Teach Me To Love - Chapter 11 Part 3

hey, didn't forget about you.

 

I know its late, but i've been hustling like a pimp trying to raise my target of $800 for the new year to publish my book.

 

good news to come for deceptive nights so get ya free read in while you can, LOL.

 

As always...Enjoy....

 

 

 

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Austin came over during the dance to thank her for helping out with the decorations. Dwayne was not around and she had made the grading deadline just in time. The grading office assistant didn’t even look at what she had submitted, he just took the sheet and fed it into the scanner and then filed it. Knowing that she had done the right thing took a lot of weight off her shoulders and when Austin asked her to dance, she first told him no, but then thought about it and agreed.

          She heard  Laura say to her group of gossipers, “Don’t they make a cute couple.”

          Austin heard her too and told Rachel to ignore the queen of gossipers.

          “I take it you don’t like Laura and all her charms?”

          “Who can when she waves them in your face like its going out of style and you need to jump aboard now.”

          Rachel laughed. “So you know about Laura’s reputation?”

          “I know enough to stay away from something like that, but you on the other hand,” he said flirtatiously, swinging her in a dip and quickly brought her back up. “When are you going to leave that husband of yours for me?”

          She blushed hoping that he was only kidding and couldn’t stop smiling because it did fell so good to be flirted with. With Derrick she couldn’t show her pleasure at knowing another man thought she was attractive and wanted her, but with Austin it was okay. A flash caught her eye and she could see Derrick, Arwin and Tony standing by the stage staring at her. Tonya looked really happy for her, while Arwin and Derrick didn’t look so pleased.

          So consumed with his flirting, she forgot that she had wanted to speak to him about Derrick again.

          When the song ended, Austin whispered, “I was serious about that comment, Rachel.”

          Her blush grew deeply as she watched him walk away. Tonya came over to her.

          “Our principal is so hot. Don’t you think, Mrs. Herlong?”

          “I wouldn’t know, Tonya,” she said evasively. “I’m a married woman.”

          “I know that,” Tonya chuckled. “But it’s alright to look at the menu, you just can’t order from it, right?”

          Rachel relaxed and laughed feeling very comfortable. “I guess you’re right, Tonya, when you look at it like that. Your metaphors are coming along very well.”

          “I think I’m going to become a teacher just like you, Mrs. Herlong. You think I’ll make a good one?”

          “I think you’ll make a great one.” She looked down at her watch to read that it was nearing seven-thirty. She could hear the strange tones of a cell phone and spotted Austin pull his phone from his pocket to place on his ear.  Watching his reaction to the phone call, for some reason she just knew that the call would have something to do with her.

          Austin caught her eye and motioned for her to come to him.

          Rachel looked over by the stage and just aw Arwin standing there. Looking back at Tony, she said, “Do you know what’s going on?”

          Tonya frowned looking honestly confused. “What do you mean?”

          Not wanting to give out anything or hint the girl on what was going on, Rachel just shook her head as if it were nothing and went over to

Austin just as he was hanging up his phone.

          “Why don’t you let the clean up staff handle everything?” Austin suggested. “You don’t need to stay until the end. Once they crown the king and queen of the Winterfest, the kids are going to get out of there.”

          “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying.”

          “I’m sure. Have a good night and make sure the guard walks you out to your car.” He smiled appreciatively. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

          She looked back at Arwin. Tonya had joined him and they were dancing to the music. Leaving the gymnasium, she reached into pocket and pulled out the envelope. Inside were instructions and a clue that told her to go to the girl’s locker room where she needed to find the back closet. The locker room was deserted and she found the back closet.  Following the instructions, she pushed against the left wall. It moved under the pressure of her hands and she went through the secret passage way. There was a miniature flashlight inside the envelope and she used this to read the rest of the instructions in the dim passageway in front of some steps. Taking the two flights of stairs to a landing that was right above the gymnasium. The sounds from the gym could be heard and the music was loud and clear because the speakers were near the ceiling of the gym.

          There was a clear sentence on the page warning her not to look over the landing and rightly so, because if she did everyone in the gym would see her.

          Going past the landing, she walked to an enclosed space where candles were lit and illuminating the room. There was graffiti on the walls, but she could see that Derrick had tried to use fabric to cover it to give the space a romantic feel.

          Warnings in her head screamed out for her to leave, but Rachel couldn’t.  She wanted to know what he planned and if Derrick would keep his word.

          “I don’t know what more attractive,” he said, coming out the dark towards her. “Seeing you confused or knowing that you really like surprises.”

          “What is all this about?” she asked.

          “Me and you.”

          “I told you there is no me or you,” she said impatiently.

          “Aren’t you going to wish me a happy birthday, Rachel?” he asked perturbed.

          Biting her tongue, she was upset that she had allowed her nervousness to come out as anger when she wasn’t mad at him. “Yes, Derrick. I’m sorry.” She pulled a wide gift box out her purse as she approached him and handed it to him.

          Derrick was momentarily speechless and she felt a little better.

          “It was very hard to get something for a man who has his father’s bank account in the palm of his hands,” she said teasingly. The shocked expression was still on his face as he just held the box as if it were the gift itself. Frowning, she asked, “It’s not what you expected?”

          “It wasn’t what I wanted you to do to greet me properly,” he said with a devious look in his eyes.

          Rachel couldn’t help but blush again. “Aren’t you going to open it?” As he opened the box, she explained, “There was a poetry convention in Chicago last weekend and my baby sitter had to go there anyway. She was happy to take some copies I had and have them signed by the author just for you. I thought you’d like them.”

          He removed the first three books by Nikki Giovanni all inscribed to him. “How’d you do this?”

          “I just told you, silly,” she said, chuckling at his astonishment.

          She nodded and before another second had passed, she was swept in his arm and kissed until she was breathless. When he finally released her, he swung her around and started to sway to the music. Rachel giggled at his happiness.

          Modestly, she said, “I know it’s not the most expensive thing you’ve ever received.”

          “I love it,” he whispered, nuzzling her cheek. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”

          Rachel allowed herself to relish in the closeness of her body against his. She hadn’t danced in so long and the feeling of Derrick, pressing against her, felt wonderful. “Derrick, I wanted to talk to you about everything.”

          “There’s nothing to speak about, Rachel,” he said.

          “There’s a lot to speak of. My job is number one.”

          “And I’ve been keeping my distance, but I had to try for my birthday.” He looked down in her eyes seriously. “After this, I can assure you no one will think there is anything between us.”

          She relaxed knowing from the look in his eyes that he would keep his world. “I do want to discuss the gift you gave me, Derrick,” she said as they began to sway to the music again.

          “Hush, Rachel, or I won’t have a happy birthday,” he murmured.

          Rachel waited until the music took a break before speaking again. “Derrick, we need to talk about a lot of things,” she persisted, looking up at him.

          “About what? Things that can’t be controlled, Rachel? It’ll only make use depressed and angry. I’m not living in some dream world.” He moved away from her showing his frustration by running his hands over his head. “You were right. I was selfish. I was only thinking about my feelings. These past two weeks have been hell for me because of all the damn thinking I’ve been doing.” He approached her and she noticed there was a stain not to touch her.

