The Teacher's Affair

Chapter 10 The Kiss

Ruby recalled the first day she met Jack, when he had saved her. The man had been dripping wet, his short black hair neatly styled, his eyebrows raised, and his strong arms had supported her soft body. He exuded a potent, irresistible aura. Carter had always told her she was a boring woman, but Jack had awakened something in her that made her feel physically satisfied even without love.

As the alcohol clouded her judgment, she found herself embracing Jack, inviting him with boldness. The man took advantage of the moment, his kiss now gentle, guiding her hands around his muscular waist. With the soft sofa beneath her and the hard, warm man in front, her body was overwhelmed with emotions.

“You want me too, right?” Jack’s voice was sexy and enticing, whispering directly into her ear, deliberately pushing her to give in.

Ruby was no longer sure if it was alcohol or her own desires driving her, but she didn't protest. She wanted Jack even more than he wanted her. She couldn’t admit it, though, because she feared the consequences it might bring to her life. Her dignity and career were at stake.

But how could she resist?

Her head was spinning, and her lips parted slightly as she struggled to speak. “I…”

Jack’s fingers toyed with the tie around her waist, coaxing her, “Baby, tell me, do you want me, too?”

Ding dong!

The doorbell rang, pulling Ruby back to reality. Her senses returned, and she quickly pushed Jack away, irritation evident on his face. Ruby’s conscience struck hard when she saw his expression. She instinctively wanted to hide him.

Fiona or her mother might come over without warning. She couldn’t afford anyone to discover her with Jack.

“You should hide in my room!” Ruby said urgently.

Jack’s face darkened at her words. “Why? Am I that shameful to you?”

“I don’t want my mom to see you. I’d rather jump off a cliff than have anyone discover this,” Ruby said plainly, pulling Jack towards her. He resisted, unmoving.

Frustrated, she glared at him. “You just said you wouldn’t interfere with my life and work!”

“So, you mean it?” Jack’s eyebrows raised, and a small smirk appeared on his lips.

They locked eyes until Jack finally complied, heading toward Ruby’s bedroom. She almost pushed him the entire way, insisting, “Don’t come out, no matter what happens…”

Before she could say more, Jack suddenly pushed her against the wall. The back of her head hit her hand for support, and Jack leaned in to kiss her.

“Jack…”

Jack held the back of her head, his hand pinching her waist as he kissed her passionately. He gently sucked her lower lip into his mouth, his voice hoarse and magnetic, full of bewitching allure. “I’m a businessman. I’ll do whatever you want, but what will you give me in return?” His gaze was as intense as a stormy sea, igniting her with desire. Ruby felt his hands softly tracing her waist, and the room seemed to burn with the heat of their passion.

Ruby felt trapped, her emotions in turmoil. She was cornered into a decision, and with little choice, she reluctantly agreed to Jack's demands. The consequences of their encounter seemed to outweigh her desire to maintain a professional relationship as his son's teacher.

With a resigned sigh, she freed herself from Jack’s embrace, her frustration evident. She quickly shut the bedroom door behind her and composed herself before opening the front door.

Standing before her was a disheveled Carter, looking far from his usual polished self. His coat was gone, his shirt was partially undone, and his hair, usually neatly styled, now fell messily around his face. It had been three months since they last saw each other, and Carter looked as if he had been deeply affected by their breakup.

"What are you doing here?" Ruby's voice was icy, her expression cold.

Carter, appearing hurt and weary, tried to wedge his hand in the door as Ruby attempted to close it. His voice was low and ragged. “So, you really don’t care about me anymore? You haven’t even looked for me since we broke up, Ru.”

Ruby’s eyebrows arched in irritation. She was tempted to dismiss him harshly, but his presence was an unwelcome complication she didn’t need, especially with Jack in the apartment.

"What do you expect? Chase you?” Ruby said bluntly, her calm demeanor belying her irritation.

Carter's eyes betrayed his pain, making Ruby almost want to laugh at his audacity. He was a master at playing the victim, even now.

"What’s wrong? I just wanted to see if you really care about me. So what if I cheated? Don’t you love me anymore, Ruby?” His voice held a mix of desperation and vulnerability.

Ruby's frown deepened. If Jack weren't in the apartment, she might have told Carter the truth directly. But the cramped space and Jack's presence made it impossible to have a straightforward conversation.

Seeing Ruby’s silence, Carter's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. “Ruby, listen to me. I was drugged by my mother that night. I have my reasons.”

“So, what would you like me to do? Take you back? Believe you again?” Ruby's voice was cold, her patience wearing thin.

Carter’s face was earnest, as if pleading for redemption. “Samantha and I are just in a business marriage. I’m sorry, babe. Let’s not break up, okay? I can’t lose you. You’re different from Sam. I want you with me…”

Ruby’s expression hardened further, her disgust evident. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a habit of recycling trash. Besides, your twelve minutes can’t satisfy me.”

Carter’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He seemed to be grappling with the harshness of her words, unable to comprehend the insult from someone he had always perceived as gentle and kind.

"What did you say?" His voice was now laced with anger and threat.

Ruby’s gaze remained unyielding, her cold stare reflecting her final decision.

Ruby’s bold declaration cut through the tension in the doorway, her words deliberately aimed to sting and assert her newfound confidence. She wasn’t interested in revisiting past grievances or allowing Carter to invade her space any longer.

“I said I’m already taken. He’s wild and hot. He can satisfy me for more than an hour. Sometimes it even lasts all night. Can you even do that? No, right?” Ruby's voice was firm, her challenge clear.

Carter laughed derisively, shaking his head in disbelief. “Come on, Ruby, stop kidding around. We’ve been together for three years, and you wouldn’t even let me touch you. Even holding your hand makes you mad. How can you say that now?” His tone was incredulous, reflecting his frustration and confusion.

He was about to mention how Ruby’s cold demeanor had once driven him to seek psychiatric help, discovering she had a mental disorder. But he stopped himself, not wanting to escalate the argument further.

“Alright. Stop this now. I know you’re just saying that to get me to stop. Haven’t you really moved on? Don’t you still love me?” Carter’s voice was pleading, a mix of desperation and hope.

Before Ruby could respond, a deep, commanding voice echoed from the room’s interior, causing Carter to freeze in shock.

"How long do I have to wait for you, baby?"