She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. “Right. Okay, thank you.”

I release her shoulders and smile. “Anytime.” I wink before she walks off, Christine trailing behind her, my words going right over her head.

Kendall walks over to me with two drinks in her hand and a sly smirk on her lips. “What’s that look?” I ask.

She hands me a glass of champagne. “Nothing.” She lowers her eyes as takes a sip, and I know she’s full of shit.

I glance behind her and notice the other bartender that’s setting up is staring right at her ass. “Nothing…right,” I drawl with an over-exaggerated tone. “So are you ready to schmooze for the next four hours?”

She sighs. “As long as there’s a drink in my hand at all times.”

I purse my lips together and finally realize the issue. “You miss him,” I say softly.

She shrugs, avoiding eye contact with me. It’s been two weeks since Kellan broke up with her, and I’ve been so busy with my own drama that I haven’t even been paying attention to the pain she was feeling from it.

“Tonight, we drink away our inhibitions.” I clink my glass with hers. “Tomorrow, we pay for it.” I smile when I finally get a laugh out of her.

“Deal.”

I finish my glass and set it back down. The doors are going to open soon, and I need to get my head into the game. I’ll be the attendant in the America in the Thirties Exhibit. Each exhibit has an attendant available to help push sales and be ready to answer questions about the paintings.

Kendall isn’t as familiar with the exhibits, so she’s placed by the front doors, welcoming everyone to the event and directing them to the silent auction, bar, and food.

I decide to use the restroom quickly before the doors open. My heart races as I walk down the hall, and I know if I don’t take a few minutes to breathe it out, I’ll only feel worse as the night goes on. I usually live for these events. I love talking to other people about art and hearing their interpretations on the pieces. It’s these events that make juggling school and work worth it. But having Professor Hampton here is making me more nervous than usual.

“Aspen…” I hear his deep hoarse voice before I see him. I spin around and face him as he walks toward me.

“Hi, Professor Hampton.” I nervously chew my lip. “You look great. Black suits you.” I grin.

His lips form into a shy smile as he brushes his fingers over the stubble covering his jawline. He steps closer. “What did I say about calling me that outside of the classroom?” His eyes travel from my eyes to my lips and my body shivers in anticipation of feeling his hands on me again.

“Oh, right.” I swallow. “Sorry…I’m just… you make me a little nervous,” I admit and wish I could stop rambling.

His hand reaches out and caresses my cheek. I press my face into his palm and my eyes flutter closed. I feel his other hand wrap around my waist and close the gap between us.

My eyes open just as I feel his breath against my lips. “You make me more than nervous, Aspen Evans.” He leans down and brushes his lips softly against mine. “You look absolutely breathtaking, by the way. Simply gorgeous. It’s going to be impossible to keep my eyes off you all night.”

“Then don’t.” I press my lips to his, craving just a taste of him. I know we’re alone in the hallway, but I a part of me still feels anxious at the thought of getting caught.

Although it makes kissing my professor that much more exciting.

He takes a step forward, making me take a step back. He takes another and another and soon my back is pressed firmly against the wall. His mouth moves more aggressively, pulling my lower lip in between his and sucking it lightly before pressing his tongue against mine. I wrap my arms around him, feeling his taut muscles against my fingers.

I moan into his mouth and as soon as he hears it, his hips grind against me and pin me to the wall in a blistering hot kiss.

“Morgan…” I say on a soft whimper.

“Say it again,” he demands against my lips.

“Morgan,” I whisper. He grabs my wrists and lifts my arms over my head against the wall.

He moves his mouth down my jaw and lands on my neck. My arms tighten around him, feeling his arousal against my lower stomach. I fight the urge to reach down and wrap my fingers around him. My body shivers, both in excitement and nerves. His lips travel up to my ear and he sweetly pulls it in between his lips.

“If you kiss my neck and suck on my ear, your pants are coming off.” The words come out of me without permission, but the moment they release from my lips, he nips my neck.

“Jesus Christ…” he growls in my ear.

I feel his lips form into a knowing grin as he presses one last kiss against the flesh of my neck. “Just when I was trying to talk myself out of taking advantage of you, I’m reminded that you may be the one taking advantage of me.”

“No one said willpower was easy.” I wink and he lets out a soft laugh.

“Screw willpower.” He kisses me once more before the voices from the front get louder. “Shit.”

“I think we have to get back to civilization.”

“Unfortunately.” He frowns. He takes a couple of steps back giving me room to adjust myself. I comb my fingers through my hair and fix my lipstick. My lips feel swollen, and I’m sure someone is going to notice.

I decide I should walk back first to avoid any suspicions. My heart is nearly beating out of my chest, but not because of the reasons before. This reason is a much better excuse. I look over my shoulder and see his eyes fixed on me as I walk away. “Find me later, Professor.” I wink and confidently walk away.

The only thought in my mind as I walk back to the front is how much I want to kiss him again…and again and again, and how I want to do much more than kissing.

Screw rules and consequences. I don’t want meaningless one-night stands anymore.

I want someone who understands me on a deeper level. Someone who’s passionate about what I’m passionate about. Someone who could grasp the pain and emotional baggage I carry around.

I want that someone to be him—Morgan Hampton.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MORGAN

I don’t know what came over me, but the moment my lips touched hers again, I was helpless to stop. Seeing her in that tight red dress that hugs her curves like a second skin, add the plunging neckline that accentuates her perfect breasts, and I was a goner. On a normal day, I was out of control around her, but this threw me straight over the edge.

I’m drawn to her and refuse to fight it any longer. Knowing she feels the same way has me itching to get her alone again.

Aunt Mel is furiously bouncing around, double and triple checking that everything is set to go. I know she’s a perfectionist, so I pull her aside. “Where can I help?”

“Oh, Morgan.” She sighs. “You’re here to enjoy. Don’t you worry.”

I eye her suspiciously. “Let me help.”

“Well, jump in anywhere if you insist.” She finally smiles. “Just don’t forget to have fun, too.” She winks and leans in to kiss me on the cheek. I plan to enjoy myself, just not the way she’s probably thinking.

Soon the doors open and people swarm in. I walk in between people, greeting and welcoming them to the event. I keep my eyes out for Aspen, wanting any excuse to look at her. She looks completely flawless, smiling and chatting. I hear a sweet laugh come from her, which completely lights up the room. I wish I could wrap my arm around her and claim her for everyone to see. But I know I can’t, and I know I sound ridiculous for even wanting to claim her, but I can’t help the way she affects me.

I haven’t felt this way in years, and I feel high just thinking about it. There’s no doubting that everything about her consumes me. I’ve been infatuated with her for weeks and now that I know what her lips and body pressed against me feels like, I only want more. More of her.