Page 54 of No Ordinary Love

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 lighterandreal.

"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 howdifferent 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.

Chapter 19

Amara

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

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

Lucas had asked me to come ashisdate 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. Butno 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 Kathnext 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 withher.

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."

I put a hand on Lucas's shoulder and smiled. "It's fine."

I wasn't going to be a jealous shrew. Lucas wasn't mine. He could be with anyone he felt like, and it had nothing to do with me.

Look, look, a flying pig is doing the Macarena.

"Come on, let me walk you to your table." Lucas held out his arm, and I slid one hand into the crook of his elbow and another into Jax's. Yes, I was the cool chick who hadtwomen escorting her.

Gemma and Basil were already seated at our table, as was Bobby Gantz with Rena Covington.

"I have to go handle a few things," Lucas said politely.

"You don't have to spend your time with me," I was snarkier than I intended to be, and when I heard myself, I didn't like it all. I softened, "I'm not going anywhere."

He smiled and then turned to my companion,hisgrandmother. "Take care of her."

Rena nodded, her gaze intent. "I will."

I wasn't sure if it sounded like a threat.

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