Bound To you

Chapter 9

“Yes, but don’t forget this time, all right, Miss Swan?” The blonde nodded promptly. “Okay. It’s known as the Attack on Pearl Harbor. It was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, on the morning of 7 of December 1941. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War Two.”

“Ohhh, right! Now I remember.”

The teacher rolled her eyes and looked at ELI with seriousness. “Fine, Miss Swan. As the Attack on Pearl Harbor seems to be the only thing you forgot in class, can I ask you random questions about what we’ve learned?”

“O-okay,” the blonde replied hesitantly.

Rika gave her a tight smile and started thinking about the questions. “Which three countries comprised the Axis in World War Two?”

“Germany, Italy, and Japan,” ELI quickly responded and Rika smiled proudly.

“Very good, Miss Swan. Now, what was the Manhattan Project?”

“Hmm, that’s a difficult one, Rika.” The brunette arched her eyebrows, causing the blonde to shift on her seat. “Okay, umm… Oh! It was the code name for the United States to create the atomic bomb!” Rika nodded as a smile reached her face. “Yes!” The blonde celebrated excitedly.

“Next question: which country was first invaded by Germany?”

“Oh, this one is easy: Poland!”

“Well done, Miss Swan. Last question: on which date did World War Two begin?”

“Oh no, I’m terrible with dates! I can barely remember my friends’ birthdays. Imagine me, remembering historical dates, Rika.”

“Just try, Miss Swan. I know you can do it. Just think.”

“Okay, hmm… It started after Germany invaded Poland causing two nations to declare war on them… It happened in… August?” Rika once again arched her eyebrows. “No? Hmm… September then! But I don’t know the day. It was in 1939. At least I know the year.”

“Correct. It started on the 1st of September in 1939.”

“Awesome! See? I know history, Rika. I pay attention in class.”

“Yes, you do, Miss Swan.”

ELI smiled sheepishly, leaning in closer to Rika. “So, um… I think I deserve a kiss, now.”

Rika smirked as she felt eager to kiss the blonde. She was desperate to feel those soft lips against her own again. “I don't know, Miss Swan. Do you really deserve it?” She asked mockingly.

“It’s up to you, Miss Mills.”

The teacher smiled before pulling ELI’s mouth to hers into a gentle kiss. It became intense quickly as ELI’s hands pressed hard on her waist and Rika's moved to run through ELI’s long hair, gripping the thick locks tightly while she angled the blonde’s head to part her lips and deepen the kiss.

The kiss definitely tasted like an explosion of sweetness, just like ELI had mentioned about the syrup and cinnamon. Rika quickly became addicted to that amazing taste.

In the heat of the moment, Rika realized that her student was getting too… eager about this make-out session. ELI was tracing her hands along Rika’s body, and palming her ass. That, somehow, was making her uncomfortable, as the thoughts she hadn't been thinking for a few hours, came straight back to her mind, tormenting her once again.

What if ELI was just… messing with her?

What if ELI was taking advantage of her?

What if ELI just kissed her to tell her friends?

What if ELI just wanted to have s*x, so she could eventually brag that she’s had s*x with a teacher from the school?

No! This is wrong! Rika can’t do this anymore.

She pushed ELI away and quickly stood up, starting to pace in the room.

“Rika? Are you okay?” She saw ELI standing and walking reluctantly towards her. “Did I do something you didn't like?”

“I’m not okay, Miss Swan,” she responded acidly, not being able to look into the green eyes.

A hand reached out to touch her shoulder. “Hey, what-”

“Don’t touch me,” she dismissed the contact immediately. She was so angry. So f*****g pissed that this might be ELI’s intentions with her.

What if ELI and her stupid friends had made a bet on who would f**k the history teacher first?

What if ELI had been lying to Rika this whole time?

Fuck.

“Rika, you’re freaking me out! Stop pacing the room!”

“Fine.” She stopped and turned to face ELI, making sure that her expression was the most enraged ever. “I have some questions for you, Miss Swan.”

“Questions? You mean, history questions?”

Rika chuckled bitterly. “No, Miss Swan. I have important questions to ask you and you shall answer with nothing but the truth.”

“What’s going on, Rika? Why do you want to ask me questions?” The teacher noticed that the blonde was clearly worried about what she was going to ask.

“Just answer them, Miss Swan.” She took a deep breath before starting, “Why did you kiss me that day at my office?”

