Page 82 of Love Me Not

I had been confident inside that room, the anger pushing me to fight back.But now, after the fallout and feeling all the shitty emotions it brought up… My confidence was slowly being eaten away at.

I told her I understood, but the more time I had to think, the more I didn’t.The shame I felt when they attacked me was too much to bear, and suddenly I regretted ever going to that club.

In my heart, I know there was nothing wrong with it.I had a good time.Everything was consensual.What Lux wanted to spend her money on was her decision and hers alone.

But… Did I embarrass him?The look on my brother’s face when he put two and two together still felt like a punch to the gut.

I jumped when Lux’s hand brushed against my cheek.

I hadn’t heard her come over to my couch or felt her sit down until she was holding my face and forcing me to look at her.

“Try again, Angel,” she whispered.“I can see what’s going down in your mind.”

My grip tightened on the glass, and my stomach dropped when I realized I was displeasing her.All I wanted to do since I met her was to be a woman worthy of her praise.

“I just never thought he’d react like that,” I admitted in a whisper.“I thought that this was his way out.Like a miracle.You may not get it since you’re loaded, but this type of money was supposed to be life-changing.But somehow… I messed it all up.”

This time I didn’t bother to stop my tears.

Lux grabbed the glass and placed it on the table before wrapping her arms around me, enveloping me in her warmth and scent.My body relaxed into her, and my tears sped up.Every time she touched me, it was like a wrecking ball to all the carefully erected boundaries I’d raised throughout the years.The ones that were supposed to protect me and keep people away.

Her hand found my hair, stroking it softly and just staying there while I cried out all the hurt.

Everything I’d done to give him a good life.Everything I’d done to live away from my aunt.Everything I’d done to survive.All of it had been weighing on me and came crashing down in that moment.

“You didn’t mess anything up, Juliette,” she whispered.“If he can’t see what you’re doing for him, that’s his problem.You’ve done enough.”

You’ve done enough.

Had I, though?Had I done everything I could to make sure he lived a good life?I felt like I hadn’t.Like I could have worked harder.Faster.

“You’ve done enough, Juliette,” she repeated.“You’ve done good.It’s time to rest.”

My crying slowed until I was just lying there, letting her hold me while I worked through it all.

She didn’t rush me.Didn’t try to push me away.We just sat there in silence.

“Okay,” I whispered and pulled away.

“Okay?”she asked, her eyes searching my face.“Repeat it back to me then.”

“No one has the right to call me dirty or make me feel like it.”

Her smile had my heart skipping in my chest.

“Perfect, Angel,” she praised.“Well, except for me, but in very different—very pleasurable—circumstances.”

Before I knew what I was doing, I was placing my lips on hers, my hands tangling in her hair.She let me push her back onto the couch.Her hands were on my hips, holding me steady as I straddled her, her fingers slipping through the loose fabric of my shorts.

She responded to my kiss with gentleness.I tried to attack her much like she did when she took charge, but she slowed us down, her hand moving to my neck, keeping me in place as she explored my mouth.

Her tongue flicked against mine, pulling a moan from me.Her gentleness was unlike anything I’d experienced before.And it was far more intoxicating than when we were going at each other.

This kiss felt like she was savoring me.Like she was trying to pour everything she said into it, forcing me to pause and take it in.

Lux wasworshippingme with her mouth.

She pulled away, breathless.

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