Bound To you

Chapter 8

The brunette smiled and then continued, “The next step is the tasting: you have to take a large sip of the wine, hold it in your mouth and count to 10. Patiently, savour the taste in your mouth; there’s no rush. This allows us to properly palate through the different regions of your tongue that percept each individual flavour,” she paused, waiting for ELI to taste it. “So? What do you think?” She asked when the blonde swallowed the wine.

“Wow! It's incredible! It’s like an explosion of flavours.”

The brunette smirked. “I know. It really is one of the good wines of our state.”

“And this whole process is very interesting.” ELI looked deep into Rika’s eyes. She wanted to kiss her right there and then, in front of everyone but she knew she couldn't. “Thank you very much for teaching me, Rika.”

The teacher smirked mischievously, and that smirk caused ELI to hold her glass tighter, trying to regain control of herself. ELI watched as Rika’s crimson-red lips approached her face; she observed the scar on her upper lip — that she desperately desired to run her tongue over and commit to memory — move past her face and blew whispered words smoothly into her ear.

“Calm down, dear. The night is just beginning.” Rika leaned back and gave her a kiss on the corner of her lips. Then, she started walking towards where the rest of the group was.

The chills erupting through ELI's body at that moment was inexplicable. The joy that burst into her heart was even better. ELI was so surprised by Rika’s sudden kiss that she thought she would never be that surprised again in her life.

xXx

After the wine tasting, many laughs, taunts and learning, they were finally ready to have dinner. ELI led Rika to a restaurant in the heart of Harvard Square called Russell House Tavern. A sophisticated place decorated with red bricks and that has the best American culinary dishes. And also, of course, more wine.

They sat at a table outside of the restaurant beside the decorative red bricks. Soon, the waiter came over and left the menu so they began to peruse it.

ELI tried to focus on the fancy dishes-names that were in front of her, but Rika made it clear that she could not do that. The teacher seemed to have a somewhat high alcohol content due to the five Massachusetts class wines previously tried. Due to the small size of the table they were seating, Rika's bare thigh pressed against ELI’s. And as if that wasn't enough torture, the teacher had to move constantly and rub her thigh on ELI’s. The blonde didn't know if it was intentional, but she didn't care. Feeling Rika’s skin rubbing against hers was very pleasurable; she couldn't pay attention to anything around her. Only in Rika, her beauty, and her touches.

“ELI?”

“Mm?” ELI could barely say a whole word. Damn it.

“What do you want to eat?”

The blonde took in a deep breath and gave her teacher a smile. “Well, I'd love a burger, but I think I'm going to follow the opinion of someone more refined today.” She bit her lower lip, trying to avoid eye contact with her teacher. She was sure that she was going to blush in any second.

Rika raised her hand to call the waiter. While he made his way over, she regarded ELI and questioned, “Are you sure you want me to choose for you?”

ELI nodded, putting her elbows on the table as she finally gave in and gazed into Rika’s eyes. “Without a doubt.”

“What can I get for you, ladies?”

“Two smoked lamb belly meatballs,” the brunette said and then looked at ELI. “And to drink?”

ELI smirked. “Wine, of course.”

“And a bottle of Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon, please.”

“Great choice, ladies. I’ll be right back with your orders.”

Silence hovered over the table while they stared at one another. Both trying to figure out what was running through each other’s minds.

“So, Rika, what do you think of our date so far?”

“I'm impressed with your creativity, Miss Swan.”

“Then I proved I'm not just a girl,” ELI said, winking at her teacher.

“Hm,” Rika paused and made a thoughtful pout. “I didn't say that, Miss Swan.” 

ELI rolled her eyes. When she opened her mouth to speak, the waiter came back with their food. She snorted when she saw Rika’s convinced smirk. ELI sometimes got annoyed with her teacher; she hated the fact that Rika considered her only to be a girl… or worse, only a student. She needed Rika to see her as more than just a student. All the concern caused ELI to want to believe that Rika was just teasing this whole time.

They ate in silence, each focusing on their dishes and wine glass. Every once in awhile, ELI looked at Rika and saw her returning the same expressions and smiles.

When she was almost finished, Rika asked, “Did you like it?”

ELI nodded promptly. “I knew that if I followed your choice, I would be satisfied.”

Rika smiled, biting her lower lip to then drink another sip of her wine. “For someone who eats like a child, I’m very surprised that you liked it.” 

ELI let out a laugh.  The waiter took out the dishes and they were alone again.

“ELI,” the teacher said, looking intensely at the blonde. “I think we should go. It's getting late.”

