by Lise Horton
“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 b
it 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.
“God, yes!”
“Ride me hard, fuck my cock all the way in.”
The roughness of his words, the sensation of her sore ass hitting his thighs, brushing the coarse hair, combined with the incredible feel of him inside her. It bordered on pain as they slammed together with desperation. Ecstasy. When their movements were so fast and violent that the slap of their flesh echoed wetly through the apartment, when she didn’t think she could stand another stroke, he latched on to one breast, nipping and biting, and then pinched her clit. She came with a sob as a massive orgasm swamped her. His cock swelled inside her as he thrust upward a last time. Their bodies throbbed together for a long, blissful moment.
Then they both lay spent and panting in the aftermath of the frenzy.
“That was a surprise.”
She lay draped over him, her head resting on his shoulder as she breathed in his scent. “A good surprise, I hope?” She laid a kiss on his shoulder and another on his neck.
“Feel free to take the bull by the horns any day. I like the feisty you.”
He was leaning back against the sofa and she remained straddling his lap. He was still inside her and his orgasm hadn’t affected his size. He was still steely hard and stretching the walls of her cunt with exquisite tension.
“That was fun. We’ll have to do it again sometime.” He kissed her with lazy thoroughness, his hands kneading her breasts until her nipples peaked. The kissing grew longer and less lazy and his hips moved up and down, making her body yearn again.
“Since I’m good with my hands, and a lathe, maybe I’ll whip you up a nice paddle. We’ll give that a try the next time you need correction. What do you think about that?”
“It sounds wonderfully hot.” She blushed at the thought.
“Have you ever done this before?” When she didn’t answer, he repeated himself in a stern voice. “Have you?”
“No, I haven’t. If I’d even mentioned it to my past, um, gentlemen callers, I’m sure I would have been shown the door posthaste with cries of ‘harlot’ ringing in my ears.” She threw her hand melodramatically to her forehead.
“Dumb guys. Me? I’ve played around a little. But you really got into it. Watching your ass get all red and hot was pretty damned exciting.”
“Then I suppose we should move on and explore our options, no?” She let herself fall against him until she could concentrate on kissing him. She loved kissing him. He tasted wonderful, his lips were firm and the invasion of his tongue into her mouth was nearly as erotic as having his cock inside her.
“I can’t wait. To tell the truth, every time I think of you another kinky idea comes to mind. How about you?”
She took a deep breath and fought against her lingering shyness. “I expect there are a few things outside my comfort zone, but I’m willing to entertain your kinky ideas. Sir.” She grinned down at him and the kiss went on for a long, satisfying time until the darkness outside registered.
“Mmm.” She stretched against him and decided she could fall asleep lying on top of him. No doubt that would be uncomfortable for him, however, so she slowly and awkwardly climbed off, wincing as he pulled himself out of her. She felt the sting on her ass, and the pain from an exuberant fucking elsewhere.
“Shower?” He nodded. They stripped off their clothes and despite the tiny size of her shower, managed to fit in together.
“Tight fit. Like someone I know.” He had taken the washcloth from her and was soaping her all over. It was a wonderfully relaxing sensation. Until her got to her breasts and began a rougher massage, pausing to tweak the slippery nipples and stretch them until she whimpered just a bit. He kissed her beneath the warm spray. “I love being inside you. So hot and tight and when you make all those little noises, it really gets me going.”
“It almost feels like it’s too much, almost a little pain, but it’s too fantastic to care.” She leaned back against the wall and her breathing notched up when he lowered the cloth between her legs and rubbed back and forth, ceaselessly, until she was leaning into his hand, holding his wrist tight against her.
“Turn around. Face the wall.” He dropped the cloth and positioned her as he wanted, spreading her thighs wide. “I’m going to fuck you again.” He reached out of the shower and pulled another condom out of his jeans pocket and put it on. Then he shoved himself into her with a sharp thrust and fucked her hard and fast until they both collapsed against the wall, his body pinning her as they fought to catch their breath.
“You feel so good.”
“Was I too rough?”
“God, no. I love it. That little bit of pain when you’re rough makes me wild.”
He took a deep breath and slid his hands up over her body, touching her everywhere, firmly and possessively, as if memorizing every inch. “Good to hear you getting into the swing of things. For a minute or two there at the beginning I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get past that shy Professor. Aren’t you glad you let your wild thing out?”
“Niccolo, you have no idea.”
Chapter Eight
“I wish I could, but I’ve got my book group tonight.”
His sigh was exaggerated against the backdrop of site noise. “Can I at least hope it’s a dirty book group so you’ll have some steaming-hot ideas of nasty things to do to my body when we finally can connect in the flesh?”
“Well, Pride and Prejudice does seethe with an undercurrent of restrained Edwardian lust.”
“I’m gues
sing that’s a no for a fictional fornication smorgasbord?”
Her giggling made the department secretary, Alice Keyes, look up with a smirk. “You certainly do have a way with words.”
“Just call me the Shakespeare of smut, Professor. Okay. Have fun and I’ll call you after and warm you up. It’s chilly today.”
“A dose of Nick is far superior to hot cocoa. I’ll be home by eleven. Have a safe day.”
“Think of me naked.”
“Always.”
“I have got to get me one of those,” Alice muttered in a stage whisper as she fanned herself with a departmental budget report.
As she was feeling expansive, she took pity on the girl. “It just so happens Nick has two big, bold brothers who are currently unattached. What’s your preference? Handsome security specialist with a rather immature but appealing personality? Or a hunky fireman with a similarly immature bent?”
“Can I have both?”
“Stellatos are best in small doses, Alice. I’ve learned it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.”
“Too much of a good thing could be wonderful.”
“But exhausting.”
“I’ll stock up on Red Bull. Give me names, addresses, keys to their apartments.”
“Why don’t I do some matchmaking?”
“Ooh, goody! And I just made an appointment for my Brazilian. Get me a Stellato of my very own and I’ll be your servant for life.”
“Aren’t you already?”
“I’d stick my tongue out at you but that would be petty.”
The lighthearted banter added to her already great mood. Amazing what lots of vigorous sex could do for a person.
“I can’t believe you’re going to miss out on a sexy study session with your guy to talk about P and P.”
“Alas, it’s true. And it’s probably the only time I’m going to have until the weekend to see him. Tonight I’ve got book group, and tomorrow we’ve got the departmental meeting starting at seven.”
Alice finished stacking the copies of the next term’s budgets and handed her one before heading for the mail cubbies. “So why not miss one book group? Liz and Fitz aren’t going anywhere.”