Chapter 101
**Sara**
I pulled out my phone from my bag, my thumb hovering over Tom's contact. What was I even gonna say? "Hey, hot stuff, did you happen to mention our steamy rendezvous to your cousin? You know, the one who's now inviting us to dinner and giving me looks that could melt steel?" Yeah, that'd go over really well.
I tossed the phone onto the couch, groaning. This was ridiculous. I was acting like a teenager with a crush, not a grown-ass woman pursuing her MBA. Get it together, Sara.
Just as I was contemplating the merits of burying my head under a pillow and pretending the world didn't exist, the doorbell rang. I nearly jumped out of my skin, my heart doing a little tap dance in my chest.
"Coming!" I called out, my voice embarrassingly high-pitched. I scrambled to my feet, nearly tripping over my discarded shoes.
I yanked open the door, fully expecting to see my neighbor. Instead, I found myself face-to-face with Tom, looking unfairly gorgeous in a crisp button-down and jeans that hugged his ass in all the right ways.
"Tom?" I squeaked, my eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"
He flashed that crooked grin that never failed to make my knees weak. "Hello to you too, Sara. May I come in?"
"Oh! Right, yeah, of course," I stammered, stepping aside. "Come on in. Sorry, I'm just... surprised to see you."
Tom stepped inside, his eyes scanning my apartment before settling back on me. He closed the door with a soft click, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Are you expecting someone?" he asked, sounding slightly disappointed. "Should I not have come?"
"Who exactly do you think I'd be expecting, Tom? The pizza guy? My secret lover?"
His eyes widened slightly, and I realized I'd hit a nerve. Oh, this was too good to pass up.
I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms and putting on my best poker face. "Actually, now that you mention it, I have a hot date tonight. You just caught me before I was about to get ready."
Tom's jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "A date?" he echoed, his voice strained.
"Mhmm," I hummed, fighting to keep a straight face. "Tall, dark, and handsome. We're planning on having wild, passionate sex all night long. You know how it is."
I watched Tom's face cycle through a range of emotions faster than a slot machine. Shock, hurt, jealousy, and finally, resignation.
"Alright," he said stiffly, reaching for the doorknob. "I'll just... go, then. Bye."
I couldn't take it anymore. A giggle escaped my lips, quickly turning into full-blown laughter. Tom froze, his hand on the door, confusion written all over his face.
"Oh my god," I wheezed, clutching my stomach. "Your face! You should see your face right now!"
Realization dawned on him, and his eyes narrowed. "You're joking."
"Of course, I'm joking, you idiot," I said, rolling my eyes. "Who else would I be expecting?"
Tom's shoulders relaxed, but his eyes still held a hint of uncertainty. Who knew the cool, collected Professor could get so worked up?
"Aww, look at you," I cooed, stepping closer. "All jealous and flustered. It's kind of adorable, actually."
He scoffed, trying to regain his composure. "I wasn't jealous."
"Oh really?" I arched an eyebrow. "So that vein popping out of your forehead was just for show?"
Tom's hand flew to his forehead, and I laughed again. "Made you look!"
He shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. I could see the tension melting away, replaced by that familiar warmth in his eyes that always made my heart skip a beat.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the couch. "Come on, sit down before you pass out from all that jealousy."
Tom sank into the cushions, still grumbling under his breath. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I headed to the kitchen.
"Want a drink?" I called over my shoulder. "I've got water, juice, and coke."
"Coke's fine," he said, sounding amused.
I grabbed two cans from the fridge and sauntered back to the living room, tossing one to Tom. He caught it with ease because, of course, he did. Even his reflexes were annoyingly perfect.
I plopped beside him, cracking open my can and taking a long swig. "So," I said, wiping my mouth with my hand, "to what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit? Miss me already?"
Tom's eyes roamed over my face, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Maybe I did."
My heart did a little somersault in my chest. Damn him and his stupid charm.
"Well, aren't you sweet," I teased, nudging his shoulder with mine. "But seriously, what's up? Everything okay?"
He nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "Everything's fine. I just... wanted to see you."
I felt a warmth spreading through my chest. "Well, consider me seen," I grinned, gesturing to myself. "Like what you see?"
Tom's eyes darkened as they trailed down my body. "Always," he murmured.
I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of how close we were sitting. The air between us crackled with tension, and I found myself leaning in, drawn to him like a magnet.
But then I remembered something, and I pulled back with a start. "Oh! I almost forgot. You'll never guess who I ran into earlier."
Tom blinked, looking a bit dazed. "Who?"
"Sophia," I said, overseeing his reaction. "Your cousin?"
His eyebrows shot up. "Oh? What did she say?"
I recounted the encounter, watching Tom's expression shift from curiosity to amusement to something suspiciously like panic when I mentioned the dinner invitation.
"And then Sophia insisted I bring my 'mystery date,'" I finished, making air quotes. "She seemed pretty convinced I was hiding some secret lover."
Tom cleared his throat, suddenly very interested in his can of coke. "Did she now?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Tom," I said slowly, "you didn't happen to mention anything about us to Sophia, did you?"
He glanced up, eyes wide and sincere. "No, of course not."
I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception. But all I saw was sincerity... and maybe a hint of that earlier panic.
"Okay," I said, relaxing slightly. "I believe you. But then why was Sophia so convinced I had some mystery man?"
Tom shrugged. "Maybe you just have that 'freshly fucked' glow about you."
I gasped in mock outrage, swatting his arm. "Tom! Such language from a respected professor. I'm scandalized."
He chuckled, catching my hand and pulling me closer. "Oh, I'll show you scandalized," he growled, his lips brushing against my ear.
"Oh yeah?" I breathed, my voice embarrassingly breathy. "And what exactly did you have in mind, Professor?"
Tom's hand slid up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. His fingers toyed with the loose collar of my sweater, dipping just beneath the fabric to trace my collarbone.
"Well," he murmured, his lips ghosting along my jaw, "I was thinking we could start with—"
"Well," he murmured, his lips ghosting along my jaw, "I was thinking we could start with—"
The shrill sound of the doorbell cut through the air like a knife, making us both jump. Tom's lips froze against my skin, his breath warm on my neck.
"Expecting company?" he whispered, pulling back slightly.
I shook my head, my heart racing for an entirely different reason. "No, I'm not."
We stared at each other, frozen in place like deer caught in headlights. The moment stretched on, thick with tension and unspoken questions.
Then, as if to mock our stunned silence, the doorbell rang again. Longer this time, more insistent.
Tom's eyes flickered to the door, then back to me. I could see the wheels turning in his head, probably mirroring my thoughts. Who could it be? A nosy neighbor? A lost delivery person? Or worse, someone who knew us?
We both turned our heads slowly, eyes locked on the front door.
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