AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not like that, baby girl; you know that.” He tucks my hair behind both ears and plants a kiss on my forehead, a moment so intimate and endearing it feels out of place for this conversation.
I don’t press the issue. Instead, I follow him back to the bedroom where he gets dressed and I wrap myself in my fuzzy robe. I walk him to the door and he pulls me in for one last kiss that has my toes curling. I try to lose myself in the feeling, pushing aside the ache in my chest that I know is the first warning sign.
Chapter 19
Cyrus
I can’t hide the spring in my step this morning or the fact that my eyes keep drifting toward Presley. I feel like I slept for fifteen hours and just got back from a month-long vacation.
“Kira, give us your take on the matter.” I gesture toward one of my students who has raised her hand in response to a question I posed to the class. I sit back, crossing my arms and nodding my head, hoping it conveys that I’m listening because I’m distracted by the way Forrest keeps leaning into Presley’s shoulder to whisper something to her.
My stomach curdles, a burning sensation starting to climb its way up my chest when I see her giggle and shake her head at him. I hate this feeling. I know that this is what I should want for her, to find a young man who makes her truly happy, not just satisfies some latent sexual fantasy that she’s failed to get out of her system.
I turn my attention back to Kira as she finishes speaking. “Several good points there, Kira. Anyone else have anything they want to add to her comments?” I scan the room, Presley’s hand slowly lifting above her head. “Yes, Presley?”
“I agree with Kira, but I do think that oftentimes we can make decisions that at the time aren’t altruistic. They might even be completely for selfish reasons but can develop into something more.”
“Okay, expand on that.”
“Well, for example, say you donate to a specific charity or organization or start up your own foundation because of the tax implications for yourself and your business, but then it actually turns into a passion project for you and you find yourself truly believing in this cause. What started out as a once-selfish decision has blossomed into something more, something meaningful because you took the time to nurture it and allow it to reveal itself to you.”
All the feelings of jealousy disappear as I see the glimmer in her eyes, the little smirk pulling at her lips. Is she trying to tell me something here? Is she the selfish decision I’ve made that has the potential to be something more if I just open up to the possibility of it?
“Uh, yes,” I say, looking down at the floor when I realize I’ve just been staring at her without replying. “I agree, that can certainly be the case. I don’t think it’s often that it happens but… we can certainly hope that it does.”
The bell rings seconds later, my smile back in place as I reach for my coat. I glance up at Presley who’s already looking at me. I wait back for everyone to leave and she does the same so that we exit the room together.
“Aren’t you cheeky,” I say, patting her ass softly as she steps over the threshold.
“You seem to be in an especially good mood today, Professor.”
“Mmm, yes, I do, don’t I? Can’t imagine why.” I playfully bump her shoulder.
“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Gates?”
“I don’t know about that.” I laugh. The thought of me flirting seems a bit foreign. I can be charming; that’s for damn sure. I can be suave and extremely seductive, and it’s not often that I’ve flirted, yet right now, that’s exactly what it feels like. “Don’t forget,” I remind her, “you’re coming over for your workout tonight.”
“I thought last night was my workout? Think I might be a little too sore for the gym.”
I unlock my car as we approach it. “Don’t forget, Miss James,” I say in my usual stern manner, “I can and will still punish you if you even think twice about being disobedient with me.”
“Is that a threat?” She tilts her head, slowly pulling on her bottom lip with her teeth. “Because it sounds like a pretty fun one to me.”
“Get in the damn car so I can give you a ride home.” I shake my head in exasperation. This woman is going to be the death of me.
“Make me,” she says in her most seductive manner.
I glance around casually, then push her back against the door of the car so quick she doesn’t even realize what’s happening till her back hits it.
“You really want to play that game right now, right here?” I press my hand firmly against her belly, pinning her to the car. “I will make you come back to my office and hide under my desk all day with my cock in your mouth.”
“There are worse things.” She doubles down on her cocky attitude.
“You like this, don’t you? Pushing my limits, stretching the boundaries.” She just stares at me. “You’re a kinky little thing. I’ll keep that in mind next time I dole out a punishment.”
I step back, releasing her from the car. I place my hand at her elbow, walking her around to the passenger side.
The drive to her place is back to being normal. There’s a flirtatious undertone while we talk, but it just feels natural. I find myself feeling sad the moment her building comes into sight. I want to blow off work, ask her to hang out, and just bum around the city or lie in her bed all day. Again, all new feelings for me—at least in the last decade or two. Usually my arrangements are just that, a text arranging a time for a hookup or social event and no in-between banter or talking. For years I’ve closed myself off and slowly, it feels like those walls are starting to crumble without me even having to try to tear them down myself.
