CHAPTER FOUR

Ava Sterling sat at the front of the class the following week.

Not because she cared about the lecture — she barely registered the words coming out of Dr. Reid’s mouth — but because today, she was playing a different kind of game.

She had worn a short skirt. Not trashy. Just short enough.  

No tights. No panties. No shame.

And as he walked back and forth in front of the chalkboard, she let her legs slowly part beneath the desk. Just enough for him to see. Just enough to bait him.

At first, he didn’t look.

He was composed, as always. Lecturing on tragic flaws in literature.  

But then — a flicker. A pause in his sentence. A glance too long.

She caught it.

His eyes dipped, just for a second, right between her thighs.  

His jaw tightened.

And when his gaze snapped back to her face — her smile was already waiting.

Got you.

From the back of the room, Camille leaned forward, nudging her with her pen and mouthing, “What the hell was that?”

Ava just smirked and turned back to the board.

She didn’t owe anyone explanations — not even her best friend.  

Especially not when the stakes were this high.

She had been stupid with Louis.  

Stupid, naïve, used.

Now? She was in control.

If she had to trade her body to secure her future, so be it. It wouldn’t be the first time a man got what he wanted — this time, at least, she’d make sure she got something back.

As class ended, Dr. Reid cleared his throat, his tone sharp.

“Miss Sterling. Stay behind.”

Camille’s head whipped toward her. Again?

Students filed out, whispering. Camille lingered.

“Girl, seriously. What’s going on? Did he catch you cheating or something?”

Ava laughed lightly. “No. He just want to discuss my grade in his last test. Wants to help me keep my scholarship.”

Camille blinked. “Really? He’s never done that for anyone before.”

Ava shrugged, perfectly calm. “Guess I’m not just anyone.”

Before Camille could press further, she added quickly, “Go ahead. I’ll meet you at the café.”

Camille hesitated, then left.

When the door shut, Ava turned slowly to find Dr. Reid already watching her — arms crossed, lips a tight line, jaw clenched.

The silence between them buzzed.

“Enjoy yourself today?” he asked, voice cold.

Ava took a step closer. “Did you?”

He walked toward her — slow, controlled. Dangerous.

“You're playing with fire, Ava Sterling.”

She tilted her head. “Then burn me.”

His hand slammed down on the desk beside her, making her flinch — not in fear, but from the way it made her heart race.

“You're still adamant about using your body to get a better grade?” he asked, voice low and harsh.  

“Fine. But understand something…”

He leaned in, eyes dark.  

“Once I take it, it’s mine.”

Ava’s breath hitched.

Because in that moment, she knew:  

This wasn’t just about grades anymore.

This was about possession.

And she didn't mind being owned by him.

"Come by to my office after closing hours," he said breaking the intense silence between them, "I'll regrade your paper."

Ava smiled.

Yes!

"I won't be a minute late." she replied, and left the classroom feeling both victorious and anxious for what would happen later.

----

The campus was deserted by the time Ava made her way to Room 314. Her heartbeat wasn’t steady. It was loud, frantic, expectant.

She had no idea what would happen exactly. But she knew what she wanted.

And for the first time in a long while, she felt wanted back.

She knocked once. The door opened immediately.

Dr. Reid stood there — shirt sleeves rolled up, tie discarded, collar loose. His eyes darkened the moment they landed on her.

He stepped aside without a word.

She entered. The door shut behind her.  

Click. Locked.

There was no hesitation this time. No second-guessing.

He walked toward her, slow and deliberate, heat simmering between them. She met him halfway.

The moment their lips collided, it was like a dam breaking.

Hands grabbed. Mouths clashed. Her back hit the edge of his desk with a soft gasp as his hands slid under her skirt, and rubbing her dripping core a little before lifting her onto the cold wood without effort.

“Tell me to stop,” he growled into her neck.

She looked him dead in the eye.

“Don’t you dare.”

And just like that, everything exploded.

It was rough. Urgent. Clothes shoved aside, not removed.

Her eyes sprang wide in admiration when he released his already hard throbbing cock, and hurriedly worn a condom on it.

It was bigger than that of Louis, and the mere sight of it made her drip more from her already wet cunt.

He spread her legs wide across his desk, and then penetrated her as quick as he could.

Her moan muffled against his shoulder. His name bitten back on her lips, as he began to move in and out of her. 

She clung to him like he was something she needed to survive.

And for a few, breathless minutes — that’s exactly what he was.

When it was over, he stayed inside her a second longer, head resting against her chest, breath uneven.

Then slowly, he pulled away.

Neither of them spoke.

He adjusted his shirt. She smoothed her skirt.

Only then did he reach for her essay again. Red ink still stained the top corner.

He crossed out the C. Rewrote it.

A.

Then he looked up at her — stern, serious, but no longer cold.

“This never leaves this room.”

Ava nodded.

“No one will know.” she promised.

His gaze lingered on her. Something unreadable passed between them.

“It can’t happen again.”

She nodded again, and then turned to leave.

And as Ava walked out of his office, paper in hand, she didn’t feel cheap. She didn’t feel used.

She felt powerful.  

Wanted.  

Marked.

But under all that, there was one dangerous thought she couldn’t shake:

I don’t want this to be the only time.