Teacher’s Petting

Claire was practically vibrating with excitement the moment Roy stepped into the kitchen. Not just because her mother had cued her up with a reminder to use protection, but because he had changed. And to Claire, Casual Roy looked absolutely yummy. God, he looked good like that! Comfortable, rumpled, real, just looking at her boyfriend made her heart start to race.

"Baby!" she squeaked as she hurried over to him, threw her arms around his neck, and gave him a quick kiss. "I missed you!"

"I was only gone for a few minutes," he said, colour rushing up his neck and covering his cheeks.

"It felt longer," Claire stepped back and held both of his hands. "We don't get evenings together very often. I just want to be around you every second that I can."

Not for the first time, she thanked the universe (and stubborn lease agreements) that she and Adam hadn't merged apartments yet. If they'd been living together, she'd have to invent some lie about grading essays or late rehearsals. As it was, all she had to do was text Adam later a picture of a silk scarf that she'd pre-purchased and a message that she'd arrived home safely. To further reinforce the lie that had given her an evening with her Roy, she'd send a quick message about how boring Roy was, and how she was going straight to bed. Which, if everything went to plan, wouldn't entirely be false. Roy was anything but a bore, but she did plan on going to bed early.

Just not her own bed.

It was a foolproof plan. Tonight she could come home whenever she wanted. And she intended to want it very late. She regretted not bringing an overnight bag, but to be fair, she'd never crossed this particular line with Roy, and if she'd shown up with a bag over her shoulder, he might have thought she was coming on too strong. Besides, there were plenty of coffee shops between her house and the school. It wouldn't be the first day of her career that she was entirely fueled by caffeine.

Some men needed to feel like they were in control of the situation. When they were first dating, she noticed right away that Adam would freeze up if she took too much sexual initiative. He needed to feel like it was his idea, or it wouldn't go anywhere. So, ever the clever lover, Claire let him think it was his idea. Something about her seeming **** made Adam go wild. So what if she had to feign helplessness every once and a while. It got her what she wanted, and it helped Adam feel like a man. So what if she had to ask Adam to explain things she already understood? So what if she had to ask him to open the occasional jar? What mattered was that it gave her the relationship she always wanted, a happy man, bright future, and a spicy bedroom.

Maybe Roy was the same way.

He was very different from Adam. Older, bigger, not as driven. But seeing him in his evening clothes, baggy denim, soft cotton t-shirt stretched across his torso, she struggled not to purr aloud. He was incredible. Every gap left over from her relationship with Adam was filled with Roy, along with a lot of overlap. And since she was willing to let Adam take the lead, why wouldn't she do the same for her big teddy bear?

"You changed," she murmured, hand sliding up his back. "Good call. You look comfy. I like it. I was hoping we'd stay in tonight."

He laughed. A nervous laugh. Even through the laughter, though, she could see something in his eyes. A determination that hadn't been there at dinner. She recognized that look. Roy had decided something important, but he was still puzzling out how to accomplish it. Probably something with work. She loved how he was so diligent. Maybe tonight she could help him take his mind off of it.

They migrated to the couch, shoulders touching, and he put on a movie, some action thing with explosions and men yelling at each other.

The irony nearly made Claire ****. Skipping movie night with Adam... to watch a movie with Roy.

Except she didn't want to watch movies with either of them.

Not tonight.

What she wanted with Roy, what she needed, was tactile. As much as she loved just being around Roy, there were so few evenings that they got together, alone, and she didn't want to waste it. Claire needed Roy to be a man. To be her man. She was willing, he just needed to take the opportunity.

Roy, however, seemed determined to die by hesitation.

The movie was... well... as boring as she thought it would be. But maybe that was the point. Sitting close to him on the couch, Claire leaned toward him, sharing his body heat. It was the signal. She was ready. She was willing. And at first it seemed like he got it. He turned his head slightly as if he were about to kiss her, causing her heart to leap, but then went pale, his eyes going wide.

"I'll... uh... grab us some water," he muttered, bolting upright, leaving her disappointed and frustrated.

She watched as he disappeared into the kitchen and came back with two tall glasses of water, placing them on the coffee table in front of the couch. He then sat down, a full foot away from her.

All right... that was weird.

A minute passed. She shuffled closer, not accepting the space between them. He took a deep breath and seemed to try again. This time he cupped her cheek. Sweet, heartfelt. Then he kissed her properly.

Well... almost properly.

It was a kiss full of effort instead of instinct. The kind a guy gives while mentally checking a to-do list. She tried to draw him in deeper, but just when the tension tipped toward magic, he stiffened and pulled away again.

"Sorry," he said softly, staring at the carpet.

And that was that. His face was red to his ears. Something was going on with him. Maybe it was work. Maybe it was performance anxiety. Whatever it was, Claire wasn't getting what she needed from the man that she loved. She adored how thoughtful Roy was, how gentle, how earnest, but tonight she wanted heat and he was giving her warm-ish.

Maybe Roy was different from Adam. Maybe Roy didn't need to be the one in charge. Maybe he needed a little help.

And helping people follow direction was literally her profession.

Decision made. She stood abruptly. Roy looked up at her, confused. Claire reached behind her neck, found her zipper, and pulled.

Her dress sighed to the floor, pooling around her ankles like it had fainted.

Roy froze.

Jaw dropped.

Eyes wide.

Perfect.

Claire stepped out of the bundle of fabric and let the moment breathe. Then, slowly, deliberately, she climbed into his lap, settling with a content little hum.

"Baby," she murmured, hands sliding over his shoulders, "movies are fun. Dinner was great."

She leaned in until her lips brushed his ear.

"But I'm looking for something a little more grown-up to do tonight. Think you can help me with that?"

Roy swallowed so hard she felt it through his neck. His hands landed on her hips, tentative, reverent, stunned.

That was a yes.

She kissed him hard, finally getting the response she wanted. The spark. The hunger. The moment he stopped thinking and let himself feel. It was like finding the combination to a lock. Roy had opened for her, as evidenced by the bulge pressing into her through his denim.

Her hands traced down his chest, over the soft curve of his belly, and lower still. Her fingers found the button of his jeans.

Jackpot.

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Author's note - HOLY MOLY! Story of the Week! AND 100,000 views! Yeehaw!! Thanks for the support!