Tutor Me

by Hope Stillwater

“I sure as hell can handle it, and you, so sure, let’s do it. What’s it going to be?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Well, what do you want to bet?”

  I made a pretense of thinking about it, as if for the first time. “Hmm. Since I lost last time and my car still needs an oil change, I guess I’ll roll that over.”

  I looked up at him standing in front of me. “What do you want this time?” I’d aimed for my voice to sound frosty but it came out low and husky.

  Seeing me cave, Callum’s cockiness was now in full force. “Since we went to first base last time I was thinking, how about going for second this time?”

  Annoyingly, I could feel myself go beet red. So much for keeping my cool! I paused for a moment, my eyes on the pavement, thinking this through. I could feel him looking at me but I couldn’t make eye contact. I knew I should say no but of course I would say yes and was just scrambling to think of the terms.

  “OK,” I finally said quietly, my eyes meeting his. His eyes gleamed. “But you have one minute only, and you have to get a full A, not an A-.”

  He grinned. “OK, deal. Let’s shake on it.”

  We did, and I got into my car, my legs wobbly. What the hell was I doing? I needed to talk to Tina.

  Tina, predictably, thought it was wonderful. “So cute!”

  “Really?” I said. “I’m involved in a weird sex game with this guy who I’m not even dating. Isn’t there something wrong about that?”

  “Look, you and Bryce are not officially exclusive yet, and a lot of sex isn’t about romance, it’s just about physical chemistry, but we’re too hung up on all the cultural expectations of true love. So what if he sleeps around a lot? This guy is scrumptious. Just go for it! (With protection, of course: who knows what diseases he has.) And besides, you know Callum better than some of the guys who have groped you in the past. Remember that time we went to the ASU frat party and”-

  I cut her off. “OK yes you’re right.” Tina always made me feel better.

  Tina brought up some news that even pushed Callum out of my mind. “Guess what, I’m thinking of coming to visit you for the weekend in a couple weeks. What do you think?”

  I whooped with joy.

  On Friday in class I was so focused on the quiz that I didn’t notice when Callum left, and he was gone by the time I was done.

  Friday night we had another away game and another party, and Bryce took me out on Saturday bowling with our friends. Whenever we were alone he was coming on strong. He was a good kisser and I loved his body but for some reason I was reluctant to go all the way with him. I’d only ever slept with Seb and I did kind of want to purge that guy from my memory, but I didn’t want to do it with Bryce unless we were officially boyfriend and girlfriend, and he didn’t seem ready for that. Not that I was handing out any ultimatums. So we just made out a lot and he went home with blue balls.

  Bryce even showed up at the Y during my swim lessons on Sunday. Instead of being thrilled it kind of pissed me off because ‘my’ kids (as I thought of them) were finally making some real progress, and they needed my full attention. I sent Bryce home as gently as I could.

  Monday rolled around and I was a nervous wreck. Lacey had called me on it at lunch but I blew it off, saying I was worried about my Calc quiz grade. This wasn’t true, I was only worried about Callum’s Calc quiz grade.

  At the end of class Mr. Ferguson handed the quizzes back. “Very well done, Callum.” I heard him say behind me.

  Did that mean an A? Mr. F’s comment could apply to an A-, surely. I swung around, realizing that as Callum’s tutor it would look odd not to acknowledge him. The other tutoring pairs were very chummy by now, high-fiving each other over grades. I looked at Callum, raising my eyebrow inquiringly, trying to do so in a ‘friendly-tutor-wishing-the-best-for-her-student’ way rather than a ‘I-hope-you’re-going-to-get-to-fondle-me’ way. Callum winked smugly, holding up his quiz to show me the A. Of course I blushed, but had the presence of mind to mouth ‘good job’ before turning to face forward in my seat.

  Callum left while I was still waiting for my quiz but I received a text from him while I was at my lockers.

  Can I collect now? Band practice is a bit later today. Come over.

  Usually I didn’t like that kind of bossiness but somehow, knowing what we were going to do, his directness was hot.

