Page 4 of No Ordinary Love

We talked about our work together, but it wasn't the same as when I spoke to Kath about LPC; after all, she knew our company inside out.

I hated mentally comparing Kath and Amara. I had no right—no business—thinking about my ex when I was living with my loving and affectionate girlfriend.

I tucked my hands in my slacks and saw Shelby, my sister, in the garden with Kath. They were close friends.

They were laughing, and my heart beat just a little faster.

When Kath was with Mercer, she'd been untouchable. I worked with her every fucking day, and I hadn't gone there. But she was minefirst. Ours was a love story that got derailed because—my jaw clenched—Kath had chosen to do so.

But now, she'd left Mercer, or maybe he left her, and did that really matter? I'd spent the past five years watching her, feeling a fire burning inside me—hate, love, affection, aggression—she drew out all my extreme emotions.

With Amara, I felt content and peaceful. I knew I was loved. She took care of me. All my life, I took care of everyone: my mother, my sister, the company, Kath—but Amara took care ofme. She catered to me. I had no idea how calm life could be until I met Amara. I hadn't planned on dating her, but after a difficult day at work, I met her by accident and found myself not only distracted but also recharged, ready to face my problems with more energy the next day. So, I kept seeking her out.

Before long, I was seeing Amara all the time.

The first time we had sex, I was fascinated by how wonderful it was to be with a woman who wanted to please me—who asked me what I enjoyed. I couldn't stop touching her. I wanted her all the time. I wanted to bury myself deep inside her, where there was nothing but satisfaction.

That wasn't how I felt about Kath. Passion was a driving force with her. I couldn't sleep for wanting her, and I couldn't stand it if she talked to another man. Amara's closest friend was a professor she worked with, Basil, and I never felt jealous—I was always certain of her devotion to me.

Kath spun around at something Shelby said, her white dress twirling around her gorgeous legs. I remembered the feel of those legs wrapped around my waist. Kath was full of life and energy, her eyes always bright, lighting up every room she entered. She riled me up, while Amara always made me feel calm.

I missed Kath every fucking day since she left me. Would I miss Amara?

What was I thinking?

You're thinking of leaving Amara. That's what you're thinking.

I felt like a cold-blooded ass. Amara didn't deserve to be hurt. She was sweet and kind. I couldn't do that to her.Hell, no!

"Mister Lucas." I turned to look at Jerome.

"Is she here?"

Jerome's eyes narrowed, and he looked angry. He'd been in my life since I was a child, and I held him in high regard. He'd been a better role model than my father. I hadn't seen him look at me the way he was since I made fun of a girlfriend when I was sixteen, and he told me to learn to respect women, or he'd beat the shit out of me.

"Shewas here two hours ago." He clenched his jaw.

"What do you mean?"

Jerome walked up to me. He stood next to me and, like I had, looked down at Shelby and Kath.

"She heard you talking to Miss Patsy."

"What?" I couldn't understand what he was saying. What did he mean she had….No!

"She heard you tell your mama that you loved Kath and always would. That you weren't sure about Amara. It was—"

"Why the hell didn't you tell me right away?" I roared.

Jerome looked at me sternly. "Keep your voice down, son.She asked me to give her a two-hour head start, and I did."

I looked at my watch. Fuck. It was nearly six, and my grandmother would expect me to join her at the receiving line for our guests in about fifteen minutes.

"Fuck."

"Language, Mister Lucas," he said sternly.

As my grandmother told me, I might be thirty years old, but I was never going to be older than my elders.

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