The Protege (3 page)

“A
fundraiser? A get-to-know-you-meeting?” Intrigued, Serena couldn’t hide her
sudden interest. “You didn’t tell me this was for a fundraiser. I love
fundraisers. In that case, I’d love to help out.”

A
dry laugh rang through her phone. “Would you now?  Well, now that I’ve piqued
you interest, I may as well tell you that it’s going to be on a yacht, a
relatively small one, but a yacht all the same. It’s at the Newport Harbor, and
the food is supposed to be wonderful.”

“Are
you trying to convince me, Professor?”

“Don’t
read anything into this, but I thought you’d make good company; after all, if
you’re looking to have me as your advisor it must be in part due to your love
of music, right? I think it could make for interesting conversations. At least
we’d have that in common and that could make up for the lack of knowledge we
have of one another.”

A
sense of bewilderment fluttered through her.  She hadn’t expected this type of
declaration from him.  He seemed more like the type who would want a woman on
his arm simply for the physical gratification, not to actually converse with. 
And the fact he was teaching because he wanted to help mentor and bring up the
new generation of music composers was admirable. With his awards and
connections, he could easily spend his time hobnobbing with the rich and
famous, writing compositions all day, and walking the red carpet; not hanging
out with students. “Congratulations.  You convinced me.  I’d be happy to go.”

“Good,
I’m glad that’s settled. We’ll discuss the details later.”

“Fine,
then. I’ll wait to hear from you.” She cringed.  That sounded way too eager.

“Oh,
by the way, do you have something appropriate to wear?”

“Appropriate
how?”

“Classy,
elegant, something really nice.”

She
let out a tense snort. “Not really. Since starting school, I’ve been so focused
on my studies…I only brought some ordinary day dresses and the clothes I wear
to go to school.  The nice stuff I have is in storage.”

“Don’t
worry. I’ll find something for you. I have to run down to pick up my tux so I
could swing by and pick you up. I know a few places we can go and you’ll find
something appropriate in no time.”

“A
tux, huh?”

“Yeah,
it’s that kind of evening.”

“I
don’t know. I don’t think…”

“I
saw in your file that you live off campus, but Harbor Boulevard isn’t that far
off my route.”

“Thanks,
I appreciate it, but I have a friend who has a pretty decent wardrobe, so I’ll
see what she can do for me.”

“If
that’s what you prefer, fine, however, since I’m the one who asked you to come
to this shindig, I would pay for the dress.”

She
laughed.  “Oh, Lord, no. That’d only make matters worse.”

“Why?”

“Because
then I’d owe you one, Professor.”

“All
right,” he said with a throaty laugh.  “Have it your way.  We’ll talk again
soon.”

Chapter 2

“
S
o you’ve finally met the notorious Professor
Sorensen.”  Laura poured herself a glass of white wine and leaned over her kitchen
counter to look at Serena.  Her long tapered fingers tapped lightly on the
glass, sending the aromatic liquid quivering.

“I
have to admit, he is a pretty good looking man.” Having declined a glass of
wine, Serena sipped her mineral water, though a nervous twitch in her gut
beckoned for a single sip of alcohol.

“Good
looking? My God, Serena, he’s gorgeous, at least that’s what I’ve heard. I
haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him yet.” Laura eyed Serena with
disbelief.  “No one on campus can understand what he’s doing behind the scenes
writing music when he could easily be in front of the camera wooing millions. 
I mean, the world is his oyster, but all he wants to do is shuck.”

“Not
everyone in California wants to be a celebrity, Laura. Some actually take their
craft seriously. This is a man who lives for his music.  I think composing
beautiful music is a noble endeavor.”

“Yeah. 
You would.”

“You
gotta follow your passion in life.  Music is what he loves.  I can totally
understand that.”

Laura
took a good swallow.  “Listening to you, you’d think you could see straight
through to his soul.”

“It’s
not that hard to figure out.  He loves music and wants to share that love with
his students.  I’m sure that’s why he’s here at Irvine instead of traveling the
world wooing millions.”

“Either
way, I’m sure tonight is going to turn out to be quite the eye opener.  Do you
even realize how lucky you are?  If the girls at Irvine get wind of this,
they’ll want your hide.”

