Words of Lust (11 page)

“Your sister is not stupid. Maybe this is a hip and cool phase, maybe she’s experimenting. Or maybe it’s how she’s made and what she really wants. Don’t push her, don’t spoil it for her. If you lecture her and make demands, you’ll only make it worse. Let her learn about what kind of sexual being she is without pressure or censure, all right? Let it happen naturally and don’t try to change her or you’ll damage your relationship.”

Silence filled the room as he stared down at her. Then he smiled ruefully and shook his head.

“How’d you get so smart so young, Professor?”

“Genetics.” She hugged him. He let her, and some of the tension drained out of him. “Look, if you want to talk to her, make sure she’s okay, that’s good. But don’t judge. Don’t yell or embarrass her.” She paused. “It’s hard enough being a young woman these days without people judging you for your sexual choices. She’s so bright and beautiful and if you let her follow her heart, and support her no matter what, she’s going to find out the truth for herself.”

For a moment she wasn’t sure her plea was going to work. In the end, his shoulders sagged and he threw up his hands. He still frowned, however, and glared back at the exit.

“You win. I’m keeping my eye on those guys, though, and if they hurt her—”

“Nick, she’s got to take the good with the bad. Her choice, her decision, her pain if it doesn’t work out. You can’t protect her.”

“Fine, fine. Never having been a woman, I defer to your wisdom. I promise not to pound the little fuckers into next Tuesday. Okay?”

“I’m honored. And look at it this way. She’ll be totally shocked you didn’t yell and scream and order her to stop it, and she’ll love you that much more for being supportive. By the way, thank you for taking me seriously.”

“Let’s go get dinner and talk about something else and maybe I’ll be able to get these images out of my mind.”

“If you behave, maybe we can replace them with new ones.” Her teasing did the trick. He gave her that wicked smile before grabbing her satchel and swinging it over his shoulder.

“Crap, Professor, what have you got in here?”

“Eight books, three classes’ worth of papers, my laptop, two department reports, a water bottle.”

“Forget the kitchen sink? If I get a hernia you’ll be out of luck.”

“I’ll nurse you back to health with lots of therapeutic sexual activity.”

They left the building quickly, heading for his truck, but she spotted him looking around, no doubt trying to spot his sister.

“Give it up, Nick.”

“Serafina!” Her words were cut off by a peremptory cry. “Serafina!”

She turned to see her least favorite fellow English department professor, Dr. Elizabeth Parker, bearing down on them.

The woman affected her idea of a professorial image of tight bun, somber clothes and superior expression. She probably wore Eau de Musty Classroom cologne to complete the picture. She taught Victorian literature and was tight, controlled and essentially sexless. Taller than Serafina, she strode right up to them, and Serafina cringed as the woman invaded her space.

“Serafina, we must discuss next semester’s scheduling. The dean and I feel that another section of my most popular class is warranted. Since you and I will have a number of the same students, you will have to rearrange the scheduling of your sections.”

The woman was like a steamroller and Serafina wasn’t in the mood.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth, I have a commitment this evening and I was just leaving. Let’s touch base tomorrow and we’ll schedule a meeting to go over everything. In fact, the dean spoke to me about taking on another section of Flesh and the Word, too, so I’ll have to talk to him before I even know how many classes I’ll be having.”

Nick smiled coolly and draped an arm around Serafina. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

“Sorry. Niccolo Stellato, Professor Elizabeth Parker.”

“Doctor Parker, actually.” Elizabeth held out a stiff hand, but grimaced with distaste when he grasped her lily-white one with his callused palm. It appeared that he also squeezed a bit harder than was necessary.

“Mr. Stellato, would you mind?”

“Actually we have a date. Serafina has already said she’d talk to you tomorrow. Was there something else?”

“A date? The two of you?”

“Yes, Elizabeth. It’s a quaint, romantic ritual. Let’s arrange something with the dean and we’ll work it out tomorrow. I’m sure Ralph will want input.”

“The welfare of your students is more important than some tawdry tryst. I’m disappointed in you, Serafina. I cannot imagine what you see in this Neanderthal.”

