I’m nervous beyond measure as Adam and I walk into Lex’s class, and I tighten my grip on my bag to keep my hands from shaking. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of negotiations and formalities between our families and our lawyers, and I’ve barely even seen Lex since the conversation we had. It feels strange to walk into his class now like nothing happened, like he isn’t the man I’m marrying.
“You’re really quiet. Everything okay?” Adam asks, his gaze roaming over me, concern etched into his face.
I nod, my heart wrenching. One of the first contracts I signed was a mutual non-disclosure agreement. I can’t even tell my best friend that I’m getting married, and I only have myself to blame for it. “I’m just nervous because the design winners will probably be announced today.”
He simply sighs, knowing me well enough to know I’m lying. “I’ve never seen anyone rattle you the way Lexington Windsor does,” he says, his tone filled with a hint of contempt as we sit down.
“He doesn’t rattle me,” I instantly deny.
Adam throws me a disbelieving look, and I sigh as I slump in my seat. “Maybe he rattles me just a little, but that’s mostly because he’s Lexington Windsor, CEO of Windsor Motors. You know how long I’ve been studying their growth trajectory, Adam. I’ve always hoped for Dad’s company to emulate Windsor Motors’ performance. I know we’re capable of it, and I honestly think that if we succeed in making our solar powered electric car commercially viable, we might exceed them. I guess it’s just exciting to be able to learn from Lex.”
Adam studies me for a moment, his gaze unreadable. “Lex, huh?” he says, smiling wryly as he takes his tablet out of his bag. “You’ve never been a good liar, Raya.”
“Fine,” I tell him. “Fine, okay? He does affect me. Happy?”
Adam sighs and turns to face me. “Not at all,” he says, his tone snappy. “I’m incredibly concerned, because not only is that man our professor, he’s also a completely unattainable billionaire, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I deflate and reach for his hand over the table, understanding dawning. Adam’s mom helped his father build his business from the ground up, only for him to leave his family once he’d achieved the success he’d always dreamed of. Adam hasn’t spoken to his dad in years, and ever since his father left, he’s been convinced money changes people, and that those who have an excess of it can’t be trusted.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him, unsure how else to reassure him. I know exactly what I’m getting into with Lex, but Adam would never understand. If he found out I’m essentially marrying Lex for money, he’d never look at me the same again, and I’m not sure I could take that.
Adam tightens his grip on my hand and nods as Lex walks into the lecture theatre. Lex locks his jaws when he spots our joined hands, his expression hardening as he stands rooted in place, his gaze slowly drifting up my arm, until it settles on my face.
My stomach twists as I try to decipher the look in his eyes. It’s a mixture or anger and… betrayal? Whatever it is makes me pull my hand to my chest for a moment, before I busy myself with my laptop. Lex’s shoulders relax, but his expression remains stormy as he addresses the room.
“Three designs were chosen,” he says, not bothering with pleasantries today. “You’ve all worked hard, and to say that I’m impressed with your efforts would be putting it mildly. I was told that Astor College houses the brightest of minds, and you have upheld those words.”
The room is instantly filled with pride and hope, but a few people snicker from the back of the room. “We all know you’re not here for our bright minds,” someone shouts. “You’re just here for Professor Leia,” someone else adds.
My heart sinks when I notice Lex’s guilty expression, and something dark unfurls in the pit of my stomach. I’ve heard the rumors about Lex and Professor Leia dating while they were studying at Astor College, but I’d dismissed them as petty gossip. Was it true, after all? He said he hadn’t dated in years, not that he’d never dated at all. Is he still hung up on Leia Astor? My stomach twists at the thought of it — she’s such an amazing woman that I couldn’t even blame him if that’s the case.
Lex’s gaze bores down on me, and I raise my head to meet his eyes. He studies me, something akin to understanding crossing his face. The edges of his lips turn up into a satisfied smile, and he rocks back on his heels, looking surprisingly pleased.
“You two,” he drawls. “Get out. Now.”
Much to my surprise, several people dressed like regular students stand up, their stiff posture making it clear they’re Windsor security personnel in disguise. Both students are escorted out, and Lex runs a hand through his thick, dark hair.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear,” he says, his tone sharp and his eyes locked with mine. “I’m engaged, and I won’t tolerate any rumors that could even remotely upset my future wife.”
A hush falls over the room, and I draw a shaky breath, surprised by his instant reassurance. He looks at me like he’s pleading with me to believe him, his attention solely on me. Heat rushes to my face, and I look away, unable to keep from smiling.
“Besides, I do not take insults toward my family lightly,” he adds. “That is what Leia Astor is to me — she’s like a sister to me. My relationship with her is not of a romantic nature, and it never has been.” He turns to the class then, and I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear. “You will respect her and her husband as you do me, and you will not defame her in my presence.”
Lex’s gaze roams over the room, as though to ensure we comprehended his words. Within minutes, he’s addressed and dismissed the rumors about him. Not just that — he made it clear he’s taken, and something about that makes my heart overflow with hope.
“He’s engaged?” Adam whispers, turning to me. “What a complete piece of shit. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Raya. I know you said nothing happened between you two that night, but still…” Anger crosses his face, and he glares at Lex. “I should’ve known he’d be a cheater. Probably thinks his money can buy him anything.”
My lips part to come to Lex’s defense, only for my words to evade me. How do I explain that I’m the woman Lex is engaged to, and that he couldn’t have cheated on me that night? I run a hand through my hair in frustration, unsure what to do or say.
“Raya Lewis,” Lex says, saving me from having to respond to Adam’s words. I look up at him to find his gaze moving between Adam and me, a hint of irritation in his deep emerald eyes. My heart skips a beat, and I stare back at him, wide-eyed.
“Adam Lawson.”
He sits up, much like I have.
“Emma Thomas.”
I raise a brow when I realize it’s the same girl Lex was talking to in our first class. The one who was blatantly flirting with him.
“Your designs were chosen. Congratulations to all three of you. Your drone designs were innovative but practical. Not only were you able to successfully apply the concept of mechatronics, but you also ensured your designs incorporated accessible materials.”
Adam and I exchange shocked looks and sit back in stunned silence as all three plans are distributed through the room by Windsor Motors drones that are far superior to anything any of us could’ve come up with. Everyone begins to talk amongst themselves at once, discussing the designs that are delivered to them, and all the while, I can’t take my eyes off Lex.
I didn’t think he’d so publicly announce that he’s off the market when we aren’t even married yet. We’ve barely even spoken since that day in his penthouse, and I wasn’t sure where I stood with him, until now. The possessiveness in his gaze speaks volumes, and it confuses me. He made it so clear he didn’t want to be in a relationship, but his actions aren’t in line with that of a notorious bachelor. He seems committed to me, and I’m not sure what to make of that.
“You’ll each be grouped into a team. You’ll receive an email about that shortly, but if you check the papers in front of you, you’ll find all the essential details on there too. Go ahead and strategize. Create assembly plans around the design you’ve been assigned to as a team. Next week’s class will be in Astor College’s labs, where we’ll start the practical part of this class.”
“We’re on different teams,” Adam grumbles.
I tear my eyes off Lex to look at the documents in front of me. At the top, it states Team Leader in big letters. “That makes sense, since both of our designs were selected.”
Adam narrows his eyes slightly. “He wouldn’t have chosen mine simply to split us up, would he? I can’t even switch with anyone to work with you, because we’re both team leaders. He’d better remember that he’s engaged. I won’t let him mess with you, Raya.”
I chuckle and shake my head in surprise. “Of course he wouldn’t have done that,” I murmur, just as Lex glances our way, his eyes blazing with something that looks a lot like jealousy.
