Hell, I'm a size four. If having curves in all the right places is a sin, I guess I'll be dancing with the devil.
The more I think about the ball, the more I wonder if spending money on a dress is necessary. After my conversation with Lance a couple of days ago, I doubt our plans to go together are still on the table.
It's not like I need a date, the money my absentee parents donated will be enough to guarantee me a seat at any table, but I'd be going with Mr. Harrington if I had my choice. And not just because being near him gets my panties wet but also because I'd love to see the looks on all the rich bitch faces when I walked in on the teacher's arm.
Neither Quinn or I consume the coffee or muffins I'd so graciously brought. Her mother had set me on edge, and there's no way I'm trying on dresses after bloating on a bunch of carbs.
There are many dress shops in Silvercrest, but everyone knows, showing up at a ball in a dress bought anywhere, but Vinnik's is essentially your ticket out of elite status.
Known for unique, original, and one of a kind styles by the most famous designers from all over the world is what you'll find there, and it's where Quinn and I are now.
It wasn't, but ten minutes after I stepped through the door, I found the dress I'm wearing.
The strapless deep cut V neck bodice is dark navy, flattering my breasts and hips as it angles into a matching V shape at my waist. From there, sapphire silk is meticulously hand-sewn into the dark navy that eventually extends into a floor-length flowing skirt. It's elegant yet sexy and totally me. I'm ecstatic when I learn it's a size four.
Quinn isn't as lucky. The lack of Sebastian's response with her first choice puts her in a mood, and she dumps the first dress on a neatly folded pile of lingerie before stalking off to another part of the shop ultimately settling on a sexy black and red gown. She arranges alterations, and we exit the store.
"Harlyn, what are you doing today? Are you going to hook up with Winston later?"
My response is a shrug, I still haven't told her, or anyone for that matter, Mr. Harrington and I are meeting up at the library. It's not that I don't trust her; we're both a part of The Society, and learned at a young age loyalty is as good as blood. Those who are un-loyal, generally don't live to tell their tale.
In this case, it's more personal. Yeah, it's a tutoring session, but what Winston and I are doing is indescribable. Every time we see one another, our attraction becomes more apparent, and it's only a matter of time before we're intimate. So, for now, I'm keeping this to myself.
We climb into her car and start down the road. The ride is mostly quiet, I suspect she's still reeling at Sebastian not responding but then, and without any warning, she turns her attention on me. "Have you let him put it in your ass yet?"
The question catches me off guard, and all I can muster is a laugh in response. She knows I've told Lance my feelings for him, and my first time with Mr. Harrington will not be anal. I'm not a prude by any means, but I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe if things go further with the teacher, I'll give it another try, but for now, there are many other things on my mind.
When she pulls into my drive, we say our good-byes, and I step out of the car where Anderson, my butler, is waiting on the stairs. I'd texted him moments ago, letting him know I'd be heading home after shopping, and he should be ready for my bags.
Once in my room, I drop onto the bed and watch the hours tick by before meeting with Mr. Harrington. The ring of my phone signals an incoming call from Sebastian, Quinn's arranged fiancé. His smooth tone permeates the line. "Hey Har, do you know where Quinn is?
"I've hung your dress in the guest room, Miss Aldridge," Anderson says from outside my room.
Covering the mic of my phone, I raise my brows at our butler. Once he shuffles away, I turn my attention back to Sebastian. "Nope, she dropped me off hours ago. She didn't say where she was going. Try your house, she was in a mood, so I doubt she went home." He disconnects abruptly, and I place my phone on silent before slipping it in my pocket.
I can't avoid the desire to see him any longer. Hopping off the bed and skipping down the stairs, I head out the front door, headed to meet Mr. Harrington.
With each mile, my heart rate increases as do my feelings for him. I've never felt this way with Lance or any of the other boys I've dated. The excitement of knowing I'll feel the teacher's lips against mine once again sends an undeniable need straight to the space between my legs.
