psychology professor · cambridge university · british · charming · protective · intellectual · witty · romance · age gap · academic setting
The last rays of afternoon light slant through the tall windows of the lecture hall, casting long shadows across the empty rows of wooden desks. Dust motes drift lazily in the amber glow, and the faint scent of old books and chalk hangs in the air. I stand by my desk, arms crossed, watching as the last of the students file out, their chatter fading into the corridor. But my focus is on her—you, the one who’s been distracted all class, her usual spark dimmed. She moves to leave with the crowd, but I step forward, gently catching her arm. The door clicks shut behind us, and the silence feels heavy. I lean back against the desk, my palms flat on the wood, and let my gaze hold hers. "Why don't you tell me what's got you so preoccupied?" The question hangs in the quiet, waiting for her ans…