Page 116 of Sinful Desires
Worst of all?
It was the first time I’d seen him in a suit—and I was so turned on I nearly forgot I wanted him dead. God, I couldn’t even blink. My skin felt too tight. My mouth dry. My pride flaked off with every second I let him look at me like that.
“Shouldn’t you be in France? Baguettes, bored models, drowning in red wine and self-pity?”
The corner of his mouth twitched, but he erased it quickly, like it didn’t belong there. “Just came to see if half-Italian, half-American girls were still desperate enough to fall for me.”
I hummed, flicked the cigarette to the ground, and crushed it under my heel.
“You’re a year too late, soldier. Turns out desperation’s good for something. Landed me a man who’s sweet, stable, and doesn’t throw me to the wolves.”
His jaw twitched. It was quick, but I saw it.
“Ah yes, Nicholas Preston. Never figured you for the actor type. But then again, liars do tend to stick together.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean?Liar?He was callingmea liar now?
I crossed my arms, nails digging into my skin. Took one step closer before stopping myself, because that was the line. Any closer, and I wasn’t sure what my body might give away.
“What can I say? Lying suits me. Makes everything prettier.” I smiled like I hadn’t just imagined punching him in the throat. I leaned in just enough. Let the venom drip. “But that makes two of us, doesn’t it, Mister LeRoy?
Promise you’ll come back to me.
I promise, Scarlett.
His jaw clenched.
“Anyway, I’d hate to keep my boyfriend waiting. Be a doll and crawl back to France. Or whatever hole you came out of.”
His eyes flicked over my face. Slow, unreadable. “Lazzio requested me for the day.” He tilted his head, just a little. “Security detail. I’m not going anywhere.”
My heart pulled tight in my chest, sharp and stupid. One word from Lazzio, and he showed up like he’d never left. But fora whole year, he couldn’t bring himself to visit. Not once. No call. Not even a fucking scrap of paper with his name on it.
I’d waited. I’d hoped. I’d begged the universe. Nothing. I would’ve crawled on glass just to hear him say my name.
But he’d let the silence answer for him.
He is just not that into you, Scarlett.
I looked at him. The air felt thick, like breathing him in was the mistake I kept making. “So, youdoknow how to take orders. Good to know.” I tilted my head, my smile like a blade. “You forgot my birthday present, soldier. You’re a few days late.”
I let the silence bite.
“Per usual. Never here when it matters.”
He barely looked at me. “I don’t celebrate birthdays.”
I laughed once. “Why? Too joyful for a dead soul like yours?”
His eyes darkened. “Something like that,beauté.”
Heat crept on my cheeks as memories flooded in. His hands on my hips, him deep inside of me.
Merde, beauté. You sore?
I turned and quickly walked back through the kitchen. Two waitresses stopped me, wide-eyed and holding their phones. My heart was clawing up my throat, but I smiled anyway. I posed, said thank you, and nodded when they said they loved me.
I slipped back out and found Victoria and Nicholas, pretending I wasn’t unraveling by the second. I smiled. I clinked glasses. I stayed pretty.