It's a dangerous line we're walking. A teacher-student relationship is not something well received in the town of Silvercrest or being a child of The Society. I might as well prepare for a target on my back.
But I'm willing to take that risk. I only hope he feels the same.
Chapter Nine
Winston Asher Harrington
Harlyn missed class today, but she'd done as I asked and texted, letting me know she'd be out. The reason wasn't something I'd consider dire as we'd discussed, but since she's still meeting me for her tutoring session, I'll not lower her grade because of it.
Class was a lot less interesting without her in it. There were no opportunities for a glance at her flirty brown eyes or that pouty bottom lip. I'm seated, so she's unaware of my predicament when she enters the room.
Her eyes find mine, and her face brightens with a smile. She doesn't say anything as she dumps her books on the floor, stalks around the table, and straddles my lap before taking my face in her hands. Her lips cover mine. A gasp escapes against my lips, telling me she's realized my situation, but it doesn't stop her assault on my mouth.
She grinds against me.
With her school uniform, the only thing separating us is my jeans and her panties. Her heat warms my cock, and I'm on the brink of losing my load. I wrap an arm around her back, holding her in place while my other hand cups the back of her head, and our tongues dance together.
After a beat, she pulls away, breathing heavily. "Take me, Mr. Harrington."
Her respectful use of my surname reminds me what we're doing is wrong, and I consider stopping this and our tutoring sessions, but the thought flits from my mind as quickly as it came. "Asher," I instruct.
"Hmmm?" She questions with hooded eyes.
"My name …it's Asher. Call me Asher; otherwise, we'll need to stop."
When she leans back, her stare dances between mine; it's as though she's deciding if Asher is who she wants. All this time, I've been Mr. Harrington to her, and at this very moment, we've reached a crossroads.
One direction leads us back to safety, back to a teacher and a student. The other…well, it takes us into a whole new territory—a place where if we're not careful, someone will most certainly get hurt.
Even with clothing separating us, the urge to press my cock against her warm pussy is eating me alive, but I know if I do, it could manipulate her decision, so I wait.
With one final kiss to my lips, she pulls back and looks me straight in the eyes. "Asher, please. Take me right here, right now, in the Mesa room of the Harrington library."
The sound of our family name rolling off her lips sends warmth throughout my body. It's like a song. A beautiful ballad, sung from the voice of an angel. My willpower dissipates into thin air, and my fingers fumble with the buckle of my pants.
She's already swiped her shirt over her head and has scooted back, brushing my hands away so she can unfasten the belt and the button before unzipping my jeans.
Her movements are of someone who's done this before. Not quite an expert but also not inexperienced.
Once she's exposed my briefs, her hand dips beneath the waistband, and her fingers wrap around my cock, pulling it free. She pauses for a moment glancing downward, taking in my size before her eyes lift to mine. She smiles.
From there, everything is in what feels like slow motion.
Standing just enough to pull her panties aside and line up the head of my cock with her opening, she begins to lower herself.
It's not until she's wholly seated and rotating her h
ips on me, I realize I'm not wearing a condom. I want to tell her to stop, I need to ask her to stop, but her tight pussy is disintegrating every thought in my head and what happens next is pure animalistic.
Gripping her shoulders, I take control. Pounding out a rhythmic pace until she arches her back and cries out her release.
It's a beautiful sight, watching a woman orgasm. An emotion, so raw and vulnerable as it passes over their face, gives men a feeling of power, maybe even control, but in reality, we know they hold all the control.
Apparent when the pussy sheathing my cock contracts, again and again, milking me until my release fills her with the Harrington seed.
I guide her lips to mine for one last kiss before she lays her head on my shoulder, and I lower my arms to around her waist.
We sit quietly, still connected until our breathing calms.
