let myself just look at her, taking in the delicate curve of her jaw, the way her lips parted slightly as she concentrated on the road.

Damn, she was so beautiful.

As if sensing my gaze, Amren glanced over, her lips curving into a small smile. "What's on your mind, professor?" she asked softly, her voice cutting through the silence like a warm breeze.

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. There was so much on my mind—too much. But when I met her eyes, I felt the words slipping free before I could stop them.

"You," I admitted quietly, my heart pounding as I spoke. "I've been thinking about you. All week."

Her smile deepened, though her eyes flickered with something more—something intense, like she had been thinking the same thing. She reached over, her hand brushing mine for the briefest second before she pulled it back to the wheel.

"Me too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a weight in her words, a gravity that made my chest tighten.

We drove in silence after that, the unspoken tension hanging heavy between us. Every moment felt like it was stretching out, full of potential, full of something I wasn't sure how to handle. But one thing was certain—I wanted tonight. I wanted her.

And I knew, deep down, she wanted me too.