9.

CHAPTER : LESSONS IN CONTROL

NOAH’S POV

Noah gripped his chalk a little too tightly.

His fingers trembled as he scrawled the equation on the board, his usually neat handwriting slightly uneven. His back was rigid, shoulders tense, but no matter how hard he tried to focus on the lesson, he felt it.

Felt him.

A burning stare pressing into his skin.

Noah swallowed, his throat dry as he hesitated, his mind stuttering for the next part of the equation. His students sat in silent expectation, but there was only one presence he could truly feel in the room.

Him.

Kieran Wolfe.

Noah didn’t dare turn around.

He knew what he would see.

Kieran, slouched lazily in his seat, muscles stretched in a way that made it impossible to ignore him. He had a way of making himself known without saying a single word, his presence curling around Noah like an invisible noose.

He was staring.

Watching.

And worse—he was amused.

Noah clenched his jaw, attempting to steady himself as he finished writing the equation.

“Alright,” he cleared his throat, placing the chalk down. “Can anyone solve this?”

Silence.

His students glanced at each other, some hesitant, some thoughtful. But Noah knew why.

Because Kieran was looking at him, not the board.

The air was thick. Charged.

Noah turned slowly, bracing himself.

And then—he met his gaze.

Kieran smirked, lips curling at the edges, his green eyes glinting with something dark. Something dangerous. He was leaning forward, arms folded on his desk, looking every bit like a predator toying with its prey.

Noah’s stomach twisted.

Heat bloomed across his skin.

He hated how his breath hitched—how his body reacted before his mind could stop it.

“Mr. Everly,” Kieran drawled, his voice smooth, teasing. “You seem a little distracted today.”

Noah stiffened.

A soft chuckle rumbled from Kieran’s chest, deep and rich, sending shivers down Noah’s spine.

“I—” Noah’s words faltered. His fingers curled into his palm.

Kieran raised an eyebrow. His smirk deepened.

“What was that, sir?”

Noah’s breath caught.

Kieran knew what he was doing. The way he said it—mocking, laced with something darker—made Noah’s stomach churn. His legs felt unsteady.

He needed to regain control.

Clearing his throat, he turned to the rest of the class. “Does anyone have an answer?”

Silence again.

Noah’s pulse was uneven, erratic.

He shouldn’t have looked back at Kieran.

Because Kieran was still smirking.

His fingers toyed with his pen, tapping it slowly against his desk. A lazy, knowing rhythm.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Like a countdown.

Noah knew he needed to move on. To ignore him.

But Kieran’s gaze was relentless.

Hungry.

As if he could see through him—see every little tremor, every hitch in his breath, every subtle, involuntary reaction Noah gave.

And then—Kieran’s lips moved.

Soft. Silent.

Noah’s breath stopped.

Because even though no sound came out, he knew exactly what Kieran had just mouthed.

Mine.

A slow, teasing grin stretched across Kieran’s face as if daring Noah to react.

Noah’s stomach clenched. His throat went dry.

And for the first time in his entire teaching career—he forgot how to speak.

*******

: UNFAIR DISTRACTIONS

NOAH’S POV

Noah inhaled slowly, gripping his book tightly as he tried to center himself.

The class was watching him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. He needed to focus. He needed to teach.

Not think about him.

Not feel Kieran’s eyes burning into his skin.

Shaking off the nerves, Noah cleared his throat and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Alright,” he said, his voice softer than he wanted it to be. “Let’s start with today’s topic.”

He turned back to the board, writing as he spoke, willing his mind to stay on the lesson.

“I want you all to interact more today,” he continued. “If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask.”

A few students nodded, and slowly, they began speaking up, answering questions, discussing. The class took on a comfortable rhythm.

But not him.

Not Kieran.

Noah knew better than to hope for that.

He wasn’t sure why, but he could feel Kieran’s focus sharpening, like a wolf that had just found something new to play with.

And then, right on cue—

“Mr. Everly.”

The way Kieran said it sent heat straight to Noah’s spine. Low. Amused. Wicked.

Noah swallowed, gripping his book tighter. He turned just enough to see Kieran’s smirk.

“I don’t understand,” Kieran said smoothly, tilting his head. “You should explain it to me again.”

Noah hesitated.

