by M. C. Cerny
“True, but still, Shelby. Edie needs to think about what could happen if she continues this and anyone finds out. You’re not going to move in with him, are you?” Aiden sits down between us on the couch, and we both put our feet in his lap.
“We’re getting ahead of ourselves. I’ve crushed on him for years and, apparently, he feels the same. I don’t want to rush into anything, and I don’t want to jeopardize our futures. This kind of scandal would ruin him, and I’d be financially screwed because I’d have to probably pay back all my scholarship money.” Just the legalities alone make me sick to my stomach.
“At least tell me you’re going to keep the car…” Shelby smiles.
“That was part of our compromise. I keep my apartment and the car. We get through the semester unscathed and I graduate next semester.”
“Shelby and I will do what we can to help.”
“Thanks.” Shelby and I climb over to hug Aiden.
Chapter Nine
Edith
The next few weeks pass quickly, bringing us into November. Most students are heading home for the Thanksgiving weekend, including Shelby and Aiden. They invite me along, but I decide to stay behind. Jack is planning on cooking a turkey, and wants me to stay at his house for the weekend. Considering we’ve been careful and only had a few stolen moments between our schedules at school, work, and other things, we haven’t been intimate very often. But when we have, it is hot and carries my fantasies for days. We text daily. Jack has given me a new phone to make calls, take pictures, and connect to the internet. I tell him it is a sweet gift and he says he knew he could convince me to keep this one because it is so practical. He is right.
***
“Before class ends for the break, I just want to remind everyone that you should check ‘e-college’ for your mid-term grades that were posted a few weeks ago, and begin to study for the final exam. We have two classes left and I’ll try to review terms with you each session,” Jack says and many students groan. I’m not as worried as I had been before because I continue to meet with Daniel for tutoring, although he is kind of weird and intense. I also have my special meetings with Jack. I try really hard to study but, more often than not, we end up making out and Jack just yells out ridiculous things about T and Z scores and intervals. Surprisingly, I am able to retain the information during his unorthodox teaching methods under pressure. At the end of class, my new phone pings.
JH: I see you trying to peek behind my podium, Miss Willows.
You’re imagining things, sir.
JH: So formal. What’s the probability you’ll call me “sir” later?
Not a chance in hell.
Jack laughs as students file out of the classroom. To any observer, it would look like many students were texting someone outside of class, with the exception of he and I. I am beginning to think our grins might give us away at some point. We continue to keep our meetings off campus at either his place or mine, and have curtailed any PDA to inside our apartments. Jack kept the house he bought, but we never go there. To me, it seems like a painful reminder of what we can’t have for a long time. After getting a bag of my things together, I drive my little car over to Jack’s place and park in his garage. I use my key to open the door.
“Hey, Edith. I figured we’d order in tonight since we’re cooking tomorrow,” Jack calls from the kitchen.
“Correction. You’re cooking tomorrow, but it sounds good to me.” I hang up my jacket, take off my hat, and go into the kitchen to find Jack bent over, looking under the sink. “Um, as fine as your ass is, what are you doing under the sink?”
Jack bumps his head, causing whatever was in his hands to drop. “Oww, shit. I think the sink has a clog. Can you grab my phone from my bag?” Jack stands up, leaving his meager plumbing tools on the floor, and I rub his head, kissing it gently. He smiles and I grab his leather messenger bag. Everyone has one of these darn bags I love.
“Hey, babe. Are you sure it’s in here? I don’t see it.”
“Yeah, I’m sure… Ah, shit…” Jack covers his face with his hands.
“What?”
“I think I left it at my office, or maybe campus.”
“Eh, is that bad?” I ask, a little worried.
“Nah. I’ll just pull up the ‘Find my phone’ app. Can you call for pizza?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll be right back to discipline you, brat.”
“You better.” Jack spanks my ass lightly, leaving the room and heading for his converted office. I call for pizza and order half of my favorite and half of his. “You find the phone?”
