Page 67 of Tainted Love
There’s something familiar about her, and as I look at us side-by-side in the mirror, I can’t help but notice the uncanny resemblance between us.Weird.
“Sorry,” I say, my brow furrowing. “Have we met before? I feel like I recognise you from somewhere, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
She glances at me briefly. “No, I don’t think so. I just moved here.” Giving her lips one final swipe of lipstick, she replaces the cap. “I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t help overhearing some of your conversation. Boy trouble?”
My cheeks heat. “Uh …”
“Relax.” She smirks, her mesmerising blue eyes meeting my gaze in the mirror. “I think it’s hot.”
I bury my face in my hands. “Why does everyone say that?”
“Tell me something,” she asks, and I force myself to look at her, only she’s now staring at her own reflection. “If it came down to it, would he give his life to save yours?”
My brow furrows again. “What?”
She shakes her head. “Never mind. You should get back out there. I’m sure you have people waiting for you.”
In a daze, I back towards the door. “Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
I’ve barely taken a step out of the bathroom before a hand snakes around my wrist, and pulls me down the hall away from the function rooms. My breath catches in my throat as I quicken my pace to keep up with Elias. I glance over my shoulder, but no one appears to have noticed us disappear down here.
There’s a door at the end of the hall, and it opens when Elias turns the handle. He pulls me in behind him, fumbling for the light switch before shutting us in what appears to be a storage room.
“What are you doing?” I ask as his body crowds me, pushing me up against the door, his hand reaching behind me to flip the lock.
“What was that about?” His voice is low and gravelly.
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence.
His fingers skate over my naked shoulder before closing around my throat. He leans in so close I can smell his earthy, masculine scent. “Don’t play cute with me, Duchess.” He nips at the shell of my ear. “Jealousy looks good on you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, unable to tear my eyes away from his steel gaze. “Who said I was jealous?”
My voice is breathy and weak, even to my own ears. All I can focus on is his body pressed up against mine. I’m not wearing any underwear with this dress, which I’m realising is amistake when I feel my arousal coat the inside of my legs. I’ve never been so turned on.
Elias chuckles and squeezes my throat gently. “Liar.” He rubs his thumb over my pulse point.
My body all but sags into his touch. “What are we doing, Eli?”
“If you want me to stop …” He releases my throat and steps away, and I can’t stop the whimper that escapes my lips. Elias crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t know why you’re still fighting this. I can smell how much you want me.”
I clench my slick thighs together at his words. My breathing is ragged, and my heart is racing. I’m desperate for his touch, but this is not the time or place.
“Is this just about sex for you? Is it all just a game?” I bite my bottom lip as I wait for his response. This wasn’t exactly how I thought this conversation would go, and it’s certainly not the time or the place, but I need to know where I stand. If I’m about to risk our new family imploding, I need to know it wasn’t for nothing.
“It was,” he admits.
My stomach drops and I turn toward the door, but before I can unlock it, Elias presses up against me from behind.
“You don’t get to run away from me, Duchess,” he murmurs. “You asked the question; now you’re going to have to stay and listen to the answer.”
His warm breath sends a shiver down my spine. I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the wood as I will myself not to cry over him. Deep down I knew he didn’t care, but to hear him admit this meant nothing to him—Imeant nothing to him—makes me feel like such an idiot.
And I was ready to risk my family for him.
Chapter 37
