blue as cut sapphires and shining like gold
Stede, a history professor specializing in the golden age of piracy, is fascinated when art professor Edward Teach joins his humble university’s faculty. Even more fascinating are the rumors that Ed is actually the famous, anonymous artist, Blackbeard. Stede falls a little bit in love. Then a lot.
Across the academic year, Stede tips headfirst into dizzying romance, mind-blowing sex, and happiness he couldn't have dreamed up if he'd tried. He learns lessons he never knew he needed, forcing him to reevaluate everything from his career goals to his relationships with his children. Ed is at the center of it all, teaching Stede at every turn exactly how wonderful life can be—and the startling speed with which fear and hesitation could snatch away his newfound love.
Eventually, the only thing that matters for them both is learning enough about love to stop it from slipping through their fingers.