Page 76 of The Obedient Lie

Didn’t knowwhoto look at.

Luca leaned forward, slow, resting his forearm on the table beside mine. “You didn’t set us up,” he said, eyes locked on mine. “You let us in.”

My lips parted—but I didn’t speak.

I just nodded.

Because I couldn’t lie and say it didn’t matter.It did.It mattered more than anything.

And they knew it.

Bastion’s hand slipped under the hem of my shirt, just enough to feel skin. His palm was warm against my ribs, thumb tracing small, soothing motions—like he was reminding me I wasn’t alone.

“We should reward that,” Luca said.Not smiling. Not joking.His voice had gone husky. He looked down at where his hand rested on my knee—then back up at me. “Don’t you think, Bastion?”

“Mhm,” Bastion murmured behind me, pressing his chest closer to my back now.

My heart was thundering as I slowly leaned back against him, letting my spine touch his chest. He held me gently, arms caging around me without force. His lips brushed my temple.

Luca reached out, fingers brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, and just looked at me.

“You trust us now?” Luca asked softly, his other hand still warm on my knee, thumb circling like it had all the time in the world.

I nodded.

Just once.

My voice caught in my throat.

And then I felt Bastion lean closer behind me, his breath hot at the shell of my ear.

“Then let me really apologise.”

His lips brushed my jaw—barely there,the kind of contact that stole air before it gave warmth. His fingers moved from my waist, brushing the hem of my skirt. Slowly. Lazily. Like he had every right.

Like I wouldn’t stop him.

Because I didn’t.

His hand trailed over the outside of my thigh, then slid inward. A featherlight graze, moving just slow enough to make me ache. My breath hitched. My legs parted just a little more where I sat cross-legged—without even meaning to.

Bastion’s fingers reached the top of my inner thigh and paused.

Luca’s voice came next, soft but darker now.Rough around the edges.“Would you like that?”

I blinked, turning toward him just slightly. His eyes were already on me.

Dark. Heavy. Careful.

My lips parted. But the words weren’t there yet.

Bastion’s fingers stayed right where they were—firm but unmoving. His hand cupped the tender inside of my thigh like he already knew the answer and was just waiting for me to say it out loud.

The silence was thick.Electric.

And Luca’s gaze dropped to my mouth.

He looked like hewanted to tastewhatever answer I gave.