The blonde’s pale face turned slightly red, amusing Rika. But she didn't laugh. She wasn't in the mood for laughing right now.

“Um… because I feel… uh… attracted to you, Rika,” the blonde stammered. “Why are you asking me this?”

“I decide the questions, you answer them,” she said sharply, glaring at her student.

“I thought we were cool, after the date,” ELI said low, with a frown.

But Rika just lost it. “Miss Swan, stop talking, please. Just answer my questions!” The blonde swallowed hard and nodded. “Is this a thing?”

“What?” The confused girl asked.

“Kissing teachers at school? Is this a thing you and your friends do every semester?”

“What the… f**k, Rika! What the hell are you talking about?”

The teacher closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to be calm. “Just answer the question, Miss Swan.”

“No, Rika, it’s not a thing. Not that I know of. But if this s**t exists, I’m not participating.”

“So, why did you kiss me?”

“Because! Have you looked in the mirror, Rika? You’re drop-dead gorgeous!” ELI exclaimed, seeming very nervous.

“That’s the only thing I am for you, aren't I? Gorgeous and hot for a good f**k, isn't that right?” She asked bitterly.

The blonde’s eyes widened. “No! Of course not!”

“I am a prize that the students want to win, aren't I?”

ELI frowned again, looking away from the brunette. “Rika, no.”

“ELI, I need you to answer me properly.”

The blonde took a deep breath before continuing, “Look, you may be a prize for them — for the stupid boys who only care about s*x and their own pleasure, but…” ELI paused, moving her hands as if that gesture would speak for her. “But not me, Rika. You’re not a prize for me. Not at all. I can’t- ugh…” The blonde looked away, blushing hard.

“You can’t what, Miss Swan?” She persisted.

“Well, Rika, if you haven't realized yet, I’m not just… messing around with you. You’re not just a teacher, you’re… God, you’re so much more! I like… s**t. I like you more than I should, Rika,” ELI blurted it out, red as a tomato; her expression showing the embarrassed and troubled way she was feeling right now.

Rika blinked, fighting against her heart to stop beating so crazily upon hearing that declaration. “But I’m your teacher and you’re my student,” she said, matter-of-factly.

“I know. It’s completely crazy and wrong, but… I can’t help it. What I’m feeling for you… is something new to me.”

“How am I supposed to believe you?”

“I don’t know, I… I didn't know you felt this way.”

“Well, I sure do, ELI. I am a teacher. You are a student. This kind of relationship has never happened to me before. It actually should never have started.”

When Rika looked at the blonde, she saw hurt in her eyes. She even thought that maybe… maybe her student’s eyes were watering.

“Okay, you may be right, Rika. This is beyond complicated, but… I don't want to end what we have.”

She grasped Rika’s hands and tried to entwine their fingers, but the teacher simply said, “Don’t.”

As stubborn as ELI has always been, she didn't let go of Rika’s hands this time. “Rika, in case you don’t know, you are the first woman I’ve ever kissed in my entire life.”

The brunette snorted, not believing in the blonde’s words. “Oh, really?” She asked wryly.

“I’m serious, Rika. I was completely straight before you showed up.” Rika arched her eyebrows, finding it hard to believe that ELI was just straight. Well…

“I’ve never taken anyone out on a date before. Not a man and even less a woman. Before you started working at the school, I didn't care about anything. I didn’t even study history, for God’s sake!” The teacher let out a small smile and ELI leaned in closer. “Rika, please. You have to believe in me.”

“It’s hard for me to do that, ELI.”

“Rika, please. Listen to me. You know I like you, and that I’m not after the things you have been thinking about, at all. I really like talking to you, having our private lessons, kissing you... And our first date was amazing until I screwed it up. By the way, I’m very sorry for that,” the blonde apologized, holding Rika’s hands firmly as if to show her what she truly meant. “And if you feel… if you like me somehow, please, don’t end this. If you feel something for me, just… let it be.”

“I-I’m sorry for that, too. I was too harsh with you, ELI. I was so worried about what we were doing. I was thinking about how wrong that was and-”

“Hey, it’s okay,” the blonde said as her hand caressed Rika’s cheek softly. “I understand.” 

Rika could admit that she was literally falling even more for ELI’s charm. Her gestures, her words, her eyes… It all said that she should believe in the girl. But it was also too risky.