          In an unusual voice, Derrick said, “Although I don’t get to see my father, he calls me every once in while. He always spoke that if it’s meant to be it will be. This was to go with almost every life situation.” Fondly, he caressed her cheek as his eyes glowed with the candles around them. “I used to say he was full of shit and that most of the crap he philosophized to me wasn’t to be taken seriously. He said that fate will eventually work in my favor when I accept the responsibility of being a man.”

          “What are you getting at?” Rachel asked.

          “I’m ready to accept that responsibility, Rachel.”

          “And you think that’s going to change the path I’ve taken in life?” she asked incredulously.

          He smiled as if he knew some big secret. “I know that my fate is in my hands and that you and I are meant to be.”

          “I thought you said you weren’t going to live in a dream world anymore.”

          Derrick took a deep breath and said, “It’s late, Rachel. Go home. Take care of your babies.” He kissed her forehead and stepped away.

          Rachel wasn’t going to admit that she had wanted more than a kiss on the forehead. “You aren’t going to do anything crazy, are you?” she asked worriedly, remembering what Tonya had said about Derrick.

          “I’m leaving it n the hands of fate, because I trust what is to come.”

          His odd behavior gave her a weird chill down her spine.

          She started back down the darkened pathway, but heard Derrick call her name. Turning around to look at him, Rachel waited for him to try to take advantage of her.

          “No matter what you hear, whatever they tell you, know that sacrifices had to be made in order to get what I wanted,” he said.

          “What are you being so evasive, Derrick?”

          “Because I like it and because it makes you crazy.”

          She huffed. “Goodnight.” Walking away, she wondered if this would be the last moment they would spend together alone. To take any more chances to see each other, she felt it would be even more dangerous after what she had done when marking his grades.

          Getting home, Rachel retrieved the pendant out her jewelry box and fondly looked it over. What was to come? What did Derrick know that she didn’t? Her thoughts screamed in wonder as these questions repeated inside her head over and over.

          Would he really be able to change the path she had chosen? And if she chose his path would it hurt the twins? Derrick knew how much they meant to her. It was why she was still in this horrible marriage. He wouldn’t allow anything to happen to them, but what were his plans?

 

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 11 Part 3

Sylvia Hubbard
Author of Stone's Revenge just newly re-released @ http://lulu.com/StonesRevenge .

Check out my blogs: http://SylviaHubbard.blogspot.com or http://LoveABlackWoman.blogspot.com

 

Want to promote your book: http://HubBooks.biz

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Teach Me To Love - Chapter 11 Part 2

Yeah I know I've been slow at posting, but girl got real busy.

 

I'm trying to push my event on the 29th of December and someone didn't do what they were suppose to (send me my money) and sistah had to hustle for the facility fee mad as heck. On top of that I was in training too.

 

But c'est la vie and here it is.

 

Enjoy!

 

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          Staring at her grade book and the official grading form, Rachel was stuck. If she marked the correct grade for Derrick James, she would be jeopardizing her career, but if she made the wrong decision, it would hold him back. Either way, she was damned if she did, damned if she didn’t.

          Looking at the time, she saw it was just after four and she was supposed to help with last minute decorations of the gym. Taking a break from her grading, she went to the office to speak to the principal. The threat to her career really bothered her and she felt Austin would understand enough to do something about it. She would tell him Dwayne had threatened to hurt her career if she didn’t fail Derrick and that was a serious thing because she felt Derrick wouldn’t take failure lying down.

          This had been on her mind a lot, especially since she was constantly thinking about the conversation she had with Tonya a few weeks ago.

          “He’s not here,” Laura said. “He’s coming back to help monitor and host the fest, but he had some meetings to attend to.”

          Dwayne just happened to come into the office. “Ah, Mrs. Herlong, I just noticed that you haven’t turned in your grading sheets yet. Is there a problem?”

          “No, Mr. Davish,” she said, rubbing her neck, trying to keep the contempt out of her voice.  “I’m just running a little behind, but the deadline time is five, isn’t it?” Derrick’s grades were the only ones left to do.

          “Yes, that’s correct. I expect to have them in my hand whether they are complete or not.”

          “Yes, sir.” She started to leave the office, but Laura called out to her.

          “You didn’t check your box today.”

          Rachel frowned because she always checked her box on her break and Laura knew this. Looking towards her mailbox she was surprised to see a folder lying in there that hadn’t been in there at her break hour.  She thanked Laura and picked up the folder before hurrying out the office and going back to her classroom.  Pulling the shade down and locking the door for privacy, she faced the desk and was startled by who was sitting in her chair.

          For the past few weeks, she had been avoiding Derrick and using Tonya as a buffer. Tonya had been assigned to the English Department as a student assistant for the past couple of weeks with Rachel’s recommendation to Austin. Derrick had been keeping his distance from her even during rehearsals.

          “What are you doing here?” she demanded to know. “My door was locked.”

          “That’s a funny thing, Rachel,” he said, getting up from the desk. His movements were relaxed, but she could hear the tension and anger in his voice.

          As he stepped towards her, she backed up against the wall. He didn’t stop walking until he was mere inches from her, and placed his hands on either side of her body on the wall holding her in place. Her breathing increased and she could feel the blood racing to her head and felt a little dizzy.

          “These cheap ass doors can’t keep anyone out if they want to get in.” He sucked his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “Are you going to tell me what Tonya put in your head?”

          Bravely, she asked, “What makes you think Tonya put something in my head?”
          Raising a hand slowly and pushing the hair out of her eyes, he said, “She’s just a little bit too happy and thinks she knows what’s really going on, but I assure you that she doesn’t because if she did. .. You wouldn’t be working here anymore.” His fingers lightly caressed her check.

          She turned her face to the side as if his touch disgusted her. “You shouldn’t be here, Derrick.”

          “Don’t tell me where I should be.”

          Looking back at him, she replied, “She made me realize that I have a career to think about, and not just some fly by night romance, that you think you can put in my heart.” Gathering herself, she pushed against his chest and was surprised to see how easily he moved away.

          Using her desk as a barrier, she continued, “Derrick, you don’t understand how hard it was to get where I am. How I’ve worked and toiled to achieve the success I have. I’m not going to let some little boy with a high school crush mess it all up. You’re thinking only of yourself. You’re just living in the moment. I have a responsibility to my children to make sure that they have a place to stay and food to eat. A relationship with you could ruin everything, including my reputation in this city.” Calming down, she knew that getting upset wit him wouldn’t make a difference.  When she spoke again, her tone was reasonable with a touch of pleading, hoping he would understand. “I’m not asking you to deny what you’re feeling, I’m only asking you to consider my needs in this game you’re playing. I already have too many cards in my hand and if I take one more, I might lose everything.”

          Derrick felt torn between what he wanted to do, and what he knew was right. She had reached him, but he didn’t want to accept what she was saying. Leaning across the desk, he replied, “The cards you hold are not the cards you need we both know that.”

