Page 125 of The Obedient Lie
His nose brushed mine.
“But instead…” His voice turned bitter. “You’re out there playing dynasty daughter to every cousin with my last name.”
“That’s not fair?—”
“No?” he said, smile sharp. “Because I’ve beengood, Emilia. Holding back. Watching you parade around in satin with that sweet mouth and bare skin and pretending it’s innocent.”
His thumb dragged across my lower lip.
“You think I don’t see how bad you want it?”
I trembled. “Luca…”
His forehead pressed against mine, breath shaking.
“I’m going to ruin you,” he promised. “But not yet.”
I blinked.
“Not like this,” he added softly. “Not when you still don’t know how fuckingmineyou already are.”
Then he kissed the corner of my mouth. Just once.
And walked out.
Leaving the door open.
Leaving me undone.
And still wrapped in a towel that felt too tight… and not tight enough.
Chapter Thirty-One
LUCA
Bastion had his hands buried in his hair, elbows on his knees, jaw clenched so tight I swore his teeth would crack.
He hadn’t said much since the door slammed shut behind me.
Neither had I.
The room was quiet—except for the sound of himbreaking.
And me not knowing how to stop it.
“We did something,” he muttered suddenly, voice low and hoarse. “Wehadto have.”
He still wasn’t looking at me.
Eyes locked on the floor like it held the answer he couldn’t find.
“Why else would she pull back like this?” His voice cracked. “Why else would sheleave us?”
She hadn’t. Not yet.
But fuck, it was starting to feel like it.
And the worst part?
