The Bad Boy's Muse

First day as my tutor...

Grace's POV

Today was Rohan’s first day as my tutor and I was feeling nervous and undecided about what to put on. I stared at myself in the mirror wondering if this was going to give a wrong impression or not. I had a group top blouse and a bum short that cupped my rounded buttocks and splayed my long legs; never knew I had them to start with. Giving myself one final look, I grabbed my books sitting on the table and closed the door.

Finally settling down on my favourite part of the living room, I sat and waited for Rohan who will be arriving soon. Going through my phone, I replied to Miss Rose's message, It was a picture of the both of us just before Dad had died. We had sneaked to the bookshop that morning in search of one of my favourite reads and thereafter decided to take a quick photo just outside the bookstore; everything seems like a facade. It seemed like aeons ago when I strolled for the last time with my Dad in the garden, more like a dream; every day, I am reminded of how precious life is and to make sure each day counts. 

The doorbell dinged momentarily snapping me out of my reminiscence. I straightened my clothing as I stood up, peering at the peephole, I discovered it was Rohan with one final pat down on my clothes, I opened the door.

“Hi,” I said brightly.

“Hey” Rohan replied as one of his eyebrows shot up, I could feel his eyes run the length of my body making me feel exposed. I wondered why I wore this in the first place.

“Please come in,” I muttered standing at one corner of the and motioned for him to pass.

“Seems you’re ready for the lessons” Rohan’s eyes were on the books I placed on the coffee table.

“you bet” I chuckled uneasily “Aunt Harriet is not back from work” I blurted nervously; I didn’t know what to say.

Rohan narrowed his eyes in confusion as he plumped onto one of the couches.

“Do you want anything? Coffee, tea?” I asked again, I could feel my heart pounding nervously in my rib cage.

“Water will be fine” he replied without looking away from his phone.

I nodded my head wordlessly and made a beeline for the kitchen. There I took in deep breaths trying to calm my nerves.

“Deep breaths, Grace,” I told myself inhaling and exhaling and at the same time fanning myself with my hand.

“Is everything alright?” Rohan asked from the kitchen doorway. What was he doing here? My mind screamed.

“Y-yeah” I stuttered “I came to get you water”.

“Well…” his eyebrows shot up again as he started walking towards me. I could feel my hands getting damp with sweat. Why on earth should I be acting like someone who’s never seen a man her entire life. True, I was scared. For the first time since my teenage age, I was alone with a man and I had no idea how to behave. Having grown up with chaperones even when I am meeting with female friends, this was a whole lot to me and I didn’t have an idea on how to handle it. Rohan reached me, where I was wedged between the kitchen table and island and collected the plastic bottle of water that was in my hand. Without breaking eye contact, he slowly uncapped the bottle carefully tearing at the seal before taking a big gulp. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed the liquid, my eyes followed each movement wishing somehow it was me in place of the water.

“Are you alright?” he asked again regarding me strangely. He turned and tossed the empty can which landed at the garbage bin behind him.

“Y-yeah!” my voice sounded hoarse “any reason why I shouldn’t be?” I asked.

“Well, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost. Your eyes are popping the hell out of your skull so, I just thought it’s wise I ask”.

“Thank you, I am fine,” I said brushing past him “we should get on with the tutorials now”.

“Totally” he responded and followed closely behind me.

Thirty minutes into learning, I discovered, Rohan’s eyes kept darting to my exposed thighs and my stomach. I regretted putting on this outfit. Even when I tried to cover them up with my tutorial notebook, it was useless, his eyes were still roaming. I was getting infuriated.

“Can you stop ogling at me?” I hissed in frustration.

“Well, what can I do? You cannot be in this attire and expect me not to stare. Isn’t it what you wanted?” he shrugged his shoulders.

“What?” I exclaimed, “why on earth do you think I would put on this outfit just for you to look at me?”.

“Maybe to seduce me” he threw his head back in amusement.

“Why would I want to do that?” I crossed my arms in anger.

“Well, you tell me” Rohan sunk deeper into the couch with his long leg stretched out in front of him “How can you put something as revealing as this. I can literally see your ass cheeks and your n*****s are staring right at me”.

I could feel the blush rising from my neck to my cheeks, staining them as I fought the urge not to cover myself with my hand.

“You can’t talk to me like that” I frowned crossing my arms.

“Maybe that’s the only way you need to be spoken to. This outfit should be worn when it’s just you at home or you and your aunt not in the presence of a visitor especially a male visitor” he emphasized.

“Thank you for your kind words” I hissed “my dressing is still not an excuse for you to act like a pervert. If I am underdressed or not well covered, as a gentleman, you should quietly demand I cover up or dress properly not to keep staring at my exposed body parts. It’s so unsettling”.

