Twenty-three never looked so good. It's my birthday weekend and the best thing I have planned is Buffy reruns and chocolate cake pops. My favorite dessert despite the extra ten pounds they added to my thighs, which is another reason why I convinced Vicky to exercise with me. Sweat slides down my back as I step off my bike and follow my best friend into the women's locker room.

After one hour of ass-kicking Soul Cycle, my body is feeling both energized and close to collapsing. I wipe the sweat off my love handles and between my breasts. A trail of it has formed all across my skin, leaving heavy sweat marks all over my workout outfit.

"So, I have a surprise for you."

I turn toward Vicky, my confusion obvious on my face. "I told you, no gifts."

"Well, technically, this isn't a gift from me. It's a gift from Derrick. He said he knows this really great lawyer you might be interested in. His name is Noah Delanco."

"Wait, how long have you been seeing Derrick and not telling me about it."

Vicky blushes. "Well, he told me thought I wasn't that into him. Apparently, his brother, told him that I didn't seem as interested in him as he was with me."

Professor Grant tried to sabotage my best friend's happiness? What the hell?

"So, birthday girl, what do you think?" My hand stops mid-wipe at Vicky's question. Shit. This could end up being worse than the last time Vicky set me up with a fro-yo eating hipster who bragged about women's equality, up until we were in the bedroom. Apparently, going down on a girl was a hard limit for him. "Derrick knows him?"

"Yes. Apparently, he's good in bed too." Vicky adds with wiggle of the eyebrows. She's been way too happy lately, and I guess I know why now. Getting laid by Professor Grant's hot, younger brother seems to have its perks.

"I don't know," I say with a weak smile. Tonight was supposed to be another long night of rewrites. There's no way I'm giving Professor Grant the satisfaction of giving me another F on our upcoming assignment.

"I promise if he's a dud you can leave at any time."

"This way, ma'am."

The young host standing at the front of Cielo directs me toward the back of the hip, urban restaurant nestled inside of the Oceanside Village Hotel. Lights dance above me as we pass couples dining. Row by row each table sits filled with lovers hovering closely together. The cute Italian restaurant seems to be a popular destination and its no wonder with it's lush green garden patio that sits adorned in candles and lights. It's like we've entered the Garden of Eden.

We're almost to my table when I hear a voice behind me.

"Ms. Wilde."

I turn to find Professor Grant sitting at a small table, a glass of wine in one hand and a bottle in the other. He's dressed in slacks and a white dress shirt with the collar open. The casual look is both surprising and far too tempting. My heart races and his gaze pierces me with an icy expression. I shiver despite the warmth of the night air.

"Professor Grant, I'm surprised to see you here," I say.

He quirks an eyebrow at me before pouring the last of his wine.

"Why is that Ms. Wilde? Do I not seem the type who likes to eat?"

"I was almost certain that you were a robot," I say, biting back a smile. A perfectly sculpted robot with an irritatingly-sexy ass.

"Despite what you may think, I do enjoy conventional things like talking, eating -"

"Fucking," I mumble.

Shit. Did I just say that out loud?

"What was that, Ms. Wilde?" His eyes sparkle with mischief.

My cheeks burn as I watch the slow smile light up his rugged face. Holy smokes, Batman. He definitely heard me.

"Miss, your table is this way."

I look back to realize the host leading me was just privy to our entire exchange. The young man smiles and gestures to a table in the back. Before I have a chance to pull away, I feel fingers curling around my wrist.

"Are you meeting someone?" Professor Grant asks.

"Yes."

"Is this a date?" He presses. Why the hell is he asking so many questions?

"Yes."

With that confession, I feel his fingers loosen their grip as he retreats back to his glass of wine. He looks up at me with an expressionless stare.

"Have a good evening." I step away feeling as if I've just been dismissed. I leave him behind feeling a knot building in my stomach and the farther I walk the stronger it grows. To my surprise the host stops abruptly and points to a table only a few feet away from Parker's view. Before I have time to object or the chance to tell the waiter our table is much too close I realize Noah is there waiting for me.

"You look beautiful," he says, as I approach. His eyes drink me like a man starved for water - or pussy.