The way Kieran was looking at him—lazy, relaxed, but too focused—was almost unbearable.

Still, Noah forced himself to nod, ignoring the twist in his stomach as he repeated the explanation.

The classroom felt far too warm.

His voice wasn’t as steady as he wanted it to be, but he managed to finish his sentence without stammering. He would not let Kieran get to him.

But when he finally risked looking at Kieran again—

The boy was still smirking.

Kieran tapped a finger against his desk, his other hand propped under his chin. His eyes gleamed with something far too knowing.

“Hm.” He leaned back, stretching in a slow, lazy way. “Still don’t get it.”

Noah clenched his jaw.

He knew what Kieran was doing.

Before he could respond, Kieran’s smirk deepened, his voice lowering just enough that only Noah could hear.

“Guess I’ll need some extra help…”

A pause.

And then, with a wicked glint in his eyes—

“I’ll see you in your free lecture, sir.”

Noah’s breath hitched.

Kieran chuckled, soft and dark, as if he could hear the way Noah’s heart just skipped a beat.

Noah turned away, forcing himself to continue the lesson.

But no matter how hard he tried—

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just been cornered.

*******

KIERAN’S POV

The moment the final bell rang, I was already moving.

I didn’t waste time. Didn’t bother pretending.

Noah had given me the perfect excuse.

A promise. A threat. A claim.

Now, I was here to collect.

The hallway was empty by the time I reached his classroom. I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me with a quiet click.

Then, just to make sure—lock.

No interruptions. No escape.

Noah stood near his desk, fingers clutching the edge of a book, tense as a trapped rabbit. He wasn’t stupid—he knew why I was here.

His lips parted slightly, eyes flicking toward the locked door. His breathing hitched.

Good.

I took my time crossing the room, slow and deliberate, drinking in the sight of him. So fragile. So fucking soft.

He was always so careful, so distant, acting like he could keep me away with stiff posture and quiet words.

I’d had enough of that.

My patience had limits.

When I reached him, I didn’t stop. I grabbed him.

A startled gasp left his lips as I pinned him against the desk, one hand wrapping around his wrist, the other pressing firmly against his waist.

“Kitten,” I murmured, leaning down, my mouth just beside his ear.

His body was warm beneath my touch, trembling slightly, his scent flooding my senses—something soft, something delicate. It made my blood burn.

“I told you I’d be here,” I whispered, dragging my fingers slowly over his side, feeling the shape of his ribs beneath his thin shirt.

He shivered.

“K-Kieran—”

I loved the way he stuttered my name.

“Shhh.” My lips barely grazed his ear, and he flinched. “Just relax.”

I dragged my hand lower, fingers tracing the subtle curve of his hip, pressing just enough to make him squirm.

“I’ve been waiting,” I murmured, dragging my knuckles down his spine. “Watching you. Thinking about you.”

I pulled back slightly, just enough to look at his face—flushed, tense, lips parted as he sucked in a shaky breath.

“I see you up there, standing at the front of the class,” I muttered, tracing a slow circle along his waist. “Acting all proper. All untouchable.”

I pressed in closer, enjoying the way his breath hitched.

“But I know better.”

Noah sucked in another sharp breath, his fingers gripping the desk so hard his knuckles turned white.

He was trapped. And I made sure he felt it.

My lips curved into a slow, dark smirk.

“You’re not untouchable, sir.” My fingers trailed lower, teasing just at the edge of his belt. “You’re mine.”

*****

Noah trembled beneath my touch, his breath coming in short, uneven gasps. I could feel it—the way his body tensed, every muscle coiled like he was trying so damn hard to resist.

It made me hungry.

I kept him caged against the desk, one hand wrapped around his wrist, the other resting possessively on his waist. His pulse thrummed against my fingertips—fast, erratic.

“Still acting shy, kitten ?” I murmured, letting my lips ghost over the curve of his jaw.

He flinched, a sharp inhale betraying him.

“I—this is…” His voice broke, too shaky, too weak.

I chuckled, dark and low.

“This is what, Noah?” I dragged my fingers up his arm, teasing along his sleeve, feeling the fine tremors in his body. “Inappropriate? Wrong?”

I let the words sink in, let the silence stretch between us as I dipped my head lower, my lips hovering just above his ear.

