Page 40 of Corrupting Lily

“You will not make me like you.” I turn around while Massimo helps his now sobbing sister up from her spot on the ground.

“The next time you come around here, I will do to you what you did to our baby.”

The words cut me, slicing me deep, to a place where only pure love exists—or existed.

It died with me the same day my baby did.

“I’ll kill you.”

Chapter 25

Lily

Dominico has been gone for so long that I have given up waiting. I am now lying in a vanilla and jasmine scented bubble bath in his en suite bathroom—our room—though we still haven’t shared a bed in it yet. The aroma should be calming, but instead, thoughts of Elena and Dominico swirl in my mind, counteracting any soothing effects.

I still can’t believe she slapped me. I must have that ‘slap me’ look on my face, as this was the second slap in a very short timeframe. Some people go their entire lifetimes without receiving even one.

“Fuck.” I close my eyes and submerge myself in the water, willing my fists to unclench.

I hated her. I hated that he loved her. Maybe still did, though I don’t know anyone who breaks the wrist of the woman they love. Oh, wait, I actually do.Heused to claim to love me and frequently broke my bones. Perhaps Dominico was the same with Elena. What if he, too, was an abusive man? He didn’t seem like the kind of person, though. No. He wasn’t. I'm certain he would seethat as weak.

So maybe it was a kink they shared that I wasn’t aware of. No. He definitely didn’t like her, did he? My thoughts are so confusing, and doubt starts to set in just when I think I have convinced myself. It makes me feel sick—the pendulum swings from one emotion to another. Before Dominico, I only felt fear. Now, my emotional palette consists of so much more. I just hated that jealousy was among them and seemed to have sprouted into this massive beast I never even knew existed.

What if they made up and were right now fucking each other in his office. On his big leather chair. On the shiny oak desk. Against the bookcase. These visuals taint the ones I had of him and me doing that same activity in those same places. Ugh.

I let out an underwater scream, driven by frustration, only for it to turn to fear when large hands grip my shoulders, pulling me up as I break the water's surface. Spluttering and swiping the bubbles from my eyes, I look around in panic. Panic that quickly subsides.

The object of my obsession sits at the edge of the massive bath, a concerned look on his face.

“Why are you in here swearing and screaming?” His eyes dip to my breasts, and I blush. Looking down, I feel relieved that the bubbles still obscure his scorching hot gaze.

“I’m not.” I lie, looking away as the words escape my lips, causing him to chuckle—a sound so intriguing that it draws my gaze back.

“You thought I was downstairs fucking that bitch. You’re jealous. Again.” My eyes widen as he vocalizes the thoughts in my head, making me angry that I can be read so easily. My fists ball under the water, and I look him dead in the eye, hoping the blush on my cheeks can be attributed to the bath's heat and not my next lie.

“I don’t care who you fuck.” I hold his gaze, his eyes scanning my face and making me pinker until he finally laughs. The visual isso beautiful that it obliterates my thoughts and feelings.

“I bet that if I climbed in there right now, I would find your hands fisted into tight little balls of tension.”

My eyes widen in shock as he stands, takes off his jacket and tie, and unbuttons his shirt.

“W-what are you doing?” I ask, as more tattooed skin is revealed, my vagina clenching uncontrollably at this visually stimulating sight. Pecs, abs, and then gorgeous V-lines, all covered in black ink, scorch a permanent picture in my mind, my hungry eyes devouring his body like a fucking starving crazy person. I swear to god, my mouth even hangs open like someone who has taken too many pills at the crazy house. All I need is a bit of drool to escape and complete the look.

“I’m coming in to see if your hands are clenched into fists.” My mind short-circuits as his shirt falls to the floor. When he begins unbuttoning his pants, it’s overwhelming, and I finally look away, fearing that if I keep staring, I will actually faint. He is just too good-looking to behold. It's excessive—too much deliciousness for one man to have.

Suddenly, the heat in the tub becomes overwhelming, intensifying as one leg, followed by the other, enters the water. Then he lowers himself down, causing the water to rise substantially, some even spilling over the edge to accommodate his presence. His presence in my sanctuary, which now feels like a delicious prison, is one I don’t want to escape, as his legs brush against my outer thighs. He is fully stretched out, his arms resting along the tub edge as he lays his head back. Oh my god, how can the way he casually relaxes be this freaking hot?

How can he be so calm while I feel like a piece of coal exposed to a burst of oxygen, ready to combust into flames? I lean back, trying to pull myself together, staring at his handsome face. So far, we have just been lying here—no big deal. I can do this. I can be cool, calm, andcollected. But first, I need to find out more about Elena.

“So, Elena. She was your girlfriend?” I try to sound blasé, as if speaking about her doesn’t make me want to gouge her eyes out.

I know I have failed when he opens one eye and looks at me. I might as well be one of those open books under a massive magnifier. He closes his eyes again, and I think he will ignore my question, but he surprises me with an answer.

“She was a long time ago. We were also engaged. But that ended, and there is no chance of it ever being anything again. You don’t have to be jealous. What I have with her is not love. Quite the opposite.”

Relief pushes the jealousy aside, and I smile foolishly, his eyes opening just in time to see it before I wipe it from my face. He cannot know how much his words mean to me.

“I saw that. You are not very good at hiding your emotions in front of me, so stop trying.”

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