So you said in your text you have some news for me…Does this have anything to do with the Alumni Gala?” Annabelle asked as soon as she and Anna met up to walk to class Monday morning. There was a chill in the air, the leaves beginning to turn shades or yellow, orange and red.
“I do, and it does.” Anna tried to keep a straight face.
Anna pushed Annabelle playfully. “Come on! Spill it.”
“Okay, fine. Ernest and I are officially dating.”
Annabelle squealed. “I knew you would end up together before long. I called it from our first day of class.”
“Yeah, yeah, so you’ve told me.” Anna mumbled. “I was whipped for him from the start.”
“Tell me everything!” Annabelle demanded. Anna detailed the events of Saturday evening the rest of the walk. “Whew!” Annabelle exclaimed. That was quite a roller coaster, but I’m so happy for you!“
“Get all your excitement out now because we kind of want to keep it on the down low until the semester is over. The last thing I need is the whole class knowing, especially Professor Richards. He may have seen us kiss, and at the very least could tell something was going on between us. The look he gave me…” Anna shuddered. “I just want Ernest and I to get through his class unscathed.”
“I was looking forward to making Ernest blush,” Annabelle teased, “but I get it. You don’t have to convince me that Professor Richards is a creepy slime-ball. Speaking of Ernest.” Annabelle nudged Anna’s side with her elbow, directing her attention to the door outside the lecture hall. “There is now. Must be waiting for you, lover girl.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “Have I ever told you that you are the worst? Now quiet, I mean it.”
“Hello ladies,” Ernest greeted in a polite yet formal tone. “Ms. Edgewater, can I speak with you for a moment?”
“I’ll head in and give you two some privacy. I’m sure this is about a class related matter and nothing else.” Annabelle looked between them both with a knowing smile. “ Oh well look at that. Here I thought I wouldn’t be able to make Ernest blush.”
Anna glared at Annabelle. “Just go sit down…please.”
Ernest rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Is she always that way?”
“Yeah, I just ignored her most of the time.” Anna chuckled. “So you wanted to talk?”
“Um, yes. Follow me.” Ernest led Anna around the corner and down a secluded, dimly lit hallway. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing their bodies together. “I missed you, Anna.”
Anna looked up, peering into his twinkling blue eyes, lit up by the type of smile he seemed to reserve only for her. “You just wanted to tell me you missed me?”
“That…and also this.” He ducked his head down to press his lips to hers. Hers parted instinctually, and he gently sucked her bottom lip, as if both forgetting where they were. She melted into him as he deepened the kiss.
Anna reluctantly pulled away, a bit breathless and dizzy. “It’s a little unfair for you to do that to me when we can’t continue.”
Ernest stroked her long brown hair. “Soon enough, babe.”
Here stomach fluttered at his term of endearment and a promise of what was to come. It was still hard to wrap her head around the idea they were actually dating. “Alright Mr. Sinclaire. You better let me get to class before we’re both late.”
~~~~~
The weeks passed by, and things with Ernest were great, yet frustrating at the same time. They had their study sessions, went out on dates, and spent much of their free time together. Emotionally their relationship was progressing, Anna falling deeper and deeper by the minute, and she could sense Ernest felt the same. But physically? They were in a holding pattern, never going past a heavy make-out session. She would never complain about kissing Ernest, but every time she hinted at more, he put on the brakes on, even though it appeared to pain him to do so. Anna wondered if her subtle hints needed to give way to a more overt proposition.
“I don’t really need to study any more. Why don’t we just hang out tonight?” Anna scooted closer to Ernest and gingerly squeezed his upper thigh.
Ernest carefully removed her hand, setting it in her lap as he gave her his signature look of disappointment. “You have a huge exam tomorrow. It would be irresponsible of me to distract you.”
Anna let out an exasperated sigh. “But thanks to your help, I’m getting an A.”
“Exactly.” Ernest gave her a quick peck on the cheek before opening up Anna’s Business Statistics Textbook to the current section. “I intend to help you make it stay the way.”
She often admired his drive and determination, but right now studying was the last thing she wanted to do. Suddenly, an idea came to her that could potentially give them both what they wanted. “Fine, we can study, but let’s make it more interesting.”
Ernest tilted his head to the side. “How so?”
“We can play a game…” Anna paused and took a deep breath, a little nervous about how he’d react to her suggestion. “If I get a question wrong, I have to remove and article of clothing, and if I get one right, you do.”
Ernest’s eyes went wide and he cleared his throat. “Umm…Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Are you more afraid that I’ll get the questions wrong or right?” She smiled coyly as she traced a finger up his forearm.
