Kimberly Clarke
I was hunched over my desk, a mountain of papers threatening to spill over its varnished wood edges when a soft knock interrupted my grading. I looked up to see Kimberly Clarke, that vision of alluring, youthful, beauty that haunts me each day in class. I had admired this student quietly for some time, although she seemed to have little interest in literature.
Her most recent paper, on Italian sonnets, was even worse that the drivel she had previously submitted and I had come to the disappointing conclusion that she was just one of those girls who studies humanities because she thinks it is easy and her parents are willing to pay for it.
I knew she was smart because whenever I asked her a question directly, usually when she was spending too much time on her phone, she always had a decent answer. It was almost a game we played - the disinterested first year and her dedicated professor. Who would win, the young Goddess too smart to care, or the gentlemen professor determined to reform and refine her?
"Good afternoon, Professor."
"Good afternoon, Miss Clarke."
"Sorry to bother you, but this will only take a moment..."
Kimberly's thick blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that could launch a thousand ships. Men wrote books about girls like Kimberly, to impress girls like Kimberly, and I suddenly felt inadequate in her presence.
Her attire was provocative. Not at all age appropriate. She looked more the slutty schoolgirl than a respectable university scholar. Although one could never say the look didn't suit her. She wore a pleated skirt that barely reached her knees, a crisp, white, over-starched shirt, a grey cardigan, and a pair of black stockings that emphasized her spectacular calves.
Looking into my eyes with an innocent yet lustful gaze, she epitomized the forbidden fruit.
"Professor..." began Kimberly, her voice soft and melodious. "I was hoping we could talk about my latest paper..."
I sighed.
"About the sonnet analysis?"
She nodded, her large, expressive eyes pleading.
"I know it wasn't my best work, but I was hoping you might reconsider my grade?"
A surge of desire coursed through me. She was breathtaking, a creature of pure temptation. But I was a professional. A man of integrity. I would not give her special treatment.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Kimberly," I replied, my voice firm. "The grading is final."
Undeterred, she pressed on.
"I could rewrite it," she offered, her voice growing husky. "I promise I'll do better..."
I shook my head.
"That wouldn't be fair to the other students," I explained. "It's the same rules for everyone."
Kimberly leaned forward, giving me an incredible view of her shapely breasts.
"Please, Professor," she pleaded. "Give me one more chance."
In that moment, I could have given into the temptation. I could have let her seduce me, let her rewrite the paper, anything to spend more time with her. Thankfully, I resisted. These were the kind of situations that could ruin a reputation. Destroy a distinguished career.
I stood up, my voice steady. "I'm sorry, Kimberly," I said, "but my decision is final."
Kimberly paused, her expression changed.
"Are you sure there's nothing I could do?" she asked.
"Nothing," I replied.
She leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. "You seem stressed out with all this marking, Professor," she murmured, her fingers trailing along my arm. "I could help with that..."
I pulled away. My heart was pounding.
"No, thank you," I croaked, my voice cracking under duress.
She smiled knowingly. Even her teeth were annoyingly perfect.
"It's just like the poem we studied," she mused. "Unrequited love..."
I was taken aback.
"So you read it?" I asked, surprised.
"Of course," she replied, toying with a loose strand of hair.
"Then how could you turn in such a poorly written paper?"
"I've just been a bit distracted lately. I've been finding it hard to concentrate. I went through a messy breakup recently and..." she trailed off, her eyes downcast.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. My heart sank. I hadn't considered the implications of our being caught conversing in such close proximity. A student, another professor, anyone who walked in could easily misinterpret the situation. Despite my total innocence, it would appear as though something was going on between us.
Kimberly, sensing the danger, dove beneath my desk.
I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair, trying to look comfortable. Relaxed.
"Come in," I called out.
Professor Midgley, an elderly woman with a passion for Shakespeare, entered my office.
"How are you, dear boy?" she asked in a grandmotherly tone of voice.
"Very busy," I replied.
"I won't keep you long," she assured me. "I just wanted to let you know that the faculty meeting on Friday has been moved to Conference Room B."
I thanked her, forcing a smile. As I spoke, I felt Kimberly's hand creeping up my leg. I winced, trying to ignore her touch. The movement of her fingers sent electric currents through my body and my penis began to stir. I considered pushing her away but if my hands disappeared below the desk it would only draw attention there.
Professor Midgley paused at the door, her gaze lingering on me.
"Are you sure you're all right?" she asked. "You don't look well. Your face is a little green."
Kimberly had unzipped my trousers and was stroking my penis under the table.
"It must have been something I ate," I lied.
Midgley nodded but seemed unconvinced.