Her Professor, His Obsession

ARIA

"I'm the villain," he said with a smug smile, his eyes moving through the edge of the book in his hand. "And I don't regret it."

The class went silent for a moment.

Even the air in the room felt heavier, like we had all simultaneously forgotten how to breathe.

There he was, standing at the front of the lecture hall, tall and neatly dressed in a black dress shirt, his sleeves were rolled up.

His voice... he had the kind of voice that could easily silence a crowd... low, smooth, and just rough enough to sound dangerous when he wanted to.

But he didn't seem dangerous. Not really.

He seemed... gracious. Like a demi god.

Professor Damon Carter.

The man i was with last night.

He was newly hired after the sad news of our previous literature professor.

He was just a guest lecturer, but the whole class has been talking about just how brilliant professor Carter is.

All I could think of was last night.

"He is sooo sexy" Laura said nudging me.

"He is our professor, take your eyes off him you slut" I teased her, pretending i had just met him for the first time.

He snapped the book shut and leaned against the desk.

"Literature has always been obsessed with heroes" he started, "But me? I'm more interested in the ones we are told to hate" he smiled.

"Why" a male student asked from among the students.

"The flawed ones, the broken ones, the ones who choose the darker path, not because they're evil... " he paused, curving his lips, "... but because the world made them that way."

The way he moved his lips made me remember where those same lips were yesterday... on my...

I shifted slightly in my seat before that thought completed in my head. I forgot about the pen in my hand and the book on my desk.

I'd never been so unsettled by a professor before. Not even the ones who shouted at the top of their voices.

And that was because of what happened between us last night. I was so done for.

He didn't raise his voice. I mean he didn't need to. His confidence alone was top notch.

"Your first assignment is simple," he continued. "Pick a character that's mostly seen as a villain, and defend them. Justify their actions. Make me believe you."

Some part of the class groaned while others wispered in excitement.

I stared at the blank page in front of me, pretending to write something down.

I could feel his eyes scanning the class.

And for a brief second, I swore that i felt his eyes on me.

"Psttt" Laura called out in a low tone "he's staring at you"

"No he's not" I scoffed and my eyes landed on his.

He quickly redirected his gaze and returned to his desk, collected his notes then added,

"Office hours are posted online. If you want to argue about your grades, come prepared."

That gave him a few chuckles from the class.

The bell rang and students started packing up, everywhere was loud again, normal again.

But I stayed still, watching him gather his things.

Was he going to call me to talk about last night?

Something in me was him drawn to him. I wanted to walk up to him, but somewhere deep down, i knew i could never make such mistake.

Laura urged me to pack my things too and I did, then we both headed outside as it was the end of lectures for the day.

We walked past the hallways but i was quiet still.

"Looks like Aria Giovanni is into her literature professor" Laura coed.

"Shut up Laura Williams" I sighed, "And no, i'm not into the professor" i said, trying to keep a neutral face, i didn't tell Laura about last night.

Anyways my name is Aria Giovanni. I'm twenty-one, in my final year at westbridge University, and I've officially survived three years of bad cafeteria food, group projects from hell, and professors who think their class is the center of the universe.

And i've been with my new literature professor... in bed, last night.

The blabbermouth beside me, currently chewing gum and talking with her mouth full, is Laura Williams, my best friend since freshman year. She has the attention span of a squirrel and the energy of five Red Bulls. I love her anyway.

"You think the new prof is hot right?" Laura asked, nudging my elbow.

I didn't answer. Not because i hadn't noticed how sexy he looked, i mean everyone in the class noticed, but because i had seen how sexy he looked... without his shirt on.

"I swear, if Professor Adler gives us another pop quiz, I'm dropping out," Laura huffed dramatically, flipping her long curls over her shoulder as we walked toward the exit gate.

I let out a quiet laugh, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder.

"You say that every semester" I teased.

"Because I mean it every semester," Laura replied, grinning.

She playfully bumped her hip against mine.

Just then a guy bumped into me, his books flying all over the place.

"Oh my gosh, i'm so sorry" I said as i hurriedly picked up part of his books.

"Thank you" he spoke in an attractive voice that made my head quickly whip up to his face.

Tall. Sharp jawline. Dark hair. And that kind of effortless charm that seemed too dangerous for me.