She held on to her temper by a thread, as Nick gave her coworker an equally cold smile. “Elizabeth, my personal life is none of your business and your comments are inappropriate.”

“Why, I never!”

“There’s your problem.” Nick’s slick retort took Elizabeth a minute to grasp but when she did, she turned beet red. “Give it a shot, why don’t you? Relax, instead of acting all rude and getting in Serafina’s face when she’s already told you it can wait.”

She took the opportunity to turn and walk away, unable to decide who she was angrier at. Elizabeth for being her typical self, or Nick for making it worse by once again insisting on being her defender. He followed a step behind with a telltale snort of derision. When they were out of earshot, he wrapped an arm around her.

“I know, I know. You don’t need to say it. I did it again. Sorry for barging in and doing the caveman thing. But you’ll notice it shut her up.”

“Your apology is much appreciated. See how easy that was? And you saved yourself another argument.” She exhaled. “I swear I’m going to report that woman. I think Ralph is one very short straw away from filing a formal censure against her.”

“You weren’t so bad yourself. I would never have guessed my sweet Professor was such a tiger. What’s with that pissy woman anyway? If you ask me she’s just jealous. She could do with a good hard—”

“Yes, I know. But if the rumors are true, it would have to be a strap-on.”

With a laugh, he swept her into a huge hug and kissed her, wet and sloppy, right on the sidewalk. “That’s priceless, Professor. You’re letting that naughty streak out but good aren’t you? I feel like Dr. Frankenstein. Seriously, though, way to stand up to her. We made a good tag team.” He was joking, but his eyes were shadowed. For the first time she wondered at the differences between their worlds. When they reached the truck, she stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“Don’t let her upset you, Nick. It doesn’t bother you that we have such different careers, does it? Most of my friends and colleagues aren’t like Elizabeth.”

“It doesn’t bother me. She’s a bitch and would be if she was cleaning the bathrooms here. Why?”

“You look angry.”

“Babe, of course I’m angry. But I’m mad because of the way she treated you. If she doesn’t like me because of my job, who cares? She’s got a lot of nerve badmouthing you, and I didn’t want her to get away with it.” He took her by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “I know that look. Yes, I was defending you and I’ve already said I’m sorry. Hate to break it to you, though, I’ll keep defending you whether you like it or not. But I promise to apologize every time.” Then he squeezed her arm and any words of protest died on her lips. He smiled. “The only opinion I care about is yours. Does it bother you that I work construction?”

“Absolutely not. Why would it? You’re very smart. And funny. You probably make a lot more money than I do, and you have talent, skills and finesse. And no one can fault your drive. Besides, I’ll fight anyone who says there’s anything lacking in your intellect. Anyone who can get the best of Elizabeth has my vote. I like you just the way you are.”

“And I like the way you say that. When you get down to brass tacks, men are men and women are women. Once you take the clothes off—blue collar or white—we’re all the same and sex is the great equalizer. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got ink under your nails or dirt, all the parts fit just fine.

With that philosophical statement, he hefted her into the truck.

* * *

She was nervous as they arrived at her apartment. The lingering tension of Elizabeth’s nastiness hovered and she wanted to banish it, so she concentrated on the fact that he was here, with her. The possibilities were endless. She shyly gave him a tour before pulling out a bottle of wine from the refrigerator and opening it to breathe a bit. He was looking over her massive book collection as she approached him with a smile.

“It’s not that I don’t love books, which I clearly do, but maybe we can come up with something more interesting to do?”

He turned and looked down at her with a rakishly raised brow. Then he reached for her. “I think we can have the best of both worlds. How about we pick a dirty book and play stern professor and naughty schoolgirl?” He reached for the shelf and pulled off her leather-bound volume of Victorian spanking erotica that included copious Victorian era drawings and erotic photographs.

“Do you really think—”

“I do. Care to change into something more schoolgirlish, Professor? Let’s do it right.”

Her response stuck in her throat at the look on his face. This was so far outside anything she had expected, but the thought was so hot she might spontaneously combust.

“All right. Be back in a minute.” She slipped into her bedroom with no idea what she might have that was schoolgirlish, but recalled a short lacy nightgown that she’d been given by her friend Leslie. Anticipation made her breathy.