“That’s
encouraging.”

“Hey,
somebody’s got to win over that adorable professor. There’s no point letting
all that talent go to waste.”

Serena
knew exactly what Laura meant by ‘talent’. “Just because the guy is good
looking and single doesn’t mean he’s going to waste.  Besides, I’m hardly going
to ‘win over’ Professor Sorensen.  It’s a platonic date.  I’m just doing him a
favor.”

“Look,
however you want to call it, you're still damn lucky.”

“I
completely agree, but not for the reasons you think.  I’m lucky because after
tonight I’ll have him as my advisor and my success in the music composition
program is pretty much guaranteed. Soon after that I’ll be composing beautiful
music just like him. I’ll be his protégé, and the world better watch out!”

Laura
winked. “And have wild hot sex with him at the same time. That’s what every
girl around Professor Sorensen wants.” She smiled. “And every guy wants to have
what he has…hung like a horse, I hear.”

“Oh,
get your head out of the gutter for a minute.”

Laura
closed her eyes. “Hmm, Professor Sorensen, sexy voice, bedroom eyes, sultry
lips, body built for non-stop fucking...”  She opened her eyes and looked at
Serena.  “Nope.  Just the thought of him and my mind goes straight to the
gutter. What can I say?  Some guys just have that effect on people.”

“Well,
he doesn’t have that effect on me.”

Laura
picked up her glass of wine and led the way to her bedroom. “Still, we can try
to make it so you have that same effect on him.  I think I know the perfect
dress for you.”

“The
idea isn’t to wow him with…”

“With
what? That hot little body of yours? If I wasn’t straight, I’d be tempted.
Slender everywhere except for your God-given large round boobs and butt? God,
what women would kill to have b & b (boobs and butt) like yours. The only
way would be through surgery, girl, and I say…if you’ve got it, flaunt it.”

Serena
rolled her eyes up. “I just don’t want anything too revealing. Nothing too
sleazy, Laura.  This is a fundraiser; a family fundraiser at that.  I don’t
want his mom to see me and think I’m just another tramp. 

 “Honey,”
Laura said with a dramatic pout.  “You're hurting my feelings.”

“I
didn’t mean to imply that your wardrobe is sleazy, though you have to admit you
do own a few questionable items.”

The
dramatic pout quickly turned into a wicked grin. “Being a little naughty from
time to time never hurt anyone. At least I have sex often.”

Serena
frowned. Having sex often wasn’t something she would be proud to admit. Where
she was from as a child, women had it all the time, only it wasn’t a badge of
triumph, but a way to make a living, often with a steep price to pay.

“Laura,
honey, you know me…it’s the quality of the sex, not the quantity.”

“And
Professor Sorensen definitely counts as quality and quantity at the same time,
if you can even get him interested in you like that. I heard girls and women
(way older than him even) throw themselves shamelessly at him. Whether he
indulges is another thing. I heard he’s insatiable. Well-built and satisfying,
too. Never leaves a woman unsatisfied and not thoroughly fucked.” Laura closed
her eyes in reverence. “God what a man.”

“I’m
to be his protégé, Laura,” Serena said. “Hopefully, if he’s my adviser, I can
get half as talented as he is in music composition.”

“Either
way, darling, you are going to look ravishing.”

With
flair she pulled out a pretty lace hanger on which hung a shimmering gown of
gold. “With your dark hair, I think this would look great on you.  It’ll also
enhance that sun kissed glow of yours and will make your large green eyes pop.”

Serena
looked at the garment with a touch of distaste. “I don’t know.” She fingered
the thin straps that ran down to the low cut back.

“The
hanger doesn’t do it justice.  Just try it on then decide.”

“Fine.”
Unconvinced, Serena took the hanger and headed to the bathroom.  The fabric felt
expensive and when she saw the designer’s name, she gasped.  How on earth could
Laura lend her such a dress? It most likely cost more than her rent. Emerging a
few moments later, she remained pessimistic.

“Why
the glum face, gorgeous?”

“I’m
just not sure, Laura. I feel… too exposed.”

