"Malcolm?" Merrin whispered as she rolled over in her Professor's bed and tapped his shoulder, "Wake up," she added.
He moved at her touch and groaned before rolling over and looking at her, "What is it?"
Merrin didn't answer as she inched closer and placed her hand on his cheek before putting her lips to his, her other hand moving around his neck and into his hair, pulling him closer.
Malcolm pulled back, "Mer, what's this for? I have to be up to teach your class in a few hours," he stated, his eyes showing confusion.
She smiled back before lowering her hand down to the waistband of his pajama pants, where she stopped, "I woke up and wanted you up for something else. Is that ok? I can't imagine you not wanting it."
He pulled back further, "It's not like you not to sleep through the entire night. In fact, it's almost impossible to wake you most mornings and you aren't the insatiable type to wake up for sex in the middle of the night. What's bothering you?"
Merrin wasn't used to their new relationship where it wasn't just about sex but care for each other as well and she took a deep breath before she spoke again, "I had a dream that you died and when I woke up, I just needed to be as close to you as possible. I haven't been able to shake this terrible feeling lately that something is going to happen and I am going to lose you," she revealed as her face went white from the panic her fears caused her. They had just moved up in their status but they hadn't exchanged 'I love yous' which is why she was so afraid to open up about how much he meant to her.
Malcolm was wide awake now as he sat up in his bed and opened his arms for her, "Come here. Why didn't you just tell me how you felt from the beginning? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be woken up for sex in the middle of the night even though I'm a little old for that," he joked, "But, if you're upset like this, you can tell me."
She moved into his arms as he spoke before she finally spoke, using all the bravery she had inside to do it, "I was afraid because I love you and I didn't think we were there yet or that we'd ever. I'm gonna graduate soon and I have no idea where we go from there. In my mind, I always assumed you'd move on to another student and forget all about me," she admitted, showing her sincere fear and vulnerability for the first time.
He was silent for a few moments, which felt like forever to Merrin, before he finally opened his mouth to speak, holding onto her the entire time, "Mer, I have never slept with a student in all my years, much less had a relationship with one. I don't know what comes next for us when you finish your studies but I'm not planning to move on and forget about you," he revealed causing Merrin to pull away and look at him, placing her hands on either side of his face.
"Don't say you love me right now, even if you do," she requested, "I don't want to second guess it if you tell me now because of the fact that I opened up like I did. Can you do that for me? We have plenty of time for a more perfect moment."
He nodded, "This is a perfect time because you're here but I will respect your wishes. Now that I'm awake though, I am more open to your original proposal," he said in a low growl.
Mer smiled as she moved on top of him and lowered her face to continue her earlier assault on his lips causing him to inch his body up into the air, closer to hers. She wanted him to suffer a little after her revelation so she began to grind herself against him while she moved her affection down to his neck, feeling him get hard beneath her.
"What are you doing?" he whispered, her ear close to his lips as she ran her tongue seductively along his jawline.
She moved her lips to his ear, blowing softly on it before speaking, "I am torturing you just a little before I give you what you really want," she panted as she was taken over by an orgasm from her actions.
Malcolm breathed in deeply through his nose from the sounds she was making in his ears. She wasn't wearing anything but his t-shirt so he moved his hands from her hips to lower his pants to move inside her. Her body grabbed onto him immediately just as they were interrupted by a loud pounding at his door.
"Who could that be at this hour?" Malcolm groaned in frustration as he began to move her off of him so he could go to the intruder.
Merrin grabbed his hands and placed herself firmly on him, "Whoever it is can wait for a minute more," she demanded as she began going up and down him, hard and fast.
He finished quickly from the entirety of the event before she rolled off and allowed him to get up and pull up his pants, grab his robe and answer the door.
Merrin laid in the bed waiting for Malcolm to come back upstairs but after awhile, she grew concerned so she stood and put on sweatpants. She walked down the stairs, pulling her messy curls into a bun and found Malcolm on his computer with Liam, her fellow student, behind him. They seemed to be lost in whatever they were looking at.
"Professor?" Merrin said to announce her presence, "Are you planning to come back upstairs?"
Liam turned at her voice and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment instantly, "Merrin? Wow, Professor Croft, I am so sorry for invading like this. I did not know you were…." he trailed off as Malcolm turned and frowned at Merrin while shaking his head.
"Mer, this is going to take awhile to look through," Malcolm replied to her initial question, "You might want to go back to your apartment for the night. You're welcome to go back upstairs but I won't be able to join you."
"What did Liam bring you?" she asked as she walked closer to the laptop screen, "If it's anything involved with what he's been working on then this isn't good news," she stated.
Liam nodded, "There is a large mass that wasn't there before and if my calculations are correct, it's a meteor and it will destroy Earth upon impact in 146 days," he explained.
Merrin took in what he was saying but she felt her knees buckle though in her mind, she was simply nodding. She finally felt the cold sweat on her neck as the world began to fade. The last thing she heard was Liam shouting, "Professor!"
Merrin opened her eyes slowly and began to look around. She found she was on Malcolm's couch with he and Liam standing over her, discussing options.
"Don't you have government contacts we can reach out to?" Liam asked, the frustration in his tone evident.
Malcolm shook his head, "My contacts are Russian and they won't be willing to work with the U.S.," he began before raising one finger in the air, "We need one more mind outside of the ones we have in this room. I believe an EM Drive could work to prevent this but I would need much better resources. I want you to track down Darius Tanz. Show him what you have and then come back here and tell me what we can do," he instructed before looking down to see Merrin's eyes open.
He kneeled down by her side, "How are you feeling?"
"I was hoping that was just a bad dream," she replied honestly as she began to sit up, Malcolm helping her as she did so, "Do you want me to come with you, Liam?" she offered.
Liam shook his head, "No, you need to stay here and help Professor Croft figure out where we are on his idea and how much more we need to accomplish. I'll see you both soon."
Liam raced out the door, leaving Malcolm and Mer alone as they had been before the Earth shattering news.
"Can we go to bed now?" Merrin asked, puffing out her lower lip.
Malcolm smiled but shook his head, "Unfortunately, it's time for us to get ready for class. Did you bring clothes?"
Merring nodded before she began to stand, Malcolm grabbing onto her elbows in support, "I am going to need a big Redbull to get through today."
He frowned, "You know I don't like when you drink those. I can make coffee while you shower," he offered.
Merrin curled her lips into a little smile, "The world is almost out of time so shouldn't we make the most of it? Join me."