One Night With My Alpha Professor

Chapter 95 Audrey

I stepped out of the art supply store, clutching my new bundle of fabric and sewing notions to my chest. The soft, white cotton would be perfect for the outfit I was planning to make for Claudia's brunch-a smart pleated skirt and matching top. perfect for playing outdoor games, as Claudia had said.

The new materials had used up most of what was left of my spending money for the month, but I wanted to make a good impression-especially since I would be the only human amongst high society werewolves.

I couldn't help but grin at the thought. Me, à human, invited personally to Claudia Klein's home.

It was likely that the other guests would never expect someone like me to be there. Perhaps someday, when I finally made it in the fashion world, this would be one of those pivotal moments that I would be interviewed about in Vogue. My first foray into high society. Breaking the norms. Proving myself.

Of course, that was just wishful thinking. But a girl was allowed to dream, right?

As I headed home, the sweet scent of sugar and coffee wafted into my nostrils from a nearby bakery, making my stomach growl. I paused, eyeing the display of pastries in the window.

A coffee and a treat would be nice...

I pulled out my wallet, counting my change. After splurging on fabric, I wasn't sure if I had enough for a snack. But the aroma was too tempting to resist, and so I pushed through the doors, still holding my paper bag from the art supply shop, and got in line.

Inside the bakery, the warm air enveloped me, filled with the scent of fresh-baked goods. My mouth watered as I

approached the counter. The display case was filled with an array of pastries-flaky croissants, gooey cinnamon rolls, and

delicate fruit tarts.

"What can I get for you?" the barista asked. She was a young werewolf, probably around my age, with a bored expression that suggested she would rather be anywhere else.

"Um, could I get a latte and... one of those cinnamon rolls, please?" I pointed to the pastry case, my stomach already rumbling a bit in anticipation

She nodded, ringing up my order. "That'll be $7.50

I dug through my wallet, my heart sinking as I realized that I was just under a dollar short. "Oh," I muttered."

The barista cocked an eyebrow. "Problem?" she asked.

Swallowing, I slipped my wallet back into my purse. "I'm a dollar short, I admitted, my face flushing hot with embarrassment. "Never mind, I'll just-

Before I could finish, the barista rolled her eyes. "Typical," she muttered. "Humans always think they're entitled to waste everyone's time and not pay for their food."

I felt like I had been slapped. No matter how many years passed, I still never fully got used to those sort of snide comments. "That's not.. I didn't mean to-

Just as the barista was waving me away, a gruff voice suddenly said from behind me, "I'll pay."

With my eyes widening slightly, I turned to see none other than Edwin standing there, wearing sunglasses and a baseball hat that partially obscured his face. My heart skipped a beat. Even in disguise, I recognized him immediately.

"Oh, no, you don't have to-I started, but Edwin was already handling a wad of cash to the barista and ordering a black coffee for himself.

96

"Keep the change," he said, then hardened his expression. "And you should watch your tongue when speaking about my human girlfriend"

My face went from pink to a deep, red scarlet as Edwin put his arm around me. The barista's eyes widened, her previous boredom replaced by shock and maybe even a tiny hint of fear.

"I-I didn't know she was-" she stammered, looking between Edwin and me.

"Save it," Edwin cut her off, steering me away to wait for our drinks. His arm around me was warm and solid, and I tried not to tremble too pathetically as we strode away together,

Once we were out of earshot, I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding-although it was hard to breathe with his arm around me like that. "Why did you do that?" I asked, my heart still racing from his touch.

Edwin shrugged, his arm still around my shoulders. "I can't stand it when people mistreat humans." He glanced over his shoulder and grimaced, then shot me the tiniest ghost of a smirk. "I thought the 'girlfriend thing would really teach that

barista a lesson..

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, feg bashful. Part of me wished it had been true, that I really was his girlfriend. That would be nice, I thought.

But I pushed the thought away before it could take root..

Well, um... Thank you," I said softly. "You didn't have to do that

"I wanted to," he replied, his voice low. He finally removed his arm, and I felt the loss of his warmth immediately.

Our order was called a minute later, and Edwin grabbed our drinks and the cinnamon roll. He strode back over to me, handing me my cup and the small bag containing my pastry. I didn't hesitate to peel the paper bag and bite a piece off, not caring that a bit of the sugary glaze got on my lips.

Edwin, not mentioning the mess I had made of myself, nodded toward the bag that was clutched in my arms. "What's the fabric for?" he asked, pinching the crisp white fabric between his fingers.

"Oh, um... I have an event to go to," I said vaguely, not wanting to mention the brunch with Claudia. "I'm making a new outfit

for it."

To my surprise, Edwin didn't press about the event. But he did frown. "Audrey, I know you love designing clothes, but if you can't afford coffee, then maybe you don't need to make a whole new outfit every time you have to go somewhere," he chided.

1 sighed, nervously fiddling with the strap of my bag. "I know, I know. I just can't help it. I love the process of designing and sewing, even if it's not always the most.."I glanced guiltily down at the coffee and pastry in my hand. "...Financially responsible thing."

Edwin stared at me for a moment, although I couldn't tell whether he was amused by my passion for making clothes, entranced by the sugar on my lips, or disappointed in my financial irresponsibility. Maybe all three, it seemed, because suddenly he was reaching out and wiping the glaze off of my mouth.

I watched, too shocked to even move, as his thumb grazed my lower lip-slowly, sensuously, rough and warm against my skin. I shivered, then, as he slipped his tongue into his mouth and savored the sweet taste. His eyes never left mine the whole time, or at least, I assumed they didn't, but I could only see my own timid reflection in his sunglasses.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

But as soon as the moment had happened, it was over. "Come with me," he suddenly said, turning on Itis heel as though he hadn't just seduced rue in the middle of a coffee shop. "I want to show you something"

20

Curious, and still weak in the knees from what he had just done, I followed him out of the bakery and down the bustling street. It didn't take me long to realize where we were headed; I would recognize those brick facades and wrought iron balconies anywhere.

"Your apartment?" I breathed, hesitating in the doorway.

Edwin shot me a curious glance over his shoulder. "I just want to show you something. It won't take long"

I swallowed, but nodded and followed him inside and up the stairs leading to his place.

The apartment, of course, was just as I remembered it: dark wood shelves lining the walls, leather furniture, a little messy, the scent of cigar smoke and cologne in the air. The balcony doors were open, letting in the sunlight. Had I been here before during the daytime? I didn't think so.

head Edwin strode over to a closed door that I hadn't noticed before a closet, from the looks of it. I followed, cocking my curiously as he slid an old key into the lock and turned it with a satisfying click. When the door swung open, to reveal a dark room. I was met with the smell of fabric.

"Go on," he said, gesturing for me to enter. "Take a look."