Page 18 of Pleasuring Professor Pisces
“See ya later, Professor P.” He popped his lips when he made the “P” sound, taunting me about his earlier words.
Just before he opened the door, he turned back and gave one warning. “I won’t be satisfied until you’re on ya knees again, choking on this dick.”
“I don’t choke. I have no gag reflex,” I immediately replied sarcastically.
The knowing look in his eyes and the cocky smirk made me realize that I’d played right into his hands. Damn.
“I know,” he replied with a wink and pulled the door open.
I forced a smile to my lips just as my student, Nathan Searles, stepped inside. I prayed that I looked calm outside because I was anything but inside.
After the series of broken relationships I had experienced throughout my twenties, I had promised myself that I wouldn’t get involved with any men anytime soon. I needed my thirties to be free of drama.
I thought about the men I had been with through the years, starting at eighteen with my first boyfriend, Reginald, who loved women and couldn’t stick with one. Patrick had become my stalker. Darell had bullied and gaslighted me to keep me under his control, and Terry had ghosted me. When I thought I had found my footing with a more mature man, Dominic, it turned out that he was physically abusive. He was the final one, the one who made me decide to take a break from men. I had had enough of men.
For some odd reason, I was always drawn to dark, abusive men and risky situations. I couldn’t help but wonder what waswrong with me. Now here I was, attracted to another risky situation that I knew could never end well for him or me. It was better to let it burn before it burned me.
We had a different model tonight.She was a heavyset, curvy, white woman with long, white-blonde hair. I loved how comfortable in her skin she was. Her name was Lourdes. I briefly wondered where Salem was. I had not seen him since that kiss Friday afternoon when he left my office. He left me shook, and I could barely converse with Nathan Searles. It took so much concentration and hard work to focus on what he was talking about.
After Mr. Searles left, I rushed out of my office. I hadn’t wanted to get caught by another student. I simply wanted to make it home so I could be alone with my thoughts and feelings. I knew that kissing Salem had been wrong, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Thank you, everyone, for your time tonight. Ms. Lourdes will be back next Wednesday if you would like to complete your work with her,” Chelsea announced with a little clap before she headed in my direction.
I watched as Lourdes climbed off the stool and put her clothes on again. Chelsea stopped at my table. “Hey, sweetheart. I have someone who is waiting to speak with me. So I just had to drop by and say hi briefly.”
“No worries. Go ahead and handle your business. Have a good night, beautiful,” I replied and hugged her before kissing her cheek.
I got off my stool and grabbed my things. I had enough time after work today to stop by my place and change out of my work clothes. Every now and then, I would come straight to the studio in my work clothes. And when I did, I always wore a smock to avoid damaging them. Tonight, I wore ripped light blue denim jeans and an off-the-shoulder cropped sweatshirt with some tennis shoes.
I walked to the sink and washed my hands vigorously until I cleansed them of all the paint. I had chosen that medium to work with tonight. Once I washed and dried my hands, I grabbed my bag off the table, tugged it up my shoulder, and headed for the doors.
I pushed the door open and welcomed the cool breeze. The day had been sultry, so now that the temps had dropped, I basked in the cool April evening. We only had seven weeks of school remaining. Salem would be graduating soon, and I would not see him anymore. I would miss his flirty banter, and a part of me wanted to welcome a temporary fling, no matter how fleeting.
I walked down the sidewalk to the coffee shop and pulled the door open. I had a taste for one of those sticky buns that Salem had given me. I wanted that more than I wanted anything else.It was too late for me to be drinking coffee because it would keep me up all night. I would opt for juice instead.
I headed straight for the counter to place my order. I was tugging my phone out of my bag so that I could pay for my order when a familiar voice behind me declared, “I’ve got it.”
It was like my thoughts and desire to be with him had conjured him out of nowhere. It was almost mystical, really. I bit back a shy smile at the feeling that aroused within me.
His body pressed against mine briefly as he leaned around me and shoved his phone underneath the scanner. I closed my eyes and inhaled the warm vanilla, patchouli, and citrus scents of his bold cologne. When he removed that dark tattooed arm to put his phone away, I finally spun around and looked into warm, kind eyes.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing here? You weren’t at the studio tonight,” I replied as I stepped away from the counter while I waited for my order.
“I know. Want to have a seat at my table while I collect your order?” he invited and extended a hand toward his table, while ignoring the rest of my comment.
“Sure.”
I walked over to the table where he had his laptop open and a book turned face down. I didn’t know how I had missed him when I first stepped into the coffee shop, but it was clear that he was here before my arrival.
I tugged the book toward me and turned it over. When I saw the title, I smiled. He had finally given in and read the book that I suggested to him,Thank You for Arguing.
From the looks of it, he had read a significant portion. I turned the book back over and pulled my phone out again when it buzzed. There was a text message from Chelsea.
CHELS:
The artist whose work I was having an issue with finally asked me out.
