Chapter Twelve
June
I was shocked when Thomas showed up at my apartment on Friday evening, unannounced. He looked gorgeous in a tailored suit – I could tell that he’d come directly from work.
I could also tell that something was really bothering him. There seemed to be distance between us, distance that I couldn’t seem to reach. Thomas was acting both interested and cold…I wondered what was going on.
“I’ve arranged for Brett to spend the weekend with his mother,” Thomas said. He raised an eyebrow at me. “How about you come home with me and spend the night? We’ll order takeout,” he added. “Whatever kind you like.”
I flushed hotly. “Even cheap pizza?”
“No cheap pizza,” Thomas said. He smiled, but there was no hint of warmth or affection in his eyes. “But I promise you’ll enjoy yourself.”
I glanced down. “Should I…change?” I was still wearing the same jeans, blouse, and cardigan that I’d changed into when I’d come home from school. The event of the previous day had left me reeling, and my day had only been a success in that thankfully, I hadn’t seen Andy at all.
Thomas chuckled. “No need,” he said. “I think you look perfect. After all, we’re not exactly going to do anything fancy, now are we?”
I blushed. “I guess not,” I said softly.
After leaving a note for Angela, I stuck my cell phone charger in my purse and followed Thomas outside. This time, there was no Porsche – only a shiny black Lincoln SUV parked by the curb.
“Sometimes I don’t feel like driving,” Thomas said. He smirked. “So, I have a car service.”
“Ah,” I said. I bit my lip as Thomas helped me into the luxe expanse of the backseat.
The whole ride out of Brooklyn, Thomas was noticeably absent. He kept fiddling with his phone, fumbling all over the screen.
“Thomas, what’s bothering you?” I bit my lip, hoping he wouldn’t chew me out for asking.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said dismissively. “Just a rough week at work. What about you?”
I swallowed nervously. For a second, I almost told him what had happened with Andy in the alley…and the NYPD’s lackluster response. But I didn’t feel nearly as close to Thomas as I sometimes did. I figured I’d tell him later, after he’d relaxed.
“Oh, not much,” I said. I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
It was dark by the time the Lincoln pulled up to Thomas’s building. I couldn’t help but gasp as he led me inside and we rode the elevator to the penthouse floor.
“This is beautiful,” I said softly. The walls of the elevator were papered in elegant leather. A masculine, woodsy smell hung about the building, as if somehow they only sold to wealthy, gorgeous men.
“It’s adequate,” Thomas said. “Brett doesn’t always enjoy it. He wishes that we had our own house.”
“He’ll be grateful when he grows up,” I said. “Kids that age…well, it’s kind of a miracle when they aren’t totally selfish.”
Thomas eyed me and nodded. “That’s entirely correct,” he said. “I love my son, very much, as you know.” He sighed. “But this year hasn’t been easy for either of us.”
“Oh.” He’s finally going to open up to me, I realized happily. Finally, we’re getting somewhere!
But just as Thomas was about to speak again, the doors of the elevator pinged open and I followed him down a lush hallway into a beautiful condo.
“Wow.” I glanced around. “This is incredible.”
“That’s all because of Isabelle,” Thomas said. “Brett’s nanny, but she also cooks and cleans.”
“Oh,” I said in a small voice. “Is she here now?”
Thomas gave me a wicked smile. My lower belly gave a lurch to the side and I felt my cheeks pink with a hot flush.
“No,” Thomas said. “We’re all alone.” He leaned in close and raised an eyebrow. “I trust you feel safe.”
I nodded quickly. Safer with you than with anyone else, I thought. If only I could tell you how I really feel.
Thomas led the way into a beautiful, opulent living room with black leather furniture. It looked very adult, very masculine.
“I redecorated recently,” Thomas said. “I’ve always owned this place, but Marlene and I used it as a crash pad when we were married. She kept her house in Bed-Stuy, and I kept this condo.”
I nodded. “I like it,” I said. I glanced around, surreptitiously running my hand along the back of the elegant couch. “It really suits you.”
“Would you care for a glass of wine?”
My stomach rumbled and I flushed hotly as I remembered Thomas’s warning from the last time we were together.
