Page 142 of Beautiful Lies

I’m not so sure about that anymore.

The sounds of our groans and moans drift into the night, and the feeling of his skin on mine brands me.

I’m not ready for the next orgasm that rips me apart. Neither is he. As my walls clench, his cock throbs inside me, and he comes, too, tightening his grip on my hips.

Then he holds me. He holds me close as we climb down from the wild, sexual high.

When our breathing calms, he pulls out of me. His cum leaks down my thighs. I was about to grab some tissue and clean myself off, but he does it for me.

He crouches to wipe my leg, and I look down at him taking care of me.

Knox meets my gaze and smiles. “I hope I haven’t worn you out.”

“Not even a little bit.”

“Good.” He throws the tissue in the trash, tucks himself back in his pants, then scoops me up.

I gasp and giggle, resting my hands against his chest. “What are you doing to me now, Mr. Vale?”

“Something wild. Er.” Instead of carrying me back inside the house, he walks out to the beach.

“What could that be?”

“Skinny-dipping in the sea.” The moonlight catches the glint of sin in his eyes.

“You’re joking.”

“Now, you know I don’t joke, Mrs. Vale.”

I laugh and shake my head at him. “You are so crazy.”

“Only for you, love.”

He leans in and kisses me.

This is living—being with Knox and forgetting the world. I struggle to remember a time before him, when I just allowed myself to feel anything besides sadness and worry.

With him, there’s life.

I never expected to find such a thing with him.

And I don’t want to lose it.Ever.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Isla

The next fewdays blur together in the best possible way.

Most of our days are spent tangled in the sheets, but Knox takes me out every night, insisting on showing me something new. We visit different restaurants, where we enjoy the best cuisines. We find hidden corners of the town that feel like magical gateways to another world. Then we enjoy moonlit walks along the beach, where he holds my hand and we simply savor each other’s company.

Every night feels like an adventure.

Every morning feels like waking up in a dream.

At the end of the week, we start what Knox calls our “Italian tour”.

We drift from city to city, staying a night or two in each. We explore Florence, Rome, Siena, Bologna, Milan, wandering through cathedrals, open-air markets, and narrow streets that feel like postcards.