"I should've been watching where I was going," he added, his lips curling into a small smile.

His gaze didn't leave my face.

"I'm James," he introduced, offering his hand casually.

I blinked, hesitating for a second before placing my hand in his. I was too stunned by how handsome he was.

"Anyway, where are her manners?" Laura said.

"Laura Williams, twenty-one, business major with a minor in drama... obviously. Lover of overpriced coffee, bad boys, and drama I don't have to pay for." She grinned wide, unashamed.

"And this," Laura continued, wrapping an arm around me, "is my far-too-serious best friend... Aria Giovanni."

I gave a polite, almost shy nod.

"Literature major. Last year," she added simply, her voice soft but steady.

"And completely hopeless when it comes to men," Laura teased, making my cheeks pink.

"Laura... "

"I'm just saying," Laura whispered with a playful smirk.

"Aria..." he repeated my name like it was something sweet, "pretty name"

"See you around, Aria," James said smoothly before walking off, leaving a lingering scent.

I just stood there, watching him disappear into the crowd.

Laura leaned close, practically squealing.

"Well, well, well... looks like this semester will get interesting."

I wasn't so sure why my heart was racing.

But somehow, i had a feeling Laura was right.

I was still watching the crowd when my head suddenly went to one of windows in the school building.

Professor Carter stood by the window, glaring at me. Was he jealous?

I doubt that. I'm pretty sure he regrets last night already.

My breath hitched when our gaze met, though i couldn't explain why.

Maybe he was going to make me fail his class, oh God, i am so done for.

ARIA

24 hours earlier...

Laura came over for a sleep over at my place but i suspect she has other plans, i just don't know what they are yet.

She always loved coming to my place, the fact that i lived in a luxurious house, the one my father arranged close to school for me.

He is always away for business, i just have a few maids come put food in the fridge and clean the place.

"It's so sad what happened to professor Albert" i said half asleep.

"There are rumours that he was murdered"

"What?"

"Yeah, look at this" Laura said bringing her phone to my face to show me what people were saying on our school website.

The comments were wild.

Student286367: Professor Albert's death is so weird.

Student431638: I heard he was murdered and I believe that.

Student236487: Maybe he was into illegal activities like a gang or the mafia... lol.

Student364278: He definitely didn't die a normal death. I hear the police and forensic is hiding the truth from us.

"These people are crazy" I said, locking her phone shut.

Professor Albert had always been my favourite lecturer up until he was found dead in his house when his wife and kids were away.

"They are supposed to be worried and sad that he died, not how he died" i groaned.

"Woah, chill girl, we know you were his favourite student but aren't you overreacting?" Laura asked with a concerned look.

"There's this club I always go to, to loosen up, I'm going there tonight, wanna come?" She asked.

And there it was, i knew she had something planned, she always has something planned.

"Whyyyyy" i dragged out, "we're supposed to be mourning the loss of our professor"

"But we already did that in school, let's go out and celebrate his... death?"

I let out a small laugh. She just didn't have any good excuse, did she?

"Fine, i'll come with you Laura"

"Yay!" She squealed.

"I don't have anything to wear"

"You have a wardrobe full of expensive clothes, we'll find you something to wear, trust me"

"Wait, what kind of club are we going to?"

She rushed to my bed and sat beside me. I could see the excitement in her face.

"This particular place is filled with hot and rich people. It's a kind of place where you get to meet people who will take you to heaven on earth"

I narrowed my eyes towards her.

"What? Who knows, I could find me a rich dude there and you could find someone to finally disvirgin you"

"Oh my God, Laura" I screamed throwing a pillow at her.

Maybe she was right. I was about to finish college, i needed to live a little. I also needed a new boyfriend.

I've had a few, but nothing more than a few kisses and some touches here and there.

I thought the last one was the "one", but apparently he couldn't wait until i was ready.

Maybe now I'm ready.

*****

It was 8pm and Laura was finally done with me.

I looked and felt different. I felt more confident, without my glasses, my hair wasn't tied into a ponytail and I had red lipstick on.

The red dress matches my red lipstick and red eye colour. I heard red eye colours are the rarest.

When I was little people often thought I was a freak or something and when I grew older i started wearing lenses... that's when I'm not wearing my glasses.