“Only if you don’t give me too much,” I said softly. “I…I wouldn’t want to…”
Thomas grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he said. “But sometimes, on a Friday, there’s nothing like a glass of wine.” I watched nervously as he set his briefcase down on the floor, then walked into the kitchen and selected a bottle of wine from an elegant chrome-and-glass wine cabinet. I gasped when I realized it was also a chiller.
“This is so cool,” I said. I looked around, feeling completely out of my element. “You have so many kitchen gadgets. I have no idea what most of these even do!”
“Oh, I don’t either,” Thomas said. He laughed. “I give Isabelle a budget and tell her to buy whatever she wants for the house. She’s here most days, from five in the morning until I get home from work.”
I nodded. “She must be good for Brett,” I said.
“She is,” Thomas replied. He handed me a glass of wine and we clinked. I couldn’t help but notice that his wine glasses were even more expensive-looking than the glasses had been at Daniel, or La Toscabelle.
“This is so good,” I said. I inhaled and took another long sip.
Thomas’s eyes gleamed. “June, exactly how hungry are you?”
“Not very,” I confessed. Truth be told, I didn’t think I could eat at all. I was so nervous to finally be in Thomas’s home that I could barely stand still. I wondered if we were finally going to have sex.
I wondered how perfect it would be.
“Good,” Thomas said. He set his glass down on the counter. “How do you feel about playing a little game?”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”
Thomas chuckled and reached out for my hand. When he touched me, sparks leapt from his body to mine and I shivered. It was the first time he’d touched me since we’d arrived back at his place.
“Come with me,” Thomas said. There was a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. Nervously, I licked my lips and followed Thomas down the hall and into a small, dark room. I frowned – aside from a large wardrobe and dresser, the room was empty.
“Is this where you keep your winter clothes?” I joked awkwardly, biting my lip when Thomas didn’t laugh.
His lips curled into a smile and he eyed me, starting at my face and moving his gaze slowly down my body until I was blushing beet red.
“Strip,” Thomas said softly. He stepped closer and put a hand on the back of my neck. Nervously, I took a sip of my wine before setting the glass down on a small table.
I flushed and shivered. He can’t be serious, I thought. He hasn’t even kissed me yet!
“Excuse me?” I asked softly.
“I believe I told you to strip.”
Thomas stepped closer and stroked a hand down my back before gripping my neck. I shivered at the feel of Thomas’s fingernails on the back of my neck.
“Yes, Sir,” I replied automatically. Suddenly, the air between us was tense and full of lust. I wondered what he would do when I was naked – would he touch me? Make me beg for his cock?
I licked my lips and unfastened the buttons of my cardigan, sliding it down my arms. Then I pulled my blouse over my head and tossed it in the floor until I was standing in front of Thomas clad in my cotton bra and jeans. The air in the room was chilly and I crossed my arms over my chest and hugged myself as Thomas reached forward and yanked my jeans down my hips. Goose bumps sprang up over my flesh and I stepped out of the material.
“These, too,” Thomas said. He squatted down and trailed a finger down one of my socks. “Take them off, June.” His voice was low and deathly calm. I closed my eyes and bent over, sliding the socks down my legs
When I was standing in only a bra and panties, Thomas walked around me in a circle. “Strip,” he repeated, reaching out and gently spanking my ass. My cheeks turned crimson as a bolt of desire and pleasure went through sailing me. It scared me how much I’d liked it when he spanked me just now. I wondered if he was going to do that again, later. I want him to! I thought desperately. I really do!
Licking my lips nervously, I reached behind myself and unfastened my bra. It was an older one – the white material had small holes and stains – and I let it drop to the floor. As I closed my eyes, I hooked my fingers in the waistband of my panties and tugged them down my legs before kicking them to the side.
When I opened my eyes, Thomas was staring at my chest. I glanced down to see my hard nipples protruding and I felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over my body. The room was suddenly filled with the musky scent of my pussy and I blushed hotly. He knows how much I want him, I realized nervously. He can smell it, just like me.
“Very nice,” Thomas purred. “Now stay there.”
