I was exhausted. I spent the entire night thinking of her. Even when I did manage to fall asleep from sheer exhaustion, her face haunted my dreams. I could smell her. Taste her on my lips. She was an addiction that I didn’t want cured. The utterance of her name caused my body to go rigged and my cock to grow hard. Her twisted sense of self and lack of any kind of discipline only made me crave her that much more.

I waited anxiously for her to come. I needed another fix. I grabbed her books and placed them on her desk. It felt like an eternity since I had looked in her eyes. Since I had broken her heart and pushed her away. I leaned against my desk, my blood pounding in my ears as my heart raced. As she walked through the door, her eyes caught mine and for a second the world stood still and spun faster at the same time. Spiraling out of control and orbiting around us. The high was short lived as one of my students came to ask me a question about our last assignment. I answered him quickly and turned back to her but she had disappeared. Like a beautiful mirage. My eyes scanned the room frantically before coming to rest on her.

She held a smile on her face but didn’t look at me. I struggled to regain my composure and begin the lesson. I prepared questions to engage the class and also to keep myself from fantasizing about her. I asked a few questions, all the while glancing in her direction. She continued to avoid my gaze and appeared to not even be listening.

“Emma…Emma!” I called out, breaking her from her daydream. She looked embarrassed as her eyes shot up and the class looked at her expectantly.

“What?” She asked, not bothering to hide her irritation with me. I deserved it but I didn’t like it. I bit back the urge to scold her, to tell her she needed to be punished. I had no right to say anything to her at all.

“Who exacted punishment on the rebels of the North of England referred to as ‘The Harrying of the North’?” I starred at her, not letting her look away from me. I wanted her to hear the word punishment and think of me. As her cheeks burned pink, I knew that she had. Her brain searched for an answer. An answer that I knew she didn’t have since I had her book all weekend. If she thought of me, of punishment she could put two and two together. Her eyes lit up as she did just that.

“William the conqueror?” She responded with a smirk. I had used ‘William the Conqueror as my contact name when I programmed my number into her phone.

“That is correct Ms. Townsend.” I bit back a grin. “Good girl” I made sure her eyes were locked onto mine as I said it. I knew what those words would do to her. She bit her lip as she flushed. I narrowed my eyes at her, staring at her mouth. Her pretty fuckable mouth. She released her lip immediately.

I broke away from her and continued to ask questions. My thoughts never left her though. I ran my hand over the edge of the desk where her fingers had gripped, holding it tightly while I punished her. I ran my hand over the buckle of my belt, which awarded me another lusty stare. My cock twitched and I had to discreetly adjust myself.

Time switched into hyper speed and before I knew it the class was emptying. I fought the urge to ask her to stay, knowing if I asked she would. She would want to please me. I licked my lips and glanced up in time to see her glance over her shoulder. She looked sad. I knew I was the cause of it.

I thought of nothing else for the rest of the day. I wanted to take away her pain. The pain I had given her.

I made my way to my car and waited for her to come out. She made small talk with her friends before sitting in her car alone. I couldn’t resist texting her. I wanted her to know that I was thinking about her.

You are incredibly beautiful, even when you’re sad.

She smiled and I felt my stomach tighten. Her face relaxed again and she knew that I was watching.

Is that why you broke my heart?

Her words cut through me with gut wrenching pain.

I would give anything to take back all of the pain I have caused you.

I watched her as a smile played across her lips.

Some of the pain we enjoyed.

She had no idea what she did to me. Reading words alone made me stiff, painfully so. I took a deep breath and fought the urge to take her in her car.

Go home Emma.

Angela was walking towards my car and I needed time to be alone with her. To threaten her. I glanced back at Emma who was glaring at me.

Now!

I gave her a stern look but had to focus on Angela. I got out of my car and greeted her, trying not to draw attention to us. Emma flew past us, speeding carelessly through the parking lot. I typed quickly, wishing I could go after her.

Slow down.

She sat at the light, waiting for it to change. I swallowed the hard lump in my throat as I waited. When it did she made sure I understood how upset she was. I cringed as her car lurched dangerously into traffic.

“So…” Angela said, her eyes downcast.

“Why the fuck have you been avoiding my calls?” I was livid. More so at Emma who was self- destructing before my eyes.

“I ha-haven’t” Angela replied in a hushed tone, searching the lot for anyone who was listening.

“We need to talk…some other time. For now I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to even hear you breathe my name. You will regret it.” I lowered my voice so no one would hear but I made sure it kept its edge. She didn’t respond, just nodded while fidgeting with her necklace. She turned and made her way to her car.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I didn’t waste a second. I needed to make sure that Emma made it home safe. I drove to her place, making sure no one else was home. Emma’s car was not there. I parked up the road and walked behind her house, finding her bedroom window unlocked. I smiled at how careless she really was where her safety was concerned. I slipped inside her window and waited anxiously for her to come. It didn’t take long. Within the minute, I heard the sound of the garage door raising and lowering. I listened to her as she went about her business, unaware of what could be lurking around the corner. As she made her way down the hall, I felt my pulse quicken in time with her steps.

The door opened.

