Page 173 of Filthy Savage

And I wonder if she ever will.

AMARA

On the way to school the next day, I keep replaying his words in my head.

He loves me. He actually loves me.

I wanted to tell him I loved him too, but I got scared.

What if I don’t know what love is? What if it’s just attraction?

But it feels like more. This has to be love. What else can it be?

Roy trails close behind as I enter the Humanities Building, heading for my poli-sci class.

When I walk in, I’m greeted with the heavy murmur of students as a woman rummages through papers in the front of the room. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, and she’s dressed in white suit pants and a blue blouse.

“Who’s that?” I ask the student beside me.

“I don’t know,” she whispers, eyes filled with the same confusion I’m feeling.

“Settle down, please,” the woman calls, and the murmurs drown into silence. “I’m Professor Cortez. I’ll be filling in for Doctor Wright for the rest of the semester.”

Hushed voices echo, and my heart skips a beat, thoughts racing in my head.

Did something happen to the professor? Is he hurt? Is he…

No. Fionn wouldn’t do that. Not after he promised that he wouldn’t hurt him.

“What happened to Doctor Wright?” someone from the front row asks.

“The school will be sending an email about that, but for now, let’s open our books to chapter seventeen.”

The lesson flies by in a blur while my cellphone burns in my bag. I need to text Fionn and find out if he’s involved, though I’d rather ask him in person.

The hours pass slowly, but I’m finally heading home, nerves skittering in my stomach.

What if he was involved? What if he hurt the professor…or worse?

No. I can’t think like that. I’d rather know for sure instead of speculating.

As soon as Roy parks, I’m hopping out and rushing inside, heading toward his deep husky baritone drifting from the kitchen.

“Mommy!” Fia runs up to me as soon as I step inside, her arms snapping around my thigh.

I hold her close while my gaze fastens to Fionn’s, wondering if he’s capable of lying to me so easily.

“Hey, baby girl. How was your day?” He comes over, leaning in to kiss me.

His mouth on my skin feels so good, I almost stop myself from talking to him about this. My mouth thins as he pulls back, his eyes narrowing when he examines me again.

His jaw clenches, a muscle in his chin popping. “Louise, would you excuse us?”

“Of course.”

“Come on, Fia,” she says. “Let’s let Mommy and Daddy talk.”

“Okay.” She takes the woman’s hand, exiting toward the den with her.

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