Page 73 of Teacher's Pet

Noah watches me closely, his expression unreadable.

"Which means at some point," he murmurs, "I have to allow myself to see the parts of you that can’t be seen while I’m between your legs."

The words slam into me.

My mind spins, piecing together the fragments of truth buried beneath his control.

The love for pain.

The immediate, effortless way he tied me up.

The way he knows exactly how far to push.

My voice is barely a breath.

"You’re a sadist."

Noah doesn’t move.

Doesn’t react.

Doesn’t deny it.

His silence is answer enough.

His expression tightens as he gives a slow nod.

"Regrettably."

My fingers tap against my thigh, my mind racing to rationalize exactly what this means.

"If I told you I’d allow what’s happening between us to continue," I murmur, tilting my head, "what would that mean for me?"

Noah leans back against the couch, exhaling slowly.

There’s hesitation.

Finally, he speaks.

"I’m not going to lie to you, Ana." His voice is low, deliberate. "The kind of touch I can give you is not loving. The kind of touch I want to give you is painful."

His fingers flex against his knee, his gaze unwavering.

"I crave a woman willing to submit to my wants-"

A scoff leaves my lips before I can stop it. "You could’ve fooled me when your head was stuck between my thighs."

His jaw ticks.

My words land exactly where I want them to, evident in the way he shifts in his seat, the way his hand subtly adjusts his pants, already forcing blood to the place he desperately wants to control.

"Even a sadist needs someone to challenge his authority," I add, my voice dripping with amusement.

A muscle in his neck tenses.

Noah watches me, unreadable, then leans forward slightly, his voice dipping lower.

"What happened tonight?" His eyes darken. "That was what I consider gentle."

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