“Yes, you're right.” ELI looked at the clock on her phone and saw that it was already 10 pm. “Granny is probably home by now.” ELI raised her hand and called the waiter once again.

When he arrived, she said, “Could you get us the bill, please?”

He nodded and simply walked away. ELI took out her credit card from inside her wallet while Rika looked at her warily.

“ELI, let's pay the bill together, okay?” She said, but ELI promptly insisted.

“No. It was my idea to bring you here. I’ll pay.”

Rika demanded, “We will pay the bill, Miss Swan.”

“We won’t. Rika, please, let me do this. I planned our date; I want to pay. It’s no problem, honestly.”

“ELI, you're being unreasonable.”

“No, I’m-”

“Here's the bill, Miss,” the waiter interrupted her and left the receipt on the table. He extended the card machine towards ELI and she took it. She looked at Rika and viewed an angry stare. Although Rika was glaring at her, ELI wouldn’t let her pay the bill; it didn't matter how furious Rika was. The blonde could afford to pay for the entire date because she was completely prepared; she had planned it all so carefully. ELI ignored the teacher’s protests and went ahead passing the credit card. After the boring process was complete, the waiter wished them goodnight and withdrew to continue his stressful job.

Rika stood up abruptly from her chair, just after the waiter and started walking out of the establishment, towards the parking lot.

“Rika, wait!” ELI ran to her teacher and grabbed her hand. The contact fell apart quickly when the brunette disengaged ELI's hand in anger.

“No, ELI. You were unreasonable and stubborn,” the brunette said sharply, jabbing a finger at ELI’s chest.

“Rika, I was just trying to end our date the way I planned. What's wrong with me paying the whole bill?” The teacher did not reply and continued walking towards the car. ELI snorted, feeling defeated. She knew she had screwed it up, but she wouldn't admit it. “Rika, are you underestimating me again because I am seventeen?”

“Yes,” she replied without looking at the blonde. Again.

“s**t, Rika. I just wanted everything to be perfect.”

“Let's go, Miss Swan. Your grandmother may be worried.” ELI sighed and followed Rika until they got in the car.

The trip back to Rika’s house was extremely silent. ELI didn't bother to turn on the radio because she wanted to think of what had happened. She could hear Rika’s sighs and glanced at her whenever she could. Her arms remained crossed over her chest and her upset expression was aimed at the window.

Eventually, when ELI parked the car in front of Rika’s house, the brunette finally looked at her. Her eyes showed her disappointment at the blonde.

“Thank you for the date.” She opened the door and withdrew from the car without taking a second glance at the blonde.

ELI swore in her head a thousand times at herself; she had been stupid. Paying the bill didn't really matter; she could really see how foolish she had been now. She had upset her teacher with her actions and all of that stubbornness for what? She could just have let it go, couldn't she? Well, but now that she knew that she had screwed it up, she refused to let them end their date on such a bad vibe; she must fix this somehow, and end it in a way the divine brunette could never forget.

Without thinking twice, she got out of the car and walked up to Rika, who was already opening her house’s door. ELI pulled her by the arm, causing her to turn and face the blonde. The sudden twist caused the teacher to appear even angrier than before but ELI didn't allow her harsh glare to bother her; not caring in the slightest at how angry she was.

“Rika, I don’t want to end our wonderful date like that,” she said while holding the teacher’s hand, with a slight fear of her running away.

Rika sighed and said, “I would have preferred it if you had shared the bill with me as normal people do on dates. And besides, you are a seventeen-year-old girl with a fake I-”

In a fast movement, ELI pulled Rika’s body against hers and kissed her. Her tongue invaded that delicious mouth and she immediately relaxed when Rika kissed her back. God, she had been wanting to do that the whole night…

ELI pulled Rika tightly against her form, bringing the brunette incredibly close to her. Rika’s hands tenderly cupped ELI’s smooth face and deepened the intense kiss, an act that surprised the blonde. ELI’s body gently guided Rika forward and pressed her into the wall. While the teacher collided, ELI slipped one thigh in between hers, hearing the gasp that she let out at the sudden movement. Things were getting too heated, and the blonde realized that she had no idea how Rika was letting that happen right outside of her house, where some prying neighbours could definitely see them.

So, ELI fought against her horny desires and stopped the kiss, but still stayed close enough to feel the teacher’s hot, ragged breaths against her face. She looked deeply into brown orbs that now were filled with lust. ELI had never seen them like this before… and knowing that it was probably because of the sudden kiss she had initiated, the blonde couldn't prevent a smug smile from appearing on her lips.

