Chapter 15

              Thorn was quiet as he pulled his Jaguar into the underground garage of Nikki’s apartment complex. She had not said a thing to him the entire ride, and he had not wanted to press her. He waited a few minutes before he exited the driver’s side and walked over to her side.

              “Are you going to carry me up to my apartment too?” Nikki frowned as she started to get out of the car.

              “Yes, that is the plan,” Thorn commented as he stopped her. She scowled at him.

              “It was a panic attack, not a heart attack.” She huffed.

              “What’s the matter, darling? Can’t handle someone spoiling you a bit after a long day?” He asked with a teasing smile. Nikki blushed before pouting like a child. “You are truly a brat, my dear.” Thorn chuckled.

              “And you are an asshole.” She replied. He said nothing as he crouched down and picked her up bridal style again.

              “Maybe just a little.” He admitted as she wrapped her arms around his neck, as he held her. “But…that’s not a bad thing, is it?” He asked her as she relaxed in his arms.

              “Hmph.” Nikki continued to frown. Thorn chuckled lightly. Even though she was complaining about him carrying her, he could tell she was enjoying being spoiled in such a way.

              “You’ll have to guide me to your apartment.” He told her as he closed her door and locked up his car.

              “Yeah, yeah.” Nikki huffed. Thorn noted how she did not seem concerned about having him in her apartment, and he felt his heart race at the idea of them being completely alone together for the first time. While they had spent ample time together on campus, and he had even taken her out to eat dinner, there had always been an audience or the threat of an audience in those places. The idea of being in her apartment, where no one could interrupt them, sent a thrill through him.

              “You have to put my code in to summon the elevator,” Nikki told him as she reached out to the PIN pad by the elevator. Thorn leaned forward so she could enter her code. A moment later, the elevator dinged open.

              “Which floor?” He asked.

              “Third,” Nikki said as she hit the button for the third floor. The elevator door closed, and they ascended to the top floor of her small apartment building. Thorn had half-expected to see someone along the way, but no one was around.

              “Your apartment complex seems…rather empty.” He commented as he walked her down the hall and headed to the door she pointed him towards.

              “Most of the apartments are vacant,” Nikki said with a shrug as she fished her apartment key out of her bag.

              “Seriously?” Thorn asked in surprise.

              “Well, yeah. What students do you know attending Moonward University that aren’t living at home with their parents?” She asked him. “Most of them come from wealthy families, or they pay to live on campus.”

              “That doesn’t explain the lack of tenants.” He told her.

              “I don’t know what to tell you.” She sighed as she unlocked her front door and pushed it open. Thorn carried her inside, excited to see the place she called home.

              “Wow.” He stopped and looked around in surprise. “That’s a lot of books.” He said as he saw the countless built-in bookshelves that filled the moderately sized apartment.

              “Yeah,” Nikki said as she tried to wiggle out of his arms. Thorn finally put her down, allowing her to walk over to the lounge sofa in the middle of the living room. “Good to be home.” She sighed as she plopped down onto the couch. Thorn chuckled as he locked the door, set his bag down, and slipped his shoes off. Nikki was lying on the sofa with her eyes closed. He could tell she was still reeling from a panic attack.

              “Do you have any favorite authors?” He asked as he looked over her extensive collection of books.

              “No. I read just about anything.” Nikki revealed. Thorn looked over at her, noting how her eyes still looked swollen even as she kept them shut. He frowned as he walked over to her.

              “Perhaps you should eat something? Would you like me to make you something?” he asked as he looked over to her kitchen. Her apartment had an open-concept design, so the living room and kitchen flowed seamlessly into her back balcony.

              “No…” Nikki sighed as she sat up. “…I don’t want to keep you.” She said as she stood up. Thorn frowned as she went to walk past him to the kitchen. His possessiveness was getting the better of him as he suddenly reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Uh?” Nikki looked at him like a deer in the headlights. She looked up at him with wide, gray eyes.

              “Oh, um.” He loosened his hold on her. “Apologies. I thought you were about to fall.” He lied.

              “I’m just a little wobbly.” She assured him, her expression softening. Thorn stared down at her, his hands still keeping her firmly in place. “Professor?” She asked when he had not let her go after a few moments.

              “Uh…um…” He was trying to devise a reason, an excuse, to keep her close.

              “Was…this a lot for you?” Nikki asked softly. Thorn stiffened at her question, looking into her eyes for a moment. He could see she was genuinely concerned and relaxed.

              “…I…seeing you cry…I just…” Thorn could not form words. He wanted to tell her his heart stopped when he saw her standing at the classroom door. He wanted to promise never to let her feel that way again. He wanted to say so much to her, but he couldn't find the words. “Can I hug you…please?” He finally managed to say something. Thorn blushed at his request, expecting Nikki to shoot it down without hesitation.

“Haha.” Nikki laughed lightly as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. “How childish.” She teased him as she buried her face into his chest. Thorn froze for a moment, not expecting her to hug him. He then wrapped his arms around her and embraced her tightly.

Nikki blushed as he held her, but did not pull away. Instead, she took in his scent, which smelled of Juniper. As Thorn held her close, he, too, took in her scent, which smelled of mint and strawberries. The two of them relaxed into one another, neither realizing just how badly they had been craving a human connection. Nikki could feel a spark going off inside her, something she had never felt before. So, when Thorn finally let go of her, she was displeased to lose her connection with him.

“Ah, you need to eat,” Thorn told her as he pulled away from the hug and caressed her face gently with one hand. “Let me cook you something.” He offered.

“Yes…”  Nikki said in a daze. Thorn chuckled at her response but decided not to tease her. He guided her to the kitchen island and seated her on one of the barstools.

“Have a seat, darling.” He told her. “I am sure I’ll be able to find my way around your kitchen on my own.” He chuckled.

“Okay.” Nikki nodded as she sat down. She watched as Thorn went over to her refrigerator and began looking at the ingredients she had on hand. She smiled softly at his confidence and comfort in cooking for her in her kitchen. “Cute…” She mumbled as she watched him. Thorn did not hear her, his attention being held by the fish dish he was putting together. The past few days with Thorn had felt like an eternity to her, and she was starting to realize that she liked having him around.

As she watched him cook for her, Nikki realized something. She had wanted to keep their relationship professional, but the boundaries she had been trying so hard to maintain had naturally crumbled quickly. She sighed as she came to terms with the fact that she was developing feelings for the professor. Thorn was an asshole. He was egotistical, condescending, and even tyrannical at times. Despite all of this…Nikki was falling for him.

“Ha…” She sighed as she watched him cooking. “…this is going to hurt…” She mumbled.