Two days later, Aiden sat in his new corner office at Schols Ventures, reviewing investment portfolios. His mind kept drifting back to Sophia's hurt expression. He'd texted her three times. No response.
A knock interrupted his brooding. "Come in."
Victoria Hayes entered, looking professional yet striking in a burgundy blazer and pencil skirt. She carried two glasses and a bottle of wine.
"Working late?" she asked, closing the door behind her.
"Trying to," Aiden admitted. "What brings you by, Professor?"
"Victoria, please. We're partners now, remember?" She set the glasses down and poured. "And I heard through the campus grapevine that you've been looking miserable. Thought you could use some company."
Aiden accepted the glass gratefully. "Grapevine works fast."
"Academia is a small world." She settled into the chair across from him, crossing her legs. "Want to talk about it?"
Something about Victoria's presence was calming. She was older, established, confident in ways that didn't require validation. He found himself explaining the situation—leaving out the system, but describing his feelings for multiple women.
Victoria listened without judgment, sipping her wine. "You told her the truth," she said when he finished. "That took courage."
"Didn't feel courageous. Felt cruel."
"Honesty often does, initially." She studied him thoughtfully. "You know what your problem is, Aiden? You're trying to fit unconventional feelings into conventional boxes."
"What do you mean?"
She stood, walking around the desk. "You're extraordinary in so many ways—your business instincts, your mind, your success at such a young age. But you're still thinking about relationships like everyone else does."
"How should I think about them?"
Victoria perched on the edge of his desk, closer now. "Like someone who makes his own rules."
The air between them shifted. Aiden could smell her perfume—jasmine and something spicier. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked on his.
"Victoria..."
"You know what I think?" she whispered. "I think you're afraid of what you really want."
Before he could respond, she closed the distance and kissed him. Her lips were soft, insistent, tasting of wine and something forbidden. For a moment, Aiden froze, then found himself responding, his hand moving to her waist.
The kiss deepened, passionate and hungry. Victoria's fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer. Papers scattered as they shifted, the professional boundary between them dissolving entirely.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, reality crashed back in.
"We shouldn't have—" Aiden began.
"But we did," Victoria interrupted, her lipstick smudged, eyes bright. "And you can't tell me you didn't want to."
She was right. He had wanted to. But the complications...
Victoria straightened her blazer, composing herself with remarkable speed. "Think about what I said, Aiden. About making your own rules." She walked to the door, pausing. "Some of us are waiting for you to be brave enough to try."