Oakley
I watch as she moves forward and gently runs her fingers over the cream silk linen on the four-poster bed. There’s no denying that she is stunning, but it’s a mask to what lies beneathdarkness and rotten evil.
“Listen to me, Eva,” I say, my voice stern.
She spins around and meets my gaze, eyes wide. “Sorry, sir.”
The word sir tugs at my insides as I feel myself thicken in my pants. No schoolgirls call me sir here, so perhaps the word appeals to the dominant side of me I buried long ago. My brow furrows as I stare at her, speculating why that word coming from this girl would affect me.
“Listen carefully. You will conform to the rules here, whether or not you like it.” I close the gap between us, forcing her to step back against the wall. “I don’t cower away from corporal punishment for those who don’t obey.”
Eva shudders, her eyes fluttering as a whoosh of air escapes her lungs.
The satisfaction coils through me at the first sign that she does indeed find me intimidating. I grit my teeth as another sensation other than satisfaction coils through me. A burning, forbidden lust that pools in the pit of my gut.
Her throat bobs as she swallows, and she shakes her head. “I don’t have trouble with following rules and never have. My parents are gullible idiots who believe that I would ever have an affair with a middle-aged janitor.”
I raise a brow. “It’s pathetic to deny something when there’s photographic evidence, Miss Carmichael.”
Her eyes flash. “Not when Photoshop exists.” She says it so matter of fact, glowering at me with admirable confidence.
“I can beat the denial out of you, Eva.” I pause, staring at her for a few moments. “Don’t think I won’t.”
She remains confident in her conviction. “It’s not denial, sir. It’s the truth,” she says, turning from me.
“Are you disrespecting me?” I growl, snatching her wrist and yanking her back around.
Her eyes widen as they shift between my hand wrapped around her wrist and my face. “Please let go of my wrist, sir.”
I search her eyes, ignoring her request. “Never turn your back on me again. Do you understand?”
When she doesn’t answer me, the bit of control I had slips through my fingers. “I typically don’t elect for corporal punishment on a pupil’s first day.” I move closer to her, urging her to take a step back, still holding her wrist. “However, you’re testing my patience with your bratty attitude.” I keep moving until the back of her legs hit the bed. “I asked you a question,” I growl.
Eva’s throat bobs, bringing my attention to her slender neck. “Yes, sir. I understand, but please, can you remove your hand from my wrist?”
There it is again. The tug between my thighs the second she says that fucking word. It’s like throwing gas onto a bonfire.
“Since you asked politely.” I lean toward her, inhaling her scent, which is a mix of lavender and jasmine that drives my urges wild. “Next time, you won’t get off so easily.” Our lips are mere inches away as she gawks at me with a mix of shock and fear and a hint of arousal. “Do you understand?”
Eva breathes a shuddering breath, nodding frantically. “Yes, sir.”
I let go of her wrist and thrust my fingers through my hair. “Good.” I stride toward the door to put some distance between us. “Get some rest. One of my colleagues will call on you in the morning and take you to breakfast at eight o’clock sharp.” I glance at the clock on her wall to ensure it keeps time accurately. “Don’t open this door to anyone until morning, no matter what.”
The students have a tradition of hazing new pupils, especially pupils who begin halfway through the semester. My warning, I tell myself, is to ensure she stays out of harm’s way, so any injury doesn’t impede my plans.
Her brow furrows. “Why?”
“You and your questions are exasperating. Do as I say, okay?”
Eva nods in response. “Okay, sir.” She flops down on the bed. “I’ll get some rest.”
At this rate, if she continues this sir lark, I’ll end up fucking her like a beast as a welcome to the academy.
Eva rolls onto her front with her legs in the air, displaying her pink lace panties under her skirt. When she realizes I’m still lingering, still staring at her, she says, “Is there anything else you need, sir?” As she glances at me over her shoulder.
I clench my fists by my side, scowling at her. Either she realizes that she’s flashing her underwear at me, and it’s a deliberate attempt to turn me on, or she’s too fucking innocent to know it. The jury is out on which it is.
“No, that’s all.” I clench my jaw, eyes still glued to her panties. “Don’t open the door tonight.” I step out of the room and grab the door handle, slamming it shut.
Eva Carmichael is different from what I expected as the daughter of my enemies. She affects me, which complicates things, as I can’t be the one to scandalize her without possibly losing everything in return. My breathing, I notice then, is erratic as I rest my back against her door.
Archer is renowned for his wicked, errant ways. He isn’t the school principal, and we brush his many affairs with pupils under the carpet. However, Archer having his way with a pupil is entirely different from me crossing that line. It could ruin me for the second time, and I’ll be damned if I allow another Carmichael to ruin me.