I swallowed and watched helplessly as he stalked across the room. Thomas opened a set of drawers adjacent to the wardrobe and pulled out something dark green and silky. When he walked back over to me, he handed me slippery, silky garments. I glanced down and saw a bra and panties, in a brilliant emerald green. They would have matched Angela’s dress perfectly, and suddenly I knew that Thomas had purchased them just for me.
“Put these on,” Thomas instructed. I bobbed my head and fumbled with the clasp on the bra. Even though it was silk, it wasn’t all that comfortable – it pushed my breasts high in the air and pinched at my rib cage. I’d never worn a thong before, either, and I was surprised at the feeling of the material on my labia. It cradled my pussy in a sensual way that made me think of Thomas’s touch. As I took a step forward, the silk twisted between the cheeks of my ass and sent a tingling sensation straight to my clit. My cheeks broke out in a blush as I let out a little gasp.
“It was mostly right about your size,” Thomas said in a lazy, low voice. He walked around me once more, inspecting me. “Those will do nicely. Come with me, June.”
When I didn’t move, Thomas raised his eyebrows. “Why, June,” he purred. “There’s no one here save for me and you. I thought you wanted me. Don’t you want to obey your Sir?”
I blushed hotly and looked away. “Yes,” I mumbled in reply. “I do.”
Thomas smirked at me and I felt another strong thrust of desire towards him. I licked my lips and stepped forward. Each step wearing the silk thong was torturous – almost like Thomas himself was rubbing between my legs and making me cry out in fierce pleasure.
“Having trouble?” Thomas raised his eyebrow.
“No,” I managed to say clearly. “I’m fine.”
“Good.” Thomas winked at me. “Let’s go have some dessert.”
I followed Thomas down the long dark hall and into his kitchen.
“Come here, June.”
I stepped closer. Thomas opened one half of the giant combination refrigerator/freezer and took out a carton of gelato. He turned to me. “Do you like caramel?”
I nodded. I still wasn’t hungry, but the air was so full of tension that it almost hurt. Thomas plucked a silver spoon out of a drawer and took the top off the carton of the ice cream.
“Come closer,” Thomas said. His face was the perfect mask of a sex god. Trembling, I stepped nearer to him, feeling the chill from the empty room on my limbs. It felt delicious, like I was experiencing a whole new world of sensuality.
I watched as Thomas dipped the spoon into the gelato and lifted it to my mouth. When I reached out to take it from him, he shook his head. “No,” Thomas said simply. “You will eat when I offer food to you.”
Blushing hard, I obediently opened my mouth. Thomas let the spoon rest on my tongue. The creamy taste of caramel melted on my tongue and dripped down my tongue, rich and smooth as butter. I moaned softly as I swallowed. It was the most exquisite thing I’d ever tasted, aside from Thomas’s kisses, that is.
“Do you like that?”
I swallowed and licked my lips. “Yes, sir.”
Thomas nodded. He reached behind my head and gently tugged the elastic out of my hair. When I felt it spill warmly over my shoulders, I shivered. Thomas’s hand gripped my shoulder. He began to gently massage me with his fingers until I was putty in his hands, melting and sliding all over the place.
Thomas grinned. I felt a fluttery sensation in my lower belly as he squeezed my neck. “You’re so sexy, especially like this,” Thomas murmured. Instinctively, I let my body be pulled closer to his. “I love it when you look like this.”
I swallowed hard. “Thank you,” I said, blushing hotly.
Thomas took his hand away and I whimpered, desperate for more of his touch. “Thank you what?” Thomas asked, his words hanging in the air like icicles.
“Thank you, sir,” I said, biting my lip. Warm blood spurted into my mouth and I licked my lips nervously.
Thomas put his other hand on my shoulder and traced his fingers down my back. As I stepped closer, he took his free hand and tilted my chin up so that I could look into his eyes. It felt sexy and sensual to be standing so close to him in a state of undress, with him still wearing his full suit from work. I felt like I was on display just for him, like somehow he’d chosen me out of a city full of beautiful women.
Thomas’s dark eyes sent shivers of arousal through my body. “June,” he said in a husky voice.
I closed my eyes and leaned forward, closing the remaining distance between our bodies. Our lips pressed together and sparks flew between our bodies. My stomach melted and my heart started pounding as the kiss became more intense with each passing second. As Thomas wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, he nuzzled me and tenderly slipped his tongue into my mouth.