“We both know that doesn’t matter.”

He squeezed his eyes shut. I could see the fight in him, that desperate attempt to hold on to something—his self-control, his dignity, his sanity.

But I wasn’t going to let him have it.

I pressed closer, my grip tightening just enough to remind him he wasn’t going anywhere.

“You’re so fucking soft,” I murmured, dragging my fingers over his waist again, slower this time, letting my nails scrape just enough to make him shiver. “So delicate. Like you were made just to be touched.”

“Kieran,” he gasped, his body jerking as I traced the line of his belt, my fingers dancing dangerously close to forbidden territory.

I hummed, satisfied.

“Say it again.”

His eyes snapped open, wide, dark, laced with something he didn’t want to admit was want.

I smirked, dragging my thumb over the inside of his wrist, feeling his pulse race.

“You have no idea,” I whispered, “how badly I want to ruin you.”

His breath hitched.

“You stand up there, trying so hard to keep your distance, acting like you don’t see me watching you.” I traced a slow, lazy circle over his stomach, feeling the muscles twitch beneath my touch. “But I know you do.”

His fingers curled against the desk. White-knuckled. Desperate.

“Every time I catch you looking, baby…” I dipped my head lower, my lips grazing just beneath his jaw. “I wonder what you’re thinking about.”

His body jerked as I pressed against him, my voice dropping to a whisper.

“Do you think about me at night?”

His breath hitched violently.

“Do you ever wake up aching?” I continued, my voice dark, teasing, relentless. “Flushed, needy—wondering why?”

He shook his head frantically, but his body betrayed him, heat radiating off him like a fever.

I grinned.

Lying was pointless.

Because I’d make it true.

********

Noah was trembling.

His delicate fingers curled tight around the edge of his desk, knuckles white, body rigid, as if the flimsy wooden barrier between us could save him. As if it could stop me.

But nothing could stop me.

I leaned in closer, caging him in with my body, drinking in the sight of him—his flushed cheeks, his parted lips, the way his chest rose and fell too fast, betraying every little emotion he was trying so desperately to hide.

"You’re shaking, sweetheart," I murmured, dragging a slow, teasing finger along his arm, feeling the way he twitched under my touch. "Why?"

His lips trembled. "Kieran—"

I smirked. "Is it because you know what I’m thinking? What I want to do to you?"

His breath hitched, and he turned his face away, refusing to meet my gaze.

I didn’t like that.

I grasped his jaw, forcing him to look at me. His skin was warm beneath my fingers, soft and delicate. I could feel the way he tensed, but he didn’t pull away. Couldn’t pull away.

"Look at you, baby," I crooned, tilting my head, my voice dripping with amusement. "You act so scared, so fragile. But deep down, I think you like this."

His lashes fluttered, lips parting, but he didn’t deny it.

My grip on his jaw tightened just slightly. Not enough to hurt—just enough to remind him who was in control here.

"You’d look so pretty on your back for me," I whispered, my voice husky, raw with hunger. "Flushed. Begging. Helpless."

Noah sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body stiffening.

I smirked. "Your wrists pinned, your legs trembling as I take my time ruining you."Your voice all shaky as you try to tell me to stop when we both know you don’t want me to."

A strangled sound left his throat. "You’re just my student," he whispered, as if saying it out loud would make it true.

I chuckled. "Just your student?" My fingers traced along his throat, down to the collar of his shirt. "Is that what you tell yourself when you go home? When you try to ignore the way I look at you? The way I want you?"

His breath came in soft, uneven pants, his lashes fluttering against his cheeks.

I leaned in until my lips barely brushed his ear.

"Tell me, baby. When you close your eyes at night… do you think about me?"

His whole body tensed.

I smirked, watching him squirm, watching his fingers tremble as they clutched his desk like it was the only thing keeping him upright. His head shook weakly, but I wasn’t blind—I saw the truth written all over his beautiful face.

Noah felt it. Just like I did.

I traced a finger down his chest, slow, teasing, savoring every little tremor that ran through him.

"You can lie all you want," I murmured. "But your body tells me the truth, baby."

Noah let out a shaky breath, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.

"You're mine," I whispered, pressing even closer, letting him feel the heat of my body, the intensity of my hunger. "You just don’t know it yet."