Love Between the Pages – by Rae Shawn #5
I gripped her thighs tighter as she bucked and attempted to scoot away.
My chuckle had her pushing and pulling the curls atop my head, her back arching from the mattress.
When her legs began trembling, I knew she was close.
I pressed my hand to her stomach to hold her in place as she moaned and tightened her grip on my hair.
Her scent surrounded me, juices leaking all over my tongue and chin as I kept pace and tipped her over the edge.
A sharp inhale was all I heard before she flooded my tastebuds with everything she had to offer—and I greedily devoured every drop. Emani’s chest rose and fell as I kissed my way up her torso.
“Once ain’t enough,” I rasped. “I could devour you for the rest of my days.”
A soft laugh mixed with her heavy breathing. “Intense much?”
My lips ticked up on one side as I pressed my mouth to hers, letting her taste herself on my tongue when she opened to me.
Her soft curves molded to my hands and I worked to memorize each one like an artist preparing to sculpt a masterpiece.
I pulled back long enough to slide the condom on and sink into her, our movements complementing each other immediately.
Sensual sighs and moans danced around us, creating a melody only we knew the tune for.
Hands glided along sweat-slickened skin as we sought a sweet release.
I slowly slid out of her, but rested my forehead against hers, not wanting to be too far from her yet. A whimper fell from her lips as she wrapped her arms around me, keeping me pressed to her.
“When I have a passion for something, I want more and more,” I said, breathing heavily. “You’re like a book, and every new page draws me in further.”
She pecked my lips. “I don’t think you know enough about me to feel that deeply, but I also think I understand.
You’re like staring at the broad strokes of Norman Lewis and getting a different story every time.
Like the deep brown of your eyes drew me in at first, then the bright white of your smile, then the flickering mix of bright red and brilliant pink that make up your aura.
I see you as the colors on a palette but in constant motion. ”
I pulled back to stare into her eyes, my heart beating faster as a smile crawled onto her face.
“That’s how you see me?”
Emani nodded. “A swatch of colors that make up you, with so many I’d like to find out more about.”
I shook my head, cradling her face in my hands. “You’re all the trouble I need and desire in my life. I crave you like a new book. I want to rub my fingers down your spine, admire what’s on the outside and then crack you open and enjoy everything within your folds.”
She choked on a laugh, slightly turning away as her cheeks tinged red. I chuckled as I shifted her head back to me.
“Yeah, I know, super innuendo-filled, but I mean it … both ways.” My thumb rubbed across her cheek. “I know we’ve moved a bit fast, but I want to know everything about you. I need to study your table of contents like I have an oral exam on the horizon.”
Her tongue rolled against the inside of her cheek.
“Let’s see where things lead. You are …” She paused and her eyes shifted across my face as if she were reading me.
“I don’t even know how to fully put it into words.
Persistent, kind, intelligent, intoxicating.
When I see you, I want more. That’s intriguing, I’ll give you that.
The school year starts soon, though, so you might not see me for a bit while I figure out my routine. ”
I nodded and sat up, sliding off the condom and knotting it before looking for a trash can. Emani pointed toward the bathroom. I went to discard it and wash my hands, grabbing a face towel to clean her up as well. After gentle kisses and a moment of cleaning, I positioned myself beside her.
“How about we lie here and enjoy each other’s company for now,” I said.
“No talking, no thinking of next moves, just silent comfort. Before I leave, we can work on setting a date to spend some time together again. You can tell me how you’re feeling at Butler, and I can give you an update on my next read or the next teenager turned bookworm. ”
She chuckled and curled into my side. “I like that. Maybe this time we will actually text and chat, too. We can continue getting to know one another and all that.”
“I’d like nothing more.”
Emani
Butler Middle School held a “Meet the Teacher” night at the end of the first week so students and parents could discuss expectations and work to build relationships with the instructors.
While these first few days had gone smoother than I’d expected, I was extremely tired and wanted nothing more than to crawl into my bed for the entirety of the weekend.
Instead, I was mentally working my way through five- to ten-minute chats with several of my hundred and forty-two students and their parents or guardians.