“Yeah. I left it in my office on campus. I’ll drive over sometime this weekend and pick it up. I was sure I hadn’t left it anywhere. Oh well. I’m not going to worry about it tonight. I’ve got something else with which I’d rather occupy my time.” Jack puts his arm around me, fake biting me, making me giggle.
“Arrg! Stop. Pizza is coming!”
“And so will you!” He is a total cheeseball.
Jack picks me up, making me scream a few obscenities, then dumps me on top of the bed. I’m panting and coming before the pizza guy delivers our dinner. I make Jack go pay the man while I hide in the bedroom. With sexed-up hair and in my teacher’s house, I am not going to greet a possible classmate working as a deliveryman. Jack is crazy, if not deluded, thinking we won’t get caught that way.
We stay in for the long weekend, Jack cooking us an intimate Thanksgiving feast for two. It is one of the best holidays I have had since leaving home behind and deciding to go it alone. Jack makes me feel like I want to finally be a part of something, and like I have something worth giving that isn’t monetary or materialistic. Maybe the world would frown upon how we met and how we conducted our relationship in secret, but at least we are adults and we aren’t hurting anyone. My final exam will be proctored and graded by a TA so I know Jack isn’t breaking any rules there, except for his unorthodox study sessions of which I took full advantage.
It is hard going back to class on Monday. Leaving Jack’s cozy house for my sparse studio apartment is hard and lonely, but it is the right thing to do and I keep telling myself that it is only going to be temporary.
Jack
Watching Edith leave my bed this morning to go back to her apartment kills me. I kiss her every step she takes away from me, hoping she’ll linger long enough to be late for work or just decide to stay. I want to tie her to my bed and never let her go. In the past few weeks, she had become so precious to me. Meeting her as a high school student had really screwed with my head. Lusting after her for years made me crazy with guilt. Our first kiss had been a thing of combustion I had tried to brush off and forget, only to be sucker punched by it later. Even now, there is a clear line we are crossing and I want to protect her as best as I can.
Since it is Monday, I head into my own office, speak with my PA, and schedule a few meetings for later next week. Teaching the Tuesday and Thursday block means I can’t travel much until after the class exams are graded and turned in. I am hoping that maybe I can convince Edith to come with me. I thought she’d like to see Miami in December. Who wouldn’t? Warm sunshine, beaches, and shopping. I want to spoil her for Christmas and this seems like a great opportunity for us to get out of town. I get through my work day pretty easily and know I’ll see Edith in class tomorrow.
I head back home and change into workout clothes, not wanting to be in the house without her. I run a few miles until my phone dings with a text.
EW: Hey, smarty pants. I’ll see you tomorrow. XOXO
It was so cute, I had to reply.
Maybe I won’t wear any behind my podium.
EW: I think you want to get caught. :-)
Only with you, babe.
She doesn’t reply so I let her go and use the pent up energy to sprint home, running some extra miles and working up a good sweat in the cool November air. I order takeout and pick it up, walking back home. Before Edith came into my life, I didn’t know what
I was missing. I turn in early, sending Edith a good night text and awaiting Tuesday’s arrival.
***
“Hey, professor.” I turn around and find Daniel just inside my office door.
“Just the man I was looking for, Mr. Munson.” Daniel is wearing some kind of shiny fabric slacks that were dry cleaned too many times, aging the poor kid at least twenty years. It makes me wonder if that’s what got him the position under my predecessor to begin with.
“I wanted to let you know I’m available to proctor the exam next week. I was able to take my Calculus exam early, so that frees up my time to proctor the Statistics one for your second block class.”
“Excellent. I didn’t know who was doing it yet and Dean Andrews said he had several people available if you were not here for your own exams.” I shuffle some papers and find the stack of the last set of quizzes he’d graded for me before Thanksgiving. “Too bad you can’t enter the grades, too!” I laugh. “I’ve got an awful lot of papers to sort through this weekend.”
