Tempted

Top Marks

Rachel Hurd-Wood as Emilee Rose

Chris Austad as Jonathan Clare

To claim I am a nerd is absolutely correct. I know I have a pretty face, well at least it is when I am not hiding behind my large thick dark brown and black rimmed glasses and my long auburn blond hair. So when Amber Lanely and her group of clones walked by gossiping about the new Literature teacher. I am normally not one to care about their useless chatter, but I love Literature.

"He is so hot Amber! He can hold me for detention any day!"

I raised an eyebrow at the comment and tried not to laugh. Like a teacher would risk his position to have a relationship with a minor, let alone be put in jail. Amber looked interested, and that fact alone made me pity the poor teacher. Amber is relentless when it comes to men, my idiot of a big brother can atone to that. Rolling my eyes I pulled my Romantic Literature book and shut my locker. Her brown eyes glanced at me, due to the noise, but then returned to her friends. I walked passed them to get to my last period of the day.

Mrs. Judd's classroom was amazing: books were everywhere, quotes from literature were all around, and the room always smelled of parchment and vanilla. I slid into my seat closest to her desk, she is the only teacher I bothered having a conversation with. I hope she is feeling better though, she has been on and off sick for the past two weeks. I opened my notebook to Friday's notes and went over them again. The class filled up, but I didn't hear the sound of Mrs. Judd's high heels or her loud dramatic voice. I buried myself in my notes so the loud bang of the classroom door closing startled me. I jumped and looked up. A man in a clearly designer suit stood at the door leaning against the wall with a scowl on his handsome face.

Everyone stopped chatting and stared at him. He rubbed his blond goatee before walking toward the front of the class. His dark blue orbs were sharp and icy.

"I am Mr. Clare and I will be your professor for the rest of the semester."

My heart dropped, what happened with Mrs. Judd? It was so quiet I could hear Michael Harris in the front row breathing. Mr. Clare must be the teacher Amber's friends were gossiping about. He is handsome sure, but he is insanely intimating. I would hate to have detention with him, good looking or not.

"Since this is Romantic Literature I want everyone to stand and state their name and favorite romantic literary quote."

His eyes landed on Michelle in the front row. She gulped and stood up.

"I'm Michelle Wesley and I like Edgar Allen Poe's "We loved with a love that was more than love.""

Mr. Clare was not impressed, "Next."

There were a few Nicholas Sparks quoted and he scoffed many times. Then his harsh glare landed on me, and I could tell he thought we were a class of idiots.

"I'm Emilee Rose, and I am a fan of Victor Hugo. I am a big fan of this quote in one of his works: "I wanted to see you again, touch you, know who you were, see if I would find you identical with the ideal image of you which had remained with me and perhaps shatter my dream with the aid of reality."

His eyes widened, and I swear surprise lit them up.

"The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, impressive Miss Rose. I take it since you set next to my desk and look like you have been studying for a while that you are the pet of the class."

I did not impress him much. He raised an eyebrow almost as if to say, challenge me girl. I can already tell he and I are not going to get on well. Mrs. Judd was amazing and loved discussing books with me. This man I can see is not interested in being friendly. I wanted so badly to walk out of class, if he isn't a fan of teenagers then why is he in a high school full of them! I nod my head at him and he smirks. The sad thing is the smirk was not sexy-well if you're into the whole I'm a sadistic bastard and I plan on making you have nightmares later, then sure it is sexy. I flinched into my seat.

"I believe you and I will be spending much time together Miss Rose."

I sure hope not.

As class went on he assigned us to red the first three chapters of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I will say my favorite Bronte is Charlotte and wished we would read Jane Eyre instead. As the bell rang I gathered up my belongings and stood. Normally I would stay behind to help Mrs. Judd clean up, she'd normally do something fun and crazy during class, but since the new teacher made it quiet clear that he is an ass I am leaving.

Just as I take a step away from my desk I feel a tug on the strap of my messenger bag. Looking back I see Mr. Clare's tan hand gripping it tightly. My blue eyes meet his and he motions for me to take a seat. I internally groan. I see where this is going, he is going to make me into his personal slave. He stands up as the last student leaves and grins down on me.

"Well pet, I am going to offer you a deal. Now it is completely up to you to take it, but I highly advise you do. I will not fail you if you do everything I ask. Growing up I hated suck ups, so pet you are going to be my assistant in this class. I will keep my comments about you to a minimum during school hours, but you will spend an hour after school three times a week with me until you escape this class next year. I am a busy man so having your help will allow me more time to do as I wish."

My eye twitched, "Sir, I honestly am so flabbergasted that I have no idea how to respond."

I have a physical response though you stuck up ass-wipe, my fist in your face and my knee in your groin. He smirked as if he could hear my thoughts. He leaned down his minty breath warming my face and making me want to gag.

"Pet, do you accept?"

So much for adoring this class huh.

I nod and run out of Satan's layer.

{A/N: Okay Mr. Clare as a character, thoughts? I know he can and will teach Emilee a few things. ;) She just might not be to happy about it.}