Page 5 of Snowed in with the Professor

I made a latte, poured it into a to-go cup, put the lid on top, and gave it off.

Monotonous actions that swallowed up the time and had me earning minimal wage.

If I were being honest, I loathed brewing coffee; hell, I didn’t even drink it. But being a college student meant I couldn’t be picky on what job I obtained. I didn’t have a lot of time for anything else, not with my full-time studies.

Although I was covered with student housing and money my parents had saved up for me over the years, I still had to make money. Maybe not to live off of while school, but for my own integrity and mental well-being.

So, I worked at the coffee shop on campus a couple days a week, making cappuccinos and lattes and wrapping up croissants and egg sandwiches. I rung up the customer, delivered them their double-shot espresso, and helped the next one.

The same thing, only a new day.

The coffee shop on campus was consistently busy, especially with students coming in to hang out and study as they sipped their five-dollar coffees and ate their three-dollar pastries.

“What can I make for you?” I said and looked up from the register only to feel my eyes widen as Professor Baldwin stood on the other side of the counter.

He wore a dark blazer and underneath that, a white Oxford button-down shirt, which was a sharp, stark contrast to his jacket. Being so close to him really accentuated how much bigger he was than me, with his broad shoulders and tight waist.

He was tall and slender, like an Olympic swimmer, raw force below golden skin.

I peered into his black eyes, like chunks of coal that could ignite a fire… and I was the one who would burn alive from it.

I stood there for many seconds not speaking, and it was only when I heard the froth from the cappuccino machine start to operate that I jerked out of my stupor. “Professor Baldwin,” I eventually murmured, finding my voice, although it was wobbly, unstable.

“Miss Hart.”

I swore fireworks went off inside of me.

“How’s your paper coming along?”

I licked my lips and nodded. “Good.” Although that was a lie. I hadn’t even started it.

He grinned, just the corner of his mouth curving up as if he knew I was lying. “Good. I look forward to reading it.”

I offered him an uneasy smile. I could feel how uncomfortable it was, my own nerves making me act like a crazy right now. “What can I get for you?” Being professional when all I wanted to do was wrap my body around his, was like living in literal hell.

“Just a black coffee.”

Not a man who likes the nice, flowery drinks.

I appreciated that about him. And the fact he was drinking a strong brew this late in the afternoon made me question whether he had a lot of work to do.

He was a busy man, I could tell by the work he did around the school, and the fact he had everything prepared for our lesson well in advance. But that drew me to him more.

He has got his shit together.

I gave him one more lingering look before turning and grabbing his order. I felt his stare on me the whole time, like if he stretched out and brushed his fingers along my body.

I swore it took me ages to get his order. I felt like I was traveling in slow motion. When I eventually went back around, he was off to the side, another barista handling the register.

“I’m sorry for the holdup,” I remarked and gave up his coffee. When he reached for it, his fingers brushed over mine and I felt my mouth part as a little sound escaped me from that slight contact.

Yet he looked unmoved.

Of course, he did.

I knew it was all one-sided.

“It’s fine,” he answered and offered a smile, but even when he acted easy-going, I could detect this hardness to him.

“Gracie!”

The sound of Alexis shouting over the swarm of people drew me out of my entranced focus on Professor Baldwin. I turned and faced her, seeing her make her way toward me with a mystery male in tow.

I could see Professor Baldwin move back, and a part of me wanted to reach out to him.

Crazy, that’s what I was.

Alexis stepped up to the desk with a large grin on her face. I looked at the person standing behind her. He looked like a jock, one still living in his old glory days as he adorned his high school Letterman blazer.

“Hey, girl,” she said and turned around to grasp for the boy. I recognized him then, remembering him from the library. “This is Craig. He’s going to the Olive with us tonight.”

I nodded, but I was quite conscious that Professor Baldwin was still standing off to the side, could feel him watching me.

I turned and started preparing her a double latte, knowing that’s the only reason she came into the hipster coffee shop.

I turned and handed it over, and she held out some money without looking at me.

I shook my head at how committed she was with this new guy.

After ringing her up and offering the change to her, I chanced a look at the professor.

He stood off to the side, taking a drink of his coffee as he looked me over the rim.

“Listen, we’re picking up something to eat before we head over there. Figure I should have a full stomach before I start pounding down the drinks.”

Letterman Craig leaned in and said something in her ear. She chuckled and playfully smacked him. “You’re dirty, aren’t you?” Alexis faced me and grinned. “Don’t be late. The Olive tonight at six,” she said as she made her way out the door.

I turned to where Professor Baldwin stood, but was faced by an empty area. I looked around the coffee shop, disappointed he was gone, but then felt stupid for assuming he’d stay just for me.

I swore the way he stared at me, the way he’d studied me, hadn’t simply been all in my imagination.

His expression had screamed one thing… arousal.