My breasts were pushing against his chest and the feeling of the silk against my nipples was almost too much to bear. As Thomas squeezed the bare cheeks of my ass, I felt my skin go hot with a sensual flush. Moaning, I arched my back and threw my head back until the ends of my hair were brushing against the small of my back.
Thomas grabbed my wrists. “Come to bed,” he ordered in a low voice.
My mouth was so thick with desire that I could barely speak. “Yes, Sir,” I whispered softly. Thomas led me down the same hallway but into a different room this time. The whole room was black. The walls were covered with leather wallpaper, the floor with a thick shag carpeting that my feet sank into as I stepped inside. Even the ceiling was black. All of the light fixtures were black and chrome, giving an eerie, sleek look to the room.
“Get on the bed,” Thomas ordered. He wasn’t smiling.
I moved forward and climbed on the bed. The duvet was silky soft and plush down feathers. I moaned softly as I got on all fours and let my hands and knees sink into the soft material. My whole body was alive, every cell tingling and craving Thomas’s touch. I closed my eyes as I heard him step close.
“I’m going to touch you now,” Thomas said in a low growl. I whimpered as I felt his fingers tangling in my hair and yanking my head back. As he ran his nails down my back and squeezed my ass, I shivered with lust and delight. When Thomas’s fingers gently rubbed the silk material between the cheeks of my ass, I squirmed and blushed. There was a pause and then a short, hard slap sounded on my ass.
“Don’t move again,” Thomas threatened. “Or I’ll spank you until your ass is so sore you won’t be able to sit for a week.”
Even though I didn’t want him to do that, my clit tingled at his words. I loved Thomas’s hands on me, his rough touch, the way he made my whole body sing with pleasure and desire. I closed my eyes and resolved not to squirm when he touched me again.
It was harder than I anticipated. As Thomas’s hands worked all over my body, I shuddered as his fingers grazed my clit through the silken material of my panties. I bit my lip to keep from moaning as he slipped gently inside the crotch and began rubbing me. I was already soaked and when I wiggled my hips slightly, the fabric strained against my pussy and my ass. My whole body was tingling and thumping with arousal by the time he took his hand away.
“I need you,” Thomas said in a husky voice. I heard the soft swish of him tearing his clothes off and tossing them to the floor. The bed groaned from our combined weight as he crawled towards me and pulled me into his warm, muscular arms.
Thomas smelled heavenly. I closed my eyes and inhaled as he pressed his lips against mine. His chest was smooth, muscled, and it sent shivers of lust through me as we touched. As we kissed, Thomas reached behind my back and neatly unclasped the uncomfortable silk bra. He tossed it to the floor and I moaned softly into his mouth, grateful and relieved to feel my breasts swinging loose.
“Ride me,” Thomas commanded. He got onto his back and stroked his cock up and down, watching me with an evil gleam of lust in his eye. I gasped at the sight of him naked – he was so beautiful, I couldn’t stand it. Just seeing him was enough to make me want to come, and I couldn’t tear the silky panties away from my pussy fast enough.
Nervously, I crawled towards Thomas. He grabbed my hips and pulled me on top of him, spreading my legs and thrusting upward until his cock buried itself in the warmth and wetness of my pussy. The sensation was incredible – I let out a yelp, then closed my eyes and savored the feeling all over my body. As Thomas grabbed my hips and shoved me back and forth on his cock, I moaned. His pubic bone kept rubbing against my clit with every thrust, and I could barely even breathe. The sensation that was building in my lower belly was amazing – like before, when Thomas was going down on me, but better. I closed my eyes and ground my hips hard against his muscular body until tears came to my eyes. Beneath me, Thomas was groaning and straining every muscle until he was tense and stiff. His cock filled me so completely that I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think of anything but fucking him, it was all I wanted to do, forever.
Thomas grabbed my wrists in one of his strong hands and pulled my arms over my head until I was lying flat against him, my nipples rubbing his chest. I moaned softly – every cell of my body was stimulated, everything felt so incredibly good that I didn’t couldn’t handle it. As we moved together, Thomas’s other hand began to roam around my ass. First, he squeezed my cheeks, then slipped a finger between the globes.