          “But it’s the cards life has dealt me.” Taking deep breath, she implored quietly, “Please understand that what I feel for you isn’t something that should be, Derrick. I have to be an adult and deny it. I’ve already made my decision of whom I’m going to be with and what I have to do. To change my mind now would only cause everyone unnecessary pain.”

          “Even if I can make you happy?”

          Exasperated, she looked down at her grade book to remember that time was running out. “Derrick, I don’t have the time to debate this with you. I have less than thirty minutes to make some really important decisions.”

          He looked down at the grade book. “You did everyone’s grades, except mine. Is it that hard?” There was hurt in his tone of voice

          “Derrick, please. I don’t want to discuss this right now.”

          “Fine. We won’t discuss this. I’ll see your decision soon enough, right?”

          Rachel didn’t comment seeing the hurt in his eyes. She was under enough pressure from everything else that she didn’t see why she had to discuss this matter with Derrick. Not until everything was over with. “Are you going to leave now?”

          “Are you going to keep avoiding me?” He still looked pretty pissed, yet backed up from the desk.

          “If that’s what it takes, I will. Don’t push me right now. I have enough to deal with.”

          As much as Derrick hated not knowing what her decision was going to be, he still couldn’t stop the way he felt about her. It was like he was on the Titanic and knowing that it was going to sink, he still stood firm on the deck...hoping. He had come in there with other intentions in any case and decided to carry it out. “I need a favor. I won’t bother you or try to see you alone or pursue you if you do one thing for me.”

          Warily, she asked, “What?”

          Taking an envelope out of his back pocket, he said, “Open this envelope at seven-thirty tonight and follow the directions.”

          “But I’ll be here at the dance.”

          “Trust me, you’ll have time to do what’s there without the least bit of guilt, Rachel. You’ll do it?”

          Taking the envelope, she said, “Yes, Derrick.”

          He smiled devilishly and walked out the room.

          Sitting back in the chair, she huffed in vexation. The folder she had brought from the office was lying on top of her desk. She opened it and looked through the papers. It was a file full of copied work from Derrick’s other teachers and copies of their grading sheets. They had all given him a failing grade or D, yet his work was flawless.

          Why was she given the folder? To help her make the decision about betraying Derrick easier? Or to show that she was the only teacher in this school who wouldn’t bow down to what Davish or Derrick’s parole officer wanted?

          Coding in the grades she felt she should assign him, Rachel released the breath she had been holding. So much for her career, but at least she didn’t’ feel guilty about it anymore.

 

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 11 Part 2 (c) 2005 Sylvia Hubbard

Sylvia Hubbard
Author of Stone's Revenge just newly re-released @ http://lulu.com/StonesRevenge .

Check out my blogs: http://SylviaHubbard.blogspot.com or http://LoveABlackWoman.blogspot.com

 

Want to promote your book: http://HubBooks.biz

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Teach Me To Love - Chapter 11 Part 1

Staring at her grade book and the official grading form, Rachel was stuck. If she marked the correct grade for Derrick James, she would be jeopardizing her career, but if she made the wrong decision, it would hold him back. Either way, she was damned if she did, damned if she didn’t.

Looking at the time, she saw it was just after four and she was supposed to help with last minute decorations of the gym. Taking a break from her grading, she went to the office to speak to the principal. The threat to her career really bothered her and she felt Austin would understand enough to do something about it. She would tell him Dwayne had threatened to hurt her career if she didn’t fail Derrick and that was a serious thing because she felt Derrick wouldn’t take failure lying down.

This had been on her mind a lot, especially since she was constantly thinking about the conversation she had with Tonya a few weeks ago.

“He’s not here,” Laura said. “He’s coming back to help monitor and host the fest, but he had some meetings to attend to.”

Dwayne just happened to come into the office. “Ah, Mrs. Herlong, I just noticed that you haven’t turned in your grading sheets yet. Is there a problem?”

“No, Mr. Davish,” she said, rubbing her neck, trying to keep the contempt out of her voice. “I’m just running a little behind, but the deadline time is five, isn’t it?” Derrick’s grades were the only ones left to do.

“Yes, that’s correct. I expect to have them in my hand whether they are complete or not.”

“Yes, sir.” She started to leave the office, but Laura called out to her.

“You didn’t check your box today.”

Rachel frowned because she always checked her box on her break and Laura knew this. Looking towards her mailbox she was surprised to see a folder lying in there that hadn’t been in there at her break hour. She thanked Laura and picked up the folder before hurrying out the office and going back to her classroom. Pulling the shade down and locking the door for privacy, she faced the desk and was startled by who was sitting in her chair.

For the past few weeks, she had been avoiding Derrick and using Tonya as a buffer. Tonya had been assigned to the English Department as a student assistant for the past couple of weeks with Rachel’s recommendation to Austin. Derrick had been keeping his distance from her even during rehearsals.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded to know. “My door was locked.”

“That’s a funny thing, Rachel,” he said, getting up from the desk. His movements were relaxed, but she could hear the tension and anger in his voice.

As he stepped towards her, she backed up against the wall. He didn’t stop walking until he was mere inches from her, and placed his hands on either side of her body on the wall holding her in place. Her breathing increased and she could feel the blood racing to her head and felt a little dizzy.

“These cheap ass doors can’t keep anyone out if they want to get in.” He sucked his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “Are you going to tell me what Tonya put in your head?”

Bravely, she asked, “What makes you think Tonya put something in my head?” Raising a hand slowly and pushing the hair out of her eyes, he said, “She’s just a little bit too happy and thinks she knows what’s really going on, but I assure you that she doesn’t because if she did. .. You wouldn’t be working here anymore.” His fingers lightly caressed her check.

She turned her face to the side as if his touch disgusted her. “You shouldn’t be here, Derrick.”

“Don’t tell me where I should be.”

Looking back at him, she replied, “She made me realize that I have a career to think about, and not just some fly by night romance, that you think you can put in my heart.” Gathering herself, she pushed against his chest and was surprised to see how easily he moved away.

Using her desk as a barrier, she continued, “Derrick, you don’t understand how hard it was to get where I am. How I’ve worked and toiled to achieve the success I have. I’m not going to let some little boy with a high school crush mess it all up. You’re thinking only of yourself. You’re just living in the moment. I have a responsibility to my children to make sure that they have a place to stay and food to eat. A relationship with you could ruin everything, including my reputation in this city.” Calming down, she knew that getting upset wit him wouldn’t make a difference. When she spoke again, her tone was reasonable with a touch of pleading, hoping he would understand. “I’m not asking you to deny what you’re feeling, I’m only asking you to consider my needs in this game you’re playing. I already have too many cards in my hand and if I take one more, I might lose everything.”

Derrick felt torn between what he wanted to do, and what he knew was right. She had reached him, but he didn’t want to accept what she was saying. Leaning across the desk, he replied, “The cards you hold are not the cards you need we both know that.”

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 11 Part 1 (c) 2005 Sylvia Hubbard

If you've been keeping up with the story, please let me know how you feel. I did get your offloop comments and I thank you for that.

See you Monday Morning.