“Oh, you know…university policies. They can be such a drag, right?” Daniel looks at me for a second, a strange expression on his face. It makes me feel guilty for the policies I am breaking.
“Oh, yeah. I suppose.” I try brushing off the feeling I have, but Daniel has this intensity about him that just plain irritates me. I attempt to ignore what he might have been implying.
“Well, I’ll see you in class,” he says, leaving my office.
I reach into my drawer as he shuts the door on his way out. I pick up my cell phone and stare at it before sliding my finger across the screen. I shake off the feeling, thinking it is impossible for Daniel to suspect something between Edith and me. We are very careful and it is just my guilty conscience playing with my mind. Besides, Daniel has been tutoring Edith twice a week for the last few weeks. If he didn’t figure it out the one time I stopped by the library to drop off her sweater that she had left in my car, which I lied about and said she left in the classroom, I am sure we are pretty much in the clear.
I try calling Edith to check in, but her phone is off, as usual. She still isn’t used to taking calls on it. No matter. I’ll see her soon.
In class, I review the exam materials and sneak glances at Edith, who is rather attentive to my lecture. She is passing my class and will do better on her exam next week, if she doesn’t let her nerves get the best of her. It’s easy to admire how much hard work she puts into everything, and I will be both glad and relieved when she graduates.
“Daniel will hand out the last review guide. Use this to study and you should all be fine. I’ll also be dropping the lowest two quiz grades to help average out your final scores. See you Thursday.” Murmurs of “thank you” echo from students exiting the classroom and I wait for everyone to leave until it’s just Edith and me.
“Finally. I thought they’d never leave.” I walk up the risers to where Edith sits in her seat, her books on her tabletop. Her hands are folded in her lap demurely as she smirks. Brat.
“So impatient, professor…” Edith rolls her eyes at me. I’m betting that is something Shelby taught her.
“That doesn’t sound like a student who studied, Ms. Willows.” I lean over her table, pushing her back into her chair and sliding her offending book away from me so I can reach her better. The heavy book loudly falls to the floor.
“That book cost over a hundred and twenty dollars…used.”
“I’m more of an experiential kind of teacher, Miss Willows.” I shrug.
“You know, Professor Hamilton, if we wait another week, it won’t nearly be as naughty when we get caught.” Edith mocks me with her tone as she unbuttons the top two buttons of her blouse. I should have noticed it before because it isn’t something she’d normally choose to wear. I know my girl’s wardrobe pretty well. Torn jeans that are butter soft, tanks and t-shirts with flip flops even in November. My little tease is egging me on, thinking that I won’t take the bait.
Class is in session, Miss. Willows. “I’m not sure you understood the extra credit assignment very well, Miss. Willows,” I say, using my most authoritative voice. I rub my nose against her cheek, breathing in her scent. I reach out to touch her blouse, slipping my palm inside to cup her small breast. I rub my thumb over her nipple and listen for her breath to catch.
“Explain it to me again,” Edith moans, whispering harshly in my ear, nipping it. I can feel my dick press up against my pants, straining to explain to her exactly what she is doing to me. I give her nipple a pinch, just hard enough to make her yelp. I rub it again, letting her take in the different sensations.
“You better get going. I’ve got papers to grade.” I hang my head in defeat, slipping my hand back out of her shirt and buttoning it back up to the top. If we start something now, Edith will make me finish it and I would, but then I’d be jeopardizing everything we were working so hard to conceal.
“See you Wednesday after my tutoring session. Meet Aiden, Shelby, and I for dinner? Please?” Edith leans back over the table and takes my chin in her hands, kissing me tenderly.
“You bet, babe.” I grab her fingers and kiss the tips before letting her go, watching her walk out of my classroom in her skinny jeans and silky top. I wait fifteen minute after she leaves before I do the same. I really don’t want to get caught.