“Someday, June, I’m going to fuck you in the ass,” Thomas whispered softly into my ear. An electric thrill went through me at the sound of his words and I felt his cock plunge deeper inside my pussy than ever before. The sensation was astonishing and I held my breath as it grew and grew, feeling like something was gripping me strongly between the legs. Before I knew it, I was crying out and beating my fists against the headboard, coming so hard that tears were leaking down my cheeks. My reaction set Thomas off – he grabbed me and thrust up inside me, harder than ever, bucking and groaning like a prize stallion beneath me. His cock twitched and spasmed deep inside of me, and I shuddered as I felt his cum shoot through my body.
For a moment, I could barely move. My body was so spent, so wracked with pleasure that it took all of my strength to keep from collapsing in Thomas’s silky, perfect bed.
“That’s better,” Thomas purred. He pulled out of me and flopped down, grinning.
I blushed. “That was so good,” I said softly.
Thomas leaned over and kissed me. I tasted sweat on his lips and I eagerly licked it away, desperate to take as much of him into me as possible.
“I’m glad you find me adequate,” Thomas said. He raised an eyebrow. Slowly, I let myself flop down on the bed. The air in his bedroom was still chilly, but I was so warm that it felt good on my sweaty skin.
“I can’t believe you fed me dessert before dinner,” I said with a laugh. “That seems so improper, not like you at all.”
Thomas chuckled. “I think we’ve worked up an appetite,” he said with a wink. I blushed. “What would you like? And don’t say cheap pizza,” he added sternly. “God knows I have enough of that when my son is around.”
I blushed. For a moment – actually, for quite a few of them – I’d forgotten that Thomas even had a son. I couldn’t believe that in just a few days, I’d be back at the head of my class, teaching Thomas’s son…and hopefully keeping him out of trouble.
I shrugged. “Anything is fine,” I said. “Except Vietnamese. I don’t like pho,” I added.
Thomas reached into a nightstand and pulled out a variety of take-out menus. He tossed them to me.
“Pick something,” Thomas said with a grin. “Then we can find a movie and relax.”
I chuckled.
“What?” Thomas propped himself up on his elbows, covering the lower half of his naked body with a sheet. “What’s wrong?”
I blushed. “Nothing,” I said.
“Come on,” Thomas said. He smirked. “You can tell me, June.”
I took a deep breath, then swallowed. My cheeks were bright red but I forced myself to look at Thomas’s handsome, leonine face.
“It’s just…I didn’t expect things to feel so normal,” I said quickly. “I mean…we got here, and the air was all full of tension…”
“And then we fucked, and it was glorious,” Thomas said with a lazy smirk.
“And now it just feels like we’re hanging out and getting close,” I added. I smiled. “I like it,” I said softly.
Thomas reached for my hand and squeezed. “Good,” he said quietly. “Because I do too.”
I smiled happily. At that moment, in my world, things were absolutely perfect.
--
I stayed at Thomas’s condo until Saturday afternoon. We didn’t make love again – even though his stamina had been impressive, I knew that he likely wouldn’t have the same rebound time as someone my age – but we cuddled and fell asleep together after stuffing our faces with delivery sushi. It was easily the best date I’d ever had, and I was practically floating on air by the time I made it home.
On Sunday, Angela and I braved the local Trader Joe’s, stocking up on all of our favorite goodies and snacks. She suggested we have a girls’ night in and I readily agreed – I couldn’t wait to dish all about Thomas. Naturally, Angela was thrilled for me. She said she was so happy that I was finally dating. Secretly, I wondered if she’d actually been kidding when she’d joked about Thomas having any single, rich friends. But mostly I just appreciated the fact that my best friend was there for me. Her support meant everything…especially given how scary things had gotten with Andy.
When I got to school on Monday morning, Ruth looked troubled.
“What’s wrong?” I smiled happily at her. “It’s a beautiful day! How was your weekend?”
Ruth pressed her lips into a tight line, until all of the blood faded. She handed me an envelope. “The principal wants to see you,” she said quietly. “I’ll cover class until you’re back.”