“Forget my age, Rika,” she said while still holding the gorgeous brunette in her arms. Feeling bold as ever, she placed one last cheeky peck on those deliciously kissable lips and stepped away from her, walking down the path to her car, leaving the brunette quite surprised standing against the wall.

Once in her car, she wasted no time in driving home with the smug smile still intact on her face.

What would you do if you were a teacher and one of your students kissed you? It’s a fact that most teachers would never let a student kiss them, let alone kiss them back. Especially if this student is a seventeen-year-old girl.

Rika was left petrified standing on her own porch by a seventeen-year-old girl who is her student. The student that had kissed her after singing a beautiful song, and then ran away. The student who made Rika act impulsively and kiss her senseless against a wall at a bar. The student who persuaded and encouraged Rika to go on a date with her. A date that ended with Rika pressed against a wall with soft lips and a warm body all over her. The student that is so sweet and so beautiful and so full of kindness that makes Rika’s heart melt. Well, Rika really should start finding reasons as to why she shouldn't be seeing ELI again.

Feeling the cold air touch her skin, she opened the front door and finally entered her house. She went directly to the bar in the study and poured herself a drink. Whiskey. Yeah, she really needed something stronger than wine to deal with her thoughts right now.

She sat on the comfy leather couch as her mind wandered to the kisses she and ELI shared. Rika wouldn't lie and say that she didn't like kissing her student. It had been a while since Rika had been with someone intimately. She missed the touches and the moments of being with someone. And maybe… just maybe Rika was feeling vulnerable and that’s why she let herself be kissed by her student.

Rika has to admit that, when she started teaching at Boston High, her hopes were also high. She was really excited to meet her new students. And knowing that they didn't like their previous teacher made her job easier because most of them liked her right away.

Rika has been a teacher for a long time and she loves what she does. She loves helping students that are really interested in history… like ELI. However, she is not that much of a fool to believe that all of her students at Boston High love the subject. Rika knows that they like her — mostly the boys — because of her beauty and assets. Despite that, the brunette knows that there are some dedicated students that want to learn… like ELI.

On the second day of school, when ELI was the only one to answer her question in the auditorium, she knew at that moment that she had found a good student. When the blonde was the only one to answer her oral questions in class, she was even more impressed with the girl’s attitude and intelligence. The other students were maybe feeling intimidated by her presence, but… not ELI. She was brave, smart and sweet. That’s when Rika decided she would love to teach ELI privately. Only ELI.

After that day, a month passed as she taught many classes and exchanged eye contact with ELI Swan. Rika became quite intrigued as to why the blonde kept looking at her… differently. She knows what a look of desire is — that’s how most of the boys look at her — but ELI wasn't looking at her like that. It was different. Different like Rika had never seen or felt before.

All the moments that they had shared together since: their first talk at school, their first private lesson, their first night out together, their first kiss, their first date… And here she was, sitting on her couch as thoughts about how she had let those moments take over so much of her sanity. And also, how she was going to deal with this problem if all she wanted was to be with her student again.

She finished her glass of whiskey and quickly stood up to head upstairs. It was enough thinking for today. She would have to deal with this problem tomorrow. Tonight she was just going to enjoy the memories she already had with her sweet student ELI Swan.

xXx

On the next morning, Rika was glad that she hadn't woken up with a hangover. Her night of sleep was really good, besides her mind being tormented by that… issue. Today was Saturday, and she had nothing to do besides study and read. What she usually did, anyway.

She entered the kitchen to start preparing her breakfast when an idea came to her mind: what if she invited ELI to her house, so they could study together?

“No, Rika! You’re trying to deal with that. Please, don't make it worse than it already is,” she reprimanded herself with a suffering sigh.

Although she knew that she shouldn't invite ELI over, deep down in her soul, she wanted to call her to see how things would go, just one more time. Rika was curious to see ELI’s intentions with her. What was ELI planning when she kissed her? What does ELI want with her?

The teacher was very curious to find out about the blonde’s intentions, so she decided to invite her over. To study. The brunette smiled to herself when she picked up her phone and sent a text to the blonde:

Good morning, Miss Swan. I would like to invite you to my house, so we can have another of our private lessons. I’m waiting for you here at 9 o’clock sharp. Let me know if you accept my invitation.

Done. Rika was finally going to deal with it.

While preparing her breakfast, she waited for ELI’s reply. It had been ten minutes already, and there was no response yet. Grabbing her phone again, Rika typed:

[7:28 AM] I bet you’re still sleeping.

[7:29 AM] Oh, I forgot that you're just a teenager.

