Theodore had told Nathaniel that Stinton was not on the invite list.
Either way, they were in each other's presence. The other guests surrounding them - along with Marie herself - could feel the tension around them.
Stinton appeared not to recognize Marie. She could feel her blood run cold at the thought...
She did not want to jeopardize her professor's aspirations.
Nathaniel knew taking the student in public as his date was a risk. He had weighed it all and knew that if he were to do such a thing, this event was the only chance. Especially since he - well, he thought - he could influence the invite list due to his friendship with Theodore.
The three men greeted each other professionally, artificially bypassing any awkwardness. Marie knew this was not the time to test any of Nathaniel's rules. Thus, she remained at his side, her arm looped with his.
Stinton eventually addressed her. "And this must be the - ah, future university first lady, if you will. Of course, if things go accordingly, Nathaniel."
Just like Marie, Theodore also knew Nathaniel was not a man to be messed with. So, the friend interjected.
"Let's remain cordial, Richard."
Nathaniel and Stinton kept their gazes on each other in a challenging fashion. Marie almost wanted to break the two up like a fight.
But Stinton didn't back down. "You're not seen with women publicly much, Nathaniel."
Marie wanted to hide. Nathaniel needed to tread very carefully and raise as little suspicion as possible. The last thing he needed was Stinton getting any idea of his relationship with a student - a breach of protocol of the highest level. It could force him to lose his seat and disgrace the university as a whole.
Nathaniel's jaw clenched as he made a distressing decision. He forced himself to disregard Marie's feelings for a split second to just get Stinton off his fucking back. If he even insinuated that Marie was someone serious, the man would start investigating...
"Well, it's good for public image. I think you'd understand."
Marie stilled.
The student knew her professor, his tones and demeanor, when he meant something. After the sentence left this mouth, Marie felt an unbearable drop in her stomach, like her heart and mind constricted itself in disgusted pain.
The young student could put two and two together to realize Nathaniel was simply trying to appear inconspicuous... but the words couldn't help but sting a little.
Marie felt Nathaniel pull her closer. He silently begged for Marie to play along. He regretted his words in a second.
But it worked.
Stinton only smiled and chuckled. "I'll leave you two to enjoy the night then."
The man disappeared into the crowd, not expecting a thing. But was the close call worth Marie's feelings? Even if Nathaniel didn't mean it, Marie had never heard the professor so... menacing.
I mean, a man of his natures and caliber - you have to walk over people at some point.
Nathaniel's tone as he said his next words to his friend would scare the wits out of anyone. "Theodore..."
"My secretary was in charge of the invite list. I'll take care of it," Theodore replied.
Marie was too caught up in her own thoughts to bother about the two friends' conversation. She knew Nathaniel didn't mean it, and she kept telling herself so.
"You owe me, Theo."
"I do."
Nathaniel and Theodore exchanged a few more words that Marie didn't catch. She debated leaving Nathaniel's side. She could use her safeword, which would throw his earlier stated rules out the door. But...
Trust.
Without a word, Nathaniel took Marie by the arm and weaved her through the crowd. She didn't know where he was taking her, but she held on regardless.
Nathaniel took Marie up a flight of stairs. A word didn't pass either of their mouths. It was silent, the only sound in the air of their own heartbeats and steps against the staircase.
The professor opened a door that led out to the terrace of Theodore's establishment. Regardless of what happened before, Marie knew a gorgeous view when she saw one. The night had darkened more since the couple had arrived, the stars peeking through the blanketed skies. The surrounding area was lit up dimly as glass flooring exposed the vibrant event underneath the student and professor's shoes.
It was a common misconception that only the submissive used safewords. A true dominant - a real dominant - knew when to put things aside when their partner couldn't.
Thus, Nathaniel spoke. "Vanilla."
Marie's head whipped around in an instant as the word left Nathaniel's lips. He never broke his eye contact, holding Marie's eyes up to his own. A silent agreement passed them.
It was the beauty of a safeword.
Marie left Nathaniel's side. She walked up to the edge of the terrace, a terrifying drop to the pavement below her. She slowly took in the view. The cars driving through congested traffic, lights of numerous rooms flickering on and off in buildings, and people moving about within the artificially lit city. It was beautiful.
And it grounded Marie for a moment.
Marie heard Nathaniel's footsteps slowly approaching her, the sound of them against the pained glass flooring filling the empty and uneasy air.
He finally stopped right behind the student. He didn't speak, nor touch her. Nathaniel wanted Marie to speak first.
The young student began remembering some of Nathaniel's earlier words. Especially when he told her how his past relationships had ended because of his career getting in the way.
"I just need to know, Nathaniel..." Marie tried her best to not let her voice crack. "If it was between me and taking Stinton's place..."
Marie turned around to face Nathaniel, in hopes of at least an immediate answer. Instead, she saw hesitance.
She turned back around, looking at the city view once again.
Marie wanted to slap herself, punish herself. What the hell was she thinking this entire time? A relationship like this - built on the grounds of broken rules - was bound to end traumatically.
But both the professor and student ignored the signs, choosing bliss versus reality... making the crashing of truth all the more painful.
This wasn't going to work.
Even if Nathaniel got the position without a single hindrance... then what? They would have to remain a secret until Marie graduated, a full two years later.
Would Marie then find a job in the city? Would her and Nathaniel move in together? Would the public question the university president for dating someone almost a decade younger and just out of college?
It was too many variables. Variables the two had ignored up till now. And thinking about them felt like bullets in Marie's already constricted chest.
