Page 123 of Lust & Lies

“Everything’s fine. Just a hiccup at the site,” I told her, reaching for her hand, needing to touch her.

She placed her hand in mine. I felt the tension ease out of my shoulders. It was crazy how one touch, one smile from this woman could fix everything for me.

“Let’s go,” I told her, leading her toward our car, my conversation with Julian completely forgotten.

She stared over her shoulder at Julian. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to yourcolleague?” Noe asked.

Fuck!I was hoping she wouldn’t say that. Just like I’d been hoping he wouldn’t say anything to her.

I was surprised when Julian stepped forward and said, “I’m Julian Cattaneo. It’s nice to meet you,finally, Ms. Park.”

He knew something was up, or he wouldn’t have introduced himself that way. The Noelle he was familiar with knew him also. The fact that Noe thought this was her first time meeting himhad the young Cattaneo staring at me with suspicion in his eyes. Thankfully, he didn’t tell her he’d met her before.

That would raise questions from both of them that I wasn’t prepared to answer right here, right now. Before I could give Julian the rundown, I had to confess my lies to Noe. I glared at Julian, hoping he’d understand the look and keep his damn mouth shut.

“It’s nice to meet you, also, Mr. Cattaneo,” Noe said, gifting him with a smile that should’ve been reserved for me.

Grinning, Julian faced me. He was enjoying this way too much.

“Let’s catch up over drinks this weekend,” Julian suggested.

“I’ll be with my wife,” I started, only to have her speak up.

“I’ll be fine,” she told me. “I’m doing much better now. Have drinks with your friend this weekend. You don’t have to watch over me all day, every day.”

I could read between the lines. She wanted me out of the house. What did she have planned? Was she going to try to leave me? Fuck that and fuck Julian. I wasn’t leaving her side. I turned my glare on Julian.

“I’ll be in touch, Julian.”

“Do that, Mr. Park,” he called out, smirking in that irritating ass way of his.

I’d joked about him falling for theweather girldozens of times. I guess now, it was his turn to laugh at my expense. I led Noe to the car. And this time, she allowed me to open the door for her.

She even let me buckle her seat belt. After it clicked into place, I remained leaning over her, peering into her eyes, inhaling the scent of her lotion. Because of her, cocoa butter was one of my favorite scents.

“Is there something you want to say, Mr. Park? Are you mad at me for getting out of the car?” she asked sweetly.

“That smile you gave Julian was too bright,” I told her, gaze dropping to her lips.

She chose that moment to lick her lips, knowing exactly what she was doing to me.

“Oh, so you want me to tone down my smiles?” she asked, smiling brightly.

“In front of others, yes. That smile is meant for me and me alone.”

“Is that so, Mr. Park?”

“Yes...” I paused with the wordsMrs. Parkon the tip of my tongue.

No matter how badly I wanted to call her that, I couldn’t. Not anymore. I was done lying to her. Until she was legally mine, I could no longer refer to her as my wife or Mrs. Park. That thought had me swallowing the lump forming in my throat.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’m scared,” I whispered, those words slipping out before I could stop them.

Confusion filtered into her beautiful brown eyes.

“Scared of what?” she asked.