They’d allotted three hours for this event, and we still had one hour to go.
I’d appreciated that some groups came together and not everyone had one-on-one questions.
This type of setup had to be the one thing I didn’t particularly enjoy.
It was a lot of interaction, and it mentally drained me.
I did like learning tidbits about my students and their families, though.
It helped me understand them more. But on nights like this, I always felt like I was hyped on caffeine and everything blew through my brain like a flash of light.
I smiled and waved as a few students and parents walked out of my classroom, then I slumped against the white board, blinking back a building headache.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead to try to stop the onset, but then I heard footsteps.
I straightened and reached for my water to coat my throat in preparation of more talking.
“Ms. Craig.” One of my seventh graders walked in with a large smile on her face. “How are you?”
“I’m well, Melissa,” I said, smiling at her and stepping toward her. “How was the rest of your school day? Math feeling a bit better after my secret weapon?” I lowered my voice conspiratorially for the latter half of my statement.
Melissa nodded, winked, and leaned forward. “And it’s safe with me. Promise,” she said, then straightened up. “My dad came with me tonight. I was telling him about your love for books, and he’s super excited to meet you.”
“Melissa, you didn’t have to run,” a familiar voice called before coming into view.
I froze and looked toward the door, heart slowing with the time that seemed suspended now.
I knew his daughter went to the school. I even knew his last name, but I hadn’t expected Melissa to be his child.
I had four kids with that last name in my classes.
Yet, Darius entered my door frame and his face went from shock to joy before settling on concern.
“Hello,” he said.
I swallowed and cleared my throat. “Hello, Mr. Jeffries.”
“You can call me Darius.” He lifted his hand in Melissa’s direction. “I’ve heard a lot about you tonight from my daughter.”
I nodded repeatedly, trying to calm my now rapid heart. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Melissa looking between the two of us.
“I hope all good.” I chuckled, working to sound casual. “Uh, welcome. I’m Emani Craig. I teach visual arts to sixth and seventh graders.”
Somehow, I managed to keep my voice from shaking. “Melissa is in my seventh-grade class.”
“I thought you said you taught sixth grade,” he said, his head tilting to one side.
“She said both, Dad.” Melissa shook her head. “Weren’t you listening?”
“Right, of course, sixth and seventh grade,” Darius said, his eyes still locked on mine. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Craig.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” I tore my gaze away from him, focusing instead on his daughter. “Melissa has a bright future ahead of her. She’s following along quite well already.”
“It’s only been a week, Ms. Craig.” Melissa giggled and shook her head. “Your class has been really cool, though.”
I grinned and waved her and her father further into the room.
I taught four sixth-grade classes and had one that was full of seventh graders.
I’d calculated the chances of being her teacher to be a fourth—technically, it was even less since I only had one seventh-grade class—and yet, somehow Melissa had ended up with me.
“My class focuses on four distinct visual arts styles. The first quarter is drawing, then we move on to painting,” I said as we all took seats. “After the winter break, we’ll begin with sculpting before ending the school year with photography.”
“I’m so excited about the photography part,” Melissa said, shifting her attention to her father. “Dad, she’s gonna bring in local photographers and videographers who will help us learn how to shoot pictures and videos for our final projects.”
Darius smiled at me, a glint in his eye. “And the other areas of focus?”
“I’ll have illustrators for books during this first quarter, as well as animators,” I said. “I also have street artists, nature designers, and more coming in throughout the semester.”
These weren’t topics he and I had been discussing over text since the last time we’d seen each other.
Our conversations veered more into what we’d like to explore and experience together, places I wanted to visit and events he thought I’d like.
We’d chatted this morning, agreeing to meet tomorrow for lunch to go over how this week had been.
He hadn’t brought up coming tonight, though.
Since his daughter lived with her mother and stepfather, I figured one of them would bring her.
Especially since earlier Darius mentioned an assistance request on an archival project coming in from the main LA library.
So I didn’t think there was a chance I’d run into him.
Melissa looked between the two of us again. I cleared my throat. “Any other questions, Mr. Jeffries?”