“So you enjoy the pain?” I asked. She was too stunned. She didn’t reply. Her eyes locked onto mine as if trying to figure out if I was really there. “Close the door.” She stepped inside and slid the door shut behind her. She leaned back against it and her eyes flickered to the window. “If Angela knew about you, she isn’t going or say or do anything about it.” I told her, trying to ease some of her worry. I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her. Anyone. If I was strong enough to stay away I would. She looked confused. “She’s married. The last thing she wants is for her husband to find out she likes fucking other men.” I explained. Her expression changed to hurt and I cursed myself for revealing more to her than I intended. She looked at her feet, biting her lip out of nervousness. “She wasn’t really my type. I like my women all to myself.” I took a step closer to her and lifted her chin with my fingers. “Breathe Emma.” As if my words were her command she sucked in a ragged breath. I let my hands glide over her body. I traced her jaw as my other explored her waist. I let it slip lower, carressing her hip. She let out a breathy moan and I continued on, running my fingers down her thigh and hooking my hand underneath her knee. I pulled it quickly and pressed the length of myself against her. I let my lips ghost across her face to her ear. “I miss the taste of you on my lips.” She relaxed, held there by the pressure of my weight against her. She moaned in my ear. I nearly lost myself at the sound. I let my thumb glide over her bottom lip as she parted them. I pushed my finger inside and she welcomed it with her tongue. “I should go.”

“No” Her words where panicked and full of longing.

“I tried to stay away from you Emma, but I can’t. You consume my every thought. After graduation we should get away from here for a while.” She looked hesitant. I pressed my forehead against hers, inhaling her flowery scent.

“Where?” Her voice was quiet.

“Anywhere. It doesn’t matter. Just… far away from this place. I want to wake up to your smile.” I looked in her eye, wanting to see her happy. She smiled back at me. I was aching for her to agree. “Say yes”

“Yes, Sir” She grinned and I pushed my lips against hers, wanting to taste her, to feel her happiness. “Be a good girl” I knew how those words affected her. I could see it in her eyes. It was also a warning. I knew that I was in too deep with her now. I couldn’t resist her pull; couldn’t be responsible for what I would do if she ever left me.

I forced myself to leave so her aunt wouldn’t catch us. I couldn’t risk it when we were so close to being able to be together. I kept busy the rest of the evening, planning for our upcoming getaway and the end of the school year. I felt like I had control again. A feeling I very much missed.

I searched endless sites but always came back to one. Emma’s profile. I loved flipping through her pictures. She looked so sad, so broken. I wanted to change that. I wanted to always make her smile, feel happiness, feel pleasure.

That night I fell asleep to her face as I drifted off on the couch. I didn’t want to sleep in my bed alone. A feeling that bothered as much as it comforted. I dreamt of her all night. We went away together where no one knew us. She was at my side everywhere I went.

“You are beautiful.” Her cheeks turned pink under the praise. “I have something for you.” She sat quietly, patiently waiting. I pulled a velvet box out that I had hidden in a drawer and held it out to her, sinking down on my knee. “Open it” She took it in her delicate fingers and slowly opened the hinged top. Her eyes glowed with excitement. “May I?” I asked, taking the box from her hand. She watched me as I pulled the leather strap from the box and fixed it around her neck. “Mine” She sat taller on her heels.

The next morning all I could think about was seeing her. I couldn’t keep myself away any more. I drove to work earlier than usual, anxious to catch a glimpse of Emma. My heart was racing like a stampede of wild horses.

I spotted her car immediately. She sat inside, her eyes searching around her. I texted her to let her know I was there.

Eager to learn Ms. Townsend?

A smile spread across her face.

You are a great teacher.

There are so many more things I would like to teach you, Emma.

I watched her get out of her car and make her way into the building. It took every ounce of self-control not to run after her. Instead, I watched her. Watched her fingers glide through her hair. Watched her hips sway gently as she walked. Watched as she disappeared out of sight. My phone beeped and my heart leapt in my throat, but it was not from Emma. It was my father. He was out on location filming a movie and wanted me to check on his property. I swallowed hard and clenched my jaw. That was all my father ever cared about, his things. He never asked how I was. We had an understanding that we would stay out of each other’s lives. That was, after he made sure I had lost the only thing I had loved a few years ago. I didn’t respond. I grabbed my belongings and made my way inside.

My classroom was empty as usual in the morning. I pulled out my laptop and began searching flights to California. Perhaps I could kill two birds with one stone and take Emma out there. It was on the complete opposite side of the country.

A knock came at the door and I quickly closed my computer.

“Come in” I shouted. The door slowly opened and Tracy stepped inside. She was in the same class as Emma. Her hair was golden blonde and long. Her skin had a deep tan. “What can I do for you Tracy?” She chewed on her lip as she pulled the door closed behind her. An action that got my attention immediately. She stepped closer, closing the distance between us.

“I was wondering if there was something I can do to help improve my grade. Maybe..some extra credit?” Her fingers traced the collar of her shirt. I splayed my hand out on the desk and rubbed the surface. She smiled seductively as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. I stood and rounded my desk, walking towards her. Her eyes never leaving mine as her smile grew wider. I didn’t stop, walking past her to the door and pulling it open.