Page 148 of Love Unspoken

A group of students nearby started clapping, apparently deciding that our little exchange was worthy of public approval. I turned to see them grinning, clearly enjoying the spectacle of their professor being courted right there on the campus lawn.

Amara's cheeks flushed a deep pink. "You couldn't do this somewhere less public?"

I laughed, genuinely enjoying the moment. "Where's the fun in that?"

She shook her head, but I could see the smile tugging at her lips. "This is all a bit over the top."

"Maybe."

She narrowed her eyes, but she couldn't hide the smile. "You can't win me over with an egg sandwich, no matter how good it is."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." My heart lifted with a hope I hadn't felt in months. "But, I know all your favorite foods, so I'll just keep showing up with lunch."

She finally took a bite of her sandwich, her eyes never leaving mine. "You think the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach."

"The way to your heart, Tesoro, is by being honest," I told her, letting her see through me, "And I'm giving you that. I'm giving you me. All of me."

Her eyes moistened.

I didn't want her to cry, so I lightened the mood. "But you know I think I'd get further if you'd let me aim a bit lower and eat your pussy."

She gasped, scandalized, and then burst out laughing.

And just like that, the tension between us eased, replaced by emotions that were lighter and real.

"Are you doing any new research?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up. She loved talking about her work and listening to me about mine. "I'm doing this study on how different companies communicate with the public—not their customers but the public at large. Large corporations versus small companies versus old family-owned enterprises versus startups."

I leaned back on the blanket, listening to her speak, watching her finally relax into the moment. I did this, I thought. I made her happy. That was my reward, and it felt damn good.

NINETEEN

AMARA

"Stop fidgeting," Jax admonished. "You look stunning."

"I don't want to be here," I pouted.

Lucas had asked me to come as his date to a charity gala, where his grandmother was raising money for the College of Charleston in her capacity as the chairman of the board of LPC. Since many of my colleagues were going to attend the gala, it made sense that I come as well. But no way was I going as Lucas's date. I wasn't ready for that. It was humiliating when he dumped me like a hot potato, and no matter what he said, everyone assumed I'd been kicked to the curb to make room for Kath.

I was wearing a new dress, one I hadn't planned on buying. But Gemma had insisted on a shopping trip and dragged me along. She ended up in a figure-hugging emerald green dress that made her glow while I was ready to go with my usual black party dress (for mourning). But Gemma had convinced me—okay, fine, the dress was so pretty I didn't need much convincing—to buy a hand-painted raw silk number that looked like polished brass with a subtle shimmer. The fitted bodice hugged my boobs while the skirt flared gently at the hips, cascading down to just above my ankles. It had a generous but modest slit on the right side. Delicate brushstrokes in shades of gold and amber swirled across the fabric, giving the impression of molten metal in motion. The dress was elegant and bold, and I loved it, especially since it had been seventy percent off.

For the gala, we were at a grand historic mansion owned by the Covington family on the outskirts of Charleston, since LPC officially supported the event.

The city's elite, along with us academic types, were in attendance, mingling under glittering chandeliers, sipping champagne, and exchanging pleasantries, or in my case, trying to not lose my shit.

My eyes frantically wandered around the room, looking for Lucas. I was glad I'd turned down his request to come as his date when my eyes fell on him. He stood at the center of the room, looking delicious in his perfectly tailored tuxedo, with Kath next to him. She looked radiant in an emerald green silk dress that caught the light with every movement. My heart stopped, confusion and dread coiling in my stomach.

This wasn't what he had told me. This wasn't supposed to happen. He had told me that if I weren't going to be his date, he'd just go stag, but it now looked like he was here with her.

As soon as Lucas saw me, he disengaged from the people he was talking to and came up to Jax and me. He leaned down and brushed his lips against my cheek. "You look ravishing," he whispered in my ear.

I licked my lips and looked at Kath but didn't say anything.

Jax didn't have my reticence or a filter. "What the fuck, Lucas, you still with that bitch?" he hissed.

"What?" Lucas looked around, confused. "No. She's the CFO of LPC, so she manages the charity finances along with Grandma."