I thought back on how all of this had started, purely by chance. I would never have believed back then that Neil and I could come this far together.
For the past few months, we had decided to put our problems on pause and had simply spent time together, getting to really know each other. And now, after supporting each other through all the fears and worries, we were here together on Neil’s graduation day.
Who would have guessed?
My hands were shaking with suppressed joy for Neil. He was achieving such an important goal, and he, more than anyone else, deserved this moment. He deserved to have this, to feel accomplished and satisfied and proud of himself.
“He’s nervous…” Logan whispered into my ear. Never for a moment did my eyes leave Neil’s powerful body. He was wearing an elegant gray suit for the first time since I’d known him and a graduation robe over it.
He was simply beautiful.
His hair was neatly arranged, except for that eternally unruly piece over his forehead, and his beard was cut short and tight. His profile was perfect, and his lips were red because he kept nibbling them nervously.
I shifted in my seat. I’d worn a black pencil skirt with a seductive slit up one thigh and a white blouse that tied in a bow around the collar. My feet ached in my Louboutins, and my heart was racing in my chest.
The rector had already yielded the floor to the big cultural figure who’d been invited to do the commencement address.
Next, they began announcing names, and with Neil’s came his list of honors.
Logan, the rest of the family, and I immediately leaped to our feet to give him the standing ovation he deserved. Tears poured down my cheeks, though I had promised myself I wouldn’t cry. The emotions were just too powerful; I couldn’t hold them back. Logan gave me a tight hug; Chloe and Mia clung to each other. It was a magical moment for all of us.
This boy…
This boy whose childhood had been destroyed by human cruelty, who had spent so much time nursing his wounds alone in the corner of his room.
This boy who had been set apart from everyone else because he was considered so dangerous.
This damaged boy with the broken heart…
He’d done it.
He had become an accomplished man.
A great man, whom I loved.
The only man I loved.
I wiped away my tears with the backs of my hands just in time for another wave of emotion to get me right in the heart at the cap throw.
I smiled up into a sky punctuated by so many spots of black, which then rained back down like confetti. The air was festive, and the love I felt for Neil was so overpowering that it made me lightheaded. I pulled away from Logan then and went to find him, seeking him out like oxygen. I quickly picked him out from the crowd of people. He was laughing with some fellow students, sans robe.
And when he turned the full power of that golden gaze on me, I wavered a little on my high heels.
Immediately, he quit paying attention to the other people, abandoned whatever conversation he’d been having, and came to me with that confident stride and that agile body, which was only enhanced by the suit.
I nearly swooned when he wrapped his arm around my waist and gave me a sensual kiss.
“Congratulations, Mr. Future Architect. And it’s your birthday today, too. You’re all grown up now,” I said cheerfully, coaxing a small smile from him. I smoothed the lapels of his suit, gathering my courage before telling him, “I’m proud of you. I couldn’t be prouder, Neil. And you should be proud too.” He watched every line of my face as I spoke. He grazed a thumb along my cheek, and I pressed a worshipful kiss to the palm of his hand.
“I’m already brainstorming my present,” he whispered wickedly and kissed me again, this time just below my ear. I flushed and watched him step back curiously so he could get a better look at me. He examined my outfit, which I had selected to be chic and sensual but not at all vulgar, and I watched as a strange light flared in his eyes. “You’re beautiful, Tinkerbell,” he told me for the first time.
My eyes went wide as I marveled at him, and I was very glad that I’d worn something a little more stylish for him. I wanted to be attractive and to impress him, at least on this one occasion, and maybe I had succeeded.
“I’m happy you like it—” I began before someone grabbed him by the arm, interrupting our intimate moment. The other new graduates were all clustered together, taking pictures, laughing, and chatting. Neil would never agree to have his picture taken, but he deserved to celebrate like anyone else, so I gave him his space. But I immediately regretted that when I spotted some girls congratulating him a little too effusively with lingering cheek kisses.
“Looking a little green there, Selene.”
I startled when Logan, accompanied by Chloe, came over and elbowed me in the ribs.
