Chapter 6

Grady

Why isn't Faye out of my system yet? Being in bed with her is one thing, but I thought her shine would dull once we spent the entire day together. I was worried the light Faye brings to my life would fade after we slept together, like it would work her out of my system. But if anything, she shines brighter than ever. My obsession is only growing stronger, I crave her now and can't see myself letting her go. Even wearing my comically oversized clothes, she's the most beautiful woman in the city.

I can't remember having such a fun day. It's relaxed and easy going when we're talking, fiery when we're not. Thank goodness the movie we chose had been out for a while and the theater was empty, because there's no way someone wouldn't have complained if they saw us climbing all over each other, tongues entwined. If I was offered a million dollars to say one thing that happened in the film we were supposed to be watching, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

She seems to be having as much fun as me. Her smiles and laughter are so easy, and all of her chatter is interesting to me. Her lack of inhibition drives me wild. All too soon, it's time to take her home.

About halfway back to our side of town, she goes quiet. When I ask, she tries assuring me that nothing is wrong, but something clearly is. Could she be just as disappointed as I am that this perfect day is about to end?

Or is this how she is? Moody and sullen sometimes? It doesn't matter. Not even her solemn demeanor could cool my flame for her. And it hardly matters if she does want to keep spending time with me, because what could become of it? She'd have to quit the school she worked so hard to get into, and even harder to pay for. Or I'd have to resign when I'm on the verge of getting tenure. There's no future for us.

Except, she's mine.

Instead of taking the turn that will lead us to her neighborhood, I pull into a parking lot. Am I really going to do this? She turns to me questioningly, her eyes wide. Hell yes, I am.

"I want to bid on another night," I say. "Name your price."

I half expect her to lash out, but she throws herself across the center console and into my arms. I breathe in the scent of her hair.

"Oh, Grady, you don't have to pay," she says, tipping her head back for a kiss.

I want to kiss her. I want to accept her offer, too. But it has to stay a business proposal, nothing more. This can't be a relationship because I'm not allowed to have relationships with students. And the strength of my obsession is growing too strong. I'll do whatever it takes to break free from this infatuation. One more night, that's all. And on my terms.

"Yes I do," I tell her in a voice she knows not to argue with. I pull back and my muscles tense from wanting so badly to sink into her.

There's a flash of hurt in her eyes that drives a stake through my heart, but I ignore it and raise a brow at her.

"Okay," she says, mumbling a number that's much too low.

I don't have to tell her I'll double it and this thrills me, I almost burst with hope from the thought of her truly wanting to be with me. I kiss her deeply. "Buckle up so I can get you home," I say.

Her returning smile is radiant, the confusion gone from her eyes. I guess I was fooling myself that I saw any pain there. I keep my hand around hers on the way back to my place, not wanting to let her go for a second.

Once we're up in my apartment, she collapses against me. I lean down to kiss her and stop halfway when she yawns wide enough that I can see her tonsils. With a giggle, she apologizes and wraps her arms around me.

I drop a kiss on top of her head, feeling my own fatigue creeping in. We wore each other out last night, with maybe an hour or two of sleep. Before she can argue, I sweep her into my arms and carry her toward the bedroom. I find her a pair of my pajamas and when she has them on, my heart tugs at how adorable she is in them. The sleeves hang far down below her hands and she has to roll the waistband to keep them up.

"Why are you putting me in flannel pajamas?" she asks, reaching for me at the same time she's overcome by another yawn.

I yawn back at her and whip my shirt off and slide my pants down around my ankles.

"Because you look fucking cute in them," I say, crawling into bed in my boxers. "Now get under these blankets with me."

"Yes, Professor," she says, making my cock twitch.

We pull the covers up and nestle down in the pile of pillows with my arm under her head. Her hand runs slowly up and down my bare chest, getting a bit lower with each pass. At the same time I can hear her drifting off as my own eyes begin to close.

Her hand stills at the waistband of my boxers and she tilts her chin up to me. "We can just get a little nap first," she whispers.

I gently kiss her soft lips and pull her closer so that her head rests on my chest and her body is pressed against my side.

"Absolutely," I tell her, closing my eyes.

The next thing I know, the sun is streaming through the windows. It's morning and I'm alone. Faye is gone.

This is fine. I need to get over her anyway. I have a life, a career. There's no room in it for my sweet little virgin. The one I bought but who ended up owning my heart.

I stand outside on my balcony and shout curse words into the air, not caring who hears. I am itching to let out my anger, I don't understand what's happening to me. Why can't I let go of my obsession with Faye, even after having her all day?

Because Faye is mine. And I'm not letting her go.