The class with Chloe after lunch that day had been pure torture. She sat there, engrossed in her textbook, oblivious to the fact that he found her irresistible. Chloe's bangs swept across her eye because her head was down and she was so focused that she didn't even bother to move them. Steven badly wanted to talk to her, to hear that sweet voice speak again, but didn't know what to say to her. The class was just about over, so he was running out of time to think of something.
Steven knew he would have to get over his fear of teaching in front of her; he knew she would be eager to learn what he taught, but for some reason, he just felt apprehensive. Because of that fear, he had assigned the class to finish reading and outlining chapter one of their text, and she had worked diligently to complete the assignment during the class. He finally decided the best way to approach her would be to discuss something neutral.
Finally, the clock ticked to 2:30, signaling the end of the class.
"Alright guys, you can put your stuff away. Did anyone have any questions about the first chapter? Or need any help with it at all?"
Nobody in the classroom spoke, so Steven took that as his sign that everyone understood the material.
"We will discuss all the information in the chapter in tomorrow's lecture, so if you didn't finish reading it all today, please make sure and do so by tomorrow afternoon's class. I'll be asking random questions to make sure everyone did their reading, so you'll embarrass yourself if you don't do the assignment!"
The class chuckled, knowing he was joking with them.
"Okay, get out of my classroom! See you guys tomorrow."
The class gathered their things quickly and left, but Chloe took her time getting her books together. Steven wondered if she did that on purpose so that they would be alone.
"How are you feeling about that first chapter, Chloe?"
"Oh, it's pretty easy! Very basic, I don't think I'll be needing help for it. I'll save my pestering for when things get a bit more complicated hahaha!"
Smiling, Steven replied, "You won't pester me, I'm always here to help when you need it. Some of the information in the later chapters is little harder to grasp."
"I'm sure I'll need help when we get to that stuff. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a slow learner, but I retain information well once I get the hang of it."
"Don't worry, everyone learns at their own speed. This course isn't an easy one, but it sets the foundation for the rest of the things you will learn throughout your program, so it's very important to make sure you understand all the information given."
"That's a little intimidating!" Chloe laughed.
"You'll do fine, I don't let my students fail this course." He placed a hand on her shoulder, lighting her skin on fire with just a slight touch. "I'll work with you to make sure you have a good handle on everything. As a class, we will cover the book pretty slow, about one chapter a week. That helps immensely. Just let me know if you need any help."
"Thanks Dr. Johnson. See you tomorrow."
Steven watched as she turned and walked out of the classroom, her bookbag slung over her shoulder.
All he could think after she had left the classroom was how bad he wanted her, to know her in every aspect of the word.
Steven was now at home, getting dressed to go and have dinner with Meredith. "Tonight's the night," he thought to himself. "It's time to do the right thing with Meredith."
***************
Chloe's jaw dropped as Noah asked her to marry him. She was completely shocked; she wasn't expecting him to propose already.
"Oh, my gosh...", she stammered, "Um, I wasn't expecting that--"
"I know, I shouldn't have blind-sighted you, it's just that, well, I have thought about this a lot and I know that you are the perfect woman for me. I just can't imagine spending my life with anyone else but you", Noah interrupted. "I knew from the second I met you that you were different and we have so much potential together, our lives together would be so wonderful. You're the one I have been waiting for."
He pulled the ring out of the box and positioned himself to slide it on her finger. Chloe outstretched her hand and let him slide the ring on before she jumped out of the chair and ran to his side of the table, hugging him and crying.
"Of course I'll marry you, Noah!!"
The whole restaurant burst into applause and congratulations. She had tears in her eyes and was grinning from ear to ear, as was Noah. They shared in a blissful kiss, Noah's hand slipping softly behind Chloe's neck, drawing her face closer to his. He softly placed his lips on hers, grazing the smooth skin on her neck with his hand. She parted her lips to allow his tongue in her mouth, sliding over hers gently. She kissed him back hungrily, a familiar throbbing sensation between her legs becoming more evident as the kiss progressed.
Finally, the newly engaged couple emerged from the kiss. Chloe walked back over to her side of the table and sat down, putting her hand in front of her face too admire how beautiful the ring was on her finger. It was a dream engagement ring, the most beautiful she had ever seen.
The waiter returned to the table and asked the couple if they would like any dessert.
"Chocolate!" Chloe exclaimed.
The waiter chuckled at her response and walked away to get the dessert.
"I want to set a date, I don't want to wait to marry you. No more than 6 months away," Noah said.
"6 months?! That's so fast! I don't know how I can plan a wedding and go to school, honey."
"We'll hire a wedding planner then, don't worry. Just find someone you like and have them help, I don't care what it costs. I want you to have your dream day."
"Are you sure? Wedding planners aren't cheap and neither is a wedding. Maybe we should wait until I finish school and then we can really have a great wedding."
"No, I want to marry you now. If it was up to me, I would march you down to the courthouse tomorrow. But I know how important it is for you to have your whole family there. I know you want the wedding you have always dreamed about."