“Please, Rika. You have to believe me.” Her body completely melted when she was graced with ELI’s strong arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. She wrapped her arms around the blonde’s waist and tried to calm her poor heart.

She could feel ELI’s quick heartbeats against her chest, as their body pressed together in a beautiful way which made Rika feel warm, peaceful and happy…

“Because you are special, ELI… I will try to.”

Strong arms tightened around her neck as a chaste kiss was placed on the top of her head.

“Thank you,” ELI said, her voice muffled by the brunette’s soft hair.

Rika knows that it isn't right.

Rika knows that she should stop this.

Rika knows that she won’t be able to.

Rika knows that she can’t let go.

After hearing that Rika would at least try to believe in her, she felt a bit more relieved. It was an intense conversation, but now she knew that things would change for the better… or, at least, she hoped it would. The blonde got completely confused when Rika kept asking her those insane questions. She hadn't thought about how wrong dating a student might feel to her teacher. And it freaked her out just to think of the possibility of not… being with Rika anymore. She really, really needed the brunette to believe her. She didn't want this to end. She wanted to be with her because… well, ELI was starting to understand her feelings for the teacher. They were becoming stronger than she expected, and now if Rika suddenly decided that she wanted to end this, ELI would be devastated.

The brunette still seemed a little bit upset with the previous conversation, and so was ELI. But she was also really, really scared of losing Rika. Thoughts about it all flooded her head as she kept watching Rika from the corner of her eye. They were sitting on the chair in front of each other with the desk between them. ELI was reading an article Rika had given her while the latter was marking some reports. Even though they were in silence, ELI’s head was a confusing mess. She couldn’t help looking at Rika once in a while, her minimal concentration evaporating so quickly she could barely grasp it.

“You seem very focused on your article, Miss Swan,” Rika suddenly said, a small smirk forming on her lips although her head kept facing the sheets.

“Sorry,” ELI mumbled and looked away quickly, feeling her face get warm.

“You know you came here to study, don’t you?” The teacher asked as her eyebrow arched quizzically at the blonde.

“Of course I do.” ELI smiled reassuringly. “But I also came here to spend some time with you.”

Rika gave her a small smile. “Yes, I know. Let me finish marking these sheets, and then I’ll start on lunch and we’ll spend some time together, all right?” Her warm hand covered ELI’s on the table, causing the blonde to shiver, even if it was just a simple touch.

“Okay.”

Ten minutes later, ELI was finally able to finish reading the article and Rika also finished marking the reports. When they got to the kitchen, Rika turned to ELI, crossed her arms over her chest and leaned on the counter. She was looking at ELI challengingly with a small smile on her lips as if she was waiting for the blonde to do something… or just kiss her unexpectedly.

“I thought you were going to make lunch?” ELI inquired, hooking her fingers on her jeans’ hoops to distract herself from being awkward. She couldn’t help but blush a little.

“I am going to make lunch. But first, I’d like to ask what you feel like eating right now.”

ELI couldn’t think about any food right now. She was entranced with Rika’s beauty. f**k, she was so goddam stunning. How couldn’t she feel something for this woman? It was completely impossible.

“You keep losing concentration when you’re with me, Miss Swan.”

“Right now is a good time to be distracted, isn’t it? We’re not studying.” She shrugged to prove her point.

Rika smiled. “Well, right now, I’d say it’s okay.”

“Yeah?” ELI asked rhetorically. Her feet started moving on its own accord towards Rika. The blonde couldn’t hide her smile now, and neither could Rika. When ELI was only a few inches across her, she looked at the blonde with expectation. 

ELI knew what she wanted to do now, but wasn’t sure if it was the right moment. After the intense conversation they had, ELI knew that it was risky to start a kiss. However, Rika was teasing her, and she could see it on her face. Maybe the teacher was challenging her to do something… or to prove to her that she’s not just a seventeen-old girl. 

Before she could ponder about it further, ELI yanked Rika to her and covered her mouth with hers in a hungry kiss. f**k… ELI would never get over the way it felt to be kissing Rika. Her mouth was so warm, the caress of her lips always so soft… The teacher slid her tongue over ELI’s lips, asking for entrance, and the blonde quickly granted her full access as she pressed their bodies together. That sensation just felt… amazing.

