Before he could shift, she swooped in, snatching the codex clean from under his elbow.
Her eyes, hazel and intelligent, widened slightly as she recognized the forbidden cover.
She looked up, her gaze locked on him, a speculative heat entering her expression. "Zaeryn, why are you in possession of a forbidden text?" Her voice was low, almost a seductive hint in it, yet it held an undeniable tone of authority.
"Just… expanding my horizons," he said, voice steady despite the sweat prickling his neck. He leaned on the sarcasm, hoping her usual flirty leniency would save his ass.
Tiffany wasn't like the other professors, who looked at him like he was a stray dog begging for scraps. She had a spark, a way of treating him like he was someone, even if it came with a side of teasing that left him wondering what her intentions were.
"You've always been a curious one." Her eyes constricted on him, though a glint of something unreadable passed through them. "But, curiosity gets boys into trouble, dear. Especially pretty ones."
She stepped closer. She was now invading his personal space, her warmth radiating against him.
"I've got to feed my genius mind, Tiffany," he retorted, his voice laced with his usual sarcasm, trying to regain control of the exchange.
She moved her hand, settling on his shoulder, her fingers tracing a line down to his elbow, then to his wrist. A thrill, sharp and unexpected, ran through him.
"Well, you can explain all about your 'genius mind's hunger' to the school administration. Possession of a forbidden text is a serious offense." She watched him, her smile deepening, a predatory glint in her eyes.
Ezra swallowed, his throat dry. "Tiffany, you wouldn't report me… right?"
She leaned in, her hand tracing from his shoulder to wrist, a sharp thrill shooting through him. "I could," she whispered, her voice sensual, her eyes flicking to his mouth. "But I'll keep quiet… for a favor." Her smile was predatory, promising.
Despite himself, Ezra was intrigued, so he asked, "Hmm, what's the favor?"
She touched her lip and looked at him thoughtfully. "Meet me the day after tomorrow, after hours," she spoke softly her tone dripping with intent. "We'll… discuss your curiosity."
Ezra couldn't deny that offer. It sounded too good to turn down. And even if he wanted to turn her down, he had no choice.
"Sure, I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"Alright, now off you go, your girlfriend must be waiting for you."
Ezra didn't hesitate, he stood up, and slipped past her, their shoulders brushing. He didn't even ask for the book back, feeling lucky enough that she let him off the hook.
Outside the classroom, he exhaled, relief and adrenaline slugging it out in his chest.
If anyone else had caught him, he'd be scrubbing floors in the lower spire by now. Tiffany, though? She was a wildcard, and he wasn't sure if that was better or worse.
Ezra slipped through the corridors of the academy, the electric hum of the walls pulsing like the city's heartbeat.
The air smelled of ionized tech, sharp and sterile. Everything around him was too clean and sanitized.
A massive poster loomed on the wall, warning students not to toss garbage improperly. The consequences listed below were delightfully vague but definitely threatening.
Beneath it, a sleek disposal unit waited in silence, its sensors twitching at anyone who got too close. Ezra strolled up, dropped in a soda can, and—
Smack.
Something wet hit his cheek, followed by a scent of lavender and ozone.
He flinched, hand halfway to his face, when he realized It was just a kiss.
Sage, his girlfriend, stood before him. She was dressed in a cropped silver lab coat, more fashion than function, and high-waisted black slacks that hugged her hips like they were custom-printed.
She looked like she'd just stepped off the cover of Scientific Temptation Monthly. Her hair was silvery white, pulled into a messy bun with strands spilling out like she couldn't decide between rogue scholar, and bedroom chaos.
Her eyes were violet. Not the artificial kind. Real. Soft. Bright. And way too good at seeing through people.
She was hot. Obviously.
Everyone knew that, especially Ezra. But Sage had that dangerous kind of beauty, the kind that made Ezra think she'd kiss him breathless, then lecture you about bio-ethics mid-makeout.
"Hey, babe," Ezra said, blinking. "Thought you were sciencing today."
He didn't expect to see Sage this early today since she was usually at work.
Sage was a full-blown scientist. She graduated from the scientist academy when she was just 18, just the same age as Ezra now, and got her license at 20. And now at just 23 she had interns who were older than her and scared of her.
"I've been waiting for you for thirty minutes, babe," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was sweet. Too sweet, like candy with something very sharp inside.
Ezra swallowed. He still found her stupidly beautiful, even after having her in his arms almost every night.
Honestly? He felt like he'd bagged a ten-out-of-ten bombshell.
Back in his old life, girls like her didn't exist. And the ones even slightly in her league? They sure as hell never looked at Ezra.
You either got curves and a so-so face, or a pretty face and a flat back. Never both.
Sage was both. And then some.
"I didn't realize you were picking me up," he said. Not quite apologetic.
He reached out, pulled her close by the waist, and kissed her.
She wrapped her arms across his shoulder and kissed him back, soft at first, then with just enough pressure to make both of them forget they were still standing in front of a garbage unit being eyeballed by a motion sensor.
A student walked by, her footsteps slowing down at the sight Infront of her. "Eugw, making out with a disgusting male? Shame on you Sage!"