After placing her phone on the counter, she was finally able to eat her breakfast in the silence of her house. It was 8 am when Rika realized she had been desperately waiting for a reply from ELI. This girl probably slept too much. She typed again, at last:

[8:00 AM] If you arrive late, you will not have breakfast with me.

After regretting sending those texts to her student, Rika tidied up her kitchen and started reading a book. It was exactly 9 am when Rika heard her phone buzz. She immediately picked it up and saw that ELI had finally replied:

You want me to study on a Saturday morning, Miss Mills? That’s crazy!

“Typical teenager!” Rika murmured to herself, rolling her eyes at the blonde’s text.

If you don't want to, I can invite your friend Killian. He really wants to have a private lesson with me, so there will be no problem.

Rika smirked at her own text. She knew that she would strongly provoke ELI with what she had just said. Plus, she knew ELI didn't like Killian hitting on her. It was the only thing she was sure on how ELI felt.

I’m on my way.

Rika smiled smugly at the text. She loved being victorious. She loved provoking people and having things go the way she wanted them.

Thirty minutes later, Rika heard her doorbell ring. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to dismiss the feeling. She couldn’t feel this anxious just because she was going to teach a student. Absolutely not.

Rika quickly opened the door and found ELI dressed casually: blue jeans, white tank top and a brown jacket. Her hair was very curly, and also a bit messy. Her face was clean of any makeup and she looked so young and stunning, just like this. 

ELI smiled at her, then took small steps towards Rika, who couldn’t even say hi right now. Her heart was beating rapidly inside her chest and no words would come out of her mouth.

“I missed you,” the blonde said, her lips barely inches from Rika’s now. And then, she just kissed her… sweetly, and slowly and it was just so good that Rika was incapable of not kissing back.

When ELI pressed their bodies together, the brunette let out a small moan. The fact that she shouldn't be with her student, let alone kiss her, was hidden in the back of her mind now. The only thing Rika could think of was the softness of the blonde’s lips and her wet tongue teasing her own.

ELI licked the brunette’s bottom lip, ending the kiss with a soft peck. Rika almost melted at that, feeling her heart beat incredibly fast against her chest.

When Rika looked into the blonde’s green eyes, seeing how they were shining and the way she was smiling almost made her forget how wrong this was. Almost. Her actions followed her mind’s protests as she backed away from ELI, trying to normalize her breathing.

“Miss Swan,” she muttered low, trying to avert her eyes from the beaming blonde in front of her.

“Good morning, Rika! Thanks for inviting me to your house.” ELI glanced curiously around the place. “Whoah, you have a very beautiful house!” She said with wonderment.

Rika was trying so hard not to smile at ELI’s excitement, so she forced herself to be composed, and then formed a serious expression. “You're late, Miss Swan.”

“I’m a teenager,” ELI started with sarcasm. “It's my job to wake up late on a Saturday.”

“I’m glad you reminded me of that.” She crossed her arms over her chest as her eyes wandered at ELI’s not-so-teenager body. She began to walk away, going towards the kitchen. “I hope you're hungry.”

The blonde followed her and sat on the kitchen’s stool. Her eyes were looking at everything in the kitchen around her with a delighted expression on her face.

Rika questioned curiously, “What are you looking at?”

“This kitchen is so fancy. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” ELI said, directing her gaze to the brunette. “Are you going to tell me that besides being a great history teacher, you’re also a very renowned chef?”

The brunette chuckled and shook her head. “No, dear. I just like to cook. By the way, do you like pancakes?”

ELI grinned. “Yes! I love them.”

“Good.”

Rika started picking up some ingredients from the fridge and the cabinet while ELI remained seated on the stool. After a few seconds of silence, the blonde spoke again, “Were you eating strawberries before I arrived?”

“Yes,” Rika answered, not understanding why her student was asking that. “Why?”

The blonde blushed, smiling sheepishly. “Oh, that explains a lot.”

She turned to face ELI and placed her hands on her waist. “What are you talking about?”

“Your lips, your mouth — they taste like strawberries,” ELI explained, her shy smirk still visible. 

Rika knew that she was blushing, so she quickly turned around, not letting ELI see her. It was really embarrassing feeling like this because of a student. Ugh, she must stop feeling like this!

“Okay, ELI. Eat your pancakes,” she said curtly, putting the food on a plate to give it to the blonde.

“Oh, do you have maple syrup and cinnamon?”

“Yes,” she said as she went to grab the condiments. “Don’t you think they are too sweet when mixed together?”

“Not at all. When the flavours mix, it becomes the most delicious explosion of sweetness I have ever tasted in my life!”

