“No” I replied with more desperation in my voice than I intended. He smiled, leaning his forehead against mine as he closed his eyes. “I tried to stay away from you Emma, but I can’t. You consume my every thought. After graduation we should get away from here for awhile.” I hadn’t realized that graduation was only two weeks away. More importantly, had William just asked me to go away with him, alone?

“Where?” I aksed, not believing I had heard him correctly.

“Anywhere. It doesn’t matter. Just… far away from this place. I want to wake up to your smile.” His look was serious and I tried my best not to grin like a fool. Inside I was jumping up and down with joy. The emotional rollercoaster this man has put my on from one moment to the next had finally reached its peak. “Say yes.” His bright blue eyes burned with wanting.

“Yes, Sir” I smirked. He pressed his lips hard against mine. Electricity surged between us as I clung desperatly to his touch. “Be a good girl.” He smirked but there was an underlying warning to his words. I moved to the side, and he walked out of my bedroom, leaving my wanting more of him.

I spent the rest of the evening catching up on school work and deciding on something to wear for graduation. Every thought went back to William. He was obviously more emotionally damaged than I was but something about us together worked. He craved control and I needed someone to keep me from being self-destructive.

That night I dreamed of William and I. I pictured us in a small home in Michigan with a white picket fence. We were happy and caring, waving at our neighbors as they passed by, but as the door opened to our quaint little home my thoughts twisted into a gruesome nightmare. Mr. Honor’s face contorted into an evil madmad, whip in hand. The walls where lined with woman, chained and shackled begging to be set free. I sat up in my bed, dripping with sweat and unable to control my breathing.

“Everything okay in here?” Aunt Judy asked as she flipped on the bedroom light. I put my hand up to cover my face from the harsh intrusion.

“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” I explained. She rolled her eyes.

“It’s always something with you, Emma.” She groaned as she pulled my door shut behind her. I barely slept the rest of the night. As the sun began to rise I got out of bed and got a head start on the day. I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and took extra time to primp myself. Something I hardly ever did before meeting William. I spent the remainder of the morning searching the internet for romantic and secluded places that William and I could go after graduation. I wasn’t sure what price range was suitable, but judging by his expansive living space and shiny new sports car, he had money that did not come from a substitute teacher’s salary. There was so much about him that was a complete mystery to me and I hoped that during our time alone he would let me inside that beautiful mind of his. My thoughts began to wander to his very particular tastes in the bedroom and I wished I knew what had made him this way. He obviously had a very caring side to him but he struggled to keep that hidden from everyone, especially me.

I had wasted away the morning and decided to get ready and head to school. For once, I would actually make it there early. I filled another cup of coffee and headed out on to the highway. I cranked the radio, singing along to Harder to Breathe, the lyrics taking on a whole new meaning than they had before.

The lot at school was virtually empty, aside from a few teacher’s who began to file in. My phone muted as a text message came through.

Eager to learn Ms. Townsend?

I smilled like a drug addict who had just gotten their fix.

You are a great teacher.

There are so many more things I would like to teach you, Emma.

Euphoria swept over me. Every inch of my body tingled with delight. Cars began to fill in around me. I got out and made my way into the school. As a turned the corner in the main hall I ran directly into the school secretary, Angela Brown. I literally ran into her sending my books crashing to the ground around us.

“I’m so sorry.” She clammered and bent down to pick up my books. I bent down, helping gather my things, not able to take my eyes off her. She smiled apologetically. She held out my books, waiting for me to take them.

“Thanks” I said, grabbing my things. She continued on her way, leaving me standing in udder confusion. She had no clue about William and I. So if she wrote the note, what did she mean by she knew what he was doing and that she was going to make him pay? Why would someone who is married make such a threat to a man that obviously needed complete and total control? She had to have known how he would react. None of this made any sense. Perhaps there was more going on than Mr. Honor had told me. Not a shocking surprise considering I knew very little about his past.

I walked down to the gym and changed quickly into my workout clothes. As I sat on the bleachers waiting for the class to begin Jeff hobbled over next to me on a set of dull gray crutches.

“You’re alive” I joked and he looked down at the ground, embarrassed.

“Broke my ankle and got a few bumps and bruises, but I’m okay.” He shrugged and lowered himself down to sit next to me. I stared ahead at the other students as they filed out of the locker rooms. “So…I had fun at the club with you.” I rolled my eyes. Jeff, along with everyone else, didn’t even acknowledge my absense after I had left the dance floor.

“Yea, good times.” I said, pushing off the bleachers and walking across the room. He struggled to get up on his crutches and follow after me.

“Maybe we can do it again sometime?” He asked, a little louder than he meant. I stopped, turning around to look at him.

“I don’t think you will be dancing anytime soon.” I glanced down at his ankle. His cheeks turned red and he rubbed his hand through his hair.

“Hey guys!” Becka called from behind me, putting her arm around my neck. “Hey Jeff.” She winked.

“Alright class, let’s run a few laps.” The instructer called from across the room. We all began to jog the perimiter as Jeff hobbled back to the bleachers. I was thankful for the distraction.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The morning flew by and I was in a great mood. I even finished the disgusting slop they called food during lunch. Nothing could bring me down from the high that I was on. I decided to hit the bathroom before Mr. Honor’s class. I ran my fingers through my hair and applied a fresh coat of lip gloss as the bell echoed throughout the building. I smiled at myself, knowing he would ask me to stay after class for being late. I grabbed my book sand walked down the hall. His door was closed and I peeked through the tiny window. His eyes caught mine, narrowing slightly.

“Ms. Townsend” he nodded as I took my seat. “See me after class.” I smiled and bit down on the end of my pencil. “Everyone clear your desks for the chapter quiz.” The class collectively groaned as he passed stacks of paper back the isles. Mr. Honor took his seat behind his desk and I got to work on the test. My phoone vibrated on my lap and I glanced down to read the screen.

