Page 11 of Lust & Lies
“So, I’m following the doctor's orders. I’m trying to keep everything around you calm and stress-free. That includes me. I have to be calm for you.”
Those words struck a chord within me.
He ran a hand through his hair before saying, “I want to hold you. Hell, I want to cry and tell you how fucking scared I was when I got the call about your accident. And seeing you in the hospital, hurt, bruised...” he shook his head. “That nearly fucking destroyed me, Noelle. But I must put all those emotions on the back burner because I need to focus on you. I don’t matter right now. You’re the only one who matters to me.”
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I’m sorry for kissing you like that. I just...” He sighed and rubbed his hand through his hair. “I just want you to remember me, love,” he said, voice trembling. “I want you to look at me and see me. See your husband. I fucking miss you, Noelle.”
He lowered his head and stared down at the floor, but not before a tear slipped down his cheek. My vision swam, forcing me to blink back tears. I knew I should’ve kept my mouth shut. I’d only made things worse.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “Don’t be. You have every right to feel the way you feel.”
“So do you,” I told him. “I’m so focused on me that I’m being inconsiderate of your feelings.”
“My feelings don’t matter,” he said, wiping his face before he met my gaze again.
“They do matter,” I told him. “And I’m going to try to be more mindful of them. I just...” I paused, trying to find the right words. “This is all happening so fast. And this place...”
I stared around the room and sighed. “I feel... out of place here. I’m scared to touch anything because I may break it.”
“It’s not all poised and polished here,” he told me. “This is just the main room where you said we’d entertain guests if we hosted events here. But there is another room you designed. One you may like better than this one.”
I doubted it. But the smile had returned to his face, so I decided to play along.
“Let’s see it,” I told him.
He stretched his hand out, reaching for mine. I stared at it for a few seconds. I must’ve taken too long because he pulled his hand back before I could place my palm against his.
“I’ll wait until you’re ready,” he told me. “And I’ll try to be more relaxed also, less poised and polished. How’s that?”
“I’d like that,” I said, meaning it.
“Follow me, beautiful.”
He strode forward, leaving me staring after him, cheeks flushed from his compliment.Andhis kiss. I touched myfingertips to my lips as the naughty things heclaimedI did drifted through my mind.
Perhaps it was a good thing he was holding back and not treating me the way he used to. I didn’t think I could handle that type of treatment. But even as I thought that, my mind strayed to the way he’d gripped my throat and pushed me against the wall.
Was I into that?
My heart started racing again, and my pussy quivered. It was then and there that I realized something. I, Noelle Park, was probably a freak! And my husband, Aiden Park, matched my freak!
How long would he be able to keep up this gentleman act? How long before I caught another glimpse of the savage underneath? How long before I started to crave the things he said I craved?
He stopped and glanced over his shoulder at me. “Come on, baby.”
Damn it, memory. Please hurry up and come back.Because being here, alone with this man, was going to weaken my resolve. And I desperately wanted answers before I gave in to temptation.
CHAPTER FOUR
NOELLE
PUSHING NAUGHTY THOUGHTSaside, I rushed forward to follow Aiden before he could turn the corner. He led me through a couple of more elegant rooms and then to a large brown door.
“This is it,” he told me before opening the door and stepping into the room.
I followed him inside. My smile was instant. My face lit up as I stared around the room, taking in the décor. Now,thisfelt like me. This room.... This room was perfect. The windows were tall, framed in black, open just enough for a light breeze to move through.
