Course presented by D. Davidson, Natasha read, her heart beating loud in her chest for a reason she dare not admit to herself.

Her excitement was beyond any she had ever felt. Beyond when she had first had sex with a boy in senior year. Beyond when she had finally gotten her driving license after passing the exam for the sixth time. Beyond when she had gotten a full scholarship into the college of her dreams.

It was the 2nd course of her day, and she had him twice a week – on Mondays and Thursdays.

When she finally entered the conference room where she was supposed to have his lecture, she was almost trembling. She had to lie to her friend as for the reason of her blush.

She said she had fever.

And she did… just not the one that meant she was coming down with a cold or something.

There were whispers in the conference room. Some said the freshmen who had gotten him first in the morning had complained about how strict he was, whereas some others – the female population mainly – just said it was hard to focus in his class because he was drop-dead gorgeous.

Natasha didn’t know about the strict part, but she definitely agreed with the gorgeous part.

She and her friend sat in the middle row for they had found the first, second and third ones already full. She thanked her lucky stars she wasn’t in the front row for she was sure she wouldn’t be able to tear her eyes off him, and thus wouldn’t be able to focus on anything he said.

“Good morning class,” she heard his deep voice coming from the left, and felt a shudder go down her spine at that.

She didn’t even have him in her field of vision, and already she was affected by his presence.

“Excuse my tardiness,” he deadpanned in a business-like tone. “I had to take a phone call.”

Natasha looked at her watch, and saw that he was just 3 minutes late. It was her second year in college, and from experience, no lecturer ever apologized for being late.

But this was Daniel Davidson, and he was no ordinary lecturer, of that she was sure.

“Speaking of phones,” he started amiably, “kindly turn off yours. I hate being disturbed by Taylor Swift and the likes.”

Most students laughed at that, but seeing that he was serious and had an expectant face on, they retrieved their cell phones and did as they had been told.

Natasha was among the 1% that hadn’t laughed. Although she liked to be in control, she didn’t mind being ordered by him, even if it was for something as simple as turning off her phone.

Get a grip, girl! She reprimanded herself while shaking her head ever so slightly.

“Is that a no, miss?” She heard him ask, and she was petrified to see him look her way.

Surely, he wasn’t talking to her.

Surely, she was imagining things.

But as all heads turned her way and her friend nudged her in her ribcage, her eyes bulged, and she felt herself blush a deep crimson red.

Could he have seen her shaking her head? What was he, a hawk?

She only shook her head in response, not trusting her voice to come out even as it should be.

“What was that?” He tilted his head to the side in mock puzzlement, “I didn’t hear a thing, miss...” he trailed off.

Oh, damn him! She thought angrily. I didn’t know he was a sadist.

“Miss Daniels,” she informed him through greeted teeth, “And I turned off my phone,” she added, her cheeks still aflame.

“Good, Miss Daniels,” was his immediate smile-accompanied reply, “Because since you are no longer in high school, there are no detentions, but I can have you write an essay of – let’s say – 1500-word long.”

“Yes, sir,” Natasha nodded, a tight smile plastered on her face, feeling all eyes on her, and hating him for it.

He clapped his hands good-humoredly, putting an end to the small show so to speak, “Shall we begin now?”

A chorus of yes’s from the girls was his answer.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips while Natasha rolled her eyes.

How typical!

Some time later, Natasha spaced out – a thing that happened a lot to her unfortunately – and unconsciously started tapping on her desk with her pen.

“Miss Daniels,” he called out in a sweet voice, and her head snapped up at that, eyes bulging like there was no tomorrow. “Although I understand how someone with your IQ may feel bored during a lecture that’s nothing but an introduction to the course itself, I would appreciate it if you stopped with the tapping.”

If she thought she had blushed before, now she was burning. She dropped the pen on the table, and hung her head low in shame.

Amanda, her friend, asked her in a low voice, “How does he know about your IQ?”

Shit! Stupid Daniel! Natasha mused, mouth gaping for a split second, before her mind came up with a valid excuse, “He must have read our files.”

Her friend nodded understandingly, accepting her reasoning, and Natasha was glad for that.

By the time the lecture ended, the rumors about Daniel were confirmed. He was indeed a strict lecturer. Two or three other students had been reprimanded by him during that one hour. As for his looks, there was no denying how hot he looked.

As she exited the conference room, she received a text that read. “Sorry I had to be harsh on you, but I can’t give you special treatment. D.”

She felt as if her heart had stopped for a second and then went on a mad race.

"How did you get my phone number?” She typed back.

“I stole it from my brother, duh. Have a nice day. And try not to space out too much.” Was the response she got. She could imagine him grinning, and she felt herself smile despite her best efforts not to show anything.

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

“We’re not in class. You can call me Daniel now.”

“Duly noted, Mr. sadist.”

“I have not gone sadist in a while…” he replied. She blushed and chose not to answer for she thought the conversation was turning inappropriate for a student-teacher relationship.

But then again, he was not just another teacher to her… and she – dare she admit it? – wanted him to be so much more.

Stop it, she reprimanded herself. You have Carl, and that should be enough.

Nevertheless, when she went to sleep that night, she dreamt of midnight blue eyes, whips and other BDSM tools, although she was far from being a submissive.