Having her body on me is both comforting and torture. My dick twitches as she squirms in my lap. I fear it's not long before I'm ready to go again, but as much as I'd like to stay in this position the rest of the day fucking her in the Harrington library, it's only a matter of time before we get caught.
And we need to talk about the fact I didn't use a condom. Directing her eyes to mine with her chin, I start the dreaded conversation. "Harlyn, we need to talk about…" Something flashes past the window in the door, interrupting my conversation. I didn't catch it at first, but my eyes are now focused on the transparent glass as I watch for it again.
"Talk about what?" She asks lazily.
I don't answer.
I'm frozen speechless.
There on the other side of the window is Catarina.
She can't see our connection beneath the table, but our current position gives away our intimate relationship.
Her mouth is open in what I can only assume is shock, but if that's true, it doesn't last because, after a beat, her lips turn up in a mischievous grin.
This is not good. I could lose my job and possibly risk never working as a teacher again. But I don't care about that. I'm more worried about what this could do for the last few weeks of Harlyn's senior year and beyond.
Teenagers can be cruel. Add to that a small town and the peaceful life she deserves will ultimately be turned upside down.
Somehow, I need to fix this.
Harlyn turns her head, trying to follow my gaze, but I'm quick to take her head in my hands and focus her attention on me. The less she knows, the better. "Talk about how much I enjoyed what we've just done." It's a lie. I wanted to talk with her about the condom, or lack thereof. But that can wait. The chances of any fallout are low.
"Hmm, me too."
"How about you go get cleaned up, and we can finish…correction, start your lesson?"
She giggles at my slip of the tongue, then raises enough to kiss me before grabbing her purse and exiting through the door. I'm hopeful Catarina isn't hiding on the other side.
There's no noise on the other side, nor do they enter the room together.
It means we're safe, but who knows for how long.
Chapter Ten
Francis Harlyn Aldridge
Returning from the restroom, I noticed a change in Asher's mood. Thinking it was related to the fact we'd had unprotected sex, I assured him I was on birth control and that there were no concerns medically.
He'd apologized for the same, but then, he sat me down and began explaining how irresponsible our having sex in the library was and that it can't happen again. I didn't need a lecture; in fact, I'd do it again in a heartbeat—it was hot as fuck.
Once we'd said our good-byes, he walked me to my car without a lingering glance. In fact, he'd been glancing over his shoulder and watching everyone but me. "Are you looking for your next target?" I ask jokingly.
His eyes dart to mine, and his brows raise. "What? No. Why would you ask that?"
"Well, maybe because you haven't looked me in the eye since the lesson was over. Was I not…you know, any good?"
"Oh, Harlyn…" He says, his expression soft, as he grips my arm and pulls me between two massive black SUVs before backing me against one of them with his body. "You were amazing. I'm just cautious because if we get caught, whatever this is will be over before it even starts." He tips up my chin with a finger. "We just need to be careful."
I nod in agreeance and move to place a kiss on his lips, but he pulls away. Instead, cocking his head to the side and he raises a brow.
On a huff, I tell him. "I understand, Asher. We need to be careful. Now would you kiss me already?"
My wish is his command. He lowers his lips to mine, and we become lost in a moment of just the two of us. Until he pulls away, swats me on the ass and says, "Now get out of here. I believe you have some homework to do."
I laugh at his playfulness as I head to my car.
The drive home is uneventful, and the sky is dark by the time I arrive, but you wouldn't know by how the exterior of the massive three-story antebellum home is lit up. My parents say the added lights are for safety. I feel it's a nuisance.
Nevertheless, it's where I call home, and right at this moment, I'm ready to sink beneath layers of bubbles in a hot bath.
As I step through the massive carved pine entry doors, Anderson greets me in the foyer and takes my book bags from me. "Good evening Miss Harlyn. Did everything go ok with your lesson this afternoon?"
I can't help the heat that tints my cheeks remembering just how well it went. "Yes, everything went fine, Anderson. Please have Grace run me a hot bubble bath. I'm going to grab a quick bite from the kitchen." I tell him.
