Page 71 of BounBound By Scars

“You gave her better words after, didn’t you, Lo?”

His smile was soft and instant. “Yeah. I did.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

I was just turning away when he called out again.

“Brother!”

I looked back and stumbled slightly. But I wasn’t sure if it was because I was drunk or because he called me ‘brother’.

He grinned. “You’re the only one who knows about the engagement. So…”

He made a zipping motion across his lips.

I returned it with a sloppy salute and a smile before heading toward the main hall. And the smile didn’t fade—not until I saw her.

EIGHTEEN

Amelia

I was wiping the excess lipstick when I left the bathroom. I had needed to reapply it after eating those damn mini quiches.

ButGod, they were worth it.

I wanted to rip into Sebastian some more for pulling the shit he did but I knew he was drunk. Not that it excused anything.

Worst part was, I couldn’t find Kabir after. I hoped he hadn’t seen the kiss.

I hoped that if he did—he still remembered my words from the speech.

Just as I turned the corner towards the courtyard, I suddenly found myself pressed hard against the cool wall, Kabir’s imposing figure blocking any escape. The heavy scent of alcohol on his breath mixed with the unmistakable sharpness of his anger.

“Kabir, let me go,” I demanded calmly. He was clearly too inebriated to sense me struggle against his hold.

“You fucking love torturing me. Don’t you, Lia?” His voice cracked, betraying a hint of vulnerability beneath the fury.

“Kabir… calm down.” I shifted, trying desperately to get out of his hold. I did need to talk to him, but not like this.

His nostrils flared. “I saw the kiss. I saw him use you. And that’s a freshly reapplied lipstick, isn’t it?”

“You’re drunk, Kabir. We can—”

He laughed, not a hint of humor in his voice. “Tell me. Did you sneak off to make out with him some more? Or are you using him?”

I gasped, a shiver making its way up my spine.

“Tell me,” he growled. “Did you imagine it was me who was fucking you that night instead of that boyfriend of yours?”

His lips almost touched mine when he spoke next. His voice was gentle, coaxing. “Did you imagine it was my cock you choked on every fucking night, Lia?”

I stared at him, wide eyed. He had never talked to me like that before. I didn’t think I ever heard the term cock leave his mouth.

Should I tell him I never had Sebastian’s… oh lord!

I swallowed against the sudden urge to kiss him just then. “Did you just say that to me?”

This wasn’t what I’d imagined my prelude leading to.