A Lot Like Electra (closed)

[PrincepsCyberius]

A Lot Like Electra
A Complex Romance

This is a CLOSED story for missmaddy and PrincepsCyberius. Please do not post below without prior permission. If you want to comment on this story, then please send a message to PrincepsCyberius, and he will pass it along to Maddy or start an OOC thread. Thank you for respecting our wishes.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Mixed Feelings

Nostalgia overflowed in Professor Christopher H. Gustavsen as he walked down West Clybourn following an enjoyable and interesting lunch at Miss Katie’s Diner. He hadn’t seen Marie in almost four years, not since their thirtieth high school reunion. Now, it seemed , he’d have many more opportunities to see her. Unfortunately, in most of those instances, unlike today, her husband Brian would probably join them.

Their daughter Anne had recently started her Freshman year at Marquette University, where Professor Gustavsen himself taught. Marie had driven from their home in Mineral Point to bring Anne some warmer clothes, now that autumn had set in. Chris had noticed her mention of this trip on Facebook and posted a suggestion that they meet for lunch.

He’d never met Anne before. She looked a lot like Marie had when she and Chris dated back in their teens. She seemed quite bright, also like her mother, and had held her own in the conversation, artfully steering it back to something that interested her whenever Marie and Chris started reminiscing about their own days in college.

He had to admit that, as much as he had taken a liking to the girl, he wished she had not joined them for lunch. He had gotten the same sense he’d gotten from Marie as he’d felt at the reunion, at least when her husband wasn’t around. It was just the way she looked at him and touched his arm when they spoke. He wondered if the torch she once carried for him had reignited. His for her had never fully gone out.

He just hoped Anne had not gotten the same impression about her mother still having feelings for him of something more than old friendship. Anne had mentioned Brian with obvious affection several times during lunch. Still, she had shown no obvious resentment toward having lunch with her mother’s former lover in her father’s absence.

In fact, Anne had taken an interest in Chris’s work here at the law school, asking about his teaching and research. In response, he had said if she ever wanted to pick up some money, he often had minor clerical tasks for which he usually hired law students, but for which he could hire undergraduates as well. He just hoped he hadn’t gone too far by telling Anne, primarily to assuage Marie’s worries about her daughter now living away from home in a big city, that she could call him if she ever needed help with something, especially school. As much as he liked the girl, and still, in many ways, loved her mother, he really did not have time to informally mentor some Freshman. He put the worry out of his mind. Other than the occasional meal with her parents, he’d probably never see or hear from her.

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

It was awkward. I mean, he WAS my mother’s former boyfriend… and lover. Mom didn’t know that I found the high school diary she had so carefully hidden behind a dresser drawer. I had always thought that mom was a prude who didn’t have sex until she was married and expected the same for me. Was I ever wrong. She and “Chris” – Professor Gustavsen now – were doing things that a girl shouldn’t do in high school, and she was describing it in graphic detail in her diary.

It was obvious that Professor Gustavsen still had the hots for mom. I wondered if she secretly still fantasized about him. Why else would she keep that diary? Anyway, every time I thought he was getting a little too friendly I would bring up dad and that seemed to cool things off. The thing was, I just couldn’t get the image out of my head of the things mom and “Chris” did in high school – at least according to her diary. I could feel my own body responding to these images and hoped that no one noticed the way I was squirming in my seat.

I thought a lot about the professor’s offer when I returned to my room. I needed the money but that wasn’t it. He intrigued me. I wanted to know more about the man my mother had so passionately loved in high school. After class on Monday I went to his office. He was there grading papers. I knocked on the door.

“Hi Professor Gustavsen. I hope you don’t mind my stopping by like this. I was thinking about what you said when we had dinner with mom – you know, maybe helping out in the office?”

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Natural Mistake



Chris looked up when he heard the knock on his open office door.

“Hi, Professor Gustavsen,” Anne Cort stood there with a friendly smile on her face. “I hope you don’t mind my stopping by like this. I was thinking about what you said when we had dinner with mom — you know, maybe helping out in the office?”

“Hello Mar...” Chris began her as he stood. He chuckled and blushed slightly. “I mean, hello Anne! I almost called you your mother’s name. That’s what happens when you get old.”

