Page 12 of Teacher's Pet

"C-Cole, I can’t breathe-"

He laughs darkly.

"Funny. You always loved it when I did this while fucking you-"

"What the fuck is going on?" a voice hisses, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Instantly, Cole drops his hand from my throat, and before I can gather myself, he slams his lips onto mine. The kiss is fierce and suffocating, barely giving me a chance to breathe as he forces it upon me. My mind races as I shove him away, rubbing my sore throat, shaking with fear from the weight of what just happened.

I wish I could scrub my face clean, but all I can do is wipe my lips with my hand, trying to erase the feeling.

"Just saying goodbye to an old flame," Cole scoffs, shrugging nonchalantly. "She was struggling to take a hint," he mutters, glaring at me like I’m the problem.

Noah stands there, watching the exchange with a disapproving look, his eyes barely flicking in Cole’s direction.

"Get to class before I write you up," Noah snaps, his voice sharp. "Ms. Burns, stay back for a moment."

Cole shrugs his shoulders, walking away but not before giving me one last warning look, a silent threat hanging between us. He heads back inside, and only once he’s gone do I let out a shaky sob, running my hand through my hair in frustration. Finally, I release the cough that’s been stuck in my throat, but it turns into a dry gag as I rub at my tender skin, trying to soothe the burn.

"Here to gloat about this morning?" I snap, my voice rough with emotion.

The last thing I need right now is Mr. Ackerman’s presence.

"What did he do to you?" Noah asks, his tone suddenly serious, much more than it was this morning.

"He told you, didn’t he?" I spit, my voice bitter. "Satiating the needs of his whore ex who can’t take no for an answer-"

"That’s what he said?" Noah snaps back, stepping closer to me. His eyes narrow. "I want you to tell me what really happened."

My hand instinctively presses to my throat, the memory of Cole’s words still fresh in my mind.

"Consider this a reminder of how easily I can overpower you."

"A lapse in judgment on my end," I lie, my voice shaky. "It really isn’t important-"

"Then show me your neck," Noah demands, his voice firm. "You’ve been hiding it since I got here."

Shaking my head, I try to push past him, desperate to avoid this conversation.

"I’m not doing this with you-"

Without warning, he grabs my wrist, pulling my hand away from my throat. His grip tightens as he takes the side of my face, using my hair to tug my head back, exposing the evidence of Cole’s brash touch. I freeze, stunned by his force, unable to move.

Noah’s gaze fixes on my neck, and I watch him take a step closer, his fingers tightening on my hair, pulling me into his control.

"I told you to show me your neck," he whispers, his voice dangerously soft.

His long fingers slide down my throat, and I feel a shiver run through me, my heart racing. His smirk deepens as he watches my reaction.

"Your heart is racing right now, Anastasia."

Regretfully, warmth floods between my legs the moment he says my full name in that tone. I glance around, my heart pounding, checking to see if anyone is witnessing this.

"No one is here. Just me," he warns, as if he’s reading my mind. "Next time I tell you to do something-" He pauses, leaning in so close that his lips graze my ear. "Listen."

He lets go of my face and hair, stepping back as if nothing happened, brushing off his front as if he hadn’t just had his hands all over me.

This is something I can report.

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