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 10 Part 3

“I mean a lot of the little boys at that school talk a lot o game, Mrs. Herlong, but Derrick’s not one of the boys. He’s different.” Tonya nibbled on the chips thoughtfully. “I had the hots for him when he first got there, but I see there’s just too many of them on his jock. They swarm around him like a hive of bees.” She smiled triumphantly. “That’s a hyperbole, isn’t it, Mrs. Herlong?”

“Yes, Tonya. So why is it you feel that I should be so concern about Derrick James?” Rachel asked calmly, fondling the pendant in her pocket.

“Arwin and I were making out...I mean studying and we somehow got on the subject of the Winterfest coming up at the school Arwin says he doesn’t think he’s going because it’s Derrick’s birthday and since Derrick don’t have a date, he didn’t want to go. Well, I made the comment that with all those girls dying to go out with him, all he’s gotta do is look cross-eyed at one of those trifling bitches – oh I’m sorry, Mrs. Herlong.”

“It’s alright,” Rachel encouraged trying to hold back her anxiousness to hear what Tonya was trying to warn her about. “Please continue with what you’re comfortable with saying.”

Tonya did. “Like I said, Derrick’s just got to raise his hand and fifty girls will fall at his feet to go to the dance. I mean I was like that at one point too, but he’s got too many that want him for my taste and since I’m on the inside circle, I see all that crap that they do to get to him.”

Curiously, Rachel asked, “Like what?”

“They use to put their panties in his locker in the beginning until he made this huge announcement for that shit to stop and now they shove notes in his locker. For Sweetest Day in October, when he opened his locker, like a million of them cards just flooded out for him. It was sickening.” Tonya rolled her eyes around in her sockets. “Anyways the whole football teams planning on to use the Winterfest dance as their excuse for partying legally with the school whether they win or lose, so the whole teams trying to get dates and go. Afterwards, they are planning some private thing at a hotel. Everyone except Derrick. Everyone’s pretty much on pins and needles waiting for Derrick to show up at the dance with a date.”

Clearing her throat, not feeling so nervous anymore, Rachel asked, “What does this have to do with me, Tonya?”

“When I pointed out that Derrick could take anyone, Arwin said he don’t want to take nobody at that fucked up school, except Mrs. Herlong.” Tonya snorted in disgust. “Hello! Hello! You’re his teacher, I says, but Arwin’s like, that don’t make a difference. He says Derrick’s got his sights set on you and there ain’t no moral or ethics gonna stop him from getting what he wants.”

Rachel nervously laughed. “It’s most likely a high school crush, Tonya. It’s nothing to take serious.”

Tonya leaned forward with this real grave look in her eyes. “Derrick James don’t give out his affections like they was air, Mrs. Herlong. That boy’s got a serious crush on you and everyone knows what Derrick James wants, he gets.”

“He’s sixteen years old, Tonya. I’m not considered part of your teenage world. Derrick
James is my student and I’m his teacher. He’ll get over it. Lots of kids fall for their teachers. I did it too when I was a child, but once I matured I understood that it was just a crush. I got over it.” She started to get up as if this was the end of the subject.

Tonya reached out and grabbed Rachel’s arm to stop her from moving. There was a deadly serious look in her eyes. “This ain’t no crush, Mrs. Herlong. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Derrick ain’t gonna get over this. Not the way Arwin was talking and I’m just warning you. He’s going after people who want to hurt you and he ain’t taking no prisoners.”

Rachel became a little worried. “You think he could hurt my husband? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

“I’m just saying, Derrick knows people who could do things for the right money and even
though I pretend I don’t hear shit or understand shit, I know Derrick’s old man got mad money and Derrick’s got the key to his old man’s bank account.” Tonya chomped on a chip nervously. “I’m just helping him do some things cause he’s a friend. A good friend that I like a lot, but I like you too much, Mrs. Herlong, and I don’t want things to get out of hand without you knowing what’s going on. Plus, some shits about to hit the fan soon at the school and I don’t think you need to even open your mouth about Derrick, but I know you won’t cause you don’t like gossip.”

Thoroughly confused now, Rachel asked, “What’s about to happen?”

Tonya stood up abruptly using the back of her sweater to wipe her mouth and frowned worriedly. “I gots to get home, Mrs. Herlong. My mom goes psycho when I’m out too long.”

She followed Tonya to the door. “What was going on? What could be going on?”

The girl paused at the door and looked over her shoulder at Mrs. Herlong suspiciously. “You don’t have the hots for him, do you? I know you’re married, but Derrick’s got a great body and shit.”

Rachel blushed, but then stiffened up significantly. “Like I said, I’m his teacher and he’s my student, Tonya. There won’t be anything going on.”

“Good, because I would sure hate for a teacher like you to get wrecked cause some man thinking with his crotch. I like you too much to see you get kicked out.”

It didn’t sound like a warning, but Rachel wasn’t sure if Tonya was being a friend for foe with that statement.

Locking the door behind Tonya’s exit, Rachel wondered what was going to happen next.

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 10 Part 3 (c) 2005 Sylvia Hubbard

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 10 Part 2

ha ha, thought I forgot about you.

Nope. Yahoo started working right and I had to address over 5000 (I kid you not!) that I had received in the five days that yahoo was all messed up.

On top of that I'm doing publicity for two authors now and I'm pushing their event. (duh, i should have posted their stuff here just in case anyone in the D is interested in supporting them and making me look good, LOL).

Enjoy!

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Derrick watched from his bedroom window as Carne Smith, his stepbrother, paid for a cab and came to the house. He hadn’t seen Carne in years and now that he was out of the detention center, he didn’t know if he really wanted to see his stepbrother, who had gotten him in so much trouble.

Not moving out of his room, he listened to his stepfather greeted Carne at the door in a loud drunken manner. The television in the front room played loudly, but Ernesto Smith was louder.

After a few minutes, Carne must have found an excuse to get away from Ernesto and come upstairs to Derrick’s room. His Spanish-African decent clearly showed with his dark skin and soft hair smooth back. Thick lips with his exotic Spanish mother’s eyes and nose made Carne a lady’s man even at twenty years of age, but he looked younger and could easily have someone think he was under eighteen. At only five foot ten, Carne was a head shorter than Derrick, but held himself like he was ten feet tall and had the quick tempter to go along with his dangerous arrogance.

“Que pasa, Ricky,” Carne said, grasping Derrick’s hand and snapping in unison with Derrick.

“How’s it going?”

Carne choose to speak in Spanish rather than English, “Good Amigo, What about you?”

Derrick didn’t revert to Spanish, but he understood every word Carne said as clear as day. “Probation until I’m eighteen and a promise to my old man I won’t fuck up anymore or I’ll be getting a new asshole.”

“As if you don’t have enough in your life already,” Carne sneered.

Derrick smirked and said with a shrug, “I do what I have to do, Carne. What brings you to Davenport?.”

“Just coming to see my old man and you.”

This was a straight up lie. Carne didn’t go anywhere he didn’t have business at these days, but Derrick wasn’t going to refute the matter. He just knew he couldn’t get involved in any of Carne’s shit anymore. They been cool since they moment they met. It was as if they had a silent understanding that they were going to be friends to the end.

