~ COLTON ~As promised, Colton stood waiting by the garden at the Plaza Hotel at 6 PM that evening. He was wearing a sleek black leather jacket and dark jeans. His jet-black hair was slicked to the side and his icy blue eyes were hidden behind those cool Ray-Bans. The sun was slowly setting over the city skyline and Colton glanced at his watch again. It was 6:02 PM.Colton wasn’t a new kid on the block when it comes to the dating scene, but there was something different about tonight that got him all worked up. He was looking forward to this day all week. He changed his shirt several times before settling with this one. And he even planned out the perfect evening, starting with a romantic dinner by the Brooklyn Bridge and ending with fireworks by the park. This date was bulletproof. Any girl would be swept off her feet, and he was hoping Sierra would too. Normally, he wouldn't put this much effort into a date, but since their first meeting was already so eventful, he felt the need to

~ SIERRA ~Sierra was dumbfounded. First of all, why was Colton here in Columbia? And how was he a teaching assistant? He never mentioned anything about being in college. Sierra’s brain was racing sixty miles an hour putting the puzzle together. For the rest of the class, she couldn’t concentrate on anything Profesor Howell was saying. She just kept glancing over at Colton, wishing the earth would swallow her whole.What is he gonna do? Would he be mad at me for standing him up on that date...?Sierra could only wonder how Colton must’ve felt when she didn’t show up for their date and she sent Rosie in her spot instead. She told Rosie to be as apologetic as she could when breaking the news, but Rosie was never known as the apologetic type. Hopefully she handled it well, but Sierra never knew.How am I supposed to act around him now? Should I say hi? Should I be friendly?While she worried about how to act around Colton, Sierra didn’t realize Professor Howell had finished his lecture o

~ COLTON ~A smug, winning smile was playing on Colton’s face. After all, he was Colton fucking Rhodes, player king of New York City. He wasn’t new into the dating game, and there was no way some virgin girl could beat him at his prime. Did she think he was mad that she stood him up? No, he didn’t get mad, he’d get even. “Mmhm, I’m so happy you called. I didn’t think I was gonna hear from you again,” Catalina purred into his ears as they reached the second floor of the townhouse. Colton stifled a smile and Catalina leaned for his neck, gently kissing and licking his skin.Colton met Catalina at a party in Columbia a few months back. They hooked up several times until Colton got bored and ghosted her. She was beautiful and sexy, sure, but she was also too predictable. She’d let him get away with anything and that was just too easy. Colton always liked someone with more resistance, someone more challenging.“I’ve missed you so bad,” Catalina whispered again, rolling her tongue on his

~ COLTON ~Colton walked slowly and carefully, not making any sound. He stepped closer to the bed and tilted his head to the side. He was watching Sierra sleeping soundly in his bed. The morning light was streaming through the window and it was hitting her skin in a warm yellow hue. She’s so precious, he thought to himself. Colton’s hand reached for her instinctively. He couldn’t help it. He wanted to touch her, to run his fingers on her smooth skin, and to tuck the wild strands of hair away from that beautiful face.As Colton stood right next to her, Sierra was sleeping soundly like a baby, not noticing him at all. He ran his finger gently down her cheek and his eyes softened. For a moment, he remembered how those guys’ hands were on her and it made his blood boil. He didn’t like that thought at all, so he shook it off. It had been a long night and Colton didn’t sleep at all. He was busy taking care of business, making sure those guys got what they deserve. He didn’t rest until e

~ SIERRA ~“Damn girl, who got you smiling like that?”Rosie was hollering extra loud as soon as Sierra came into the kitchen. Sierra was, of course, smiling like crazy as she was staring at her phone. She was reading and re-reading the text messages she and Colton exchanged over the weekend. “Rosie! Shush!” Sierra snapped at her cousin, then she looked around to make sure that her dad or anyone else wasn’t hearing them. Luckily for Sierra, her dad was already in the office and none of the maids were around.“What? It’s Monday morning and you’re way too happy,” Rosie commented as she sipped her juice. “You need to be more discrete, you’re showing too much,”“What? I am a happy girl. I’m going to class, I like my professor--”“--Sure, your professor,” Rosie cut her off and winked playfully. “And I’m sure your professor will like you in that high-waisted skirt and tights too,”“Rose, you know I can smother you in your sleep, right?” Sierra glared at her cousin, half joking and half ser