I know just how to punish you.

I bit my lip and glanced up at him. His eyes locked on to mine.

Slide the phone between your legs and leave it there.

I glanced around the room. Everyone was working on their tests and oblivioius to our secret conversation.

Now.

I slipped the phone between my thighs and looked down at my paper. It suddenly vibrated again, sending pleasure shooting though my body. I grabbed the edge of my desk and looked back at him. His lips twisted into a wicked grin as he sent another. I parted my lips, trying not to pant aloud. He licked his lips as the phone virbated again and again. I squeezed my thighs together, trying to stop the sudden rush of pleasure that had taken over my body.

A knock came at the door and he frowned at me. I took a deep breath, thankful the torture was over.

“Come in.” he called across the room. The door opened and a tall brunette walked inside. She glanced around the room and I recognized her face immediately. Mr. Honor kept a tiny picture of her in his dresser drawer.

“Abby” he said, unable to hide the shock in his voice.

“Will” She said in an icy tone. She called him Will? Who was this woman? Why did he have a picture of her hidden away? Mr. Honor stood and quickly led her out of the room into the hallway. I stared down at my test paper, unable to make sense of anything. The bell rang and everyone got up from their seats. I sat still, feeling like I had been hit with a brick. Finally, I pushed myself up, taking a deep breath. As I walked out of the class I came face to face with Mr. Honor and this mystery woman.

“Emma, we can discuss you being late some other time.” His words hung heavy with sadness.

“No. She can stay. I’d like to get to know the woman who is f**king my husband.” She stared at Mr. Honor, never bothering to look at me. Her words ripped though me like a knife. I subconsiously grabbed my stomach as my heart sank. I looked at him, desperatly searching his eyes for answers. His jaw clenched and he looked like he was ready to lose all control.

“Oh, she didn’t know?” Abby said with a laugh.

“Go” He commanded, gesturing for Abby to go inside his classroom. His eyes turned sad as he looked at me. I looked down at the ground and walked back inside.

“I’m not here to ruin your fun, Will. I just came to get what is mine.” She explained, leaning back against his desk.

“I don’t owe you anything.” His voice was low and cold and it sent shivers down my spine.

“I’m sorry. Did you say you are his wife?” I asked, growing increasingly nauseous.

“Ex-wife” Mr. Honor corrected. He was only a few years older than me and I couldn’t wrap my head around any of this. Abby glared back at William and the tention in the air was palpable. I couldn’t picture him with a woman like her. Sure she was beautiful but she was also very strong and demanding, not something I could ever see him putting up with. Everything began to click into place in my head. Abby was the reason Mr. Honor was…the way he was. This woman had done something viscious to this man to make him turn into the controlling man he was with me.

“You really want your little secret getting out?” Her eyes danced between us. “Imagine what the other teachers would say. Imagine…what your father would say.” His body tensed and I knew she had struck a nerve.

“What is it that you want?” I asked bravely when Mr. Honor didn’t respond to her threats. Sme smiled politely at me.

“You know what I want but since that isn’t going to happen, a couple million oughta cover it. Don’t you think, Will?” Her eyes danced back to William, a full on smile spread across her face.

“Where the hell is he going to get money like that?” I asked, my eyes wide.

“Fine” he cut me off, starring at her through narrowed eyes. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. Nothing was making sense anymore. Mr. Honor took a step closer to Abby and she straightened her back. “Then you get the f**k out of my life. I don’t ever want to see you again.” Her lips pressed in a hard line and I could tell he had hurt her, but she was trying desperately not to show it.

“You have my number.” She replied, winking at him as she pushed between us and left the room. It felt like all of the air left with her and I leaned back against a desk trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. Mr. Honor looked over at me, taking a step closer, but I held up my hand.

“Don’t” I blurted out and he stopped dead in his tracks.

“It was a long time ago.” He explained.

“How long? You’re just out of college and she.. how old is she?” My stomach twisted in knots.

“She was my math teacher in high school.” He confessed. I felt like somone had just punched me.

“And you…you married her?” I asked, trying to make sense of things. He took a step closer.

“I loved her.” His barely audible. That confession was my undoing. As much as I wanted to know about him, I never anticipated it going like this. I needed fresh air. I needed to get away from this place. I pushed off the desk, shoving by him. His hand caught my arm, keeping me from leaving.

“I need to get out of here.” The tears in my eyes threatened to fall at any moment.

“I’ll go with you.” He wasn’t asking for my permission. I knew if I wanted to make sense of this we would have to finish this talk. I nodded my head and he grabbed his things from his desk. As I made it to the parking lot I could see Mr. Honor in his car, glaring at me. I got in my car, taking a deep breath before pulling out onto the main road. I stared out of the front window, trying to avoid his reflection in my rearview mirror. My head swam with all of the new information I had received from Abby. After William’s confession to me this morning that he wanted to be with me, I did not think it was possible to come crashing down from that moment of happiness.

Chapter Twenty-Five

As I pulled up to Mr. Honor’s place my stomach began to twist into knots again. I wanted more than anything to be with him, but after Abby’s threats I knew it was not a good idea. The bay door slowly opened and I pulled my car inside. William’s car pulled along side mine, and the door slowly lowered behind us. I summoned all of my courage and got out of the car. He walked towards the base of the stairs and I followed behind, wondering what would be of us when this was all over.

The trip up the steps was the longest walk of my life. Every possible outcome for us played through my head. When we finally arrived inside I glanced around the room. It suddenly felt much larger and overwhelming than it had before. I took in the paintings that hung sporatically on the walls, and furniture that sat stratigically placed around the floor. How had I not noticed how expensive all of these things must have been?