  Ok see you in 10 I wrote back. As I’d thought this might play out this way I’d dressed in the morning with the idea of what was to come later. I’d worn a button down pale yellow sleeveless blouse so I wouldn’t have my shirt stuck over my head awkwardly at any point in the procedure, and my favorite white lacey bra that latched in the front, again, to minimize my contortions. I also wore pale gray linen high waisted shorts, which I knew would be staying on.

  After primping in the girls’ gym bathroom for a minute, washing my pits and reapplying deodorant when no one was around, I was ready. I got to Callum’s house drilling into my head the mantra that many guys had touched my tits so this was no big deal, nothing to get worked up about. But when he opened the door my pep talk went out the window, because he was standing there with his shirt off wearing only the khaki cargo shorts he’d worn to school. His chest was hard and muscular with a sprinkling of hair, his abs were the classic washboard, and the shorts were slung low enough to reveal the start of the sexy V below his abdomen. I swear my mouth fell open.

  My stunned response to his body must have been obvious, as he gave me a lopsided grin. “I figured since you would be taking your shirt off it was only fair that I do the same.”

  I tried to recover my coolness. “What with the lip ring and all, I’m surprised you don’t have any tattoos. Any visible ones anyway.” Tattoos seemed like a prerequisite for being in the roadies.

  As I spoke he stepped back to hold the door open for me and stood sideways to make more room as I passed by him. I felt the heat radiating off his body, and the magnetic pull was stronger than ever. I wanted to lean into him as I walked past.

  “My mom hated tattoos so I’ve never felt like getting one.”

  “She must have been strong-minded.” I was now in the living room and had swung around to face him.

  “You could say that. She was very sweet but she had these firm views on things. When it came to tattoos, she was unwavering. She’d say, ‘if you have something to say, show it by your actions, not by writing it on your body.’” He chuckled. “I know she’d have still loved me with or without a tattoo, but not getting one makes me feel more connected to her.”

  “That makes sense. How did she die?”

  “Cancer.” He didn’t elaborate, and I knew enough not to push further, but my heart went out to him.

  He changed the subject. “Would you like a glass of water?”

  My inclination was to say no but my throat felt dry and I would keep swallowing if I didn’t get some water. “Yes, thank you.”

  He passed me on his way to the kitchen and again I felt the magnetism. I followed him, taking advantage of the opportunity to ogle his bare back as he walked in front of me. Strong and muscular like the front. I wanted to stroke it. Good God I needed to get it together.

  “So, your dad’s not going to come home suddenly, right?”

  He called out over his shoulder. “Nope, he keeps very regular hours at the bank. He will not be popping in on us, so you can relax.” Relax? As if!

  After he’d given me the water we returned to the living room. I drank a few sips and then set the glass down on a side table. He was standing a few feet away from me.

  “It’s your prize to collect, so how do you want to do this? Should we sit on the couch or something?” My eyes darted to his but the look I found there had turned searing and I had to look away. Why in the world did I agree to this? I was way out of my depth.

  He said in a low voice, “No. I want you to stand by that table. Then how about you remove your shirt and bra and I take it from there?” It was a question that came out like a gentle command.<
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  I swallowed despite the water having coated my throat. Already we were in new territory for me. The other guys I’d been with, even Seb, had been right up next to me when the clothes came off, helping to remove them. Callum was asking me to strip. It was hot as hell, but made me nervous too.

  I made one last attempt to assert control. “OK but I’m starting the timer as soon as the bra is off.”

  He nodded, his eyes looking cocky again. I set up the timer function on my iPhone and placed it on the side table next to me, which came to waist height. I unbuttoned my blouse, looking down as I did it, anywhere rather than at Callum. I felt incredibly vulnerable but also aroused. I dropped the blouse off both shoulders at the same time. I risked looking at Callum’s face. His eyes had been locked on my bra but when he felt my eyes on him he looked up and met my gaze. The look in his eyes could only be described as predatory. I felt a shiver of excitement. His eyes returned to my breasts as I reached for my bra clasp. With two hands I tried to still my shaking and undo the clasp. I opened the two cups of the bra and dropped the straps off my shoulders and then to the ground, my breasts bouncing free. I heard Callum gasp. I knew I had nice tits- I’d been complemented on them way more than I’d cared for and since the age of 13 I’d observed men of all ages lose their cool at the sight of me in a bikini. But this, this was something else again. Having this particular guy staring at me was making me more turned on than I could ever remember. My breaths were coming out short and sharp, causing my chest to rise and fall.

