Page 83 of Symphony for Lies

He licked his lips, and my heartbeat thundered.

Aria. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to step into a restaurant owned by a family that kept appearing in my life like a bad omen.

“I already ate before you came to the house.” The words had slipped out before I could stop myself.

Zane didn’t hesitate as he flipped the turn signal and made a U-turn in the middle of the street.

The tires let out a sharp screech against the pavement, shocking the heck out of me.“Zane!”

He didn’t bother with a reply. His wicked grin was enough of an answer. And it set my entire body on fire.“We’re going to my place.”

I didn’t know what surprised me more. That I was in such a situation or that I wanted it so badly.

Zane pulled into the driveway, turned off the engine, and instantly reached for my seatbelt. But instead of simply undoing it, his fingers grazed my skin before his lips crashed onto mine.

A hungry, unrelenting, raw kiss.

I gasped against his mouth, feeling his heat, his intensity, the way he devoured me without hesitation.

My body softened and surrendered as my fingers tangled into his hair, pulling him closer.

I mirrored what he’d done to me the previous night and teasingly bit his lower lip, drawing a rumbling sound from his chest.

His hand slid under my thighs, lifting me effortlessly onto his lap.

The movement was so fast that my knee accidentally hit the car horn.The resulting sharp, loud blare filled the night, and I jumped involuntarily.

Zane released a deep, sinful laugh.“Jumpy?”

“No!” I snapped.

“Mhm.” His smirk was pure wickedness, but his eyes were locked onto me with predatory focus.

He lifted me out of the car, making me gasp as he held me against his chest. His lips trailed hot, openmouthed kisses down my throat. My pulse skyrocketed.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered against my skin, sending shockwaves straight to my core.

He carried me inside with steady, confident steps, and with one smooth motion, he pushed the door closed behind us.

Zane’s lips traveled lower as his hands traced my sides, feeling every inch of me.

I shuddered, gripping his shoulders for support.“You seem… experienced at this.”

His lips curved into another smirk against my neck.“Says the woman who steals my sanity with every kiss.”

His teeth grazed my flesh as his fingers slipped my blazer off.

When his hands dropped to the hem of my dress, I caught his wrists. “The dress. It’s important. My grandmother made it.”

Zane immediately stilled.His gaze traveled appreciatively over me.“She knew what she was doing. You look fucking breathtaking in it.”

He lifted me into his arms again and carried me to his bedroom.

After setting me down gently in front of the bed, his fingers brushed down my back until he found the zipper. In one smooth motion, the silky fabric pooled at my feet.

The weight of his longing stare was almost a physical caress.

His lips followed the path of his hands as they mapped every curve of my body, memorizing every quiver beneath his touch.