Chapter seven
She worked on her term paper for the majority of the next day, and instead of emailing it across like Regina had asked, she took it with her to their next class. It was two days before Christmas vacation and her last seminar with Regina until the New Year, and she was twitching with nerves. Her lips still burned from Regina's fiery kisses.
She had no idea how Regina was going to be acting. There was every chance she'd ignore her completely now that she'd had plenty of time to think about what they'd done and then panic accordingly, but Emma desperately hoped that wouldn't be the case. She couldn't imagine finishing the semester without another one of Regina's easy smiles to take with her over the break.
But the second she walked into the classroom, she knew she was going to be okay. Regina was there, lounging back in her desk chair with her legs crossed. She was dangling a pen from one hand, and her eyes were on the door. Emma walked in, saw her, and froze. Regina was already smiling.
Emma turned to make sure her other classmates were there before she slowly walked to her seat. She could feel Regina's gaze on her the whole way.
As soon as Regina stood up at the front of the class, it was obvious that they were in for a treat: there was a determined glint in Regina's eye and a new confidence in her posture that made everyone go quiet before she'd even called them to attention. When she said, "Now. I hope everyone came prepared for some serious debating," an appreciative silence met her words.
Emma tried to get involved in the class discussion as much as possible while being simultaneously distracted by Regina's cocky smirk. The hour passed in a daze and before she knew it, the class was over and she wasn't going to see her professor again for weeks.
She swallowed hard, the thought saddening her more than it probably should.
As everyone else filed out of the room, calling out to Regina and wishing her a merry Christmas, Emma slowly approached her desk. Regina was already leaning back waiting for her.
"Hey," Emma said awkwardly.
"Miss Swan," Regina smiled back at her. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Emma had just been planning to hand over her essay and leave, but the self-satisfied expression on Regina's face made her laugh. "You seem pretty pleased with yourself today."
Regina's smile only widened. "Why shouldn't I be?"
"I have no idea, but I wasn't expecting it."
"No?"
Emma shrugged. "I was kind of anticipating some… distance."
The smirk finally dulled. "Would you prefer that?"
"No!" Emma blurted out, stepping closer to her desk. "Definitely not. I guess I was just expecting the worst."
"Well, you shouldn't. I'm in a very good mood today," Regina said, crossing her legs with a long, sweeping gesture that Emma knew was designed to catch her attention. "Now. What can I do for you?"
Emma finally thrust the essay towards her. "Here. It's my term paper."
"Ah, of course. I was worried you'd forgotten about the deadline," Regina said loudly, evidently for the benefit of anyone who might be walking past the open door. "Very good, Miss Swan. I'll have this graded over the break."
Emma nodded, already dreading the vacation – not just because she'd be the only person left alone in the dorms, having absolutely no one to travel home to, but because she'd have to spend weeks away from Regina and she wasn't sure she was mentally capable of dealing with that.
"As a matter of fact," Regina suddenly said, snapping Emma out of her moment of self-pity. "I have something for you too."
"You do?" Emma asked curiously as Regina swivelled in her chair and grabbed her purse. She was rummaging for a moment before she pulled out an object. Emma stared blankly down at it as soon as it landed in her hands.
Classical Literature: A Concise History
It was a book, and Emma kind of wanted to throw it at the nearest window.
"What's this for?" she asked slowly.
"I refuse to believe that you don't actually enjoy classics," Regina said. She was smirking again, although Emma couldn't figure out why. "I think you'll find it quite illuminating."
Emma nodded dumbly. "Cool. Well – thanks."
"I'm not expecting you to read the whole thing," Regina said. "Just promise me you'll try to start it tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yes," Regina said firmly. "Promise me."
Forcing herself not to sigh at the thought of having to plough through a dry textbook that wasn't even on her reading list just to get an inch closer to having sex with Regina, Emma nodded. "I promise."
"Good," Regina beamed. "In that case, have a nice break, Miss Swan."
"You too," Emma said, pushing the book into her bag. "See you."
"Soon," Regina said, and that word alone renewed Emma's hope. She left the room, turning to throw Regina one more smile before she disappeared.
When she got back to her dorm room, Emma sat down on her bed and heaved the book out with a sigh. Calling it a 'concise' history was a bit rich – it was enormous and old and had that book smell that was just verging on the wrong side of mildewy. Still, she'd promised Regina something, and even then she was far too much of a sucker for her professor to even consider going against her word.
She flicked it open to the first page. A slip of paper fell out.
Emma all but fell to the ground as she scrabbled after it, Regina's playful smirk finally making sense.
Miss Swan,
I'm glad you're taking your education so seriously. Contact me on this number if you ever need any assistance.
Her cell number was written below it, and Emma dramatically clutched the paper to her chest.