“Well, thankfully I do not know how to be a gentleman. I was born to say the truth no matter how glaring it is and besides, how many times do you see me in those pretty boy breeches and shirt coats your princes prance about with?” he sneered.

“They are far decent and more respectful than you times ten” I fumed. Rohan was really getting on my nerves.

“Of course, I agree they are decent and all of those wonderful qualities and it doesn’t thrill me in the very least. Like, why should I be interested in acting like a gentleman or speak poetically just because I want to get the attention of a lady? Sounds like a botched job to me” he chuckled wickedly.

“Damn you! Rohan” I turned and made for the stairs to change my outfit. At least, he did notice how good it was on me.

***

Aunt Harriet’s POV

“My place or yours?” Ethan pressed tiny love bites on my neck sending thrills all over my body, he knew how to draw pleasure from every part of me.

Ethan was my now and again boyfriend. We were not really the mushiest couples but we were adequate and knew how to satisfy each other sexually. Although the relationship wasn’t defined, Ethan was my best friend and my safe solace. He was so understanding, extremely reliable, hardworking and sexy. Today, we were making out in his car, parked at the corner of a park, we were trying to make the most of the little time we have with each other.

“We can’t at my place and not at your place either. I can no longer sleep out, I told you. My niece is around so I can’t keep late nights or sleep out” I disengaged from Ethan adjusting my clothes.

“How long will she stay for?” Ethan lighted a cigarette and puffed into the clear evening skies.

“As long as forever, this is my niece we’re talking about. She’s family you can’t just tell the family to leave” I rolled my eyes.

“Seems she’s rubbing off on you already” he chuckled “Some days ago, you were so undecided about allowing her to come to stay with you”.

“Yeah! I was scared of taking up responsibilities. Like, I knew I was barely responsible let alone taking care of a teenager but Grace is a good kid, and I am glad to have a family with me” I sighed.

“Do you miss home?” Ethan took another drag from his cigarette and passed it to me. I declined with a shake of my head, after two weeks of being sober, I suddenly found the smell of cigarette repulsive and irritating.

“Every single time. I just wish sometimes that things didn’t turn the way they did. I miss home, my sister, my family but I guess they’re surviving without me”.

“You shouldn’t say that. You could go visit one of these days since Grace is with you, you can use her as an excuse to go home again” Ethan suggested.

“Yeah! I will think about that but for now, I really want to take care of Grace the best way I can and do it right too. The girl is a greenhorn. She was practically dressed like a 19th century Monarch when she first arrived in New York but I am glad she’s learning the ropes”.

“Don’t do it too much. You wouldn’t want to girl to lose all of her values”.

“You mean, I shouldn’t train her to become me?” I chuckled.

“Nah! I like you just the way you are and believe me, you’re one amazing human being rolled into one person and I am glad you’re part of my life, somehow” Ethan pulled me to himself as our lips melted against each other. My phone vibrated in my jean pocket making me jump in fright, I was so into the kiss that I didn't notice it had been ringing. I squinted my eyes as I checked the caller ID, it was Adelia my sister and Grace’s mom. My hand shook violently as I looked at the phone. It’s been six years old since I spoke to my sister as much as I wanted to take the call, I had different emotions running through my mind but I answered anyway.

“Hello” my voice sounded like a broken record.

“Harriet” my sister’s voice boomed through the phone bringing back old, sweet memories, I didn’t realize how much I missed her.

“Yeah!” that was the only thing my brain could think of at the moment.

“How are you doing?” she asked me, she was sounding calm; she had always been the calm, rational one in the family.

“I am fine, how about you?” I asked feeling guilty. Since her husband died, I couldn’t bring myself to call her. What do you say to a sister that just lost the love of her life?

“Wilson left me,” she said quietly “I don’t think I’ll ever be fine” she sighed. My heart churned in pieces; I didn’t know what to say.

“Anyways,” she continued “I want to appreciate your generosity and kindness. It was kind of impromptu but you still took Grace in. Thank you”.

“It’s nothing, she’s family and besides she’s a good child. I love having her with me” I said.

Then silence. I could imagine my sister drumming her hands on her legs, her usual sign for being in deep thoughts.

“Could you please tell Grace that Phoebe; that’s her sister, lost the baby” she finally said.

“Oh my God! I am so sorry”.

“Yeah! it’s God’s will. She recently heard the death of her father, although we’ve been so careful about letting her know somehow, she found out today and went into labour. The baby didn’t make it” Adelia sighed.

“I am so sorry, Adelia but I assure you this is just for a time and all this would pass” I paused “I know we have a lot of unspoken things between us but I just want to tell you that I love you forever and you can always count on me if you need help”.

“Thank you, Harriet,” Adelia said “Please kiss my baby for me and sweet dreams dear” she hung up.

“who was that?” Ethan asked as soon as the call ended.

“It was my sister, Adelia, Grace’s mother,” I said with a smile.

A work in progress…