“And what other shit is happening in Davenport?” Derrick asked suspiciously pulling Carne’s card.

Carne chuckled knowingly and nonchalantly shrugged. “Some cat hired me to find out if his courier’s dipping in the cookie jar down here.”

“And if he is? You go and tell?”

Carne smiled a sneering grin. “Naw, I either take care of the problem or see how it can benefit me.”

The idea of Carne turning to knocking people off didn’t surprise Derrick. His stepbrother could be a cold ruthless bastard when he wanted to be and he’d do about anything for a chuck of change. “I thought you were still making money the same way,” Derrick inquired.

“Of course, I am – or will be, but I need a large pile to front me. This job or the benefits from this job will put me over the cash flow I need in order to do what I wanna do.” He relaxed over Derrick’s bed as if it were his own.

Derrick tried not to look displeased at Carne taking liberties in his room without asking him.

Carne continued explaining, “I got this cat up in the D that wants to bail. Owes me something and looking to hit the International waters to get away from five-oh. I think I can get big bills up there, plus be close to my old man. You interested in giving me some knowledge and
time?”

“I’m interested in staying alive, Carne, and if I have anything to do with you, I can fuck that. Derrick wasn’t going to beat around the bush. “Mr. James don’t make idle threats and just cause his ass ain’t looking over my damn shoulder all the time, don’t think he won’t find out I’m running hot with you.”

“I know. I know. Your old man is the shit.” There was a look of fear, awe and envy in Carne’s soft brown eyes. “Going all soft now that he’s up in the boonies and thinking he got pull here. Well fine, Bro, you choose your own road and see where that gets you.”

Derrick knew guilt was a popular tactic of Carne’s to bend people to his will, but his stepbrother didn’t understand he was messing with an older smarter Derrick James. In a dark deadly hiss, he sneered, “I spent four damn years in some greasy place for your road, Carne. Coming in here with that bullshit ain’t gonna make me jump ship and do something stupid again to get me back behind bars.”

Carne eased off. “Okay, okay, Bro. I’m just fucking with yo’ head, man.”

The impassive look in Derrick’s face didn’t flinch.

Feeling very uncomfortable, Carne got up from the bed and found and reason to leave. “I’m going to ram some food down my throat. You coming?”

Derrick only shook his head. When Carne was gone, Derrick relaxed on the bed and closed his eyes. Carne had a lot of nerve coming in here trying to mess with Derrick’s head.

Arwin came in the room hurried and locked the door behind him. “I thought he would never leave, Man. It’s b ad enough trying to sneak in this house with your folks not knowing, but if he’s here, I ain’t never gonna have no place to stay.”

“Why didn’t you just come in?” Derrick asked. “He’s cool with that.”

Shaking his head nervously, Arwin said, “Even though I never met him, Derrick, he came around here when your parents first moved here a lot. Doing business with a lot of people who even I knew at a young age you just didn’t talk to. He ain’t no good and I just don’t like him. When I found out he was your brother, I didn’t know if I should even hang with you anymore, but I changed my mind when I knew you wasn’t nothing like him and would never be.”

“He’s not anyone to be cared of, Arwin,” Derrick assured him. “He talks shit, but he really is shit.”

Arwin chuckled appreciating the fact Derrick was so casual about it. “Is he gonna stay in here with you?”

“Nope, he’ll stay on the couch.” He sat up from the bed and tossed a pillow down on the floor where Arwin usually camped out next to his bed. “You’re cool here, but check with me tomorrow about the staying the night. I think I warded him off for a night, but he might inch his way up here to take my knowledge down. He ain’t the smartest brother, but he got connections that I might be able to use later.” He frowned nothing the edginess in Arwin’s stance and sensed that Arwin had a bigger problem than Carne. “What’s your deal?”

“We got a problem,” Arwin said. “I told Tonya some things and I think she took it wrong.”

“What did you tell her?” Derrick asked, his frown deepening.

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 10 Part 1

The rest of her day was pretty much shot. Even her students noticed that her mind was not there, yet all were patient with her. The principal paid her a visit to ask how things were going with her students and her project at the end of her day. He had even brought the schedule book for the auditorium. She was touched that he had thought about her.

Austin Trent was a good principal and although he was young at thirty-two, many thought he was well qualified to become a principal.

“How’s everything going with your classes?” he questioned.

“It’s fine. The students have been really great. They’ve been very receptive to the idea about the dramatic performance. Almost borderline excited,” she answered with enthusiasm.

Austin chuckled. “I wasn’t referring to your classes here, Rachel. I was speaking about your courses.” He took the seat next to her behind her desk.

Crinkling her nose, not use to being asked about her own well being, she said, “I’m almost done.”

“I know that. I also know that the last part is very difficult. How are you holding up?”

“Good as far as I can tell considering the stress. I think if I just stay focused, I can make it.”

Austin wished her well. He was a good looking man and for whatever reason he wasn’t married. He had not only been the youngest principal at Davenport High School, but he was first black principal. Since his administration, test scores in the school had risen and senseless crime was down inside the school due to his new security measures to ensure the safety of the teachers and students.

“Dwayne came to me the other day and spoke to me about you,” Austin mentioned.

She stiffened. “What did he say?” This was one thing she wasn’t sure about – if Austin was part of a good ole boy network with Davish and she wasn’t sure if she could trust Austin like that.

“He was rather evasive, but he said that he felt you’ve been siding with students about critical issues such as grades, citizenship and attendance.”

“I haven’t done that!” she exclaimed.

Austin stayed calm. This was his nature and she had never seen him get excited about anything even though she had known him for a short time. “I’m not here to find out who did what. My bottom line is my students, Rachel. Coming in second place is the well being of my teachers. Is there something I should know before I start looking through things?”

Rachel knew she could tell him about Laura and Dwayne, but that would be just evil to even mention something like that. Instead she said, “He and I differ on Derrick James.”

“Is that why I have a school board member calling me up?” He frowned perturbed. “That
boy is more trouble than it was worth agreeing with the parole board to take him.”

“Well, I think that people have made assumptions about Derrick that aren’t true,” she said. “In no way am I siding with him, but as his teacher I should be the one to protest the loudest if what was said is true. Have you seen his grades? Have you seen his test scores? He isn’t the trouble Davish thinks he is. Matter of fact, I have started the process of trying to get him to get his diploma early. He’s not challenged enough and I think even college courses instead of just vocational training should be instated in his learning. The assignments he turned in are worthy of college material. He’s way ahead of the class and I’ve had to come up with extra assignments just to keep him busy.” She pulled the file out Davish had gave back to her and
handed this to Austin. “Davish is wrong about Derrick.”
“Is this why he says you side with the students?”

