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Aled’s expression dropped even more, as if he’d read much more into those words. His side glance to Dr. Epstein seemed to confirm that he understood the deeper undercurrent brought on by the rumors about the two of them.
“I can’t wait to hear the presentations,” Aled said, sending Jamie a tight look as he escorted Dawn over to the tables in the corner, where the students would be sitting.
Jamie watched them go, trying not lose his nerve and run after them. It would be a struggle, but if it saved his career, maybe he could separate from Aled.
No, that was ludicrous. He wanted Aled. They belonged together.
But if he lost his job, lost his ability to help incoming students, what would he have left?
“That is not discretion,” Dr. Epstein said in a low voice, leaning close to Jamie’s ear.
Jamie jumped, anxiety sizzling down his spine. “I beg your pardon?” he asked with instinctive, and probably misplaced, defensiveness.
Dr. Epstein gave him a regretful look. “You obviously care about him.”
“I care about my position at the university as well,” Jamie said. “That’s the problem.”
Before Dr. Epstein could make an issue of the moment, Jamie nodded and started over to the head table, where he was seated, along with some of the biggest donors. It wasn’t going to work. He wasn’t going to be able to keep his feelings for Aled quiet, which meant he would inevitably put his career and Aled’s education in jeopardy. And all because Ronny couldn’t let go of the past.
Speaking of the devil, as soon as Jamie had a seat at his assigned table and turned to the matronly woman sitting next to him to introduce himself, Ronny strode up to the table and pulled out the seat on Jamie’s other side.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked, sitting regardless of the answer.
Jamie excused himself from the matron as graciously as he could before turning a scowl on Ronny. “Last I checked the seating chart, you weren’t at this table,” he hissed.
“I made a last-minute change,” Ronny said in a voice low enough for only Jamie to hear. He used that as an excuse to lean closer to Jamie. Too close. “You need me here with you tonight.” He placed his hand on Jamie’s leg.
“I do not,” Jamie said, picking up Ronny’s hand and shoving it away.
“I’m trying to look out for you,” Ronny said in the deep, languorous voice he once used when he was trying to soothe and seduce Jamie. “You know you need it.”
“I am perfectly capable of looking out for myself now,” Jamie said, smiling as another pair of donors and, much to his chagrin, Dr. Epstein sat at the table with them. As much as he wanted to call Ronny out for causing his problems, most likely so he could attempt to swoop in and solve them, now was not the time.
“Mr. Pulsiver, good evening,” Dr. Epstein nodded to Ronny. He sent a quick, exasperated look to Jamie.
At least Dr. Epstein seemed to be aware of the undercurrents at the table. He might not have been pleased by it, but Jamie felt like the man could still be an ally.
A few more people joined them, all deeply important donors with millions to give, and the conversation fell into easy banter about unimportant topics that didn’t affect Jamie in any way. He took a moment not only to assess the table, but to read the room.
They’d invited a good mix of people to the supper. All of them had connections to the Social Sciences department, which was what they were trying to raise money for that evening. The hall was decorated cheerfully, yet tastefully, with balloon arches, tasteful bunting, and pieces from a recent student art exhibit. Some of those pieces were being auctioned as part of the night’s activities.
Jamie was relieved to find that Aled had taken a seat directly in his line of sight, even though he was at the complete opposite end of the crowded hall. He was watching Jamie with a confused and possibly hurt look and when Jamie noticed him, he smiled weakly.
It was such a simple gesture, and even though it was paradoxical, all things considered, Jamie felt his heart break. Choosing Aled over his career was not the easy choice, but more and more, it felt like the choice he had to make. Even if it caused complete chaos in the rest of his life. At least he would have his dom in his corner fighting for him.
But nearly as soon as the warmth began to sink into his soul, Ronny blasted it out again by saying, “Of course, Jamison here doesn’t always make the best choices.”
Jamie blinked and adjusted his glasses as he pulled his focus back to his own table. “I beg your pardon?” he asked.
Ronny shrugged as though nothing were out of the ordinary and reached for the wine glass that one of the student servers had just poured. “I was merely saying that it’s ironic for you to be part of a fundraising effort to expand the university’s counseling facilities when you are in such desperate need of counseling yourself.”
Jamie ran hot with embarrassment and fury at what was clearly Ronny’s opening salvo in the war of the evening.
“I must have misheard you, Mr. Pulsiver,” the matron seated on Jamie’s other side said. “Are you saying that Professor Croft here is desperately needed as a counselor for his students?” Before Ronny could answer and cause even more embarrassment, the matron went on with, “Do you provide counseling services yourself or do you merely teach Psychology courses?”
“I serve as an academic advisor to new students,” Jamie answered, pretending he couldn’t feel Ronny gearing up for some new attack on his other side. “I haven’t really trained to be a licensed counselor myself, though.”
“But you’ve certainly been treated by enough of them, haven’t you, love,” Ronny said.