Rika stared her down, intending more than she said with her words. “I’m sure you’re exaggerating, Miss Swan,” she teased.

“I’m totally not, Rika. It’s so good. You should try some,” ELI responded, missing her teacher’s other meaning.

“No way.” She started walking away from the kitchen when the blonde clasped her wrist gently.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“I’m going to the study to read a book.”

“You’re not staying in here?” Rika almost melted at the pout ELI was giving her.

“No, dear. As I said earlier, you’re late, Miss Swan.” She let go of the blonde’s hand and walked to the study, trying to calm her heartbeat.

It didn’t take long for ELI to appear in the study, looking around completely bewildered by the room. “Oh my God, Rika! This is… incredible! Wow! You have a lot of books in here,” she said, looking around completely enchanted by the grandeur.

“Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding? This is awesome!” ELI said excitedly with a big smile on her face.

The teacher looked around her own study: it was a huge space with several bookshelves lined up from the ceiling to the floor, surrounding all the walls of the room; in the centre, there was a rounded rustic wooden table with black, leather chairs. In the corner, a brown counter with tons of different beverages stood with fancy glasses on top. Yeah, it was really amazing.

“This place is a lot better than the school library. It’s incredible!” ELI said, causing Rika to roll her eyes at that, even though she thought the same. “Whoa, I didn't know that being a teacher could be this profitable,” ELI said, and once again, the brunette rolled her eyes.

“I’ve been a teacher for many years, ELI. It takes a while to be recognized as a talented teacher.” She shrugged, dismissing the topic.

“I agree. You really are a brilliant teacher. The best, actually.”

Rika smiled amid the praise. “Thank you, ELI.” She kept looking at the blonde, seeing the sparkle in her green eyes. “What do you want to study today?”

ELI looked at her with surprise in her eyes. “Am I allowed to choose the topic?”

“Today, yes. Just because it's Saturday.”

The blonde smiled. “Okay. I’m now thinking about a lot of things… but none of them are history.”

The brunette rolled her eyes at the teenager’s obvious antics. “Your topic has to be about history, Miss Swan. Don’t you have any questions about any of the topics I’ve explained in class?”

“Hmm…” ELI touched her chin, showing she was thinking. “I actually do. Why did our country decide to enter World War II?”

“Because of a battle…” Rika looked at ELI expectantly, assuming that she would know the answer. “You don’t remember?” The girl frowned, shaking her head negatively. “You don’t even know where the battle happened?”

“Um, no. I’m going to guess. Uh, New York? Hawaii… maybe?” The blonde asked with a lack of conviction.

“Yes, that’s correct, Miss Swan. The attack was in Hawaii. I want you to tell me the name.”

“Oh, s**t, I can’t remember.”

“First, language, Miss Swan. Secondly, aren’t you paying attention in my classes anymore?” She asked with irritation. Rika was becoming very disappointed with her favourite student.

The blonde shrugged, giving the teacher a sheepish smile. “Well, it’s kinda hard, when you’re standing there, looking so stunning in front of me.”

Rika took a deep breath, trying to hold herself back from saying something stupid. Okay, she understood that most of her students usually drooled over her during class. But this is ELI— the student who was brave enough to answer her oral questions in front of everyone. Why isn't she answering now, that it’s a lot easier when they're both alone?

“That’s not an excuse, Miss Swan.” She stood up and walked to the bar to grab a drink. If she was going to have to deal with that problem now, she at least needed a drink to keep her sanity.

“I’m sorry, Rika.” She heard the blonde’s steps coming closer to her but didn't turn her body from the bar. “You know that I like history, but… after we kissed, it got a lot more complicated for me to pay attention. All I can think about is-”

Rika turned angrily at her. “What? How hot your teacher is? And that you cannot understand a word she is saying, just because you can’t take your eyes off her body?” She snapped at her with questions, not being able to hold in her anger.

“No, Rika, no. It’s not that,” ELI said as she tried to grasp the brunette’s hands, who immediately dismissed the contact.

“If it’s not what I said, what it is then? Why can’t you pay attention in my class?” Vulnerability cracked through her voice.

“You know I pay attention in class, I just… you distract me sometimes, but that’s all. I’m sorry if I don’t know the answer to your question. I’m not perfect. I can forget things, like everyone else,” ELI’s voice was small as if she had been hurt by what Rika said.

 “Okay, I’m sorry. Let’s try again.” She walked to the chairs and sat again, ELI by her side on the other. “Do you remember the name now?”

The blonde shook her head negatively. “Can you explain it to me again, please?” Her soft voice made Rika feel less angry, so she smiled.