He stepped out from around his desk and extended his right hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

"I don't mind Professor Gustavsen. People are always telling me I look like mom."

I wondered if I really reminded him of mom when she was younger and if it would be awkward for me to be around him in the office. I was sure he still had a thing for mom. Well I needed the money so I wasn't going to worry about it.

"It's actually kind of a compliment in a way. Mom is a very pretty woman, don't you think?"

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

The Eyes Have It



“It’s actually kind of a compliment in a way,” Anne said about Chris’s slip of almost calling her by her mother’s name. “Mom is a very pretty woman, don’t you think?”

“Indeed,” he replied. It felt odd to discuss his opinions of his high school sweetheart with her eighteen year old daughter, especially as it required him, if he spoke honestly, to suggest he still had an attraction for her. Chris, however, believed in honesty as both an ethical imperative and a wise policy. “In some ways, in fact, she is prettier now than when I dated her. No braces, for instance.”

He looked again at Anne. In some ways, she looked very little like her mother. Anne had a rounder face, lighter hair, a fuller figure. Then, he concluded, speaking almost to himself. “It’s the eyes. You have your mother’s eyes.”

 

[missmaddy]

Even though people said I looked like mom I always thought she was prettier than me. Her figure was also more shapely, particularly above the waist. For both of these reasons I wasn't popular like her in high school and I certainly didn't have a boyfriend... not that I was a total prude like mom thought. I had foolishly let an older boy take my virginity thinking that he really liked me. I eventually got over it and looked at it as "getting that out of the way" even though the experience was anything but pleasant. It was much better with the second and last boy I slept with, but after three dates he dumped me for a blonde with big boobs.

"Thank you Professor Gustavsen," I replied looking up at him with a coy smile on my face. "You're very kind. I can see why mom liked you in high school."

I wondered briefly why the relationship had not lasted. From her diary entries I could tell she was madly in love with him. It probably happens to a lot of couples after high school. People change and move on. It just didn't seem to me that Professor Gustavsen had completely moved on. He was still attracted to mom. Oh well, that wasn't my concern.

"So what about the idea of working in your office? I'm not sure what I would have to do but I really do need the money. I can start whenever you want."

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Skilled Labor



“So what about the idea of working in your office?” Anne returned to the topic of her visit. “I’m not sure what I would have to do but I really do need the money. I can start whenever you want.”

Chris thought for a moment, as if needing to draw this thoughts back to the present. “I have two research projects running right now, the grants for both of which, I believe, allow for paid undergraduate participation. I know at least one does. If you’re even half as smart and conscientious as your mom was at your age, you can handle the work in either of them. Tell me, what do you think are your primary skills?”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

I wasn't sure what kind of skills he wanted me to have and was afraid if I didn't give the right answer he wouldn't give me the job.

"My skills? Um, well I'm pretty good with math and I wrote some articles for the school paper. In the summers I worked at a coffee shop."

Why did I say that? How could working in a coffee shop possibly be relevant? I was getting desperate. I looked up at Professor Gustavsen but his expression was hard to read. It was like he was waiting for me to continue. Then an idea popped into my head.

"And, um, I know how much it will mean to mom to know I'm working for someone she knows and respects, someone who can help guide and teach her daughter the skills that she needs. She would be really grateful Professor Gustavsen."

I knew it was a cheap but as I said, I was desperate. Ikeep my eyes lowered as I waited for his response.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Just Business



“I know how much it will mean to Mom to know I’m working for someone she knows and respects,” Anne finished her bid for a job reminding him of his special friendship with her mother. “Someone who can help guide and teach her daughter the skills that she needs. She would be really grateful, Professor Gustavsen.”

“She would, eh?” he smiled at her obvious ploy. He did not blame her. Indeed, it showed that she had ambition that she would satisfy by any means, a trait he admired. “Well, I can’t disappoint your mom.”

Indeed, a tiny bit of him still had romantic feelings for his high school love. At the very least, he wanted to renew the close friendship they’d shared, not just as lovers but even for a few years after their breakup. Getting to know her daughter better, and becoming her employer, could facilitate that.