Chapter Ten
Edith
I know Jack is struggling with this as much as I am. We have enough obstacles in our way without me trying to needle him into an impromptu make out session in the classroom. I rub my breast in the empty hallway, gently relishing the feel of his hand on me earlier. As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Daniel.
“Edie, hello.” Daniel eyes my chest and I immediately drop my hand, feeling the burn rise up to my hairline.
“Hey yourself, Daniel.” I try to smile, but from the moment he started tutoring me, the interaction felt strange.
“Since I’m seeing you now, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yeah, sure.” I tuck my hair, which was sure to have escaped its braid, behind my ear.
“I know we usually meet at the library, but I was wondering if we can meet somewhere else tomorrow. I have this other meeting which is off campus, near Halsey Street.” That’s right near my house and since I’ve gotten to know him somewhat from the last few weeks, it will also save me time from having to go home and change to meet Jack, Aiden, and Shelby anyway.
“Why don’t you just come to my place?” I sigh eager to get this over. “I’m three blocks from Halsey on Birchwood, number eleven. Text me if you get lost.” I cringe because I don’t know why I just agreed to have him come to my place.
“Okay, great. See you tomorrow.” Daniel takes my hand and awkwardly shakes it before leaving. I swear he is sauntering down the hall, but I push the image out of my head and set out to meet Shelby for coffee before I go to work.
***
Today breezes by and I’m looking forward to seeing Jack, Shelby, and Aiden later. Daniel texts to say he’d be a little early, which is fine with me because I will be glad to just get the tutoring session over with and finish this horrid class. I know Jack is in a meeting, so I send him a text to let him know I’ll be with Daniel and will finish sooner than normal, except we’ll be at my place instead of the library.
When Daniel shows up, I open the door and give him a tour of my apartment. Sweeping my arm over the couch, I declare this my proud abode. “Okay, ready to crack those numbers?” he says, as we settle on opposite ends of the couch. I check my phone, but no message from Jack yet. I don’t want to be rude so I turn my phone over, blocking the screen incase Jack does respond and go back to looking over the review sheet from the day before. We review problem sets for about fifteen minutes, then Daniel starts inching toward me on the couch.
“Uh…hey, you want something to drink?” I stand up and go to my small fridge and then the cupboard for glasses, noticing his slightly startled look. I can’t stop the feeling in the pit of my stomach and I
wish we were at the library instead of in my apartment.
“What did you have in mind, Edith? I’m kind of a beer guy, but you seem a little more sophisticated, older even.” Daniel’s tone of voice drops and I get a chill that runs up my spine, making me shiver.
“What? I meant like water or orange juice?” I turn, but he has already blocked me from getting to my door. A door I just realized is locked from the inside and reinforced steel because Jack, my Jack, made sure it was a safe door. That is the shitty part of having a studio apartment. Things were closer, but never so far away. How safe am I with Daniel looming closer to me?
“So, Edie, why did you think people wouldn’t notice you and Jack making moon eyes at each other?” Daniel takes a step closer and I take a step back, bumping my butt against the counter.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Daniel. Do you think you could grab me the review sheet? I think I know the answer to the third question.” I am hoping he’ll step away, but no luck.
“Do I look stupid, Edie? Am I just another idiot you bat your eyes at and fuck your way through?” Daniel growls at me and takes another step closer. Jesus, there isn’t much left between him grabbing me and me flipping out.
“Daniel, I think you’re making a mistake. I don’t even know Mr. Hamilton that well.” I can feel my resolve shaking.
“I must look stupid to you.”
“No. Not at all, Daniel. That’s why you’re the tutor. I need your help.”
“Tsk. Tsk. Fucking the professor isn’t very ladylike. I thought you were different, Edith. Much different.” I watch Daniel lick his lips, and sickening dread fills me. Nobody knows he is here with me, except Jack, who is across town in a meeting and hasn’t texted me back. Daniel has a crazy look in his eye.
“Daniel, please. It’s not what you think.” I will beg and I will fight.