Ernest shivered subtly under her touch. “Both…but okay. We can play your game.”
“But don’t go making the questions impossible on purpose.” She teasingly shook a finger at him.
“I promise I’ll stick to the sample exam questions. Hmm…” Ernest perused the textbook. “Number one. Determine the p-value for this scenario.” Ernest showed her the test data.
Anna pretended to mull it over, but it was a fairly simple question. She scrawled her answer on the spiral notebook on the coffee table. “0.05, right?”
“That is correct.” Ernest kicked off his shoes. “Let’s see if I can find one a little more difficult. Okay, find the critical value here.”
This topic was a little fuzzier for Anna, but she thought about it and calculated her answer. “Negative 1.96.” Ernest nodded his head and reluctantly took off his belt. “Looks like you need to try harder than that if you don’t want to be naked before I lose a single item of clothing.”
Ernest arched an eyebrow. “Alright then. You asked for it. For which value would you reject the alternative hypothesis.”
Anna reviewed the numbers and worked out the calculation. She was uncertain, but it matched one of the multiple choice options. “A. If F is less than 2.25.”
“Nope.” Ernest shook his head and smiled smugly. “It was none of the above. Everyone makes the same mistake you made in the equation. See right there?” He showed her how to fix the equation and explained the rationale.
Anna took her socks and flung them across the room. “One simple mistake. I’m not worried yet.” She wasn’t wearing as many layers or accessories as Ernest, with her now only wearing jeans and a sweater over her underthings, while he still had his button-down with a t-shirt under it, along with his socks and pants.
Anna answered 3 more questions, getting them all correct. At one point Ernest removed his watch, which Anna called cheating, but she couldn’t deny his practical point that it would give her more practice to extend the game.
“Next question.” Ernest announced. “Someone’s losing their shirt with this one.”
It was another multiple choice which she knew instantly. “Look’s like that person is you, Sinclaire.” Anna held her breath, waiting to see a part of him she hadn’t seen before.
Ernest teasingly pulled his undershirt up a few inches and dropped it back down. “You sure you don’t want to just call it a night?”
“This is an essential part of my studies. Continue,” Anna instructed.
Ernest removed the white t-shirt and dropped it on top of his pile of clothing as Anna stared in awe at his muscled torso with a smattering of dark hair on his upper chest. She knew he ran every morning and took good care of his body, but she hadn’t imagined him to have such impeccable definition. “Memorizing this for the test?” He asked nonchalantly.
Anna nodded. “Very important information.”
Anna got the next two questions wrong. Maybe she was a little distracted or maybe he was trying hard to stump her, or both. His eyes never left her as she removed the items of clothing with each turn. Ernest inhaled sharply. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
She felt a felt a warmth envelop her as his eyes lingered, Anna clad only in her burgundy lace bralette and thong set. “You may have mentioned it..” She smiled shyly. “So are you going to ask another question, or….”
“Right. Another question.” Ernest flipped through the book. “Define p-value.”
“You aren’t even trying, are you?” Anna chuckled. “Take off your pants.” Either he was eager to get out of them, or he didn’t want her at a disadvantage, but it didn’t matter. The sight of him in his dark gray boxer briefs slung low on his hips, v-lines fully visible, was something she didn’t want to be denied. As he sat back down on the couch, Anna decided she couldn’t hold back any longer. She climbed on top of Ernest, straddling his hips.
Ernest tensed and let out a surprised gasp, but then relaxed. “So are we still playing or what’s going on here?”
“Ask me another question.” Anna urged. “Something really simple even.”
A puzzled expression crossed Ernest’s face but he did as requested. “What’s two plus two.”
Anna tapped a finger to her chin pretending to think. “Five?” Anna bit back a grin. “That’s wrong, isn’t it? I guess that means this has to go.” She hooked a finger under her bra strap. “Can I get a little help?”
Ernest swallowed hard. He slid his hands up her sides and under the lace band. She lifted her arms in the air and he gently eased the fabric over her head. She crashed her mouth against his and he kissed her back with equal fervor before pulling back. “Wait.”
Anna frowned, ready to hear him tell her they should slow things down. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed-” she started to apologize preemptively.
“No, Anna. That’s not it. I want this…more than you know. I just…I’ve been hesitant because I wanted to make sure this is what you wanted and not just because it’s what you thought I wanted. I want to make sure you are ready.”
“I’m ready…so ready,” Anna breathed.