“You know,” he continued. “I never had lunch today. I know it’s early, but I’m ready for dinner. Why don’t you join me and we can discuss which project it makes the most sense for you to help me with. Dinner will be my treat, of course.”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

"Thank you so much, Professor Gustavsen. I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm a really fast learner and hard worker - you'll see. I would love to join you for dinner but I'm not really dressed for it."

I look down at my blue jeans and sweat shirt and back up at him.

"I can run back to my room and be ready in ten minutes. Do you mind?"

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Just Fun


“I would love to join you for dinner,” Anne said. “But I’m not really dressed for it. I can run back to my room and be ready in ten minutes. Do you mind?”

“I was just thinking we’d head down to the Public Market,” Chris replied. “But if you’d feel more comfortable, I don’t mind waiting. Is your place nearby, or should I meet you there in my car?”

In fact, he thought, if she goes to the trouble of changing, perhaps he should take her someplace nicer. It could prove fun, kind of like a date.

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

"I would feel better if I changed Professor Gustavsen. My dorm is in Barton Hall, just a few minutes walk. I'll go change while you lock up your office. You can meet me there in your car in about ten minutes."

When I reached my room I quickly stripped down to my bra and panties. I was about to pull out a nice dress and slip it on but when I looked in the mirror I decided that a dress deserved classier lingerie. I opened my dresser drawer and found a pair of sexy panties I had bought at Victoria's Secrets. I didn't have a lot to cover but I still found a bra that looked appropriate for the occasion. I pulled out a pretty dress my mom had given me and slipped it over my head.

Since I knew that Professor Gustavsen still liked mom, or at least I thought he did, I decided to see if I could make myself look more like her. I went to the mirror and pulled my hair back just like mom does and applied a light coral-peach shade of lipstick and light blue mascara. I was surprised at the result. I really did look a lot like mom, at least in the face. I slipped into a pair of black flats and headed out to meet the professor.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Transformed


Chris pulled onto the 700 block of North Eleventh Street and tried to figure out where he could best wait for Anne. As a law school professor, he rarely dealt with undergraduates and had no familiarity with the university’s dormitories. He discovered a “loading zone” designated right in front of her residence hall and pulled his XC60 R-DESIGN Volvo into it.

Oddly, he did not recognize her until she stepped up to the car and reached for the door. She had left his office an ordinary college girl in jeans and a sweatshirt. The young woman who climbed into the SUV’s passenger seat wore a lovely dress and a simplified but elegant hairstyle. He decided it called for a fancier dinner than he’d originally planned.

“You look very nice,” he told her. “Do you like to try new foods?”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

"Sure. Whatever you want. I like pretty much anything."

I noticed Professor Gustavsen checking out my dress as I got into the car. I wondered if he found me at all desirable but quickly realized how inappropriate it was to have such thoughts. Besides, he was more than twice my age. Still, there was something attractive about him being such a gentleman and so smart. Then I thought about the things my mother had written in her diary. It was hard to image that this same man had been doing all that to my mother when she was... well when she was my age.

"Do you like my dress Professor Gustavsen? Mom bought it for me so I would have something to wear on dates. I mean I know this isn't a date or anything like that but in a way it feels like it."

OMG I had just put my foot in my mouth. That was so inappropriate.

"I'm sorry Professor Gustavsen. That came out wrong. Of course we're not on a date."

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Dating Games


“That came out wrong,” Anne blushed and dimpled in a fashion that reminded Chris of her mother. “Of course we’re not on a date.”

“Don’t worry, Anne,” he chuckled. “I knew what you meant.”

He dropped the SUV into gear and pulled out into the street. “If you really do ‘like pretty much anything,’ then let’s go to this place I know in Bayview. They always have some really interesting creations. Unless, of course, you think sharing small plates would be too much like a ‘date.’”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

Small plates were fine with me. We sat down at a table and I let Professor Gustavsen do most of the ordering. We chatted a little more about what I would be doing and the conversion eventually came around to mom. I was feeling more and more comfortable and decided to introduce what might be a touchy subject.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Professor Gustavsen, but I always wondered why you and mom split. I mean I'm glad you did because then she wouldn't have met dad and I wouldn't be here, but I was under the impression that the two of you were very close when you were dating - very, very close."