“Have
you seen yourself?” Laura took Serena by the elbow and led her to the full
length mirror beside the closet door. “Look at that and tell me you don’t look
like a beautiful golden goddess.”

Serena
tilted her head to the side as she took in her reflection.  It did fit her
perfectly and the effect wasn’t as gaudy as she’d anticipated. It clung to all
the right places, emphasizing her breasts, slender waist, and curves, while
flowing softly down to highlight her long shapely legs.

“And,”
Laura said as she came behind her and pulled her hair up, “look how elegant
that looks. A touch of mascara, some light blush on your incredible high
cheekbones, a soft lipstick and you’re set.”

Smiling,
Serena could now see the full picture coming together.  Though daring, the
dress was elegant and classy. “Okay, I’ll take it.”

“Great.”
Laura opened the closet door and pulled out golden four inch slingbacks. “And
take these.”

Serena
slipped her feet in.

“From
sweaty sweats to refined goddess.”  Laura applauded. “I don’t think I’ve ever
seen you look quite so beautiful and fuckable.”

“Laura!”
Serena scolded. “That’s not…”

Laura
laughed. “Having sex appeal isn’t a bad thing, girl. You have it, don’t hide
it. You can go back to sweats and college grad garb afterwards. Enjoy tonight
as a desirable woman on the arm of the hot and sexy Sebastian Sorensen.”

Chapter 3

S
ebastian whistled a frivolous tune as he drove
his Roadster out of Newport Beach’s Fashion Island’s parking lot. The newly
tailored Armani suit he’d picked up fit him perfectly and going to his mother’s
bash that night seemed a little more palatable.

Out
of curiosity, he passed in front of the address he’d seen in Serena’s file. Not
bad, he thought.  Nothing like the penthouse suite he had in the imposing glass
and steel towers that faced the ocean, but still… not bad.

Grinning
at the last minute arrangement he’d made for the night, he drove on as he
mentally dressed Serena. Would she go for something somber, even matronly, or
would she play it stylish and classic?  Truth was he wondered what she’d look
like in something a little slinky… a little sexy. She had potential for sure,
with what little he saw. Was that a package of edible underwear he thought that
fell out of her bag? He couldn’t help but smile. If so, there was more to
Serena Singleton than his first impression of her.

She
was thin; a little too thin for his liking, but with a few extra pounds, he
felt certain she’d have interesting and tantalizing curves…like her breasts that
seemed to strain against her prim and proper blouse. And her pouty lips…lips
that looked as sweet as candy. The tight pencil skirt she’d worn that morning
which hugged her bottom like a glove, had hinted at many possibilities he’d
like to explore with his hands, though something innocent, even naïve had made
it clear she had no idea the potential she had. That in itself made her a
little intriguing and enticing. A woman who doesn’t know her own potential for
passion. How he’d like to open that up within her, get her to tap into that,
and make something great out of her. He can already see the potential she had
as one of his students. Now if he can get through all those layers of clothing,
insecurities, and emotional barriers; he could help her break out of her shell
and possibly inspired her to be a great composer. Already she had been a
challenge, being late to their meeting like that and insisting he drop
everything to meet with her. How presumptuous. How rebellious. How much she
deserves to be taught a lesson on being punctual. He would gladly give her a
good spanking to show her that kind of behavior cannot be tolerated, and such a
prim and proper outfit would stifle anyone’s creativity.

Something
about her seemed familiar and strangely erotic, though, despite her harsh
student outfit. She would definitely be a challenge…a challenge he’d be drawn
to take.

He
parked his car in the underground parking lot, draped his new suit over his arm
and took the elevator to his suite. The moment he set foot in his home, he was
once again reminded of his mother’s taste for everything refined.  It was no
wonder.  She’d insisted he use her good friend Olivia Winston to decorate the
suite while he’d insisted he wanted a décor that suited his personality, not
hers.

Though
he would have preferred a younger and more avant-garde designer, he’d called
Olivia.  She’d been eager to meet with him; too eager. While Sebastian had
anticipated the move she’d make on him, he hadn’t quite expected her to be so
persistent.  On more than one occasion, he’d had to physically pry her off him,
something that revolted him.