Ernest’s lips curved into a smile. “Good. You are on birth control, correct?” Anna nodded. “And, um, are you a virgin?”
Anna was slightly taken aback, no sure what answer he was looking for. “No. I’ve only been with one guy, but we dated for over a year at Columbia.”
Ernest must have noticed her uncertain tone. “No judgment here. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t hurt you if this was your first time.”
Anna cupped Ernest face in her hands. “How are you both the sweetest and sexiest man I have ever met?”
Ernest chuckled. “The sexy part is subjective, but the sweet part…it’s just how I am I guess. I respect you and care about you. Making you happy makes me happy.”
Anna pressed a brief kiss to his lips. “Come on. Let’s go to my room.” Anna hopped off the couch and took Ernest by the hand. Ernest bent down and retrieved a condom from the pocket of his pants pocket. It was so like him to be responsible and careful, even with her being on birth control. It also suddenly occurred to Anna that Ernest was prepared for this. She’d worried she was pushing him along, but what he said was true. He was waiting for her, and it made her love him even more. Yes, there was no denying she was in love with this man, and she knew in her heart he felt the same.
As the reached the edge of the bed, Ernest scooped Anna into his arms and gently laid her head down on the pillows and he settled beside her. Their lips met again, desperate for more. Ernest’s hand traveled down her torso and between her legs. He pushed her thong aside and traced a finger through her folds before sliding it past her entrance, eliciting a whimper from Anna.
Ernest kissed the sensitive spot beneath her earlobe, sending a thrill through her. “What can I do for you Anna?” He whispered, his voice deep and husky.
She was at his mercy and nothing he could do would disappoint her. “Anything you want,” she replied.
“In that case…” He moved between her legs and swiftly discarded her thong. His mouth hovered inches above her center, and he looked up at her through his eyelashes. “Is this okay?” Anna nodded affirmatively and he started working his tongue on her. It was like nothing she’d felt before. It’s not that her last boyfriend had never done it, but it had never done much for her. Ernest knew exactly what he was doing, and she realized now what she’d been missing. A warmth spread outward from her core and she knew she was close already.
“Oh, Ernest,” she cried softly. He reach a hand up to her breast while the other gripped her thigh. He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and gave it gentle tug. An electric jolt hot straight to her most sensitive place and that was all it took. She arched her back as pleasure coursed throughout her body. She stared up at the ceiling, panting as she came down from her high.
Ernest assumed his prior position next to her on the bed and brushed a strand of her from her eyes, grinning affectionately as he gazed into her eyes. Anna captured his mouth with hers, running her tongue over his lips and tasting herself on him. She cupped his hard length through his boxer briefs, and he moaned at her touch. “Anna, I want you so bad…I need you.” Anna mirrored what Ernest had just done for her, undressing him the rest of the way and taking him in her mouth. She grabbed the base of his shaft and moved her hand and mouth in synchronized rhythm. “God Anna that’s good… too good. Come up here.”
Anna did as commanded and Ernest grabbed the condom from the nightstand and put it on himself. He paused, seemingly waiting for Anna to make a move. “So…how do you want me?” She asked timidly.
“Why don’t you start on top. It might feel better for you that way.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She swung a leg over him and lowered herself down slowly. She felt a slight resistance as the tip entered her which gave way to a pleasurable sensation as her walls stretched to accommodate him. “Oh Anna, you feel amazing…You are amazing.”
Anna moved up and down and rocked her hips against him as his hands explored her body. She buried her head in his neck and found a rhythm and angle that stimulated her clit in just the right way. Ernest bucked his hips against her, hitting her sweet spot and pushing her instantly over the edge again. She cried out his name and collapsed as her walls contracted around him.
Ernest flipped Anna over in one smooth motion. He laced his fingers through hers and pinned her arms above her head. He increased his pace, his breaths becoming more and more ragged. He gave one final thrust and groaned loudly as he found his release.
He held Anna tightly and kissed her sweetly before retreating to the bathroom to clean himself up. He climbed under the covers with her upon his return and held her close. “ Anna, that was incredible.”
Anna probably had a stupid grin on her face but she didn’t care. It had been everything she had imagined and more. “That’s because you’re incredible, Ernest Sinclaire.” She squeezed him tighter and nested into his chest. “Will you stay…please?”
“Well, I should say no because you have an exam tomorrow,” he stated in typical Ernest fashion, “but if you promise you’ll sleep, I suppose I could.”
“I can assure you I’ll be out in minutes after that.” And she was, not remembering anything more until she woke up in Ernest’s arms the next morning.