He enjoys the long curl of her lashes, counts the faint freckles across her cheeks, admires the way her hair falls delicately before her brow. He doesn’t understand how someone can be so beautiful, so sweet, so—
“Perfect,” he answers.
Eden stretches her arms above her head and yawns, content. “Thanks. You’re a pretty good teacher.”
“And you’re a pretty good student.”
“Any other pieces of wisdom you want to impart tonight?”
“No, that’s enough for tonight. Grab your coat and I’ll drive you home.”
* * *
He doesn’t tell her that he lives almost an hour’s drive in the opposite direction because he doesn’t like the thought of Eden riding the bus so late. He’s sure she’s perfectly safe and smart enough to know how to defend herself if ever the need arose, but Alexander finds comfort in escorting her home. In fact, he looks forward to it. The ride may be silent, but it’s comfortable.
When he’s with her, he’s at peace.
Alexander pulls up to the curb outside of Eden’s apartment building and does a quick scan out the window. He doesn’t like that she lives in a particularly unsavory part of town. There doesn’t appear to be anybody around, though, so he doesn’t have to worry about Eden running into any trouble.
“Hey,” she says gently, sheepishly picking at her coat sleeves.
“Hm?”
“Thank you for today. I learned a lot.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I have a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Now that we’re not at work, can I please—”
Alexander reaches across the center console to take Eden’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. He kisses her without hesitation, relieved to find her hungry lips on his.
Eden hastily unfastens her seat belt so that she can lean in further, clutching at his shirt like the ground beneath them is about to crumble from under her feet. The kiss deepens, devolving into something desperate and needy. Alexander circles her waist and pulls her over, allowing her to climb onto his lap, straddling him between her thighs. There’s just enough room for her to fit between his chest and the steering wheel, but it’s not like they want much space from each other to begin with.
Their tongues clash in a dizzying give and take. Her fingers wind up combing through his hair while he locks his hands together behind her back. When Eden grinds her hips against him, he knows for a fact that it’s deliberate. She grins when she realizes just how hard he is.
“You’re a tease,” he grumbles, though there isn’t any heat behind his statement.
“Sorry?”
“Don’t be.”
“Do you... Do you want to come inside for a bit?” she asks.
“I want to, but...”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“I just want to do this right. I don’t want to rush.”
Eden smiles. “Tuesday can’t get here fast enough.”
He chuckles, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “My thoughts exactly.”
Eden kisses him one last time. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