I narrowed my eyes. A nervous feeling shot through my gut as I opened the envelope and scanned the text.
“Did he say why? There’s nothing in this note,” I said quietly. The kids were just beginning to filter into my room and I didn’t want any of them to hear my conversation with Ruth – especially not Brett.
Ruth shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “I hope everything is okay, though.”
Immediately, Andy’s face flashed to my mind. “Oh, god,” I moaned quietly. “They probably found out about those stupid drawings.”
Ruth shrugged. “Good luck,” she said. “The bell is about to ring.”
I slipped out of class as quietly as I could before the kids would notice something was up. As I walked down the quiet halls, I shivered. There was almost something ominous about the feeling in the air – almost like I was going to my doom.
When I got to the main office, none of the secretaries looked up at me. I had to walk up to the front desk and clear my throat before one of them noticed me.
“Hi,” I said nervously. “I got in this morning and Ruth told me that Principal Morris wanted to see me.”
The secretary looked at me with blank eyes. She was someone I’d spoken to many times – heck, she’d even brought me a slice of cake one day from a party in the teacher’s lounge. But right now, she was looking at me like I was a piece of trash.
“Should I go in?” I asked, feeling awkward when my words hung in the air.
The secretary bit her lip and nodded.
“Okay. Thanks,” I added, feeling stupider by the second.
The door to Principal Morris’s office was closed. I could feel the eyes of the secretaries glued to my back as I walked across the cheerfully-decorated office and knocked. Everything was covered with turkey decorations and smiling, cartoon pilgrims and native Americans.
“Hello, Principal Morris,” I called quietly. “It’s June Rogers. I got a note that you wanted to see me.”
“Come in.”
I bit my lip and flushed as I opened the door. Principal Morris was seated behind his desk, thumbing through a copy of The New York Times. He didn’t even look up when I shut the door. Suddenly, my heart started to thud in my chest. Something was obviously very, very wrong here…and I had a feeling it wasn’t going to end well.
“So,” I said nervously as I lowered myself into a chair facing the principal’s desk. “What’s up?”
Principal Morris sighed. He was an older man, with longish sideburns and a white beard that made him look a little like a walrus. Among the faculty and staff, he was generally well-liked. But he didn’t have a warm demeanor, and I’d never felt it more than I did right now.
“What’s the problem?” I asked nervously.
Principal Morris meticulously folded his paper and set it down on his desk. I cringed – it seemed like he was being deliberately slow.
“Well, June, I’m not going to lie. There is a problem.”
I exhaled a shaky, nervous breath. “Okay,” I said. “Can you tell me what it is?”
Principal Morris narrowed his bushy eyebrows at me. “June, Andrew Lipinski was fired this morning.”
My jaw dropped. “He’s the one who made those drawings,” I said quickly. “And he stalked me, outside of school. He tried to pull me into an alley and—“
Principal Morris held up his hand. “Please, June – don’t say anything else.”
“What’s going on?” I asked nervously. “What does any of this have to do with me?”
“We’re not sure yet,” Principal Morris said. “But I know that until we get to the bottom of this, I’m going to have you placed on leave without pay.”
My jaw dropped. “Me?” I squeaked. “Me?! But I haven’t even done anything,” I shrieked loudly. “This is all about Andy, it’s all his fault!”
“I’m sorry, June, this is our policy,” Principal Morris said. “Please, gather your things and you’ll be escorted from the building.”
My heart sank. “You can’t do that in front of my students,” I protested. My eyes filled with tears as I realized this was really happening – it wasn’t some horrible dream, and I wasn’t going to wake up any time soon.
“I’m sorry, it’s out of my hands,” Principal Morris said.
He didn’t sound sorry.
“Okay.” I stood up, my chin wobbling with the force of my emotions. “Fine. I’ll leave. In fact, I’ll leave right now. I don’t need anything from my classroom,” I added with a sniffle.
“Oh, and June?”
“Yes?” Please, please tell me this was all some kind of sick joke, I thought. Please, help me!
“Don’t forget to shut my door on the way out,” Principal Morris said. His head was already buried back in the paper. “Damn secretaries like to leave it open.”
My heart sank. “Yeah,” I said. “I won’t forget.”