ELI felt like she was on fire by just kissing this woman. It was getting very heated very quickly, and she knew she had to stop… but, unfortunately, she didn’t want to at all. And neither did Rika, it seemed. That just encouraged the blonde to kiss the brunette harder, angling her head to the side so she could taste every corner of her mouth and pull her hair gently with her fingers. It felt so good to be kissing Rika like that and, honestly, ELI never desired to stop.

A low moan escaped from Rika’s throat and, all of a sudden, the teacher was breaking the kiss and pushing ELI away gently by the chest. 

“We should stop,” Rika said, almost breathless while her hand kept pressed against ELI’s chest. 

ELI swallowed down her embarrassment, noticing that she had become very aroused during the heated kiss. “Sorry, I… sorry, Rika. I shouldn’t have-” 

She stopped when she heard Rika’s throaty laugh; her fingertips wiping off the wetness on her lips caused by the kiss. “It’s okay, ELI. I kissed you back, so I’m guilty too.”

ELI chuckled awkwardly, feeling her cheeks burn. “Cool, uh… food. We’re here to cook, right?” The blonde was completely lost, trying to think about other things than her own arousal and how much she wanted to kiss those enticing, plump lips again.

Rika smirked. “Right. What do you feel like eating, Miss Swan?”

“Uh… I would definitely eat a burger right now.”

The brunette rolled her eyes once again and shook her head in disbelief, crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t even think about it. And, besides, there's nothing that unhealthy here.”

ELI shrugged. “That’s okay — I’ll eat whatever you’re willing to cook, anyway.”

“Good. Do you like Pesto Sauce?”

“Uh, I guess Granny never made it before.”

“Well, it’s pasta with pesto sauce. Would you like to try?”

“I’d love to, Rika.” ELI smiled, getting another from Rika.

“Come help me, then. I’ll teach you how to make it.”

“Awesome! I love it when you teach me stuff,” ELI said, moving to stand beside Rika on the counter.

The teacher narrowed her eyes at the blonde, but eventually, let a smirk form on her lips. “I’m glad you do, Miss Swan. Now, do you know how to make pasta?”

“Yeah, of course! Granny has a diner. Haven’t I told you that?” The teacher shook her head. “Well, she has a very cool diner downtown that is called ‘Granny’s’, obviously, and she cooks very well. You should come by one day!”

Rika nodded. “I’d love to. So, she taught you and Miss Lucas how to cook?”

“Well, Ruby already knew a lot when I first met her, but Granny immediately started teaching me after I moved in with them. She said we needed to learn how to feed ourselves properly and not starve when she wasn’t around.”

The brunette chuckled. “That’s nice. So, what can you cook?”

“You know, the basics: pasta, beans, rice, vegetables, and meat.”

“Honestly, Miss Swan, I’d never imagined you were good in the kitchen,” Rika said, showing a smirk to ELI.

ELI made a face, knowing that despite her knowing how to cook, it didn’t mean that what she made was exactly good. 

“Why are you making this face?”

“Well, I’ve tried to learn, but that doesn’t mean my cooking is good, you know?” Rika laughed out loud, causing the blonde to blush. “Don’t laugh at me, okay? I’m still trying,” she whined.

“You look cute when you blush, Miss Swan,” Rika murmured, leaning in to press a chaste kiss on ELI’s cheek. “But now, let’s start for real.”

Rika started grabbing the condiments inside the cabinets to start the pasta and the sauce, while ELI kept watching her with utter interest to learn how to make this dish she had never tried before. It took barely twenty minutes for all of it to be ready and soon they were eating their pasta in the big dining room.

“What do you think?” The brunette asked after ELI took her first bite.

“Wow, it’s delicious! I love this sauce already,” she answered.

Rika grinned. “I’m glad, dear.”

After they finished eating and cleared the table, ELI offered to wash the dishes out of good will. But Rika used that opportunity to tease her, of course.

“You’re being such a good girl today, Miss Swan. What have I done to deserve such gratitude?” The teacher asked with a smirk, standing very close to ELI while the latter washed the dishes.

ELI felt her face burn and bit her lower lip to try and hide it. “Maybe I’m just doing this to get some dessert?” She implied with an arch of her eyebrow, which caused Rika to chuckle.

“Are you always this hungry?”

“As you always say, Miss Mills, I’m a teenager, therefore, I need lots of food to grow up and have a proper body,” ELI said with all the seriousness she had, and when she looked at Rika, she was staring attentively at the blonde’s body shape.

