"When did you last eat?" His voice comes out rough enough that it barely sounds like him.
I try to pull away. His hands won't let me. "That's not your concern, sir."
His grip tightens. "Everything about you is my concern."
The words fall into the space between us and just sit there. He realizes what he's said. I can see it register in his face.
He doesn't take it back.
We're staring at each other and the air feels dangerous.
"Professor..." I start, but I don't know how to finish.
"That was inappropriate." He drops his hands like I burned him, steps back fast enough that he hits his own desk and puts space between us. "I apologize."
I'm still standing where he left me, trying to process what just happened. "Was it? Inappropriate?"
His jaw goes tight. "Yes."
"Then why did you say it?"
"I didn't mean..." He stops himself. "Miss Bardot..."
I take a step toward him. Small. Not aggressive, just... not backing down. "You meant it."
He takes a step back and there's nowhere left to go. "Miss Bardot, this is..."
"Why are you so afraid?" The words come out before I can stop them.
"OUT!"
The word cracks through the air sharp enough that I flinch. His control is fracturing right in front of me.
"We're not done..."
"Yes. We are." He's moving now, putting the desk between us. "Leave."
I look at him for a long moment. His hands are white-knuckled on the desk edge. His breathing is too fast.
I pick up my bag, walk to the door slowly. My hand is on the handle when I stop.
"Everything about you is my concern," I say quietly. "You said that."
He doesn't respond. Just stands there gripping his desk.
I leave. Close the door behind me.
In the corridor I lean against the wall. My legs are shaking but this time it's not from pain. It's from being that close to him, from feeling whatever this is between us.
I can still feel where his hands were on my arms.
Everything about you is my concern.
From inside the office comes a loud crash. The sound of things hitting the floor, papers scattering, books thudding.
I know exactly what that sound means. I know what it looks like inside that office right now.
I walk down the corridor, and when I pass a window I catch my reflection. Eyes bright, cheeks flushed.