Angry Davish had gone to Austin before she had even thought about getting to the principal to tell the truth, Rachel had to tamp down her urge for revenge against that salacious bastard. Still, she decided to speak her mind, but she didn’t want it to seem as if she were trying to downgrade Dwayne. “To be honest and not to speak bad about Davish, he’s never liked me since I’ve been here. I’ve heard him often say to others that I’m too young to do my job. I don’t teach my class like traditional teachers, but I get the job done. Just because I refuse to be stuck behind my desk and that I like to walk around doesn’t mean I don’t do my job well.”

He chuckled in agreement. “I used to hear the same thing from my peers, Rachel.” Placing a hand on her thigh, he said with comfort, “I want you to know if at any time you feel you can’t do your job well, please let me know. I’ll objectively look over the books, but I will understand everything that comes across my desk about you.”

Placing her hand over his, she said, “Thank you, Austin.”

Her classroom door opened and Laura came in looking very suspicious.

“Yes Laura?” Austin asked standing up.

“The counselor’s wanted to know was the staff meeting still set for tomorrow?”

He frowned. “Was it important enough for you to come track me down? That’s something I could have addressed when I came back down to the office.”

“I didn’t know it was so important for you to be alone with Mrs. Herlong,” Laura said, raising an inquisitive brow.

Austin stood up and adjusted his coat. “Laura, you’ll do well to mind your business and not others all the time. It might actually help you keep your job.” Looking back at Rachel, he gave her a friendly wink. “I’ll speak with you again at a later time, Rachel.”

She watched Austin leave out and Laura stayed in the room.

“Yes, Laura?” Rachel questioned.

“I just wanted to know what was going on with the Derrick James situation? I know you couldn’t talk all the way earlier because he was in the room. Did you really get something positive?”

Rachel gathered her things to get ready to leave. “I’ve gotten something done, but I figured I won’t get an answer for everything until February. With all the holidays and breaks the school is scheduled for in the upcoming months, it’s going to be hard to accomplish anything, but it looks favorable.”

“Have you mentioned anything to him, yet?”

“I wanted to say something to him today, but things got in the way.” Like his lips, his body... Flustered, she caught her breath, stopping her thoughts before she got out of hand and started daydreaming again.

“Maybe you should just wait until you are proof positive that I can work. Like you said, you wouldn’t want to raise his hopes up, right?”

In a way, Rachel felt Laura was right, but she was still leery about the gossiping slut’s concern about this whole thing. Derrick needed a chance, but if Rachel failed in her task, she didn’t want to disappoint him. “Yeah, Laura. I guess you’re right.” Putting on her coat, she added, “Are you going to tell me the real reason why you’re helping me out on this?”

“I told you the truth last time.” Laura practically skipped out the room.

Rachel made note to find out more about Laura and why Austin had a certain animosity for her. Leaving the school, she made her way to her car and saw that there was an envelope on her windshield. Getting inside of the car, opening the envelope, she saw there was just a small charm wit ha car attached.

“Remember this day as a special occasion.”

Immediately, she recognized Derrick’s writing and rolled her eyes exasperated. What mess had she started and how could she turn away from it when it was something she wanted? Every time she decided to get herself out of it, she ended up getting deeper involved.

Christmas break was coming up very soon and she would try to reevaluate everything over the long holiday at home. She would be able to come up with something that could alleviate the stress at school. There had to be or she would drive herself crazy and end up losing her job in the process. Being involved with a student – her student – was a major thing.

Her professor kept her after her class that night to confirm that she would be graduating in July, but she would be finished with her classes right after the Christmas Holiday top in the class. He promised to notify the school board of her completion and asked if she could attend a graduation teacher’s brunch to deliver a speech. She was honored by the invitation and, of course, accepted.

The news had brightened her day immensely, but once she got home and wasn’t able to share that news with anyone, it put a damper on that. When she was at home, she spoke to the twins as if they could understand her. Jessica was the patient one while of course Justin could care less and gurgled constantly while Mommy talked.

Despite everything, she did love her children and she wanted the best for them. Derrick James wouldn’t understand that. He was too young to understand that. He had his whole life ahead of him and getting involved with an older woman may be every man’s dreams, but she wasn’t going to be the woman derrick would become involved with. From now on, she would make sure she wasn’t alone with Derrick James. This would ease the tension and ensure that nothing else happened between them.

Once the twins were asleep, she went over to her jewelry box and picked up the pendant. It would probably make sense if she gave the pendant back. Lovingly, she ran her hand over the beautiful design. She had never had an opportunity to pay attention to the little details of the design, but as she stared at the Italicize design in greater detail, she realized that the lines weren’t lines. They were words.

Going into the utility drawer in the kitchen, she pulled out a magnifying glass. Tightening her eyes she saw that the lines in the complex infinite design read, “Love so deep all the black holes in the universe can’t hold what I feel or you.” On the outer crust of the pendant that she thought was just the border really was in inscription of Derrick’s name in Calligraphy and at the bottom was her name with the words, “And” above it.

Sitting back in her chair from the strain she had just put her eyes through, she couldn’t believe how detailed he had managed to get this piece in so short of time. It was worth more than what she thought.

Giving it back wouldn’t be a good idea and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. A knock on her front door surprised her. Putting the pendant in the pocket of her robe, she looked out the peephole to see Tonya standing there looking a bit nervous.

Opening the door, she asked, “How did you know where I lived?”

“It’s a long story, Mrs. Herlong, but we need to talk.” Tonya pushed passed Rachel to come in.
Joining her in the front room, she offered the girl something to drink, but Tonya briskly refused.

“So what is it we need to speak about, Tonya?”

“Derrick James.”

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 10 Part 1 (c) 2005 Sylvia Hubbard

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 9 part 2

Reveling in the feel of her hot cotton covered womanhood pressed against his jean covered bulge, Derrick damned clothing knowing it had to be the work of the devil getting in the way of heaven. With a flick of his wrist, he managed to get the first three buttons of her blouse open.

Breaking the kiss, he moved his mouth to her neck, keeping her senses busy with his hands and the gyration of his hips against her most sensitive spot, but she wasted no time and passionately attacked his ear. He found her hotspot right behind her lobe and relished how her back arched and her nails dug into his shoulders. With reckless abandon, he attacked her neck deliciously nothing that her skin was just a sweet as he had imagined. He moved his kissed down to suckle her chest clearly nibbling a passion mark at the perfect curve of her full bosom.

The sting of the mark must have brought her back to reality because she started to push away fighting back for control. He moved back to envelope her mouth as his hips deliberately maneuvered to arouse her body. She lost her resistance again and allowed him to take her to the land of pleasure.

“D-Derrick, w-w-hat are...are y-you doing to me?” she sobbed fervently, but not stopping as she moved against him. Her body began to quiver and her breathing was coming in short lustful pants.

He could feel strong pulsing coming from her womanhood and he fought for power as he brought her to ecstasy loving how her body vibrated all over like a blissful massage. Damn clothing!
Damn! Damn! Damn!

Her body collapsed against his as she struggled to breathe and he languished in her release. Derrick was still very much aroused by this whole episode, but he enjoyed watching her too much to really care about his own needs.

“We shouldn’t...” she murmured in his neck. “...have.”

“Damn them,” he growled softly, rubbing her back for comfort taking pleasure in her closeness and how her whole body seemed to rely on his strength.

