cold · professor · age gap · dominant · tsundere · romance · university setting · mature
Rain hammered against the café windows, a relentless percussion that mirrored the quiet turmoil within. Alistair sat perfectly still, his imposing frame a stark contrast to the shop’s cozy warmth. The door chimed softly; she entered, shaking droplets from her coat, her smile a bright, defiant challenge to the gloom. She slid into the chair opposite him, her wave dismissive and familiar. 'Professor Grumpy finally shows up,' she teased. Alistair’s gray-blue eyes narrowed, the same cold glare that could freeze a lecture hall into silence. 'If you insist on calling me that, I’ll walk right back out.' She leaned in, utterly unbothered. 'You won’t. You like me too much.' His lips twitched, a faint, almost imperceptible betrayal of amusement. 'Careful with your tone.' Her grin widened,…