Free Mr Blackwell: Teacher Student Romance by S K Quinn Page B

torturing myself. But the point of all of this is self-control. If I can’t control myself around her, I have no business being her teacher.
    I am her teacher.
    Self-control no matter what . Even if she throws herself at me. Which she won’t do, because – despite her poor background – she is a good, respectable girl. The sort of girl I don’t come across too often.
    Sophia takes out her script, but I tell her no. We’re going to adlib.
    She looks terrified. Her shoulders, her face … her body is afraid.
    ‘You look far too tense,’ I tell her. And some foolish part of me reaches out to take her hands.
    God!
    Her fingers are so soft. I want to put them to my lips. I want to close my eyes and feel her skin against mine. To lift her into my arms and carry her to some dark corner …
    No.
    I shake her arms –a little trick I’ve learned to help let go of tension. As I shake her, Sophia looks at me – big, brown eyes fixed on mine.
    I’ve met a lot of beautiful women. But I’ve never seen eyes like these. They’re so full of light.
    It’s almost unbearable.
    I drop her hands.
    ‘Better?’ I mutter.
    ‘Thank you,’ she replies, her voice soft.
    Why isn’t she afraid of me? Doesn’t she know what I’m capable of?
    We talk about the scene, and then take our positions on the stage – Sophia’s posture changing into the seductress that is Jennifer Jones.
    It’s so beautiful – this pure, innocent girl playing a sexually charged villain. Such a delightful combination. I have no fear that Sophia will go very far in the acting world. Whatever part she plays, she’ll bring her soul to it. And it’s a beautiful soul.
    ‘You’re an extremely talented actor Antonio,’ Sophia says, stroking her hair. ‘I imagine you’ve known a lot of leading ladies in your time.’
    This is better. Acting is familiar territory. When I play someone else, my self-control is absolute.
    ‘A few,’ I say, feeling Antonio’s swagger and youth.
    ‘Oh?’ Sophia smiles at me. ‘How well have you known these leading ladies?’
    ‘Some of them very well.’
    This is easier now. Antonio is a young, arrogant pig of a man who uses women to get what he wants. But he isn’t a teacher obsessed with a female student. In this moment, it’s a relief to be someone else.
    ‘Perhaps you’d like to get to know me better,’ says Sophia, coming towards me. She really is playing this part very well. A huge improvement. As her teacher, I’m proud of her courage. This role is a million miles away from who she is.
    I expect Sophia to stop a metre or so away. But she doesn’t.
    My heart pounds as she steps right into my space. Close to my body. I look down at her and struggle to keep my breathing even. I’m barely holding it together. My self-control is hanging by a thread.
    I want her so badly. In every way. I want to kiss her until she can barely breathe. I want to tie her up and fuck her. And I want to make love to her and let go – totally let go. That last thought frightens me the most.
    Just as I’m thinking I can’t bear it any longer, Sophia takes a step back and walks around me.
    She circles as Jennifer, a seductress taking charge of the scene. And in spite of my pain, I’m proud of her.
    ‘Do you like what you see?’ she asks.
    She’s adlibbing, and my pride threatens to spill over.
    ‘Very much,’ I reply.
    She falters for a moment, taking a breath. And suddenly she’s Sophia again. Innocent. Vulnerable.
    I am so confused by my feelings. I want to protect her. Keep her safe. I would die to keep her safe. I would kill anyone who laid a hand on her. And yet …
    I am her teacher.

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    ‘Keep it going,’ I tell her. ‘You’re doing well. Don’t let it go.’
    She comes back into character, and I see her body change.
    ‘Perhaps you’d like to see more?’ She turns around, sliding her jumper down over her shoulder and looking back at me, smiling.
    This is better. More comfortable. We’re just two actors playing