Page 228 of Ruin Me With Lies

Until I reach the balcony.

There she is.

Christ.The magnetic connection from being this close to her is unbearably intense.I quickly deactivate my chip to cut the vibration.

Her back is to me, still looking out.Completely at ease and in control.While I’m a fucking wreck.An emotional disaster.

I step through the open glass doors…then stop.Needing a moment to drink her in.

There are noticeable changes to her.She’s a pound or two thicker, but leaner.Tighter.Solid.Especially where it counts—waist, thighs, ass.

The fuck has she been doing?She’s walking temptation in those shorts and that top.

Her hair’s longer now, fuller, draping down her back.And damn…never thought I’d miss those messy half-braids of hers, but fuck if I don’t.

For the first time in eighteen months, my cock pulsates.Hardens.

I want to fuck her.Ravish her.Wild and crazed.Right here, right now.

No…

That’s a lie.

I want to make love to her.Painstakingly slow.Worship every inch of her.Kiss every freckle.Count every lash.Bow at her altar.

“Soraya.”

She doesn’t turn.Just tilts her head slightly to the side.Enough to let me know she’s listening.

“Let me see you.”

CHAPTER FIFTY–TWO

Stefano

AS IF IN DEFIANCE, she remains still.

It’s fine.I can wait.

Seconds stretch.Her shoulders rise and fall with a measured sigh…and, slowly, she turns.

Just like that, warmth spreads through my chest, seeping into the hollowed ache that’s lived there too damn long.

She’s it.My completion.Everything my heart and soul wants, needs,craves.

She leans back against the railing, impassively cool, but her slender fingers gripping the ledge don’t go unnoticed.

“Soraya...”

Her name falls out as nothing more than a breath.Like a prayer.A curse.Worship.

Gone.I’m fuckinggonefor her.

Why didn’t I come sooner?Why didn’t I chase her?What the hell was I thinking, pretending I had any power against this fist-tight grip she has on me?I can barely fuckingbreathejust looking at her.

She breaks the charged silence.“You sure took your time coming home.”

“Took my time?”I move forward a step.“The deal was one year.I came to find you.I stood under that damn clock waiting like a fucking idiot.”