Page 81 of Heartless Stepbrother
“They’re being ridiculous.”
“They’re asking about me.” His eyes slid to the screen, then to me. “I want to know what you tell them.”
“No,” I whispered. “That’s… personal.”
Riley’s hand moved, sliding to my waist. His fingers pressed lightly into my side, just enough for my breath to hitch.
“Luna.”
My name in his voice sounded like a claim.
“Answer your friends.”
I swallowed. “What do you want me to say?”
“The truth.”
The SUV turned onto 101 North. The engine hummed. Palo Alto shimmered somewhere ahead, rich and safe and utterly wrong for the way my pulse was behaving.
My phone buzzed again.
Chiara:YOU CAN’T LEAVE US ON READ WHEN YOUR LIFE JUST TURNED INTO A SOAP OPERA.
Sienna:HOW BAD IS IT, LULU???
Heat climbed my cheeks.
Riley saw it, of course. His mouth curved—the kind of slow, dangerous smile that made something inside me tighten.
“Tell them,” he murmured, “exactly what you think.”
“I’m not telling them you’re—“
He leaned in before I could finish. Too close. His lips brushed my jaw, not a kiss, not even an attempt, but the proximity lit every nerve in my body.
My voice broke. “Riley—“
“Be honest with them.” His lips trailed up my jaw, stopping at my ear. His hand at my waist tightened just slightly, enough to pin me in place. “Be honest with yourself.”
My fingers trembled around the phone.
“Tell them how bad it is. How I make your pulse stutter every time I’m close to you.”
I froze.
He waited.
The driver kept his eyes on the road, oblivious. Or pretending to be.
Riley’s hand slid around my hip, fingers splayed, not squeezing but claiming space there. His breath ghosted the back of my neck.
I typed.
Very slowly.
It’s…
My heart hammered.