  I had the presence of mind to reach over and start the timer, and then I waited for Callum to pounce. But he didn’t. I ventured a peek and he was still staring at my breasts, a look of wonder on his face. The time was going fast and I found myself impatient. I wanted him to touch me. But I wouldn’t make the move. After what seemed like forever, he stepped forward. He reached out both hands and lightly cupped them, and my nipples went instantly rock hard, to my embarrassment. He glanced up at me, a twinkle in his eye mixed with the hunger I’d already seen. Then he swiftly bent his head down and clamped his hot mouth over my right nipple, suckling me in loud slurps. I cried out in surprise and, it must be said, pleasure. And yup I could feel the lip ring. Was this really just second base?

  His right hand stayed on my left breast, while his left slid to my right hip. He licked and suckled for all he was worth in the seconds remaining, and I… well, I lost control. I grabbed his head and ran my fingers through his hair, pushing him further onto my breast as I arched my back, wanting him to take as much of me as he could into his mouth. Then the timer went off, like a slap in the face.

  I released his head immediately, untangling my fingers from the hair I’d been grabbing, and Callum pulled back and stood up just as quickly. I was trying to get my breathing under control with little success. Callum had bent over with his hands on his thighs, and was turning away, but I could see the bulge in his shorts. I was pleased he was as worked up as I was.

  I picked up my bra and blouse and turned my back on Callum while I put them on. There was suddenly silence and I realized the timer alarm had been going this whole time, and had now stopped. Callum must have turned it off. Further embarrassment: I hadn’t even been able to think straight enough to do that. Buttoning up my shirt hastily, I turned back around. He was seated on the couch, a cushion on his lap, watching me. I felt utterly awkward.

  “Your tits are spectacular.” Cocky bastard.

  “Thanks.” Geez, meek little Miss Mouse! But if I showed how much this had thrown me he’d realize this behavior was wait out of the ordinary for me, and then he’d know I was batshit crazy about him. Ugh.

  Callum was cool and collected. “Thanks for letting me enjoy them.”

  “You’re welcome.” Now the meekness was gone, and instead I sounded like I’d loaned him a ballpoint pen. That was the best I could manage, dammit.

  There didn’t seem to be anything else to say and I was desperate to get away so I turned toward the door, about to leave.

  “Jenny?” he called out as I turned the handle.

  “What?” I looked over my shoulder at him.

  His eyes had their old arrogant twinkle in them. “Your right tit got all the attention today. I’m happy to relieve the pressure on the left one anytime. Just let me know.” I rolled my eyes as I headed out the door.

  Chapter 13

  After leaving Callum’s I had thought and overthought the scene in his living room to such a degree that by the time I got to school the next morning I was deeply regretting it. Tina had told me how hot it sounded when I described it but even she couldn’t claim that Callum had shown anything more than lust toward me. That was what I was hung up on now: though I hadn’t felt used at the time- not at all- in hindsight it sounded so tawdry. So I vowed once again to keep away from him. It hadn’t helped that at lunch Jessica was draped all over him, her arm around his shoulders in line for food, and then eating off his plate at lunch. Yeh I was kind of spying on him. Jessica pissed me off, though Bryce had his hand on my thigh throughout the same lunch.

  In Calc I struck up a conversation with the guy next to me so that I was turned away when Callum went to his seat. At one point I dropped my pencil and it rolled behind me. As I leaned down to collect it I made the mistake of looking at him and was met by a hooded look that made my panties melt. I let my hair fall in my face to hide the flush, and swung around fast. After that I steeled myself not to look at him.

