Sapphire Beautiful (14 page)

“Thank you so much, Dr. Pine. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you even considering me to assist with your research.”

After she hurries down the hallway I’m just about ready to duck in my office for a breather when Andrew makes his way towards me carrying two cans of soda. He hands me one and pops open the other for himself.

“You look like you can use some sugar and caffeine.”

“You have no idea,” I tell him. “Thanks.”

“Anything for you.” When his eyes catch mine I can see that he’s a lot more serious than I’d like him to be.

Why now
? I wonder. Why has be accelerated his interest towards me now when I can’t reciprocate?

“Am I too late?” He stares at the pendant around my neck.

“A little,” I tell him.

“After everything that happened with Doug I was just trying to give you some time and space.”

I nod.

“I guess I should have seized the opportunity before the window shut. Whoever he is, he’s a lucky man.”

“It’s complicated,” I tell him.

“I’m not.” When our eyes meet there’s a little bit of electricity exchanged between us that I’ve never felt before. “If you ever want to simplify things you know where to find me.”

When Andrew turns and walks away I notice Dante standing at the other end of the hallway. He had been watching us.

We both stare at each other for a long moment. I think he might walk down the hallway to say something to me, instead he turns and walks away.

Complicated is quickly verging toward challenging and problematic.

***

B
y the time I make it home I’m utterly and completely exhausted. The last time I had a day this emotional was when the police informed me that Doug had shot himself.

After I get changed I log into my account with The Club and stare at the amount. It’s almost surreal. Three hundred thousand dollars. I quickly transfer the money into my bank account. Then I send a quick email to the mortgage company requesting a pay-out amount for the mortgage.

It’s odd that I haven’t heard from Dante yet. And then it occurs to me that he didn’t tell me he was coming over tonight. He’s come over every night since we met.

I grab the cell phone he gave me and send him a quick text.

Me:
Will I see you tonight
?

It only takes a few seconds for me to get a response.

Dante:
I have to study
.

What does he have to study? I know for a fact that Andrew doesn’t give exams this early in the semester.

I’m surprised that I actually feel hurt. Maybe he’s having second thoughts about being with me now that he knows I’m a professor and that we’re in the same department.

He did see me having a rather intimate moment with Andrew.

And now he has a cute little fan club named Misty.

That’s when it truly hits me that this is no longer about the money. He’s given me enough to pay off my mortgage and get caught up on all of my bills. If he ended things right this minute I wouldn’t actually need the money. He’s already given me what I need.

But I still want to see him. I want to be with him. And I’m sad that he doesn’t want to be here with me tonight.

When I text back a quick, “
Okay
,” I’m not expecting anything in response. But I get an immediate reply.

Dante:
I’ll see you tomorrow at eight
.

“I
f one more person tells me how wonderful and brilliant Silver Spoon is I’m going to barf,” Lucy says as we head off campus. “Literally. The next person who mentions the name Dante McNally will have my vomit all over him or her.”

Another busy day. Another day of Andrew throwing himself at me, this time with fresh squeezed lemonade. I still have no idea where he got it, but it was good. Another day of Misty begging me to allow to her to do research. What’s that expression?

Same shit different day.

It seems to be the story of my life.

The only difference was that I didn’t see Dante at all. I didn’t run into him in the hallway. I didn’t see him in passing. No sign of him anywhere.

But that didn’t stop everyone from talking about him. And telling me he’s
absolutely brilliant
.

“Like he’s the first person in our department to ever publish research as an undergraduate,” she continues. “You published research as an undergrad.”

“I was fortunate to get a research internship as an undergraduate, and was lucky that my professor listed me as a co-author.”

She eyes me. “My point is that the kid isn’t as fantastic as everyone says he is.”

I cringe when she calls him
the kid
. It makes me wonder how she’d react if she knew I was fucking him. 

“Don’t you think he’s kind of a weird geek?” she asks.

“You know for someone you don’t want to hear about, you’re sure talking about him a lot.”

“He kind of gives me the creeps.”

“Why?” I ask. “He seems like a nice person.”

“He’s really intense. And he doesn’t smile. That’s not normal.”

I know a few things that make him smile
. “Tell him a joke,” I offer.

She rolls her eyes at me. “I tried that. He didn’t even crack a smile.”

“Maybe your joke wasn’t funny. Ever think about that?”

“Much ado about nothing,” she fires back. “Is it wrong that I want to see him get knocked down a few pegs?”

I gulp. We’d both get knocked down a few pegs if anyone ever found out about our arrangement. I guess I won’t be telling my best friend about my new lover any time soon. 

***

A
s I stare at myself in the mirror I can’t believe I’m feeling nervous. It’s not that Dante and I haven’t been together before, but we haven’t been together since we found out the truth about each other.

Will it make a difference?

Even though nothing happened with Andrew and nothing will, I still felt uncomfortable when Dante saw Andrew hitting on me.

I had no idea Dante was already so accomplished at such a young age. And apparently brilliant according to multiple sources.

I took a little extra time getting ready for him tonight. I put on some make-up and curled my hair a bit. And I’m wearing some sexy undergarments under my tight fitting little black dress.

When there’s a knock on the door I take in a deep breath and try to calm my nerves.

Dante’s wearing another Polo shirt and jeans. He looks good. A lot less nerdy. He shoves his hands deep into his pockets as he looks me up and down.

“You look amazing.”

“Thanks.”

I move out of the way so he can enter.

“You’re the talk of the department,” I tell him. Might as well address the elephant in the room right away. “I had no idea you were already published.”

He gives a quick nod.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugs. “I didn’t realize it would mean something to you. You never told me you were a medieval scholar.”

“Fair enough.”

“So...what were you studying last night?” I ask.

“Nothing for school,” he says dismissively.

