Sorry Professor, You Said You Are WHAT?

Chapter 7.

KATHLEEN'S P.O.V.

My brows lifted in surprise and curiosity as I stared at him.

"You?"

"Yes, Miss Ramirez, me. Found that hard to believe?" His lips curled up in a slight smile; unconsciously, my eyes darted to look at it, swallowing thickly, blinking rapidly while I shook my head slightly before looking at him once more.

"Sort of. What's the story behind it?" I asked curiously, looking back at the painting. It had to be something pretty deep and personal; it looked too intense.

"It's quite a long story, but I'll let you in on a bit. Growing up, I was in a very dark place. I felt different from other kids, but then one day I met someone. She changed my view on life and gave me a reason to live." I felt a twinge of disappointment at his words. He had a woman, of course he did. I wouldn't expect someone like him to be single. But then my mind reverted to our little interactions; wasn't that cheating? Or maybe not. Maybe I was just reading too much into things.

"Miss Ramirez?" His voice snapped me back into reality, causing me to jump slightly.

Giving him an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"What's on your mind?" He turned to face me, his hands tucked into his pockets. A simple gesture that almost had me biting my lip, almost.

"Nothing." I shrugged it off, hesitating on whether or not to tell him but decided to anyways. "Doesn't this count as cheating?"

His brows crinkled in confusion, "I'm sorry, what?"

"You bringing me here, all those...words you said to me. Doesn't it count as cheating? I'm sure your wife or girlfriend wouldn't be very happy about you bringing another woman here. Let alone sharing such deep-meaning paintings with her." I rambled off, looking away while being slightly embarrassed when he didn't say anything for a while until he chuckled. My head snapped to look at him.

He took a few steps closer, so close that our bodies were nearly touching, "And who said I had a woman?" He spoke in a low tone with a smirk. His words now had me scrunching my brows in confusion. But he said...

"But…"

"I believe we have more paintings to explore, yes?" He cut me off, guiding me to the next painting. And so we continued into the later hours of the day.

We had stopped by a fancy restaurant to have dinner, and in some way, even though it wasn't supposed to feel like it, it felt like a date.

"I just realized my error, Miss Kathleen, and do forgive me."

"I don't understand; why should I forgive you?"

Leaning forward, he took my hand in his. "I failed to tell you how beautiful you look. As beautiful as a Rosa flower." Saying this, he brought my hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it softly, the feel of his lips on my skin causing my heart to race in pure excitement.

My throat felt parched as my lips parted; clearing my throat, I pulled my hand away. "Mr. Dawson, you can't say things like that."

"Why not Kathleen?"

"Because it's illegal." I nearly snapped, already feeling on edge at being this close to him. Perhaps I was ovulating.

He lifted a brow at me, amusement written all over his face.

"Illegal? I believe you're of legal age of consent. And besides, I'm merely telling a lady I'm out with how gorgeous she looks. I doubt that should count as illegal; after all, there's no harm in that." I bite the insides of my mouth, not knowing what to say, knowing he was right; it was a harmless compliment.

Our conversation is interrupted when the waitress brings our meal, and I dig in, nearly moaning at the taste. It was heavenly. Professor Dawson must have caught on as he spoke.

"I take it You like it then?"

"Yes, it's absolutely delicious."

"I'm glad, so tell me something about you, Kathleen."

Wiping the corners of my mouth, I ask, "What do you want to know? There's nothing to say really."

"I highly doubt that, Kathleen." It was then that it dawned on me that he had spoken my name a few times. I liked hearing him say my name.

"Well, my mom is dead. Died when I was much younger; there's my dad and my brother. We don't really talk much but we're always there for each other." Or at least my brother's always there for me; my dad was a different story.

"I see, any boyfriends?" I almost choked at his words and how casually he had spoken them; taking a bite of his meal, he glanced at me expectantly.

A blush coated my cheek as I replied, "Not at the moment, no." I was grateful for the dim lighting here, which I hoped was enough to hide how ruffled I was.

"Really? I find it hard to believe that." I shrug, not knowing what to say.

"It's the truth; my last relationship had ended on a terrible note, so I'm not really looking forward to anything."

"He was a fool to ever cheat on you." I look at him in surprise.

"How did you know?"

"I figured a man can only do so many things for a relationship to end. Cheating seems to be the most common reason." He shrugged, taking a sip of his wine.

"Oh, if I may ask, what about you? You had made it seem as though you had someone, but then you implied that you don't."

"I've had a couple of women, but nothing too serious. Like I said, I knew I was different, so it was hard to truly be with any woman. I didn't want any of them; it was as though I had yet to find my mate."

"Mate? What's that?"

"Have you ever heard of the folklore of the werewolves?" I shook my head in response.

"Well, it is said that a werewolf is given a mate by the moon goddess; it's like your better half. You can't live, can't breathe without them, especially when you've found them. Do you believe werewolves exist, Kathleen?"

"Honestly, no. I believe they're a myth, like a lot of other things. But I like the idea of having a mate; it saves you the trouble of going through multiple relationships." I say with a chuckle, sipping my wine. I could feel his intense stare on me, causing me to shiver as I met his orbs.

"So, have you found your mate yet, Professor Dawson?" I teased, trying to lighten up the atmosphere, but even though he smiled, his stare felt as if he could see the deepest parts of my soul, unnerving me.

"I believe I might have."