One Night 96
Chapter 96 Audrey
Edwin flicked on the light, revealing what had been hidden inside the closet this whole time: sewing paradise.
Well, it wasn't just a closet-it was an entire workroom for sewing. Bolts of fabric lined the walls in a rainbow of colors and textures, a large cutting table dominated the center, and in the corner stood a mannequin with a half-finished suit pinned to
it.
"Edwin, this is... incredible." I breathed, turning slowly to take it all in. The smell of fabric and leather filled my nostrils, a comforting scent. But I couldn't help but notice the fine layer of dust on a lot of the surfaces, indicating that the room hadn't been used in some time.
He shrugged, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. "It's just a hobby. Nothing compared to your work, I'm sure.
"A hobby?" I snorted. "You're one of the biggest designers in the game."
Another shrug. "I just own the company. I don't design much of anything anymore."
Furrowing my brow, I approached the mannequin, and my fingers itched to touch the fabric. The craftsmanship was exquisite, every stitch perfect and precise. "This suit... Did you make this?" I asked, leaning closer to take in every little detail
Edwin nodded. "It's a work in progress, although I haven't touched it in months. I don't get much time to sew these days."
"You should finish it." Without thinking, I reached out to run my hand along the sleeve, admiring the smooth texture of the fabric. "It's love-
"Careful" Edwin warned, but it was too late.
"Ouch!" I yelped, having p**d my finger on a hidden pin in one of the pleats. A small bead of blood welled up on my fingertip
In an instant, Edwin was beside me. He took my hand gently in his, examining the tiny wound. His touch sent a shiver sc**tling down my spine, but I didn't pull away.
"You should be more careful," he murmured. Then, to my shock, he brought my finger to his lips and gently sucked the drop of blood away. His lips were warm and soft against my skin and I felt my face flush hot.
"... um..."I stammered, unable to form a coherent thought. What had gotten into Edwin lately? Was he still thinking about our date at the planetarium? The memory of his kiss that night flooded back, making my heart race.
Desperate to change the subject, I blurted out, "Why didn't you show me this room before?"
Edwin released my hand, his expression unreadable. "It wasn't pertinent until now, I guess. I don't usually share this space with anyone." He paused, the slightest ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. Now that he had removed his hat and glasses, I could see a sparkle in his eye.
"Not that anyone but you has ever visited me here," he added.
Again. I found myself flustered at his words. But I quickly turned, averting my gaze to a folded ream of fabric sitting on the worktable.
"So you don't sew anymore?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. I ran my hand along the ream, hoping that he couldn't see the way my fingers were trembling
He shook his head. "Not as much as I'd like, at least. Too busy with work. But I have all these supplies just gathering dust,"
F
"It would be a shame to let it go to waste, 1 said. Already, as I looked around at the various expensive fabrics and one-of-a-kind notions, I was picturing what could be made from them. Something beautiful. "You could use it, if you'd like. Edwin said casually, picking up a scrap of fabric and turning it over in his fingers.
My head snapped up. "Really? You'd let me use your supplies?"
He nodded. "On one condition. You have to make it up to me somehow."
My face reddened at the implication, my mind racing with possibilities. Sexual favors.. I hated the way that I could already picture that worktable serving as the perfect location for, well.. Feg bold, I asked, "What did you have in mind?"
Edwin's lips quirked into a small smile. "Well, I loved that red scarf you made me. I wouldn't turn down other knitted things. I never learned how to knit myself”
"Oh." I murmured, feg a mix of relief and... disappointment! Had I really been expecting him to say something else! Surely I wasn't that dense.
As Edwin stared down at me. I was once again reminded of our night at the planetarium-the night when we had both dipped into unsafe territory. I was his student, d**mit. Of course he didn't mean sexual favors.
But then, Edwin's voice dropped an octave, and he took a step closer. Maybe I was mistaken.
"Why?" he murmured, eyeing me suspiciously. "What were you thinking
I froze, mortified. Had I really been expecting him to suggest... No, I couldn't admit that. But as I looked up at Edwin, I saw something in his eyes that made my breath halt in my throat. There was a hunger there, a desire that mirrored my own.
Without a word, he took another step closer, placing his hand on the shelf above my head and effectively caging me against the wall with his broad form. The heat from his body radiated toward me, and I could smell his cologne-a heady mix of whiskey and wood fire smoke. I felt almost dizzy when I inhaled it, although my body already craved more like it was a drup
"I can see it on your face, Audrey," he said, his voice low and husky. "Tell me what you were thinking."
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it "L.. I thought you meant...I trailed off, unable to bring myself to say it. The words stuck in my throat, and his eyes wandered across the slope of my shoulder. I felt something warm begin to stir in my low belly, something that made me squirm.
"Go on. Say it," Edwin urged, his voice low and commanding. I could hear the wood creak as his grip tightened on the shelf above my head.
I squeezed my eyes shut, gathering my courage. "Sexual favors," I whispered. The fabric lining the walls seemed to absorb the sound of my voice, which only made the rushing blood in my ears all the more prominent.
1 heard Edwin's sharp intake of breath. When I opened my eyes, his were blazing with an intensity that made me just as dizzy as his cologne
"Is that an arrangement you would be interested in?" he asked, his voice husky and full of promise.
I squirmed under his gaze, unable to form coherent words. My body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending alive and burning. Finally, I managed to admit, "Ever since the planetarium... I've been missing your touch. I wished it could have gone further that night."
Edwin's eyes flashed, and he leaned in closer, dipping his head so that his lips brushed my ear. His breath was warm against my skin, and I thought for sure I might pass out.
"If you think I'd expect sexual favors for something as mundane as sharing fabric," he growled, "you must have me all 2/39
BG Chapter 96
wrong
I leaned back, swallowing hard. "I'm sorry, I But my words were cut off by his thumb brushing across my lower lip.
"Although," he continued, "it has been a long time since we sleptogether. And while I won't accept sex as payment for anything, my bed isn't for
My breath hitched, a thick, irresistible desire pooling in my belly, "Do you... think about me often?" I whispered. "Since the last time we slept together, I mean.”
Edwin's eyes began to glow in the dim light of the closet, flecks of gold forming and dancing in their gray depths. Gold and silver, like the sun and the moon.
"I haven't gotten over our night at the planetarium," he said almost matter-of-factly. "You ran away so quickly, looking so embarrassed. I thought you were unhappy with our date."
Before I could answer, he tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him. The intensity in his eyes made me weak in the knees, but somehow, I managed to hold his gaze.
I shook my head slowly, firmly, wanting him to understand that had enjoyed every moment of our time together.
"Do you think about me?" he asked, his thumb and forefinger still holding my chin tightly.
I swallowed even harder than before, as if my throat were closing up. "I dream about you every night," I whimpered, the confession spilling from my lips before I could stop it. "Especially since our date." Alow growl rumbled in Edwin's chest as he leaned in close. His cologne overwhelmed my senses, making me dizzy with desire. Our lips were so close, almost touching I could feel the heat of his breath, taste the promise of his kiss...
But at the last second, panic gripped me. This was wrong. He was my professor. We couldn't do this.
I whirled away, my heart pounding. "Thank you for showing me this," I gasped, my voice shaky. "I'll let you know if I need to borrow fabric-"
In my haste to escape, I didn't see the sharp corner of the low-hanging shelf that was right beside me. Pain exploded through my skull as I slammed into it, the impact reverberating through my body. Stars danced in my vision, and then everything went black.
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