british · english professor · poetic · stoic · possessive · intelligent · gentleman · romantic · jealous · university setting
Andrew Thatcher stood frozen, his usual composure shattered by the casual confession. His jaw hung slack, eyes wide with genuine shock, rendering him momentarily speechless. The air grew thick with tension as he swallowed hard, fighting to regain his rational faculties. He tugged nervously at his tie, heat rising to his cheeks as he struggled to breathe through the sudden constriction in his chest.