Teacher's Toy (Loftry University Playthings 1)

Chapter 14

Professor Richards

Grumbling,I yank open my liquor cabinet door, biting out a curse when the handle loosens a touch. Pulling out a bottle of Macallan 18 fine oak, I slam the door back and go over to my desk. I splash the liquid into the glass and down it in a gulp, the burn racing down my throat and into my gut. Sitting with the burn for the moment, I pour another glass and start to sip it. I glance over at my phone, glaring at it for a moment before taking another sip. The burn settles me, soothes me. One month. It's been one month, and I'm no closer to purging Melody from my brain. Even when I sleep, her body is there with me in my dreams. Her yelps and squeals call to me, even from my slumber. Adjusting myself, I shift a bit in my chair, careful not to put too much pressure on my balls. Too many mornings, I wake up hard with nothing to do but take matters into my own hands.

As I sit there grousing, my phone lights up. My brain fires up, my cock popping up to attention. Maybe she finally messaged me. God knows I didn't order her to. That would defeat the purpose of me getting away. More like skulking away, I think, pulling the device closer to me. Frowning, I look at the sender.

Good evening Professor. I know this is forward of me, and I fully expect your punishment, but since you no longer own Melody, I wondered if I could offer you my services. Yours, Chelsea.

My brain shuts down for a moment as I try to process the words I'm reading. Since when did I not own her? Confusion flits through me, my brain going in every different direction. Did something happen to her? My heart stops for a second. She has to be alright. She just has to.

I still own Melody. Why would you think that changed?

I sit there, heart in my throat, waiting for the dots to pop up.

Oh...

Dear...

I must have misunderstood. Goodnight Professor.

Misunderstood? Misunderstood what? Now I'm utterly confused. She didn't mention anything about her being hurt or dead, but she also didn't tell me anything.

What exactly are you trying to say? Is Melody okay? What's going on?

My stomach cramps as I wait for those blasted dots.

When I saw her with Chase, I just assumed. Forgive me, Professor, I know I'm not supposed to gossip. This is all just a misunderstanding. Goodnight.

The breath I hold slides out between my lips. A chill envelopes my body as I toss the phone down on the desk. Knocking back the rest of my drink, I sit back in my chair, rolling the glass around between my fingers. Fucking Chase. A pervasive numb fills me, and I grab my phone again and pull up my photos. The one I've looked at night after night, Melody kneeling, her face resting on my shoe. Instead of the flash of arousal, a deep burn fills my gut.

Fucking Chase. I could have forgiven her for anyone else. But not for fucking Chase. Opening the bottle, I take a deep swig, ignoring the burn as it slides down my throat and fills my gullet. Hopefully, Chelsea's wrong. Maybe she's overreacting. Setting the bottle down, I lumber my way to my bedroom and lay in my bed for what feels like hours, my brain just churning over the information I've been given.

* * *

The cool,crisp air belies the heavy feeling in my gut. Throughout the campus, couples and singles staying through the winter break scatter across the various lawns, all engaged in some sort of play, be it Frisbee, or tumbling around on the grass. Jealousy churns in my gut. Striking out, I slam my palm against the steering wheel. What the hell am I supposed to do with my student?

Instead of enjoying life, I have to squirrel her away, keeping all pretense of propriety. Damn the rules and damn The Society. Gripping my fingers around the leather, I ease my way in front of The Bordello, staring up at the white facade for a few minutes. Melody's car is out front, and that calms the rapid beat of my heart for a moment.

Turning off the engine, I make my way into the front foyer and grab a mask, slipping it on in record time. Taking the steps two at a time, I race up to Melody's room. Need burns through me. This is all a mistake. Once I see her ensconced in her room, everything will go back to the way it was. Maybe not completely the way it was, but at least better than now.

I pound against her door, my breathing haggard as I wait for her to answer. I wait for about a minute before pounding again. Reaching down, hold my fingers against the pads and wait for the lock to disengage. Stepping in, I turn on the lights and look around. Nothing. Her bed is perfectly made. Nothing is out of place. My brain races as it tries to put clues together that don't exist. Did she clean up this morning, or has she not been sleeping in her bed at all?

"She's not here, Professor."

Whirling around, I come face to face with Chelsea. Gliding down into a kneeling position, she lays her cheek on my shoe. Bile rises up my throat. She's not the one who should be kneeling. "Where is she?" I grind out, refusing to acknowledge her submission. After a few moments, she rises up, her eyes wide and guileless.

"She mentioned something about the quad." Looking away, she sucks in her bottom lip but remains silent.

"And? Spit it out, woman!"

Closing her eyes for a moment, she opens them and keeps them trained to the floor. "Chase met her out front. I think they went there together."

Leaving her kneeling on the floor, I push past and hurry down the stairs. My brain and gut churn together. Every thought, rational and not, races through my brain. The main thought that circles through is how the hell she thinks she could cheat on me, and I not know? Was she angling for a punishment? Is that what all this is about? A snort escapes my lips as I zip down the path through the quad. At this point, punishment would be the least of her worries. As I round the corner, my breath catches in my throat. Chase, the bastard, has my submissive gathered up in his arms, his lips hovering over hers.

With a loud roar, I launch myself towards the two, startling them apart. Melody has the good sense to back away as far as she can before I can reach them. Yanking Chase up by the collar of his shirt, I punch him hard in the gut, ignoring the painful yelps pouring out of his mouth. My fist goes through easily, doubling him over in an instant. Disgusted, I toss him down, letting him writhe around for a bit. Serves him right. Eyes narrowed, I turn upon Melody. Scrambling forward, she lays her head on my shoe, tears sparkling on her cheeks. With a snarl, I yank my foot away, ignoring her yelp as she tumbles forward.

"How. Fucking. Dare. You?" I seethe, stepping away from her. Her face is pale as she looks up at me. Rivulets of tears streaking down her cheeks. Her mouth opens, no doubt to spill some lies about what she was doing. I raise my hand, cutting her off. "I don't want to hear a word from you. I no longer claim you as my submissive."

"But I-"

"Silence!" My throat is hoarse, but that's nothing compared to the pain in my chest. I gulp down air, trying to remain calm as I look at her. "I will notify The Society and let them decide your punishment."

Her hands claw at my pants, a strangled mewling pouring from her throat. Tugging myself out of her grasp, I leave her there with Chase. I close my eyes for a moment, breathing in deep. An odd calm fills my body as I force the scene from my mind. The further I walk away from her, the clearer my mind becomes. Like a demented montage, memories of them together flit through my brain. They've probably been together since day one. I shake my head, trying to rid my mind of them. As I walk, I pick apart every moment I spent with her. Was any of it real? Her reactions seemed real enough. But was I just a stopgap until she could be with her jock? I run my fingers through my hair, my heart cracking.

* * *