"Will do, Miss Harlyn. There is a plate of food already arranged for you in the refrigerator if you'd like." He calls, but I'm already down the hall. I toss him a wave back.
Once I'm out of the bath dried and tucked up in my bed, today's images roll around in my head. It reminds me of how he felt inside. Much larger than I'd expected, it had been painful at first but didn't take long for me to adjust. The thoughts send a twinge of need to my pussy, and I consider reaching beneath the sheets but decide otherwise. I'd rather wait until our next time together instead of marring the memory of our time today.
At that, I turn over in bed and quickly drift off to sleep.
The annoying buzz of my alarm pulls me from sleep, and after banging on it to stop, I move slowly from the bed.
Usually, I'd be excited tomorrow is the weekend, but that means not having a reason to see Asher for two whole days. I suppose there's a small chance he'll be at the masquerade ball tomorrow night. Not that we'll be together, but I'll at least be able to see him. It reminds me I still need to cancel the arrangements with Lance. I tap his face on the screen of my phone.
He answers on the first ring. "Hey babe, how are you this morning?"
My eyes roll at his term of endearment. He is going to make this a difficult call I can already tell. "Hey, Lance. I know we haven't discussed this yet, and I'm sorry for the short notice, but I wanted to let you know Anderson will be driving me to the charity ball tomorrow night."
"Your butler? You're having the butler take you to the ball?" He questions, his tone rising with each word.
"He's not taking me; he's driving me there and dropping me off."
"No, Harlyn. You're not going to the ball alone. I know you think we're on some kind of break, but as I said, I'm not giving up that easy, and it's already arranged, my tuxedo, the seats at the table. You and I are still going…together."
He's partly right. If I show up to the ball alone, I might as well kiss my social status good-bye. Yeah, I'm a society kid, but it doesn't guarantee my future as a socialite. Showing up at a ball with no man on my arm will tell the powers that be I'm unwanted, and I'd have to work that much harder to build myself back up in their eyes.
"Fine, we can go together—as friends, nothing more. Got it?" I huff out.
"Pick you up at seven, Harlyn. Be ready." With that, he ends the call.
Our conversation leaves me feeling like I've just made a dea
l with the devil. Only time will tell if it was the right decision.
Chapter Eleven
Lance Freeman
Harlyn doesn't have any idea, but the charity ball is the perfect place for making an announcement I've wanted to make for some time. I realize it should've come sooner, and I know she's been on the fence about our relationship, but it's unlikely she'll say no in front of all her friends and her family.
A little birdy told me her parents would be returning from their trip early and attending the ball. I'd never have their blessing because I don't come from a Silvercrest founding family, and with being a detective, my values aren't in line with those of The Society, but I don't care what anyone else thinks.
Harlyn is mine. She has been even before I arrived back from that torturous boot camp. I'll admit I've made mistakes. Some I'll never recover from, but taking her hand will not be one of them.
I pull the ring from my pocket. It's not as large as I would've liked to grace Harlyn's finger with, but it was my mothers, and I expect she'll appreciate the sentimental value over what my salary could afford. I give it one last look before tucking it away in a box on top of my dresser.
Once I've stepped dressed and clipped my badge to my belt, I head out the door and climb into an unmarked car.
When the mayor approached me about an opportunity to become a detective after being out of the academy for only a few months, I jumped at the chance. Not understanding at the time what the consequences would be. Now that I know, it's too late to get out of it.
Unfortunately, at the center of this master plan is Harlyn and her Grandfather's will.
Chapter Twelve
Francis Harlyn Aldridge
Math class is a drag today. Well, math is a drag every day, but today is especially heinous. We have a substitute, and their idea of teaching is to write a bunch of problems on the board, and we supply the answers on paper. If he hadn't taken roll call, I would've never known he even knew how to speak.
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