Chapter 2

Grady

What in the hell is my wild girl up to now?

From the moment Faye first took her seat in my introduction to astronomy course last year, I couldn't keep my eyes off her. Those two days a week during that semester had been the most distracted I'd ever been. Her big green eyes were always so full of interest, her long red hair fell in waves down her shoulders to settle on the rounded crests of her ripe little tits.

For three hours every week, I'd be tormented by her crossing and uncrossing her legs beneath her desk. I wanted to shove the desk aside, kneel down in front of her and part those smooth, slender thighs and dive between them. She'd gnaw on her lush lower lip when she didn't understand something and I'd have the nearly uncontrollable urge to tug her head back and force my tongue between them, kissing her senseless in front of everyone.

If she'd taken the second level astronomy class I also teach, I might be out of a job by now, finding a reason to call her into my office, then bending her over my desk and really teaching her a thing or two. Since she's an art major, she didn't have space for the second year class in her course load. A shame considering she was one of my most eager students, but at least the weekly temptation left with her and my job is secure.

I should have been able to shake my obsession with her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and her perfect, fuckable body. I'm on my way to having tenure, which means an easy street in the academic world. I've written three books to great public and critical acclaim. I have hobbies, friends, and a full life. I should have forgotten about Faye in the first week after she was done with my class. After all, I'd never felt anything like that raw, intoxicating passion for any other student.

Faye was different.

The passion never died out. In fact, it only grew. Since I couldn't do anything about it but watch her, at least not until she graduated and was no longer a student at my university, that's what I started to do.

For the last year I've been following my fearless girl. Most of the time it's enough, but sometimes I wonder if having her would be worth losing my career and reputation. Especially on days like today when I see her in the shortest skirt with the biggest smile on her face.

She and her friend just emerged from the Black Door, and I am desperate to learn more about it. The exclusive club doesn't even have a sign, but I've heard about it from one of the owners of my publishing company. Is Faye applying to be a cocktail server? She seemed pretty giddy for something so mundane, though I imagine the tips are pretty good at such a high end place. I have to know what she's up to, so I give him a call.

"Tell me more about The Black Door," I say.

He laughs. "Found out about the auctions, huh?"

The tone of his voice makes my hackles rise. "What auctions?"

"We've been trying to get you to go to one," he says. "They're once a month. I haven't been in a while… Yep, it looks like there's one tomorrow night."

My mouth goes dry as I watch Faye and her friend get up from the bench half a block away and walk down the block. I duck out of sight at a newsstand.

"What are they auctioning?" I ask, unable to keep the menace from my voice.

Faye is fearless and wild. She's impatient and a bit reckless, wanting to devour everything life has to offer. When he fills me in on what's being auctioned, and confirms my fears, I have to fight to keep my control.

"Don't go tomorrow," I say. "If you know anyone else who's planning to, tell them not to."

He laughs. "Got your eye on someone who's going to be there?"

Yes, actually. I can see her making her way closer to the newsstand out of the corner of my eye right now. Her hips sway in her skintight skirt, a light sweater clinging to every curve. Her hair is loose, flowing down her back. As she walks, she lifts her hands to gather it into a ponytail, revealing an inch of creamy skin at her waist.

Fuck. She can't really be doing this, can she? I can understand her wanting to jump into everything all at once. Her carefree passion is one of the things that ignites my desire. I thought I had grown used to the outlandish things that Faye does, but this takes the cake.

"I'm deadly serious," I say to the owner of my publishing company. A man who could reject my next book. As if that matters. "I don't want to see anyone from the company there tomorrow night."

"Fine, sure. Good luck and happy bidding," he says, ending the call.

My hands are gripped into fists and I nearly jump when Faye's friend greets me in a loud, cheery voice. I make sure to smile at both of them, but it's impossible not to let my gaze linger on Faye. A slight blush rises up her pretty cheeks and her green eyes are too bright. Anticipation for tomorrow?

I feel my hands clenching again, but the friend distracts me, gushing about my books. I buy her the newest copy and sign it for her and then pretend like I'm leaving. I duck behind a corner and watch them head further down the sidewalk, where they hop on a bus that's going in the direction of the school.

It was a good thing I decided not to fight my obsession and followed her here, found out what she's about to do. I have to put a stop to it of course, but how? Demand she give up the foolish plan like I'm her father?

I have to win the auction. God help anyone who tries to outbid me. I head home, glad I'm a bestselling author because once the other men at the auction see Faye, no one on a college professor's salary would stand a chance.