Claiming Caroline (Claimed 3)

"Her work will stand on its own merit." There's no question of that. People may whisper, but it won't be about the quality of her work. If they have doubts, let them cast them on me. "I've weathered worse."

Hawkins gives me a wry grin, silently acknowledging my point. He's well aware of what students say about me and my methods. Like I said, he can be a hard ass too. His grin slips. "I'll give you the remainder of the semester, but the sister's work is to be reviewed by a tenured professor," he says. "And I reserve the right to change my mind if I feel it necessary."

"Fair enough." It's more than I expected. Hell, it's probably more than I deserve. "I won't take up any more of your time," I say, climbing to my feet. "I appreciate you for seeing me."

"What's her name?"

"Caroline Thorne."

"Ah," he says. His lips twitch.

"You're familiar with her." It's not a question.

"Indeed," he says, his expression amused. "She's graced me with her presence a few times over the years."

I bite back a grin, pride welling in my chest. My girl is feisty when something riles her up. I can just imagine what kind of mischief she's caused for Hawkins over the years. I can't fucking wait to be the one who supports and loves her while she fights for what she believes in.

"For what it's worth," he says as I head toward the door, "I'm relieved to hear she's got you writing again."

"Me too."

"Come in," I call, tossing my pen down with a grin. My fingers are stained with ink for the first time in years. Page after page has poured out. I don't know if anyone else will think it's any good, but I love everything about it because it's mine…and Caroline's. She's a never-ending source of inspiration.

I lean back in my chair, folding my hands together behind my head. Anticipation coils tight in my stomach and my heart beats double time.

The door to my office creaks open. Caroline steps over the threshold.

My dick instantly turns to steel in my pants. She looks beautiful. Her red hair tumbles down her back in waves and her cheeks are pink from the chilly fall air. Despite the recent drop in temperature, she's dressed in a thin t-shirt with a long plaid flannel open over top of it. She's paired it with a black skirt that ends a couple inches above her knees and ballet flats.

She stands there for just a minute, looking at me. Her sooty lashes flutter over her dark eyes. I don't miss the way her nipples harden, pressing against her shirt. Or the way she shivers. My princess is thinking about last night. What we did, the things we said…

Daddy. Daddy, please!

This beautiful princess has no idea what she's unleashed. How much I crave. How deep I ache. Love isn't an adequate descriptor. Obsession isn't a fair enough classification.

She's so goddamn mine, my heart aches just looking at her.

"You're a sight for sore eyes, princess."

She flashes an impish smile at me, pulling the door closed behind her. "I missed you today."

"Yeah?" My grin widens. "Why don't you come show me how much, sweet baby?"

She sways toward me, her tits jiggling and her hips rolling in a seductive rhythm. Her gaze runs all over me, burning hot with intention. I push my chair back from my desk, spreading my legs slightly as my dick grows even harder.

She stops less than a foot away, licking her lips and eyeing my cock, looking desire dazed and love drunk. I hope she always looks at me this way, with wonder and trust mingling in her eyes, turning them to obsidian flame. She's part innocent princess, part seductive goddess.

"You're too beautiful for your own good, you know that, princess?" I murmur, reaching out to snag her hand. I draw her toward me, electricity sparking where my skin meets hers. "One look at you and I forget other people even exist."

"Me too," she whispers.

I draw her toward me until she's standing right in front of me, and then I gently tap her hip, urging her to turn around to face my desk. I position her with her hands on the edge of it, her ass tilted toward me, and then wrap one hand around her knee, urging her to spread her legs for me.