"I'm sorry, Marie." Nathaniel paused. The professor knew his flaws - and this was his fatal one.
Although, he was slowly realizing this chase for success wasn't giving him what he really wanted: fulfillment. But he was realizing it all too late.
As he watched Marie lean into her arms along the ledge of the terrace with her back to him, her hair bristling the faint wind, Nathaniel began rethinking everything.
But it was too late. He had already pushed her away.
Nathaniel had always had a firm control over every aspect of his life. But now, the once fully dominant and esteemed professor felt it all slipping away from him.
After moments of silence, Marie finally spoke. "I guess that's my answer."
It was then - after his silence - that Nathaniel found his answer. But his lack of one earlier had already left a deep mark.
Nathaniel's frustration came to surface. He was frustrated at himself, the world, his job - everything he couldn't control.
None of it was at Marie.
"Fuck." It was all Nathaniel could get out. His hands ran through his hair in exasperation as he began pacing away from Marie.
Marie slowly realized she couldn't have expected anything else. The man was an arrogant and slightly cocky professor who'd always gotten what he wanted in life.
"It's fine, Nathaniel."
"Fucking hell, Marie, no it's not." Nathaniel's tone started to become more dominant as he turned towards Marie, his expression clouded with emotion. His heart broke as he noticed Marie's eyes, glassed in tears, mirroring the ones forming in his own.
"Do you remember when you asked me if things would've turned out different had we had met under different circumstances?" Nathaniel asked, not letting Marie break her eye contact with him.
Marie nodded.
"I lied."
Responding with a tilted head and confused expression, Marie felt her previous pain clear up slightly as she anticipated Nathaniel's explanation. She listened to the professor's next words intently.
"Things would've been different... they wouldn't have worked," Nathaniel continued, his voice wavering ever so slightly. "I would've broken your heart. Mine too. Ask me why, Marie?"
"Why?" Marie whispered.
"I would've continued being the same man. A selfish, arrogant man who couldn't see past anything but the things he's worked for."
Marie shook her head sadly. "Nathaniel... these things, they're hard to change."
"I know. That's why I had to meet you. Right now, at this point in my life... as your professor. Because - fuck, Marie - this is testing me. And it shouldn't, I know."
"It's testing me, too." Marie couldn't lie. She had never been this vulnerable, or put herself in a situation that would allow her to be. But with Nathaniel, and only him, she did.
Marie continued, her tears drying up slowly. "I know I need to be more open... with my feelings. With you."
"And I'll earn that, Marie."
The student felt her heart flutter at Nathaniel's words.
The professor took a deep breath. "Be honest. Do you want to leave?"
"Did I say anything about leaving?" Marie's tone was sharp and assertive. It almost took Nathaniel by surprise.
"How could you stay?" Nathaniel responded, almost in disdain and pain.
Marie couldn't bear to hear it.
The young student stepped closer to the professor, gripping his forearms and making him face her. Nathaniel's expression was almost unreadable.
"Because I'm in love with you."
Nathaniel couldn't accept it. "You deserve better."
Marie's response was blunt yet forgiving. "Then be better."
The professor had to blink a few times to register what Marie said. It was also a reminder of what attracted him to her so much. Marie was the strongest and most formidable woman he had ever met.
She walked into his life knowing exactly what she wanted, not caring what got in the way. Marie loved him despite his personal flaws and sexual deviancy - things that had scared others away in the past.
Nathaniel was willing to get down on his knees for her in this moment.
"I know this is going to be difficult. But I won't make it any more difficult than it has to be," Nathaniel responded, pulling Marie closer. "It's you. The answer is you."
Nathaniel cupped Marie's face, resting his forehead against hers and taking in her warmth. "If anyone or anything gets in the way - fuck it. I can't lose you. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that."
Thanks to her heels, Marie only had to lean up slightly to press her lips against Nathaniel's. While the night sky hid their expressions significantly, Marie knew Nathaniel was genuine. She felt his warmth - physically and emotionally - as she let her hands gently hold onto his.
"I'd risk anything." Nathaniel kissed Marie again. "This will be over soon. I'll get the promotion, you'll graduate, we'll make up some fake story about how we met, and then I'll show you off as mine."
Suddenly, Nathaniel turned Marie around so she was facing the view of the city once again. He dug his hands into her waist and pulled her back flush against his chest.
Marie couldn't help but moan as Nathaniel's hand roamed her body. He traced her curves, hips and waist, before slowly kissing down her neck. Mixed with lust and heat, the two devoured each other.
Marie raised her hands to pull his head closer, pushing back against him more so they could feel every inch of their being together. The night sky darkened as their passion was only just ignited. They kissed and touched each other till everything went blissfully numb.
"Wait..." Marie whispered in the midst of their incursion.
She turned around to face Nathaniel, who was looking down at Marie's mischievous smile quizzically. "I think you've got some champagne right here...'
Marie raised her hand, slowly running her thumb across Nathaniel's bottom lip. The professor could only chuckle as he realized what the young girl was doing - taking his own game and making him play it.
"What do you think you're doing, Miss Mor?" Nathaniel questioned, his voice dipping into a sultry tone as the atmosphere became more sensual.
"I think you owe me a proper apology," Marie taunted. "I've been nothing but a good girl so far."
Nathaniel couldn't disagree with the statement. She had been perfect.
"Only if you can find somewhere private." Nathaniel slowly kissed Marie while trailing his hand up her thigh through her smooth dress. "We don't want everyone to hear you screaming and begging my name."
"Then follow me, sir."
Taking his student's hand, Nathaniel did just that.