When I frown he sighs.

“Fine, I’ll tell you. I was doing extensive research on oral reciprocation. It’s a subject that’s well covered on the internet.”

It takes a moment for me to remember the conversation we had about oral sex after the blow job debacle. I cringe.

When he pulls me into his arms I finally release the tension I’d been holding. I guess I wasn’t sure things would be the same between us. But his erection pressing against me lets me know that things will most likely be the same, maybe even better, especially if he’s been doing research on oral sex.

Dante kisses me like he’s starving. Is it bad that I’m happy that he wants me so much?

“You’re mine,” he whispers into my ear. “Don’t ever forget that.”

“I won’t,” I assure him.

When he looks into my eyes he doesn’t seem convinced.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

He bites his bottom lip as if he’s giving it some thought. Then he says, “I know he’s your colleague and you have to work together, but Dr. Madden wants more.”

I nod. “I know.”

Dante places his hand on my cheek. “He can’t have you.”

“I know that. He knows that too. He doesn’t know who, but I did tell him I’m involved with someone.”

“Good.”

Before I can stop myself I say, “Misty McDonald seems very fond of you.”

He tilts his head and frowns. “What?”

“I realize our exclusive arrangement only applies to me...”

He holds up a hand. “Wait just a minute. Do you think I want to be with anyone else but you?”

I shrug. “You could.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not like that. I don’t want Misty or anyone else.” He touches the pendant he gave me. “This means something.”

My throat tightens. “It means that I’m yours. You never said you were mine. There’s a difference.”

“Do you want me to be? Yours?”

I feel like a lion that’s suddenly found itself trapped in the back of a cage. I’m the one who brought the subject up. I have to respond. Do I really want Dante to be mine? 

I nod.

“Tell me. I want you to say the words.”

“I want you to be mine.”

He pushes me against the wall and kisses me hard and hungrily until we’re both breathless. “Let’s go upstairs,” he whispers eagerly.

He grabs my hand and pulls me with him as he bounds up the stairs. He wastes no time taking off my dress. “Wow,” he mouths as he checks out the sexy black lace bra and panties underneath. After a few moments of taking me in he says, “As much as I love these, they have to go.”

After he unclasps my bra and removes it he slides my panties off. He takes off his own clothes just as quickly. He’s already rock hard and I feel myself start to get wet just thinking about having him inside of me again.

When he kisses me again I allow his tongue to roam my mouth.

His eyes are filled with so much desire my entire body heats in response.

“Now for the oral reciprocation,” he teases.

He guides me to the bed and pulls me with him. As we look at each for a few long moments there’s so much energy exchanged between us we could probably light up the neighborhood for a week.

Then he eases my legs apart and climbs between them kissing his way up my inner thigh and sending a wave of shivers right through me.

When he moves his tongue between my legs I let out a low moan. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any
oral reciprocation
and I almost forgot how good it feels.

Dante’s research definitely paid off. He takes his time licking and sucking my clit. Sliding his tongue in and out of me until I’m close to climaxing.

“Don’t come yet,” he warns as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

He quickly climbs on top of me and pushes his impossibly hard cock inside of me. Luckily I’m very wet and ready for him.

He fucks me fast and hard. Every thrust feels like it’s deeper than the last. I’m so completely turned on I feel dizzy, almost drunk with pleasure.

And then we both explode and all I can think about are the lyrics to that song about the Earth moving under my feet. Or in this case the Earth seems to be shaking under my bed.

“Don’t move,” he tells me as he gives one final thrust and pulls me into his arms. 

When the aftershocks finally wind down I’m surprised Dante doesn’t let go of me. He’s still got me locked in his embrace.

He places a quick kiss on my forehead then looks into my eyes. “How was the oral reciprocation?”

“The research definitely paid off,” I tell him.

This brings a small smile to his face. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

He still hasn’t released me from his hold. “I’ll need to get up to use the bathroom at some point.”

He nods then looks into my eyes for a long moment. I don’t know why, but I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that he’s getting ready to tell me he loves me.

Definitely not something I’m ready for and not something I can handle right now.

“I have to pee,” I tell him as I try to wriggle free from his grasp.

When he finally releases his hold I practically leap from the bed and hurry into the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” I ask myself when I glance at my reflection in the mirror. “Are you crazy?”

Things are progressing way too quickly and I feel like I’m completely losing control.

“He’s a student in your department,” I remind myself. “He’s the department’s graduate research fellow. And he’s only twenty-two.”

I swear my reflection is laughing at me.

“And let’s not forget he’s paying you to be with him. It’s supposed to be a financial arrangement, nothing more.”

It’s clear by the look in her eyes my reflection isn’t buying a word I say. She obviously has feelings for Dante. She already cares about him way more than she should.

“It’s one thing for you to agree to be his,” I tell myself. “It’s implied in the contract you signed. But you told him that you want him to be yours. That’s another thing entirely.”

“Is everything okay?” Dante asks as he peeks into the bathroom.

“Yes,” I lie.

“Can I come in?” He’s already half way inside when he asks.

“Sure.”

He steps the rest of the way inside and closes the door behind him. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I guess there really was no escape from his declaration, even in the bathroom.

“You don’t have to say anything. I don’t expect you to. I just need to get this out.”

I take in a deep breath and hold it.

“I’m falling in love with you. I just wanted you to know.”

He doesn’t even wait for me to respond. He turns and exits the bathroom.

***

I
’m awakened by the sound of my cellphone pinging. Is it a text? The only person who texts me is Dante and I’m still wrapped in his arms.

“What’s wrong?” Dante whispers his voice still groggy with sleep.

“I think I got a text message.”

That seems to wake him up. “From who?”

“I have no idea.”

“Check it,” he tells me as he finally releases me from his hold.