I giggled at that last comment and knew I perhaps had stepped too far.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Fault


“It’s a long story,” Chris sighed. “And not one of which I’m entirely proud. Ultimately, it was mostly your mother who brought it to an end, but it was probably mostly my fault.”

In truth, neither she nor he had treated the other very well at times over their years together, but he had no desire to tell this girl of her mother’s faults, nor to advertise any of his own. “As you say, in the end it was for the best that we split. I don’t focus on that part of it. Your mother was one of the most important people in my life, and I’d like to think I was the same for her.”

 

[missmaddy]

I could see that he was uncomfortable talking about it so I didn't push further. When the meal was over he drove me back to the dorm. I told him that I had a very nice time and that I would stop by tomorrow after classes were over to find out more about what he wanted me to do.

My roommate was spending the night at her boyfriend's place so I was alone. The dinner conversation had piqued my interest in my mother's relationship with with Professor Gustavsen. I wanted to know more and decided to go back to her diary entries one more time. I had made copies of the entries that interested me the most and brought them with me to school. I pulled them out of my lock box and began reading the first entry I had copied.

"...it was the most passionate kiss I had ever experienced. We were locked in a tight embrace on the couch in the basement. His tongue pushed deep into my mouth. His hand moved over the swell of my breast and gently squeezed it with his fingers. Oh diary, I can't even begin to describe the feelings rushing through my body. Other boys had touched my breasts but it always seemed so mechanical. This was magical. When Chris slid his hand under my top and pushed up my bra I lifted my arm to let him know that I wanted him to continue. Suddenly his fingers were on my naked flesh. No one had ever touched me like that. He kissed my ear and then my neck. His face continued downward. His lips found one of my nipples and sucked it into his mouth. I thought that it was going to explode. He used his tongue to drive me crazy. I felt his hand on my thigh and knew he was going to touch me down there, something no one had done. I didn't care. I spread my legs in encouragement. Then mom called down and broke the spell. I was trembling all over when we pulled apart. Chris had to leave. I can't wait to see him again."

Like always when I read mom's diary I slipped a hand into my panties and rubbed myself off. It was different this time though, because I imagined it was me Professor Gustavsen was touching, not mom. The ensuing release was one of the most powerful I had ever experienced.

The next day I put on a pair of jeans and a white top with a faded jeans jacket and rushed off to my first class. When the last class ended I rushed over to Professor Gustavsen's office and knocked on the door.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Elusive Butterflies



I had a delightful time taking Anne to dinner. We spoke about many things, from current events and politics to religion and metaphysics. Her mature intellect impressed me.

I felt a bit ungallant simply dropping her off in front of the dorm. My parents raised me with values that included a gentleman walking a lady to the door, but that did not seem entirely proper in this case. As Anne had felt compelled to point out, the evening had consisted of a simple meeting to discuss possible employment, not a date.

When I reached my condominium, I changed into light lounging pants and a t-shirt, then sat down in my study to check email. Finding nothing urgently in need of attention, I went to FaceBook, planning to let Anne’s mother, Courtney, know I had seen Anne and treated her to dinner. Somehow, I never got around to posting that.

I have a shameful habit of finding pictures of Courtney and fantasizing about them as I masturbate. She had a new one on her FaceBook timeline, in a black evening gown. My hand went automatically to my nascent erection.

As I touched myself, looking at her in that dress, it occured to me how much she and Anne looked alike. I found a link to Anne’s FaceBook page. She did not have her photos blocked, and I found one I liked. I opened a second window so I could have both pictures on the screen. I fantasized about having them, individually or together, until I came so hard I had to change into a new pair of pants.

* * *

I had nothing like that fantasy in mind the next afternoon while I sat in my office preparing for the next day’s Torts lecture. No one really understands the law on “proximate cause,” least of all the law professors who write law school case books. At least Wisconsin had nominally rejected the Palsgraf Test. Still, it never proved easy to convince a lecture hall full of first year law students that “proximate cause” was whatever the court hearing the case thought was fair on that particular day.

Then someone knocked on the jamb of my open office door. I looked up and saw Anne. It put a huge smile on my face.

I also felt butterflies in my stomach. I knew that feeling. I, and I assume everyone else on the planet, gets it as they fall for someone romantically. I tried to reject that idea in this case out of hand.

