Page 74 of Bought

At least not all the way.

I’m sitting in the dining room, heart in my throat, making small talk as I wait for him to return.

And now, here he is.

My stomach flips at the sight of him, making me wish I’d avoided the heavy pasta. Then our eyes lock, and the rush of energy I feel is unlike anything I’ve experienced…

An indescribable wave of heat and regret.

I stare at him, craving him desperately, yet knowing that because of how we met and what I was supposed to do, we can never, ever be together in any meaningful way.

So tonight, I’ll make the most of what I can get and cherish the little time I have left with him.

He extends his hand to me and says, “Come with me.”

And I will take his hand and follow him to the mouth of a volcano. And let him push me in if he felt so inclined. I’d follow him anywhere he wanted.

That’s how much power he has over me right now.

I take his hand and stand.

He gives me a long look before pulling me close. He stares down at me, our faces close enough to kiss. He smells of smoke and night air. “I want to show you something.”

“Where?” I ask, even though it doesn’t matter.

I’d let him take me anywhere.

“Outside.” His eyes are cold, but his face hints at fire.

Nothing has ever made me feel more alive than the thrill of exploring the unknown with this man. Lucian. Even the sound of his name sends a shiver down my spine.

Before I go, a sense of responsibility surfaces. “Hang on, let me make sure they’re good.” I glance around the kitchen, checking to see if my pod is happy.

“Of course.”

Blaze and I stand shoulder to shoulder in the doorway, watching, my hand still in his. Cleopatra is solving a puzzle with Ryan while Sharon and Cass help each other drain Forest Hill’s wine cellar.

Falcon is busy marinating Sunday’s roast. He’s mixing beer with the allergy pills Sharon gave him and happily whistling as he works.

“Is it okay to leave them?” I ask.

“Cleopatra loves little kids. She’s in heaven.” His tone softens. “And Falcon and Sharon have been lonely since coming back. I think they prefer Italy, but they’d never part from their kids.”

“Their kids,” I smile, thinking about the couple’s story and my sister’s blunt questions.

Blaze isn’t here, since he didn’t come back with Lucian. “Where’s Blaze?”

“On a walk. He needed air.”

I’m assuming that means Blaze is having another cigarette.

He holds the back door open for me, one long arm outstretched, so that I have to brush against him to step out into the cold night. “Thank you.”

He didn’t mention my coat. I take it as a bad sign. My stomach clenches.

There is a massive elephant in the room between us, and I want it addressed.

I step down two concrete stairs into the spacious, well-kept yard. I turn to look over my shoulder as he pulls the door shut behind us with a firm tug.