And I wasn't wearing my glasses tonight. The short dress complemented my skin perfectly.

The low neck and thin straps exposed my shoulder and cleavage.

"You look so stunning Ari, we are going to find you a man in no time" Laura said as she stood besides me in her shimmering gold dress and obvious heavy makeup.

If I was a guy, I would approach her the moment she step foot into the club.

"Are you ready?" She asked and I nodded taking my purse.

"When do we get back home? It's already past 8" i said, a little worried.

Laura chucked and she looped her hand around mine and made me walk with her downstairs as we headed to the club with my car.

*****

The club was full of life and active. The music was giving and the speakers added vibrations through out the whole place. There were people on the dance floor, rocking to the music like their lives depended on it.

"Having fun?"

I smiled when Laura walked up to me with a cute guy in her arm. She was looking buzzed and there was a drink in her hand.

"Uhm yeah" i lied.

I had been sitting alone at the bar for at least 20 minutes, shooing every guy that came my way with a glare. They all looked like jerks. And I was overly cautious.

"I don't believe you" she said as she ordered heavy alcohol from the bar and told me to drink it.

I drank it and was already feeling light. She held my hand and took me to the centre of the club, the guy followed suit.

We started dancing. She was mostly dancing with her new found friend but i didn't care, not until i noticed someone staring at me from the shadows.

I couldn't see his face properly, i only saw the lower part of his face and his glass going to his lips.

He pointed his index finger and curved it three times, urging me to go to him. I stared hard to make sure I wasn't drunk and seeing things.

"Are you alright?" Laura shouted over the loud music.

I just nodded my head and told her to give me a minute. When i turned back, i couldn't find the stranger anymore.

I basically jogged through the crowd and went to the bar, i only saw where he was sitting... empty.

I ordered another drink from the bar and took it in one gulp. Maybe i was high already.

Or so I thought until a wave of masculine scent filled my lungs. I whipped my head around and I was met with a drop dead, most handsome man i had ever seen.

"Hello"

His voice was thick and filled with something... dangerous. My eyes were locked on his Adams apple when he talked.

"I've never seen you here before, is this your first time at the club?" He asked.

"Yes" i said taking another drink.

"And you're alone?"

"No I came, with a friend"

"A friend huh, not a boyfriend?"

"No, no boyfriend"

"Good"

The deepness in his voice made me want to move from my stool, but I had to control myself.

He extended his hands towards me, i looked at them for a moment... long fingers, clean perfect nails. I could see some veins pop out from his inner wrist.

I couldn't imagine the way his veins would be so visible on his whole arms. Imagine those hands touching me and...

"Walk with me" he said in a low tone.

I bit my lips, and my eyes fell on his hand for a split second. This man was certainly older than me by a long stretch but I didn't care in that moment.

I glanced at Laura but she was too busy dancing, so I took his hand.

"You're so fucking sexy" he said in my ear as one of his hand slid down to my waist.

Tingles ran down my spine. My body was hot, my cheeks flushed. I wanted this man.

*****

We both crashed on the bed of the hotel room he had booked. I was ontop of him. Kissing hard.

He spun me over and kissed me even harder and i let out involuntary moans.

"Fuck" he said in a rough voice.

He unbuttoned his shirt, and Lord, his whole body was made of hard but soft muscles, if that made sense.

I've never seen a sexier man.

He kissed me again and hooked my legs around his hips as he grinds into me. I could feel his buldge, i could tell he was big.

I arched my back at the feeling of his buldge rubbing my wet panties.

He slowly removed my dress and panties. He traced kisses from my lips, to my neck, my abdomen and then his lips touched my clit.

"Fuck" i moaned out loud, unable to control myself.

"I can tell you want me so bad baby girl" he said, "tell me what you want me to do to you"

His words sent hot breaths to my clit. I couldn't speak. He came back up and kissed me again.

"Open that pretty mouth of yours and tell me what you want"

"Please... please make me feel good" i gasped out.

"Good girl" he said as he took his middle finger and pushed it inside of me.

"Fuck" i cried out.

DAMON

"Uh shit. Shit. Sorry" Aria said as made her way down the stairs with her friend, looking for a free seat.