A blush sets in as I contemplate how to handle this awkward situation. Only a few tables back is Professor Grant, a man who absolutely drives me insane and yet I can't stop thinking about him. I'm tempted to look back to see if he's watching us.

"Thank you," I say, as Noah hands me a single rose. He leans and brushes a kiss on my cheek. The gesture is far too intimate for a first date but I'm not completely surprised. Vicky warned me that her cousin was handsy.

The man sitting in front of me is the epitome of a Hollywood Elitist. Noah sits back in his chair surveying me before snapping his fingers at a nearby waiter and ordering a drink for him and me. He watches me with a smile as he orders a plate of steak and lobster for himself. I grind my teeth, reigniting my bad habit from childhood. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a man who orders for me. I never understood why it's such a big turn on in Romance novels. To my dismay, Noah orders me a Kale salad instead of the juicy bacon cheeseburger I so desperately wanted.

This date is stepping off on the wrong foot. Noah is easy to talk to, but the topics of conversation begin to bore me. After several minutes of listening to him brag about the new movie he's working on, I mentally check out. A new wave of temptation hits me and I give in slowly directing my gaze over to Professor Grant's table. To my surprise, he's watching me too. I gulp trying to steady my breathing and failing miserably.

Noah's voice calls to me.

"Do you know him?"

I look back at my blind date as I watch him spot Professor Grant staring at the two of us. We both turn just in time to see him beeline toward our table. Crap, I'm gonna need a drink for this. I grab the martini Noah ordered and down it in one swift gulp.

"Good evening," Grant says with a hint of distaste.

"Grant?" Noah says sounding surprised. "What are you doing here?"

My eyes widen at the familiarity of his greeting. They know each other? Professor Grant ignores my date and continues looking at me.

"Ms. Wilde, can I have a moment?"

"Fuck," I blurt. I need another drink before dealing with all of this.

"Grant, fuck off. She's on a date with me," Noah says with a look of irritation.

"Ms. Wilde, can I speak with you privately?" Grant's gaze lands on mine and the room suddenly feels ten degrees warmer. His eyes stare down at me with a chilly blue ice to them. His hand reaches out and wraps around my elbow before lifting me from my chair. Grant doesn't wait or listen to my objections.

"You're going with him?" Noah asks with an accusing tone. He stares at us baffled by the sudden exchange.

"My ex-boyfriend," I lie. "I'm sorry, I'll be right back."

Firm hands pull me forward leading me down a long hallway. Before I realize where we're going I hear Grant's harsh voice against my ear brimming with anger.

"What the hell are you doing?" I snap.

"I could ask the same of you." His face is inches from mine. So close I can smell his after shave and the soap he must've used this morning in the shower. The scent is Honey and lavender.

"Are you planning on sleeping with him?" he growls.

The audacity of his question makes my jaw slack in surprise.

"Who I sleep with is none of your business, Professor."

He flinches at my tone. The brief moment of emotion is quickly shrugged off and replaced with an irritating scowl.

"Tell me you're not going to sleep with him."

"You're drunk," I huff. At least that's what I keep telling myself. It's the only plausible reason Professor Grant is acting like this. His once cool, level-headed demeanor is gone. Now, he stands in front of me slightly disheveled, his expression strained. “How do you know him?”

"Promise me," he says, grabbing my chin. “Noah Delanco is a notorious dick. He’s friends with my brother.”

His touch sends desire rippling through me. I may be able to lie to him, but I can't lie to myself. I'm more than tempted to honor his request.

"Fine," I blurt. "I promise."

"Good."

My breath grows heavy as Grant leans in tightening his hold around my chin. I don't dare move, too afraid that if I do this moment will disappear. His gaze is locked on me and it's likeness is that of a lion hunting its prey. My eyes flutter closed as his lips hang inches away. My skin screams to be touched but I silence my thoughts as I wait.

"Don't forget tomorrow's assignment," he says, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. His lips slowly move over my mouth and I gasp at the sudden heat of Professor Grant's touch. We stand there for what feels like minutes, but what I know is only seconds. His tongue flicks against mine and just as I'm about to return the favor he's breaks away and heads down the hall.

Did that just happen?

My head is spinning and my heart feels as if it's about to explode.