  Despite my precautions the day ended in embarrassment. As I was leaving class Mr. Ferguson cornered the two of us to commend us on how much Callum’s grades had improved.

  When he jovially said, “I don’t know how you’re doing it Jenny but clearly it is just what Callum needs,” I felt myself turn a dark shade of red.

  Seeing my discomfort, Callum said, “It’s the personal touch that makes all the difference.” Very funny.

  Mr. Ferguson nodded, “Evidently.”

  Callum didn’t stop there. “She really knows how to arouse my interest in the topic.” I’m going to kill him.

  “Oh yes?” Mr. Ferguson looked up. He was gathering up the papers on his desk. I moved towards the door, desperate to escape. Mr. F’s eyes were flicking between the two of us so I couldn’t respond other than with an innocent smile.

  Callum wasn’t done. “Yeh I’m starting to realize Calc is something I can really sink my teeth into.”

  My façade must have slipped because Ferguson glanced sharply at me but I quickly beamed a brittle smile at him.

  “Bye!” I said sunnily, heading for the door without looking at Callum. He followed me out and as soon as the door was shut I turned and punched him, hard, in the arm.

  “Ow,” he gripped his arm and made a mock grimace. “What was that for?”

  “You know what that was for,” I hissed. “That was way uncool.”

  “Aw come on, he didn’t have a clue what I was talking about,” Callum protested, laughing. “I just said it to get a rise out of you.”

  I glared at him. “Well, it worked.” My platform heels prevented me from stomping away down the hall but I tottered off with as much dignity as I could muster.

  The only thing that kept me from bailing on our tutoring session the next day was my sense of responsibility as a tutor. As it was, I kept the next day’s lesson all business and we got through the material pretty quickly. He seemed to realize I needed some space as he didn’t tease me even if we were stuck right next to each other peering down at the same textbook.

  Towards the end of the lesson my phone rang and it was Lacey. I normally turned my phone off but I’d been waiting for this call. Katy Perry was playing at the US Airways Center on Saturday night and Lacey was at the box office getting us tickets.

  Callum looked up and I apologized. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.”

  “No problem.”

  I answered, “Hey Lacey”. Callum rolled his eyes at the name but kept working on some practice equations.

  Lacey disp
ensed with the niceties. “There’s only general admission left.”

  I said, “That’s fine, I prefer that anyway. Then we can dance.” I asked if she needed my credit card and she said I could pay her back later.

  “Give my worst to Caldwell.”

  “Ha.”

  After we hung up, Callum put his pencil down.

  “Which concert are you seeing?”

  I was dreading that question. “Katy Perry.”

  He made an exaggerated gagging face. “Really? I’m sorry.”

  “OK Mr. Music Snob, she has some really catchy hits.”

  “Yeh, the best that money can buy.” He stretched his arms over his head, which always made my heart skip a beat. But his dismissive attitude was still pissing me off.

  “So what if she doesn’t write her own songs? She’s super talented as a singer and performer.”

  “Whatever. Enjoy. Where’s she performing?”

  “US Airways Center. Saturday night. There are still General Admission tickets available if you’re interested.”

  “Funny. I’ll be over in that part of town that night to see some friends of mine play at a bar. Enjoy living a teenage dream.”

  “Shall I get you a t-shirt to add to your collection?”

  He chuckled. “Uh no, that won’t be necessary.”

  The night of the concert rolled around and I was looking forward to it. Bryce and I were double dating with Kai and Lacey. Bryce was driving. When he picked me up, I’d made sure he waited in his car rather than force another awkward conversation with my dad.

  Lacey, who had a minuscule bladder, had to pee as soon as we were within sight of the Center, so Bryce dropped her and me off while he and Kai went to find parking. Lacey told me as we walked into the lobby that the boys wanted to do a couple shots at the car before coming in. I raised my eyebrows.

  “Don’t give me that look, Jenny. Bryce’ll sober up by the end of the concert, and anyway you or I can always drive.” This was certainly true, and I was relieved about that.