ELI kept staring at her teacher with an eyebrow arched, noticing how interested the brunette was on her body. Rika suddenly realized what she was doing, and cleared her throat, her face turning a light shade of red.

“I’m done with the dishes,” ELI said and Rika nodded in response, still blushing a little. “Now, can I ask you something, Rika?” The brunette crossed her arms over her chest and nodded slowly. “Why do you have so many apples in your home?”

Rika looked to the side at the basket full of apples she had on the island and smiled despite herself. “It’s my favourite fruit. I love apples.”

“Oh, really? Why?” The blonde inquired. The fact that Rika had a delicious apple scent impregnated on her body and a basket full of apples on her kitchen made her curious.

Rika’s lips quirked up as she moved off the counter to pick up an apple, to then bring it close to ELI’s face. “Because the apple represents the symbol of choice between good and evil.” ELI raised her eyebrows at the unexpected response. “Don’t look at me that way, ELI. It’s just… this kind of evil is the lack of control within yourself. The temptation of desiring something you can’t have.”

ELI held her breath for a moment. That made sense, after all. ELI wanted something that was completely forbidden and she was bringing Rika to this path with her. It actually fitted perfectly to their current situation.

“However,” Rika continued, more serious than before. “There is the power of choice.”

ELI nodded promptly and smiled. “That is really nice, Rika. But do you know what is nicer?” The blonde took a few steps closer to the brunette, who slowly let a smirk appear on her lips. “Your essence — everything about you smells like apples,” she said, leaning in even closer until she could smell the scent of Rika’s shampoo.

Feeling very bold, ELI pulled Rika even closer by the waist as her face followed the path to the brunette’s delectably scented neck. ELI inhaled deeply into the crook of Rika’s neck, her body shivering instantly as she felt her nose touch the soft skin and smell the breathtaking scent. ELI was sure that she would never forget Rika's apple scent.

“I… I have a perfume that resembles apple scent, so that’s why,” the brunette answered, her voice sounding very low and raspy while ELI’s head remained safe into the crook of her neck.

She smiled, pressing a chaste kiss to Rika’s neck, then pulled away to look into her eyes. “That’s a really good perfume, then. I love it.”

“I love it, too. Now, as you mentioned apples, what about the dessert being an apple turnover? They’re my favourite.”

“Oh, I love turnovers! Let’s do it!”

“All right.” 

Rika grabbed all the necessary ingredients and put them on the counter in a fast and practical way. She seemed to know by heart exactly what to do. If ELI were to make this turnover, she would have to look the recipe up first. 

“Do you want to help me?” The teacher asked.

“Yes, of course. Whatever you need me to do.”

Rika smiled while she started washing three apples, then gave them to ELI. “Can you slice them for me without cutting your finger off?” She teased.

ELI rolled her eyes. “Of course I can! I’m not a child.” She pouted at Rika’s comment and then was very surprised when the latter gave her a quick peck on the lips.

“Stop whining so much and get to work, Miss Swan.”

Smiling to herself, ELI started doing what she was supposed to while Rika started making the puff pastry from scratch beside her. Eventually, the sliced apples were put in a bowl with water and lemon to keep them from browning and the puff pastry was ready. Then, they started making the sauce, which contained brown sugar, cinnamon, water, and cornstarch. Rika was the one stirring it until it thickened, then she grabbed a small spoon to taste a bit. ELI watched her the whole time, almost hypnotized by every move Rika made.

“Hmm, it’s good. Do you want to taste it?”

ELI smiled. “Sure.”

While she waited for Rika to bring the spoon to her mouth, she was very surprised when the brunette kissed her instead, her tongue exploring ELI’s mouth and making her feel the taste of the apple sauce. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t last long, but ELI remained speechless right after while Rika kept smiling smugly at her.

“Wow…” she murmured, noticing Rika had her attention focused on building the turnovers now. ELI just kept watching her in silence as the brunette put the sauce in the middle of the pastry puff and then closed it on triangles.

After that, she placed the turnovers inside the oven and finally turned her full attention to ELI, who still felt a bit in shock because of that sudden kiss.

“Now, we wait for twenty-five minutes.”

“And what will we do until then?” ELI asked, slowly leaning in toward Rika in the hope of receiving another unexpected kiss.