Page 1 of Unlocked Desire: Vol One

Good Girl

Chapter One

SONIA

"You failed the test," Joey squealed. "You're a genius. How the hell did you fail?"

"I just did. I needed an excuse for the extra tutoring. You know the college puts students on academic probation on the list before anyone else. It's been almost impossible to see him. The last time I was in a room alone with him without a bunch of college girls giggling like mad geese was six months ago at my brother's dissertation."

"Sonia, you're risking your future for what? Some old dick?"

"He's only thirty. My brother’s age. He’s gorgeous. Have you seen him?"

"Yes. I guess he isn't bad-lookin' if that's your type, but can't you ask Vance to hook you up? I mean, he went to grad school with the man." Joey grabbed a book off the bed and tossed it on the floor casually as if the floor was a side table or something.

"You guess?"

Joey shrugged. "He isn't really my type."

"Yes, I've seen your type: Jack and Phillip. How the hell are you gonna choose between them?"

"Who says I have to choose?"

"Are you gonna play them against each other?"

Joey glided her hands over her body. "There is plenty of me to share."

I burst out laughing. "You’re a handful enough for two dudes."

"You avoiding my question?"

"What question?"

"Why don't you ask Vance to hook up something?"

The idea of asking my older brother to set me up on a date was out of the question. Even mentioning Tristen’s name to Vance could blow everything up before it started. Vance would probably try to kill Tristen.

My brother, a smart guy, wasn't exactly level-headed. After my dad’s death, he crowned himself The Matthew King, the master of everything, the protector of those who lived under him—my mother and me. There was no way on God's green earth I was ever going to put myself through that kind of hell.

I wish he’d find a girl so he’d be too busy to worry about me, but Vance was too mean to attract a girl. If by a miracle someone wanted to be around him, she’d probably be locked up somewhere, controlled by him, the overprotective dick. Vance didn't trust anyone. That’s why I was shocked that he called Tristen a friend.

"I know. But seriously, Sonia, what's your plan? You walk into his office, and then what? Present yourself on his desk like an all-you-can-eat buffet?"

"I haven't thought about that."

"Maybe you should. You don't even know if he is interested. Professor Daddy seems too stuck up to risk getting hot and heavy with a student."

"He isn't old enough to be my dad."

"What if this backfires?"

"What you mean?'"

Joey fiddled with a lace blouse I'd thrown on the bed while I searched for the perfect outfit. "Well, what if he turns you down and gives you an F? That would seriously blow."

My hand hesitated, as did my conviction. Hearing Joey say my fears aloud made them real. Suddenly, my plan didn’t seem as concrete as it had been a moment ago. But if I didn’t try, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I'd seen the way Tristen looked at me. There was no way all of this was in my head. I wasn’t fuckin’ crazy.

"It's worth it,” I finally replied.

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