The sky was still pale when Rae stepped out of the shower, a towel slung low around her hips, hair wrapped in a loose knot. Her first day of college, in a brand new city. She felt… oddly calm. Nervous, sure, but the kind that stayed in her chest and didn't quite make it to her hands yet.
She got dressed in a light, olive-green crop top with wide straps and an open back. The soft fabric clung to her figure, leaving the curve of her spine and the inky line of her tattoo on full display. A glint of silver caught the light at the base of her back , the tiny dermal piercing just above her waist. Her long brown pants hugged her hips and fell wide at the ankles. Simple, earthy, effortless.
She threw on a few rings, adjusted the silver hoop in her nostril and the small black one in her septum, then tied her red hair up into a messy bun that let her neck and tattoos breathe.
She was just about to lace her sneakers when she heard it.
Voices. Movement. Something shifting outside her apartment.
Her brows pulled together.
She padded to the window, brushing the curtain aside with her fingers , and paused.
A man stood outside near the building's front steps. Tall. Broad. His back was turned to her, shirt tucked in, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. He was dressed neatly , black pants, pale grey shirt, no tie, but clean and crisp. He was leaning slightly, checking something near the base of the wall, muttering to himself as he tapped a clipboard and made a small, irritated sound.
Even from behind, Rae could tell he wasn't young. There was something solid about him. The kind of build that didn't come from gym selfies, but from real work. And then, he turned.
Rae blinked.
Holy hell.
He was handsome. Dangerously so.
Stylish dark brown hair, thick and slightly tousled, like he barely cared but still somehow made it work. His jaw was sharp, dusted with the kind of stubble that looked more deliberate than lazy. His lips were full ,not soft-boy full, but defined , and his face was framed by slightly oversized Silver rimmed glasses that made him look both intelligent and completely untouchable.
A tiny few streaks of gray cut through the sides of his hair. Subtle. Hot. He had the kind of face you didn't expect to see at eight in the morning outside your building.
And yet there he was, scowling at a pipe.
Rae stepped outside, narrowing her eyes. "Excuse me," she called out, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Can I help you, or are you just breaking and entering?"
The man turned fully, eyes meeting hers. Up close, they were a deep stormy gray ,unreadable, cold, and quick to assess.
"No," he said simply, voice low and smooth. "I'm checking the property."
"Cool," Rae said, crossing her arms. "Would've been nice to give me a heads-up instead of making noise like you're about to rob the place."
His brow twitched. "I don't need your permission to inspect my own building."
"Oh, your building?" she asked, tone laced with disbelief.
"I'm the landlord," he said, flatly. "Dean Carter."
Rae stared at him for a second, processing.
That's Dean?
This… gorgeous, grumpy glass-wearing man was the "troll" Linda warned her about?
"You could've at least knocked," she snapped. "I don't care if you own the place, don't just show up unannounced and wake people up."
"It's eight-thirty," he muttered, glancing at his watch. "Most people are already awake."
"I was getting ready for school," she shot back. "Which I would've done in peace if you weren't rattling the pipes."
He sighed through his nose, muttering something under his breath as he scribbled on his clipboard. "I'm not here to fight with you."
"Then don't," Rae said, stepping back toward her door. "But don't make this a habit. I value my sleep and my peace."
He looked up sharply. "This is my property. I come by when I need to. Don't like it? You're free to break your lease."
Rae gave him a tight, sarcastic smile and held up both hands. "Wow. Charming. You must be a hit at parties."
Dean let out a dry breath and glanced at his watch again. "I'm late for work."
"Good," Rae muttered under her breath. Then, a little louder: "Have a great day, Dean."
And as he turned, clearly over it, she flicked him off.
No hesitation.
Dean didn't even look back. He just walked to his car, stiff, irritated, and absolutely not expecting a tenant like her.
Rae watched him drive off, shook her head, and went back inside, muttering to herself.
"Yeah… definitely a troll."
The campus was buzzing by the time Rae arrived.
She'd already gotten through registration, picked up her schedule, and figured out where her building was. Everything moved fast, but it wasn't overwhelming , not yet. She walked with her bag slung over one shoulder, eyes flicking over the unfamiliar hallways and scatter of students.
Some looked fresh out of high school, faces still soft, energy too loud. Others looked older , maybe working adults going back for degrees, maybe people like her, just... figuring it out.
It was comforting in a weird way. Nobody was watching her too closely. No one cared about the girl with red hair and tattoos. Not here.
She found her classroom , second floor, tucked between two labs ,and slipped in before the crowd came. The room smelled like whiteboard markers and floor polish. Standard university setup: tiered seats, long desks, and big windows that didn't open.
Rae slid into the middle row, not too far from the front but not hiding in the back either. She liked being able to observe and disappear at the same time.
She pulled out her tablet, opened her notes app, and let her eyes wander lazily across the room.
A trio of guys across the aisle were already looking at her.
One nudged the other, smirking. Rae didn't even blink. She turned her head back to her screen like they didn't exist.
Seen it. Ignoring it. Try again.
A few more students trickled in. Voices rose and fell. Someone played music from their phone for a few seconds before someone else hissed at them to turn it off.
Rae glanced at the clock.
Three minutes late.
She adjusted in her seat, tucking her hair behind her ear just as the door opened and footsteps entered the room.
She didn't bother looking up at first. Just another teacher, probably trying to look strict and sound relatable.
Then she heard the voice.
"Morning, everyone. Let's settle down."
It was low. Measured. Slightly raspy.
Something in her froze.
She lifted her head slowly.
And there he was.
Dean.
Her landlord.
Standing at the front of the room, sleeves rolled, glasses on, one hand in his pocket like he did this every damn day.
Rae's heart sank.
"Oh fuck," she whispered under her breath.
He hadn't seen her yet. He was too focused on the board, writing his name out in sharp, clean letters.
Professor D. Carter.
The room quieted as students took notice , and a few whispered just loud enough to be heard.
"He's kinda hot…"
"Wait, he's our lecturer?"
Rae stayed dead still in her seat, her fingers curling around her tablet.
Of course, she thought. Of course he's not just the landlord. Of course he teaches this course.
Dean turned back to the class, arms folded now, eyes scanning the room as he started to speak.
"This course is structured around independent analysis and practical application. If you're here for shortcuts, I suggest you find another elective."
Rae instinctively ducked her chin, letting her red hair fall a little over her face.
She stared at her screen, hoping to God he wouldn't look directly at her , not yet. Not after the way they argued this morning. Not after she flipped him off in front of his car.
Because now?
Now he was the man in charge of her grade.
And Rae suddenly had a very real problem.