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She answered with a radiant one. “I don’t mind at all.”
Perhaps it was the heated look in her eyes, reflecting his own desire that made him fling caution to the wind. He leaned toward her, stretching his arm behind her shoulders, and brought her against him. “We have a lot of days to make up for,” he whispered against her mouth.
She parted her lips welcoming his teasing tongue. They remained pleasantly occupied until a clearing of throat separated them.
The waiter set their plates in front of them. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you. It looks delicious,” Susan answered and tasted her food. “It is delicious.”
“Tell me about your week,” Royce said, after attacking his double-decker with gusto. “Do you like your classes? Are the students easy to get along with?”
“No complaints. The students are graduates preparing for a master’s or a PhD in Education. The material interests them, and they seem happy to attend my classes, which makes my life much easier. So work is going well.”
“How’s your mom?”
“You won’t believe this. She and Dr. Tristan are good friends now. He came to dinner on Wednesday night. Imagine, the old recluse, who works day and night, brought her a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, and a vase of flowers. Mae went out of her way cooking her best Thai recipes. He said he had a great time, and Mae was jubilant.”
“Wow.”
“It’s very platonic. They chat a lot about their pasts. He’s already picked her up twice to give her a tour of Cincinnati, and he’s invited us for dinner on Saturday at the Steakhouse.”
“As long as she’s having a good time, why not?”
“She’s told him she’s a widow with five kids and ten grandchildren in Bangkok. He’s lonely and enjoys her company. Even Max cozies up to Dean Tristan and welcomes him with big licks.”
Royce laughed. “If Max approves, then the man must be a good one.”
A bleep announced a text for Royce. “No kidding. It’s from Kasem.” He raised his eyebrows and read it out loud for Susan.
Great news. Got a job. I’ll take you for a drink to celebrate.
“That’s wonderful news.” Royce texted back right away.
Fantastic. Congrats. My treat.
“He may decide he doesn’t need your dowry,” Royce added.
“I wish. Unfortunately, my dowry is too considerable to be despised, and the penalty for breaking the contract quite significant. Don’t spoil our outing with talk about Kasem.”
“Sorry, babe. Any dessert?” He handed her the dessert menu card left on the side of the table.
“I’ll have strawberry ice cream with chocolate syrup,” she decided after studying the menu.
Royce called the waiter and ordered the two ice creams. When they finished eating, he considered her for a moment. “How about dinner on Monday? I’ll pick you up from UC at your office.”
“Perfect. Here again?”
“No somewhere else. I’ll think of something just as private.” He leaned toward her and crushed her mouth with a searing kiss. When they came up for air, he covered her face and neck with warm kisses. “I wish I could bring you home for dinner on my balcony and an after dinner bed.”
“I wish…but I can’t.” Hurt and longing lay naked in her eyes. “As long as I’m engaged to another, I’ll never allow myself to sleep with you, Royce.”
Too frustrated to answer, he nodded.
It was time to go home. He called the waiter and paid the bill.
“Susan, after I drop you off, I’m taking Kasem to a bar. He wants to celebrate.”
She cupped his cheeks, a glazed look of despair spreading over her face.