A chuckle escaped her lips and she covered her mouth as if that was wrong to do. Moving away slightly to look at him, she said, “You and I both know this can’t happen again.”

“I can’t accept that, Rachel,” he said. “I won’t deny anymore that I want you.”

“Derrick!” she cried and pushed off of him, but suddenly forgot her current upset as she stared down at her blouse at the huge mark on her bosom.

He didn’t look the least bit guilty. Matter of fact, he smiled and leaned back in the chair like he had conquered Mount Everest with his eyes closed and his hands tied behind his back.

“Never! I can’t believe myself.” This was said more to herself out loud than to him.

“I can.” Derrick stood up and took a step towards her.

She backed away as if he were the Anti-Christ. “No! No! No! I won’t you seduce me, Derrick.”

“It wasn’t my intentions. As a matter of fact, I had planned to never come near you again because I thought...” He didn’t want to admit what he was doing in order to gain advantage, but he did say, “I wanted for us to become closer as friends Rachel, so that you can understand...what I did...what happened.” Lying was so hard to do when honesty wanted to burst forth out of him. “I thought if we became friends we could be even better lovers, but I’m not going to deny I want you.”

Rachel covered her ears. “Shut up! You don’t know what you want, Derrick. You’re only sixteen.”

“Seventeen in two weeks,” Derrick corrected her again.

She huffed in frustration. “Derrick, I refuse to speak about this any further.”

“But-“

Cutting him off this time, she said, “You swear to me now, Derrick, you’ll keep your hands...and lips to yourself.”

He had to bite his lip to prevent from laughing at the hysterical nature of this promise, but he said with tight control, “I promise not to physically provoke.”

She blushed profusely and finished fixing her rest of her clothes and hair. He watched in fascination, as she became Mrs. Herlong, the teacher and not the wild temptress he had just been fondling. Her composure was amazing and he could watch her all day given the chance.

“Stop it,” she said, feeling his eyes on her even though her back was partially to him.

It was his turn to flush because no woman had ever made him feel embarrassed by his desire, but he had never desired a woman like this before in his life, which only confirmed that this was different from anything he had ever experienced despite his age as she wanted to continue throwing in his face. Sure there were pretty nice teachers he had seen. There were drop dead gorgeous girls his own age throwing themselves at him all the time, but no woman could ever come to the longing and desire he had for Rachel.

Rachel went over to a desk and grabbed a sheet of paper and pen, while he picked her school keys up off the floor where they had dropped. He also put up the first aid items, while she wrote out an excuse for his second and third hour teachers.

Handing it to him, she said, “Give this to your teachers tomorrow and if they have any questions, tell them to contact me.”

Derrick only nodded, but as she was leaving out the room, he called her name. That exasperated look came on her face, but she waited for him to speak. “What’s your maiden name?”

“Smith. No one knew who my birth parents were, but the social service worker at the hospital felt Jane Doe would be too horrible of a name to give to a child, so I was named Rachel, after the nurse that found me and Smith because it’s a general last name.”

“James ain’t so bad either, you know,” he teased.

“You’re pushing your luck, Derrick,” she warned.

“I don’t rely on luck to get by or get through, Rachel.” He walked up to her and pushed back the hair that had come down like a cowlick in front of her face. “I’ll keep my promise,” he assured her. “As long as you understand that what’s to come won’t be what it seems.”

The confusion in her eyes was very evident, but he couldn’t really explain all the questions she had behind that look.

“Just trust that what happened today was true and from my heart.” He kissed her cheek before walking past her and out the room. He ducked into the nearest door knowing the third floor hallway that was under construction.

Derrick headed down to the school’s locker room to take a long cold shower. He didn’t think he could stand going through the rest of the day without one. Looking at the pass, he noticed Rachel had given him an extra hour to collect himself. Did she do that out of consideration of his need?
Or was she just being nice as a teacher?

He knew it had to be the first. She wasn’t all that innocent and his arousal had been quite evident on the back of her thigh when she was sitting on his lap. Kissing the pass, he tucked it on the inside of his jacket.

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 9 Part 2 ( c) 2005 sylvia Hubbard

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 9 Part 1

Derrick kept his eyes reverted to the desk. Just being here was hard enough and now she was going to subject him to being this close to him. Did she know he couldn’t control himself? Did she know how much he wanted her? How many times had he actually fantasized about having her on this very desk he sat on? Too many to name, but not as many s the ones he had of having her on her desk.

“Derrick, you can’t do that to me,” she said angrily.

“Do what?” he mumbled, slumping down in the chair trying to hide the bulge between his legs.
She took his actions as defiance, but derrick would rather have her pissed off at him than anything else. He could deal with her upset rather than knowing he could have her acquiesce at any moment.

“Where were you?”

“Is that the million dollar question of the day, Rachel?”

Huffing, she sat down in front of him. “Don’t call me that, Derrick.” Calming herself, she said, “I know you’re going through some things, Derrick, that has nothing to do with me, but I want you to know that despite everything, I do care about you, but only as a student.”

He looked at her and immediately noticed she had taken off the pendant. “Oh really? Is that why you took off my necklace?”

“I realized after yesterday, I shouldn’t have encouraged you in any way, Derrick. The present was sweet, but I should have returned it immediately considering its value.” She relaxed herself and rolled her eyes heavenwards, when he looked away from her. “Please look at me, Derrick.”

His soft red cinnamon eyes met hers and he felt the mass between his legs grow. If he could just get through all this with her, he could do his best not to touch her like he really wanted to.

“I did a lot of thinking, Derrick, and maybe I was cruel in my intentions to help you understand that your infatuation with me can never be anything other than a passing fancy in your life.
What prompted you to take action even after what I said, I can’t understand, but I want you to know I won’t press charges against you.”

Insulted, he snorted, “That wasn’t why I was absent.”

“Derrick that could be the only reason-“

Instead of cutting her off like he usually did, he took the opportunity to gently press a finger in the middle of her lips to stop her knowing fully well what she was assuming. “Going to jail for kissing my homeroom teacher was the last thing of my worries, Rachel.” Before she could protest again about the name he called her, he pressed a little harder on her lips to hush her up. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat and I know you’d allow me to do it again.” He leaned in close to her and liked how she seemed transfixed upon his lips, but he made no effort to kiss her like he really wanted to. “I needed to clear my hear. Consider what you said. Re-evaluate our situations.” Moving his finger away, but stealing a caress of her soft cheek, he added, “And of course assess the damage I had done to our relationship.”

It took a moment to gather her thoughts, but she finally said in a breathless voice, “That’s the problem, Derrick. There is no us. No matter what you try to strategize or analyze, there can never be an us.”

“I doubt that,” he said in a very confident voice.

“You’re young,” she said with more determination. “You can hope and dream.”

“And you’re to old to do that anymore?”

“My circumstances in life are decided. Can’t you see that? Can’t you understand that?”

“Rachel, I understand every word that you say to me, but like you said, I’m young, I can hope and dream and I will do this, but I will promise not to allow it to overflow into your horrible reality again.” He sounded as if he was accepting, yet with extreme sarcasm in his voice.

