Page 100 of The Love Syllabus

It’s about the perfect life everyone thought I once had. The one I played along with, smiled through, suffered for. It’s about the night I left Cory for good. The night that shattered everything. The night that could cost me more than my reputation, and more than my career.

It could cost me the only good thing I ever thought came from my marriage.

My child.

I stand frozen in front of the mirror with my hands gripping the edge of the vanity as I watch my reflection. My face is composed, but my mind is a hurricane.

Behind me, Vic adjusts his cufflinks and watches me in the mirror. He knows I’m unraveling, but he doesn’t push.

He doesn’t demand anything. He just gives me space. He knows when I’m ready, I’ll let him in.

In the meantime, he steps behind me as his large, firm, but gentle hands skim down my arms. “You look stunning,” he murmurs against my temple, his voice warm and grounding.

I turn toward him and allow myself to get lost in the moment.

He’s mesmerizing in his white tuxedo jacket and crisp black bowtie, the cut molded perfectly to his powerful frame—a sharp contrast to the soft tickle of his neatly trimmed grey beard as he presses a kiss to my cheek.

“You clean up well, Chef Grey Beard,” I tease, my voice soft.

“Oh yeah?” He slides his hands down my waist, fingers brushing over the curve of my hips. “So do you, Ms. Kind.”

We don’t break eye contact. Not when he leans in. Not when his lips hover over mine, waiting for me to meet him halfway. Not when my world shifts and settles in his presence.

I close the distance.

Our lips meet for a deep, intense kiss. He pulls me against him until there’s no space between us, just heat, pressure, and his hard, thick dick pressing against my stomach.

“I want to take you right here,” he growls, his breath hot against my skin as he kisses down the side of my neck. “Right now.”

My fingers curl into his jacket. God, I want to let him.

But I pull back, panting. “Vic…” I press my hands to his chest, steadying both of us. “We can’t. We gotta get going.”

He exhales hard through his nose and nods once, jaw clenched.

I glance down, then back up at him with a smirk. “Now, do you think it’s possible to makethatgo back down?”

He barks out a low laugh. “Nope. The entire world’s about to get a glimpse of everything I’m giving you tonight.”

I open my mouth, but no words come out. None.

I just bite my lip and turn toward the door with my heart racing, thighs clenched, and suddenlyveryready for the night to end.

The drive to the awards show is quiet at first. The heat from the lake house dissipates the more I think about hitting the red carpet and having questions thrown at me from all sides.

The city lights flicker as we pass in a blur of gold and silver. My fingers twist together in my lap, and my knee bounces to a distracting rhythm.

“You wanna talk about it?”

“No.” The lie falls so fast I barely recognize my own voice.

But I do talk. “I wanted the truth to come out,” I admit, staring out the window, voice tight. “I just didn’t think about what comes next.”

Vic doesn’t interrupt. He just listens.

“They’re going to know, Vic,” I whisper. “People are going to know the truth about me. And I don’t think I’m ready. I don’t want to be a victim. I don’t want to be seen as weak. I don’t want to be forced to relive my pain, but I know I’ll have to say something before Cory does first.”

I feel his intense gaze. Then, his hand finds mine, strong and reassuring as his thumb brushes against my skin.

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