He stops before me, and although I’ve been in this man’s presence hundreds of times, this is different. We’re not at my house, and my dad’s not around. It’s just us.
As he towers over me, my panties sodden, the goosebumps reappear, and a feather-light sensation tickles my chest from the inside. I still don’t understand how such a man can exist. I’m five foot three, and I don’t even reach his shoulder. I bet he could lift me to the ceiling with one arm.
His eyes are deep brown like the perfect cup of coffee, and even with his hair swept back for school, there’s a wild intensity to him, like a man untamed by society. Cheekbones that could shape diamond, and just the right amount of scruff that has me fantasizing about how it would feel against my cheek.
I can almostfeelhim tugging at me, like the gravitational pull of two stars. The desire for him that led me here is going to go off with more energy than the Big Bang.
God, I’m getting lightheaded.
“Gracie,” he says slowly, his voice like warm gravel. “What are you doing here…dressed like that?”
Okay. Time to perform.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you?” I ask, pulling out my fake transfer order. “I’m enrolled here now as a senior.”
Chris’s eyes flash as he takes the order from me and looks it over. My panties are damp, and I struggle not to jump around as my pulse flutters chaotically.
“A senior, eh?” I see from his eyes that he knows it’s bullshit. I take a deep breath, in and out, trying to control my racing heart, knowing that in a few seconds, he’s going to call me out and send me home.
But he doesn’t.
He makes a low humming sound and looks me up and down like an inspector, from my new shoes to my old tie. The hunger is unbearable. He sweeps his gaze back down my body, letting his eyes linger on my breasts. I arch them out, giving him a better look.
If only he could see through the shirt and the bra to my nipples, which are perked up because of him. Because of the excitement. If only he could see up my skirt to my soaked panties.
It’s your fault. That’s what I want to tell him.
“Well, welcome to Pine Hills,” he finally says, handing me back my paper. It smells like him now. His smoky musk that reminds me of the forest on a fall day. I cover my lips with it to hide my smile, and at the same time, inhale deeply.
My throat contracts, and I start to salivate. The smell’s so sharp I can almost taste it.
Chris starts to turn away, and my heart drops. I have to stop him. “You seem to be pretty popular here.”
Way to go, Gracie. How obvious do you want your jealousy to be?
I’m jolted by thoughts…dirty ones. Without any experience, I don’t even know what to envision. All I know is that him standing here, having power over me as a student, has me buzzing.
He turns back to me and runs his tongue across his lower teeth like he’s pondering something. Then, very slowly, he aims his index finger at my skirt. “That’s too short, Gracie. Dress code violation.”
Feigning ignorance, I twist on my toes, causing the green plaid to swing, exposing even more of my thighs. God, I feel so alive as his eyes narrow and his jaw tightens.
You want to look away, don’t you? But you won’t.
The bell rings suddenly. I jump, but Chris is not fazed. He takes a sip of his coffee and licks his lips clean.
“Time for class. But I expect you in my office after final period so we can discuss proper disciplinary action for this…infraction.”
And like that, he’s gone, walking away from me back to his room. A fuse is burning inside me. Any moment I might explode.
Watching his back muscles as he moves sends a shiver through me.Let’s see how long you last, Mr. Davis.
2
CHRIS
Houston,we have a problem.
The whole foundation of the academy has cracked since Gracie walked in. My chest is pounding heavily like I’ve got two hearts running in overdrive. I go through my precalc lecture on autopilot because all I can picture is Gracie, standing there in the hall, tempting me in that schoolgirl outfit she so clearly modified.