She looked at him suspiciously not really sure how to address his last state and not believing one word he was saying.

He could have told her some other malarkey, but decided to let her hear what she wanted to hear in order to accomplish his mission. This seemed the only way to get to what he wanted and that was Rachel Herlong’s legs wrapped around his waist...

With feigned acceptance, tamping down the hardness in his groin, Derrick asked, “So we’re friends again?”

She nodded hesitantly with apprehension all over her face.

He stood up and outstretched his hand as if to shake on it would erase all he had done up until now.

Rachel smiled her trusting brilliant smile and he had to concentrate off her face in order to keep his lust for her under control as she outstretched her hand to seal their agreement.

As they shook hands, she said, “I do have a surprise-“

The door to her classroom opened and they both looked in the direction of the open door to see that Laura was standing there clearly showing jealously all over her face.

Rachel quickly snatched her hand out of his and walked to her desk. “Is there something you wanted?” she asked Laura.

This was the last person Derrick wanted to speak to and was glad Rachel was buffering for him.

“On no, I just thought to check to see if you were okay and about the that tip that I gave you.” Laura tore the hungry gaze off of Derrick and forced herself to look at Rachel.

“That tip went fine. More than fine,” Rachel said and looked at Derrick, motioning him to come to her desk as she wrote out a pass to his next hour.

Derrick took the pass she handed him, but pretended to make a mistake and touch her fingers as he took it.

Their eyes met and a wave of electric seemed to shoot through her system. “See you tomorrow, Derrick,” she said stiffly.

He only grunted before he left out the room. Laura ended the conversation with Rachel quickly and caught up with Derrick in the hallway coming in front of him at the top of the third floor steps to stop his quickened pace. Davish wasn’t in his office because of lunchroom duty so they wouldn’t be heard unless Rachel came out her room.

Deliberately keeping his voice low, he said through gritted teeth, “What the hell do you want?”

Ignoring his annoyance with her, she smiled wickedly up at him. “You, of course,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing herself against him.

“Not here, Laura,” he said moving away from her.

“Really? I thought here would be perfect.”

“No,” he said adamantly. “Not now.”

“How about next Friday after Thanksgiving. The school will be open to the staff, but no ones
required to attend that day. It will be perfect.”

“No!” He started to walk the other way.

“Then you can forget about those records being found or your chances to get out this school until the twelfth grade, Derrick James,” she said in an evil melodious voice.

He glared at her over his shoulders. “You devious bitch,” he sneered coming back to her.

Reaching her hands between his legs to cup his member in her palm, Laura chuckled triumphantly, “Next Friday, Derrick. Use the custodian entrance to sneak your ass up here where we can be alone.”

He didn’t move as she walked away from him. After he heard Laura go down the stairwell, he hit the wall as hard as he could in his anger. The tile from the ceiling fell down and a rack appeared in the wall as he moved his hand away. The pain of the impact did nothing to stop the pain in his soul. When this was all over there would be several people who would pay, he swore that to himself, as he looked down at the side of his palm to see there was a small cut to his flesh.

The smell of sweet strawberries interrupted his anger and he knew who was coming down the hallway even before seeing who it was. Rachel came around the corner to the stairwell.

“What’s going on, Derrick?” she asked worriedly. “Why are you still up here and not in class?”

“Nothing,” he mumbled. “Nothing that you can do anything about.” Despite his upset, he couldn’t help but feel good that she was there looking very concerned up at him and then her eyes went down to his hand.

Gasping at the small trickle of blood come from his knuckle, she ordered, “Come to Mr. Davish’s office with me.”

He followed her watching her every move as she went to the first aid cabinet and found some alcohol and bandage. She instructed him to sit in a chair across from her where they could be eye to eye and she could apply first aid to the small cut on his hand that wasn’t bleeding as bad now, but the dust from the wall was making it burn a little.

“I should call your mother immediately,” she said.

“That’s okay,” he replied casually. “My shots are all caught up and it’s really just a scratch. Plus, it’s no ones fault, but mine and she won’t even notice it.”

Languishing in the divine scent of her, Derrick had a chance to study her face up close nothing the cute nose, sultry thick lips and the angelic erotic shape of her eyes graced with long lashes defining her face. He figured given the chance he could plant a million kisses on her face in so many different places. His eyes traveled down her long slender neck and he had to wonder would she be sensitive right behind her ear, or was her neck a playground of nerves that could be aroused with his mouth. He found himself longing to nibble at her soft skin that reminded him of dark caramel from a Snickers bar and he wondered if it tasted just as sweet.

“How did you do that?” she asked as she cleaned the dust off the cut with an alcohol swab.

“It doesn’t pay to have a quick temper, Rachel.”

The exasperated look in her eyes clearly told him the upset over the controversy she was having with him over her name.

Reading her mind, he assured her, “You don’t have to worry about anything. In the right situation, I will call you Mrs. Herlong, but I’ll let you know now, I won’t like it since you aren’t married to me.”

More exasperation appeared on her face because she had really thought this was a dead subject.
“It’s not right, Derrick.”

She applied too much pressure on him and he pretended that it hurt more than usual.

Quickly apologizing, she said, “Why can’t you just call me the name like other students.”

“I would if I considered myself an equal to them. I don’t and won’t. I’ll call you what I deem is comfortable for me and I like calling your name, Rachel,” he said in his most seductive voice.

She noted his well spoken words and knew this was not a child sitting in front of her. Derrick James was a man who knew how more than what he showed to others.

He continued, “Like a Shakespearean poem, when I say your name I feel renewed with strength and love.”

She was falling under his spell again. Her eyes had begun to dance and there was certainly interest although she was trying to fight it. “You don’t talk like a sixteen year old, Derrick.”

“Seventeen in two weeks, Rachel, and I don’t act like one either.”

As if she was trying to justify it, she said, “You’re more mature than any man I’ve ever known. I can see why you are confused about your feelings for me. You are wise beyond your years. It must be difficult to be you when you’re so opposed by so many people who want to treat you like a child” Pity was in her eyes. “Do you ever feel trapped with a mind of man and a body of boy?”

Raising an inquisitive dark coffee brow, he said, “I assure you this is no body of a boy, Rachel, because I know I’m man enough to give you pleasure.”Looking up at him as if she wanted to say something of great importance, derrick waited for her to say anything, but whatever was on the tip of her lips wouldn’t come, so he leaned in close to her to partake of the sweet breath from her lips. Dipping his head to the right, he didn’t apply too much pressure at first and knew she would be hesitant, but as she parted her lips to allow his tongue to easily dip into the moisture of her mouth, he took the chance of wrapping his arms around her and gathering the tight bottom to easily slid her in his lap as her skirt slid up her thighs and bunched around her waist. Derrick could smell her arousal and the thought of her wetness tantalized all the senses in his body. He kissed her with desperation wanting to arouse her own senses beyond control so that her will was his.

Teach Me To Love - Chapter 9 Part 1 (c) 2005 Sylvia Hubbard