Note: This is more of a literary exercise, however there is an erotic scene or two. Also to you who have not read D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover" do so, and not just for the "fuck scenes" dp
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"Professor Donovan?" Constance called out to her English Literature professor as he turned into the hallway in front of her. The young tall dark bearded man turned, his piercing blue eyes catching hers. She felt blood flow into her cheeks every time he looked at her. It was a schoolgirl crush, which embarrassed her; she wasn't a schoolgirl any longer. She had been in University for seven years now working on a masters degree and had blossomed into a beautiful young lady from the shy awkward teenager she had been when she started. "About this 'C' on my paper, I thought I did better, you have never given me less than a 'B+' on anything before this."
They walked towards each other. He took the report she handed him and quickly thumbed through it. "You could do so much better Constance, all you wrote throughout this paper was how pathetic of a character Nicholas Nickleby was. The report was scathing."
"Well I hated the book professor." Constance looked up at him while he thumbed through her report.
"Listen to this, 'Charles Dickens tries to make a character that we feel sorrow and pity for, but instead all one can feel is distaste and anger at the poor choices he made...' You go through the whole review criticizing and belittling Dickens's writing style." He handed her back the paper.
"But that was my opinion, just because he is a classic author does not mean he's above criticism." She said, beginning to feel a small sense of anger creep up inside her.
"That's fine Constance, but if you are going to hate it, hate it a lot, show emotion in your convictions. You didn't convince me you hated it. It sounded more like you wanted to write a negative report." He smiled at her, "you have great writing abilities; you have to learn to express the dark parts of yourself though. I'm glad you came to me, I have been thinking about your grade on this a lot, I know that it is a big part of the course and it'll drag your average down. Why don't you do another report, I will average out the grades."
She was happy again, his soft blue eyes melted her heart. She pictured herself in his arms, holding her close to him, the smell of his wool shirt and cologne awakening her senses; his beard tickling the top of her head as he held her close.
"Constance," he said, snapping her back to attention, "by the end of the semester okay?"
"Yes sir. Any book you can suggest?" She asked.
"How about something a little more risquΓ© than Dickens, Lady Chatterly's Lover is a book you may detest as well, another pathetic character, although I love her dearly. Have you ever read it?" He asked.
"No, but I've heard about it, and yes it is much more risquΓ© than Dickens." She replied, "I promise, if I hate it, by the time you are done reading my report, you will too!"
He laughed, "I certainly hope not, but if you manage to sway me, an A+ will certainly adorn the front page."
"Thank-you again Professor, I won't let you down." She said and turned to walk to her next class.
At the end of her last class, she made her way to the Library. All the copies of D.H. Lawrence's best-known novel were out. Constance went to a local bookstore and bought a copy. She sat down in a nearby coffee shop and started reading. She did not intend to ever like the book. She despised writers who wrote of the woes of people; very few could make a character both pathetic and likable. Romeo and Juliet were just two horny kids who took sex too seriously and died needlessly. Yes, even Shakespeare was not immune to her cynicism. She read a few chapters and finished her coffee. She was just about to drop the book into her bag when Professor Donovan walked in.
"Constance," he spotted her and walked over. He looked down at the book, "I see you're getting started all ready, what do you think?"
"I'm only a few pages in, it's definitely well written." She replied, settling back into her seat and contemplating having another coffee.
"And of Lady Chatterley?" He asked. She could tell that he had an absolute fondness for the character.
"It's difficult to tell, like I said I am only a few pages in, I think I may grow fond of her, after all we do share the same name." She lied, already destining herself to hate the Lady. She was feeling something else to, a hint of jealousy.
"Well, I'm sure you will love her." He said. He pulled up a chair beside her, "would you like to stay and have a cup of coffee with me, or were you just leaving? I promise not to discuss literature at all." He laughed then took a drink out of his steaming cup."
"I was about to head home, but one more cup won't hurt me." She motioned to the lady behind the counter to refill her cup. He broke his promise and all they talked about was literature she didn't mind, it was her favourite subject too. He was an aspiring writer, 'trying to write the great American novel' as he put it.
"I suppose it's a dream of every wannabe, I've started a lot of books, but I think I'm more of a reader than a writer. What about you, why are you so interested in English lit?" He asked.
She told him of her love for reading, and that she didn't know what to take so she picked something that interested her. She also told him her view on supposed tragic figures and how she felt there was no way of making them likeable. He laughed and spurred on the conversation, and drank coffee, they were very much enjoying one another's company.
After they were finished he paid for their drinks. "Thank-you Professor Donovan," she said.
"Please, I hate being called that makes me feel old, it's Oliver, just Oliver, although next week in class I suppose it has to be Professor Donovan again." He laughed and shook her hand. "It's been a real pleasure talking to you, it's hard for me sometimes to find someone with as much passion for the written word as myself. We will have to do it again sometime."
She hoped so as well. She walked back to her small apartment elated. Even though it was a chilly November evening, she had her jacket unbuttoned. Her "schoolgirl crush" fed by the kindness of Oliver. She unlocked her door and stepped in. She lived alone and tonight, was glad. She threw some supper together from the leftovers in her fridge and sat down on the sofa, her plate on her knee and Lady Chatterley's Lover in her hand.
Constance had decided to give the book a chance, to read it with an open mind, after all if Oliver loved it so much perhaps she would too. He had admitted at coffee how much he despised Charles Dickens, but had never had the courage to write poorly about his work. He told her that he applauded her courage in writing a negative review, but reminded her she needed more passion in doing so.
She decided to start fresh, she removed the receipt she was using as a bookmark and started again. This time she opened her imagination, pretending that she was Lady Chatterley, trapped in a loveless, sexless marriage. She felt a bit like that sometimes. She wasn't married, but she had yet to meet anyone who stimulated her. The men she dated were just boys and all they wanted was to get in her pants. Not that she could blame them.
She wasn't vain, but was very proud of her body. It took little effort to keep in shape, she worked out very occasionally and ate what she wanted. Her butt remained firm and her small perky breasts continued to defy gravity. Her stomach was soft but flat and her legs well shaped. She looked stunning in skirts just above the knee, and still wore mini-mini skirts on the rare occasions she went clubbing. Her navel was pierced; a small jewel adorned her belly button, a gift from a former lover. She never considered any of the boys she dated as "boyfriends", they were just lovers, someone to pass the time with and occasionally reap a small amount of pleasure out of.
Most boys just wanted her for her body. She did nothing to dissuade them. She would wear tight, short tops barley covering her breasts and would grind her small frame into them on the dance floor, teasing them. She liked to tease. She was just over five feet but she would dominate them, making them beg for her. Usually she would just let them drop, but if aroused just right she would go home with them, but leave right after, usually disappointed. Lately though it wasn't enough. She had decided to put all her concentration on school. She hadn't been out all semester, her grades improved and she was glad. She felt at twenty-six it was time to take her life seriously.