“Good afternoon, Anne,” I tried to say as naturally as I could. “I hope you enjoyed our dinner last night. I know I did.”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

Without really thinking about it I pushed the door closed and stepped into the room.

"It was wonderful. Thank you so much Professor Gustavsen. You don't know how special you made me feel. I mean, I know it wasn't a date or anything like that but I don't have much experience with boys so I hardly ever get asked out. That's why it was so special. And... and I like being with you."

Why did I say that? I felt my face turn red.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I mean I DO like being with you but not in that way."

I was digging the hole deeper and felt my face flush even more. The problem was that I did like being with him in that way. I was attracted to him. Last night I had masturbated imaging him touching me the way he touched mom. I could feel a faint stirring in my loins just thinking about it.

"I don't know what I'm saying Professor Gustavsen. I should just shut up."

I moved closer towards the desk where he was sitting.

"I'm ready to start whenever you want. I mean, the internship not... oh god what is wrong with me today. I'm not usually like this Professor Gustavsen, believe me."

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Advocacy



“Oh God!” Anne huffed in frustration as she again stumbled into a series of double entendre. “What is wrong with me today? I’m not usually like this Professor Gustavsen, believe me.”

“I know, Anne,” Chris laughed warmly. “You were quite erudite last night and the other day at lunch. Indeed, your usually masterful way with words has me thinking you could handle the more difficult of the positions available. As I mentioned the other day, my current research looks at trends in law firm staffing, its effect on attorney burnout and, ultimately from that, client service. The position I initially had in mind for you, which I was sure allowed for undergraduate researchers in the grant, simply had you going online and counting the number of senior partners, junior partners, associates, etc., in various law firms. It is simple work, but tedious. I have now checked the grant for another study I have going and it also allows for undergraduate researchers. It involves tallying answers for surveys, so has some tedium, but the surveys also have several questions that ask for a written response. These need to be summarized and indexed. That, of course, is more challenging, but that makes it more interesting. The other aspect of that which you might find a drawback is that you and I would have to meet regularly to go over your work to make sure you are summarizing things in a way useful to me.”

He’d made that last bit up. He could easily spot-check her work without such meetings. He simply decided to use it as an excuse to spend more time with her.

“I’d suggest you take the second option, in any event. Not only is it more interesting, it will look better on a resume.”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was offering me a higher level position which certainly must pay more money, and I would be spending more time with him. I found my heart racing with excitement.

"Oh thank you. Thank you so much Professor Gustavsen."

Tears were actually running down my cheeks. I know I get too emotional at times. Without even thinking I ran around to the other side of the desk and threw my arms around his neck. as a gesture of my appreciation.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

Gratitude



“Thank you so much Professor Gustavsen!” Anne said emotionally as she ran around the desk and threw her arms around his neck.

His arms moved forward, ready to hug her in return, but he stopped them and forced them back to his side. It hadn’t happened to anyone he knew, but plenty of faculty at this university and others had lost their positions for getting too close with students. Still, he did not want her embrace to end. She felt just like her mother had at her age. His body started to react, his loins to stir.

He gently reached up and placed his hands on hers, urging but not forcing her to let go. As he looked down to speak, he saw tears of happiness in her beautiful blue eyes. He spoke softly, and winced internally at the huskiness in his voice. “It’s a good thing you closed the door. People might get the wrong idea.”

 

[missmaddy]

Anne

OMG did he think I was coming on to him? I was just showing my appreciation... wasn't I? Then why was I pressed so tightly against him? His hands were on mine as if he was going to pull them away. That was when I realized I didn't want to pull away. Being against him like that felt so right.

I pressed my body a little tighter against his. I knew it was wrong of me to do it and hoped he wouldn't really notice. That's when I felt something move. It was down there. It took me a few moments to realize what it was. Professor Gustavsen was getting excited. He liked me!

I had no idea what to do next. I had been pressed against him for much to long, but if he wanted me to move away he would have taken my hands off his neck. I could feel my own body responding to being so close to him. My nipples were getting hard and there was a dampness between my legs.

"I... I'm sorry," I whispered looking up into his eyes. "I don't want to get you in trouble."

I made no effort to pull away as I waited for his response.