Secrets and Seduction: A Dark Boarding School Romance (Preston Academy Book 1)
Secrets and Seduction: Chapter 21

I had been brooding all night about what Penelope Arden meant by her cryptic conversations. If it wasn’t about Mr. Preston, then there must surely be another person she cared very much about. I also had my next suspect—Flavian, her brother, although I found it hard to imagine that a child, no matter how odd, could commit such an atrocity.

The service had just ended, and we made our way to the cafeteria. My stomach had been growling so loudly that probably everyone in the hall must have overheard it.

I flinched when someone put his heavy arm around my shoulder. Noah. He had apologized a thousand times, and each time I assured him I was fine. Of course, it didn’t stop him from trying again. I could tell by the look on his face that something wasn’t quite right, that there must have been more going on at his house than just a family emergency.

His dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheeks told me he was in a really bad place, and I didn’t want to rush him into confiding in me.

“This is for you,” he said, pulling up a rose. It had been ages since I had been given flowers. With a big grin, I accepted it and kissed him on the cheek.

The barrier of friendship had strengthened between us, and I had realized that he did not mean these subtle gestures in a romantic way. His many crushes on other classmates were proof of that.

“That’s very sweet of you,” I assured him and kept walking, my head leaning against his shoulder.

The class was still half empty when we arrived; the room bathed in warm light. I massaged my temple and looked at my tablet. There were already heated discussions on our social platform about the upcoming party next week, and I couldn’t help but read through a few posts myself to see how the others would dress.

A debate had broken out under one girl’s post about why mustard yellow is the color of Satan, and I was eating my imaginary popcorn while following the comments.

As if on cue, the class fell silent—a sign that Mr. Preston had entered. I straightened up and glanced at my professor, who looked incredibly fine in his black slacks and white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

He scanned the class, and he noted absences until his gaze lingered on me, or rather, on the heavenly-scented rose on my desk. His eyes darkened before he put on his mask of indifference.

“Weren’t you going to check the homework, sir?” a boy one row behind us asked, and Leilah turned to give him a sour look.

“Shut the fuck up. Nobody likes a rat,” Mr. Preston cut in, and the guy leaned back without another word.

“Someone’s in a bad mood,” Noah whispered to me, and I chuckled.

“Mr. Preston is probably just underfucked,” I replied loud enough for him to hear me. Oh God, how I loved annoying him.

“Ms. James?” His voice was the spitting image of pure calm, but I knew what was hiding behind it.

Maybe he would punish me in front of everyone and maybe, just maybe, I would like it more than I should. “Stand up.”

I followed his command. “Say that again.” Shit. When I remained quiet, he repeated himself, more threatening now, closing the distance between us and invading my personal space.

I cleared my throat, puzzled by his sudden proximity in front of others.

“It was just a joke,” I said sheepishly. “We want to hear the joke, too.” Chuckles erupted in the room.

I debated whether to just ignore him. Judging by the look on his face, it would be a mortal sin.

“I said you were underfucked, professor.” A smirk flashed over his perfectly curved lips.

“You seem to think a lot about my sex life.” I stared up at him, seeing the challenging look on his face.

“I think about a lot of things long and hard. Your dick isn’t one of them.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb holding his fist in front of his mouth, barely able to control himself.

Mr. Preston pressed his index finger against my forehead and shoved me back down in my chair.

“I hope you’ll have just as big of a mouth on the oral exam. Sit down and be quiet before I have to punish you.” I wouldn’t be opposed to that at all. Of course, I had kept that comment to myself. The class had already overheard enough. The show was over.

We had been sitting in complete silence for twenty minutes. Our professor had given us some questions that we were supposed to research on our own using our tablet database.

I had long since finished and was staring at the paper I had filled out. He paid no attention to us, sitting at his desk and scrolling on his tablet himself, looking more bored than ever.

I decided to send him a message, but he preempted me.

UNKNOWN:

Shouldn’t you study, Avery?

I peered over at him, but he didn’t look up.

AVERY JAMES:

I study, don’t you see it?’

UNKNOWN:

No, you give me these looks like you want me to fuck you right now in front of all the other students.

Images that were not supposed to emerge played out in front of my mind’s eye. Me, bent over his desk, while he was working me from behind.

AVERY JAMES:

Maybe that’s what I want.

Show them that you are mine while I go down on you.

He shifted in his fancy chair, discreetly reaching between his legs and placing his ankle on the other knee.

UNKNOWN:

Shut up or I’ll fuck these bratty words out of your mouth.

AVERY JAMES:

Why are you rearranging yourself, professor?

UNKNOWN:

Because I’m hard just thinking about the warmth of your mouth.

I pressed my legs together as the sweet warmth spread through me.

AVERY JAMES:

Want a first-hand experience?

I pressed my lips together to suppress a grin.

UNKNOWN:

Careful, or I drag you out this class myself and teach you what that filthy mouth of yours gets you into.

AVERY JAMES:

Hunt me. 10 minutes.

I looked at him provocatively, my brow raised. It was the first time that Mr. Preston lifted his gaze. His eyes held a hunger I couldn’t explain, a fire I’d never seen in him like this. It went beyond the carnal.

UNKNOWN:

Run.

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