Mary Margaret, along with nearly every other student in the college, left to go home the next evening, leaving Emma alone in their shared room. The building was silent, which used to unnerve her but after two and a half years settled her down a little. She felt like she could achieve so much more when there weren't hundreds of other students milling around distracting her.
The only thing she wanted to achieve right then, though, was related to the number she'd tapped into her phone the previous evening. She hadn't texted it yet because she was still trying to maintain some semblance of nonchalance, but after 24 hours she finally caved.
Hey, she typed out, biting her lip. It's Emma. Thanks again for the book – you were right. I found the first page very enlightening.
She put her phone down and leaned back against the wall behind her bed, waiting. She was pretty sure Regina would be the type of person to leave text messages unread for hours before finally deigning to respond, so she should really find something productive to do in the meantime. But before she could think of anything or even try to convince herself to do it, her phone buzzed
How lovely to hear that, Miss Swan. Like I said – if you require any assistance, I'll be happy to help.
The message ended there, but the bubble at the bottom of Emma's screen told her that more was coming.
Are you on your way home for Christmas?
Emma sighed as she typed out her response. No, not yet. It was a lie, but she didn't want to get into a discussion about how she wasn't going anywhere at all. Are you travelling anywhere for the holiday?
I'm going to my mother's this weekend, Regina replied. It will be interminable, but she does have a very well-stocked liquor cabinet.
Emma grinned. That's good. Will the whole family be there?
Sadly, yes. But that just involves my mother and half-sister.
Emma had inadvertently found someone whose family was nearly as small as her own. She typed out another response. Not a fan of little sis?
Big sis. And no, not especially. She was raised in England and now every time she talks I want to slap the accent out of her mouth.
Emma chuckled, settling down with her head on the pillow. Sounds like you're going to be needing that liquor cabinet, then. Maybe you should also pack some miniatures just in case.
My packing has been done for two days, but I can try and slip some in, came Regina's reply. Emma couldn't say she was at all surprised by this.
If you've already packed then what are you doing tonight?
Sitting at home by myself, Regina replied. You?
The same, Emma typed out. She paused before adding, My roommate just left so I'm trying to amuse myself.
For some reason, when those three dots appeared in the corner of her screen, Emma knew something good was coming next.
Is that why you're texting me? Regina asked. Are you hoping I'll keep you entertained?
A tiny leap of excitement jolted through Emma's chest. Maybe.
That's very presumptuous of you. I'm your professor, after all. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to socialise with you outside of class.
Emma grinned, holding her phone closer to her nose. I know. Call me an optimist, though.
Optimism won't help you here, Miss Swan. I'm removing myself from the situation.
For a brief, painful moment, Emma's heart dropped. She thought maybe Regina was being serious. But then the three dots popped up again, and she breathed out sharply.
They disappeared and reappeared several times before the next message finally came through.
It wouldn't be appropriate for me to tell you just how I'd 'entertain' you if you weren't one of my students.
Emma nearly choked. She sat bolt upright and frantically typed out a reply. You're right, it wouldn't be appropriate at all. She sent it and then, with shaking hands, added, Just like it wouldn't be appropriate for me to imagine it in great detail all night long.
As soon as she'd sent it, the panic set in. Regina was probably just being playful and, as per fucking usual, Emma had taken it one step too far. Her professor was probably staring down at her phone right that second, completely appalled, wondering why the hell she'd ever gotten involved with her in the first place when she was obviously incapable of acting like a normal human being.
The dots that told her Regina was replying reappeared, and she clutched hold of her phone like it was a life support machine.
You said you're alone?
Emma frowned. Yeah.
Are you wearing clothes?
Swallowing hard, Emma replied, Yeah, I am.
Take them off.
With a moan of longing, Emma threw her phone down the other end of the bed and stood up, ripping her shirt and her jeans from her body. She was wearing mismatched underwear and socks that had a hole in the toe, and her legs were irritatingly prickly from having not shaved them in nearly two weeks. There was a furious pounding between her thighs and it was threatening to topple her over, but even through that she found herself praying that Regina wasn't about to ask for a photo.
She lay back down on the bed and typed out, My clothes are gone, but I have to be honest – I'm not really in a fit state for showing you anything.
Another flash of panic. Who the hell said that Regina wanted to see anything? Emma groaned and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the growing pounding between her legs that was starting to feel like an engine roaring. When she felt a buzz in her palm, she creaked open one eye.
Oh, Emma. That's very thoughtful of you, but I don't want to see you naked for the first time over a phone screen.
Nearly crying with relief, Emma replied, But you do want to see me naked?
Very much. I've wanted that since the day you tumbled into my office.
It was the first time that that memory hadn't come accompanied by excruciating embarrassment. With a shaky moan, Emma replied, But, again – it wouldn't be appropriate for you to tell me about that.