“Tell me this.” He was leaning against the bookcase when she returned, and smacked the book with one hand. “Did you like it when I smacked your ass the other day? I had the distinct impression that you enjoyed it.” His voice sent a little shiver down her spine. He sounded quite stern, in fact. She flushed but decided why not? A million hedonistic Victorians couldn’t be wrong!

“Oh, no, Sir, it was most unpleasant!” She opened her eyes wide and made her voice all breathy. He smiled and the game was afoot.

“But you have been a naughty girl, haven’t you?” He wagged a finger at her and she bit her lip.

“It was not my fault at all, Sir!” She had no idea what she was saying, but it was generating heat and a wicked anticipation as he scowled down at her. With anyone else she would have felt silly, but Nick looked down at her and it was scorching.

“No excuses. You must suffer the punishment.”

“Please, no!”

He marched over to the sofa and sat down. He frowned ferociously and slapped a palm on his thigh. “You must assume the position, young lady.”

She sidled over, hesitant, until he snatched her hand and pulled her onto her stomach, lying across his lap. The suddenness of his attack startled a squeal out of her and she flung her hands across her derriere.

“None of that. If you can’t take your punishment like a big girl I’m going to have to restrain you.” He took her wrists and pulled them over her head before clasping them in one large hand and holding them securely in front of her on the sofa. She twitched her feet a bit but he brought the other hand down with a resounding smack and she bucked up. He swatted her again.

“This is going to hurt now, but you will learn your lesson by the time we are done.”

“I’m sorry, Sir! Please don’t!” Urgent need banished any impulse to grin.

“Pleading won’t do you any good.” He began to slide her nightie up. The cool air washed over her thighs and then his hand rested across the cheeks of her ass with only the barrier of her panties between their skin.

Without warning, he brought his hand down. Hard, fast. The sharp sting made her gasp.

“Yes, it hurts, doesn’t it? And it is going to get quite a bit worse before we are finished. In fact, this situation calls for extreme measures.” He grabbed hold of the elastic of her panties and pulled them down until they hung around her knees. It was disturbingly decadent, as he had no doubt intended.

“Prepare yourself, my girl!” She almost laughed until he started spanking her with hard, fast strokes, over and over. He moved his hand around, not hitting her in exactly the same spot more than once. Her cheeks were soon throbbing and the heat rose from her flesh as his hand descended again and again. She lost count after twenty. Her head was whirling, and she was so aroused she squirmed on his lap as he continued. The burning throb spread from her ass to her core and she could feel the wetness seeping out of her.

“Stop fighting me or this will only go harder on you. We’ve only just begun your punishment.”

Only just begun! She was dizzy with want. It was intense, and yet she couldn’t wait for the next blow to fall. The next slapping sting. But he stopped for the moment. Then stuck his hand between her thighs and roughly fingered her.

“You little slut. Look at this!” He brought his fingers around to her mouth and wiped them across her lips. “If you are enjoying this I am clearly not doing my best.”

When he hit her again it was with such force that her body rocked across his legs. A flurry of swats and she was moaning. He paused once or twice and shoved his fingers inside her until she was so close to coming, she was pushing back against his hand, begging for him to finish, but he continued to deny her.

After a last few blows, when her ass was a huge, burning ache, he stopped.

“I hope that you have learned your lesson and we do not need to repeat this exercise.” He let go of her hands and pulled her off his lap and stood her up. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I need your cock. Inside me.” She bent over and unzipped his pants that were stretched tight over his huge erection. His eyes glittered and his smile was hungry. She pulled out his cock. Sanity reigned for a brief moment as he grabbed a condom from his pocket and rolled it on. When he was sheathed, she didn’t say another word, but climbed on his lap and placed her knees on either side of his thighs.

“Please put it inside me!”

He gripped himself as she positioned herself over him. Her pussy was swollen and aching and as she settled down, taking him deep, as he began to move into her, she lost all patience. She thrust herself down hard onto him as he filled her to the very depths. The time for playacting had passed. This was base need coursing through her.