I don't know what it is about her that captivates me. This wasn't the plan. I never planned to be in bed with her. Although i had known her even before we met at that club.

And what in God's name was I thinking when I took her to that hotel? I kissed her and did all kinds of things to her, but I didn't fuck her. I couldn't.

There's a huge age gap between us but yet, i can't seem to stop thinking about her and all the things i would love to do to her.

The closer she got, the more i was able to appreciate her figure.

She has a curvy slim figure. Her jeans complemented her curved hips perfectly. She looked as perfect as she did in her red dress.

The thought of having those legs wrap around my waist filled my mind. I shook my mind, more worried about my self control than my arousal.

"There's a free seat here" i called out to them, making my tone slightly annoyed to mask my own confused emotions.

"Thank you sir" her friend said.

She looked at me for what seemed like an eternity. I tried not to look at her heaving full chest. They must have been running to class.

She finally sat down beside her friend, adjusted her glasses and brought her books out.

I turned back to the board to continue the course outline trying to distract myself. What is wrong with me? She is just a kid. And here i was, oogling at her shamelessly.

She seems to be pretending like that night never happened. Maybe she thinks i regret it. Whatever her reason was. It was for the best.

Anytime I glanced at her, she would shift slightly. Was I making her uncomfortable? I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. For some reason, i didn't want to see her sad or disappointed.

As I stood before the class, having just finished teaching for the day something about her caught my attention.

Those almost red eye colour, i would remember those eyes any day.

I hesitated on ending the class so I found something to say.

"As I mentioned a few days ago,"I said, my gaze briefly sweeping over Aria, lingering just a second longer than necessary,

"Your assignment is still due next week. Pick a character that's mostly seen as a villain, and defend them. Justify their actions. Analyze it. Be bold with your thoughts. Make me believe you."

A few students groaned softly under their breath.

"Ugh" her friend muttered just loud enough to hear but i didn't really care, I wanted to see how she would react. But she didn't.

"Class dismissed" I said in a loud voice, "we will meet next week and i will choose a class assistant by then."

The whole class erupts into chaos as everyone tried to get out of the class at the same time.

"Not you" i said pointing at her.

Her face paled for a second, then her friend whispered something in her ear before she left.

"Sir?"

"Meet me in my office in ten minutes"

*****

Seven minutes later i was in my office pacing back and forth, waiting for her to get here. What the hell is wrong with me?

I heard a knock on my door exactly ten minutes after i had told her to meet me and i sat on my sit, breathed in and told her to come in.

"You wanted to see me sir" she said walking in.

"Yes" i replied in a low tone, pretending to be busy with one of the textbooks.

"If this is about the other night, i swear sir, I didn't..."

"What are you talking about?"

"I thought you..."

"You're a smart kid, Aria" i said cutting her short for the second time, it was best we both pretended like that night never happened.

"I see you were professor Albert's favourite student"

"Yes sir, i was"

"And was it just because you were smart?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

What the fuck was i even getting at?

I knew for sure she didn't have anything to do with her previous professor, i knew she doesn't have relationships with any of her professors. I knew she didn't know i would be her new professor that night.

So why was i having this feeling? Why do i feel like torturing every man that even as much as smiles at her and why do i feel like punishing her for it? Not physically or academically but...

"Professor Carter?" her voice came through, distorting my thoughts.

I took one look at her, high ponytail, unnecessarily big glasses, plump lips, the red always plastered on her cheeks.

"You've done unbelievably well in all your classes, and I'd like you to keep it that way" i sighed.

"I will sir"

"About your assignment, I believe you've already started working on it"

"Yes sir"

"Good"

"Is that why you called me here, sir?" She said with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

I had no idea why i even called her into my office. I just wanted to see her, close up, away from prying eyes.

But I had to be serious, i can only keep a teacher-student relationship with her. Nothing more. Even if i wanted more.

"Yes, Aria, you may take your leave" i said, she nodded before opening the door and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

I undid my tie the moment she left, unbuttoned two of my buttons and rolled my sleeves up.

I stood up to the mini cupboard in my office and took a bottle of whiskey, opened it and poured myself a drink.

I had not felt so uneasy about a woman in my life before.

A woman.

Is that what I see her as now? A woman and not a student?

Not the person that is the most crucial part in my ultimate revenge?