She was giving Regina an out, just in case this had taken a turn and she suddenly wasn't sure she wanted to go down that route anymore. But after 30 seconds of typing, Emma received a response that made every drop of blood in her body rush towards her clit.
Precisely. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to tell you that after our kiss last week, I masturbated in my office chair thinking about you. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to tell you that I keep finding myself imagining you kneeling under my desk and eating me out.
Emma's hand had already slipped beneath her underwear, and with some difficulty she managed to type out a response with the other. Would it also be inappropriate for me to tell you that I've imagined doing that too?
Very. You should be ashamed of yourself, Regina wrote. After a pause, she added, Tell me more about it.
Emma's breath was coming out of her in shaky bursts now, but she managed to reply. I've thought about you bending me over your desk and fingering me until I scream.
Are you a screamer, Miss Swan?
Not usually, Emma admitted, her fingers moving furiously in her panties. But for some reason I feel like you might bring it out in me.
I'd certainly like to find out, Regina replied. Emma could hear the smirk in her text. Are you touching yourself?
Yes, Emma replied at once, because there was no point in being coy anymore. Regina started typing again at once.
Good, she wrote. Are you imagining my fingers inside you?
And your tongue, Emma replied, dropping the phone midway through because her hands were starting to tremble. Kissing you was incredible, so I'd really like to know what your mouth feels like in other places.
You've been thinking about this a lot, haven't you? Naughty girl. Emma groaned at that, her hips bucking up against her fingers. Do you lie in your little bed every night and play with your cunt while you imagine it?
Emma gasped out loud. She should have guessed from Regina's eternal smirk and heated stares that she would have a filthy imagination and an even filthier mouth, but the sight of those words piling up on her phone screen was something else altogether. Her blood was pounding in her pussy and as her fingers skimmed easily through her wetness, she knew she wasn't going to last much longer.
Yessss, she typed, her thumb slipping on the final letter. She didn't bother to correct it because that was exactly how she would have hissed it from between her teeth if Regina had been there. I have to wait for my roommate to fall asleep and even then I have to be quiet, and it's so hard because all I can think about is how beautiful you are and how good you always smell and how much I want to take your clothes off and fuck you senseless.
Her fingers were moving furiously over her clit, and the wait for Regina to finish typing out her response was agonising. Emma whined and panted and lifted her hips, dangling at the edge while Regina typed. And typed.
Miss Swan, came the eventual reply, and Emma could hear the purr that entered Regina's voice whenever she said that. Nothing (and I mean nothing) would make me happier than letting you do exactly that. To have you stay behind after one of our classes and pin me against the wall and lift up my skirt to find just how wet I am just from thinking of you. Do you know that I'm always soaked during our seminars? Every time you look up at me with those lovely green eyes of yours, I can't help all the filthy things I start thinking about. You always look so hopeful and a little bit cocky and all I want to do is pull you onto my lap and put my hand down the front of those tight little jeans and fuck you until you're a pleading, writhing mess.
Emma read every word with a growing urgency in her wide eyes and her pounding heart and her flying fingers, and long before she reached the final sentence, she was coming. Her body arched off the bed as she moaned out loud, enjoying finally being able to do this without having to hold back. She could feel the pearly wetness soaking her fingers and she kept fucking herself until she was well and truly exhausted. When she opened her eyes, the entire room was blurry.
She just lay there for a minute, her chest heaving and her phone lying flat on her stomach. After a while, she felt it buzz again.
Did you just come?
She laughed out loud, a relieved tear nearly slipping down her cheek. You know full well that I did.
Would you like me to make you do it for real?
Emma groaned, her pussy throbbing all over again. Yes, please.
Perfect. Because one of these days I'm going to do exactly that.
One of these days? Emma asked hopefully. They were both by themselves, after all – there was nothing stopping Emma from going to Regina's right that second and letting her make good on her promise.
When Regina replied, Emma could tell she was being laughed at. Has anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue?
Yes, Emma replied sullenly. Can't say I've ever agreed with them, though.
Normally, I would be inclined to say you're right. But I don't want to dive headlong into this.
The tone had changed from playful to sincere like a flick of a light switch, and Emma sighed.
I guess. I just can't stop thinking about you.
Maybe admitting that was too much too fast, but Emma was soft-boned from her intense orgasm and she didn't care all that much.
Regina replied quickly. I'm truly honoured to have found a place inside that wonderful head of yours. But we should still try and be careful.
She was right, of course. Her job was on the line, and Emma couldn't just start barging into her life whenever she wanted to just because she was feeling horny. She sighed and wrote back, I know, you're right. I'm sorry. After a beat, she added a second message. Can I see you when you get back from Christmas with your mom?
She waited for Regina to reject her, but instead, she received a I'd love that in response. After a few more seconds of typing, Regina added, I've got to go, Emma. We'll speak soon.
Sure, Emma replied. Soon.