Chapter 35 35. Between Your Legs
My breath hitched. Heat spread down my neck, settling low in my belly.
"That's not-" The words tangled in my throat when his thumb brushed the side of my neck, a slow circle. His touch stayed light, but it was enough to feel my pulse hammering beneath his skin.
"Your heart's racing," he said quietly. "Why is that?"
"It's not."
"Camila." He said my name like a warning, soft but edged. Like he could see through the tiny tremors running down my body, the shallow breaths I couldn't hide, the way my thighs pressed together as if that would calm anything.
"Let me go, Lucien."
"Not until you tell me why you wore this dress."
"It's none of your business."
He leaned closer. "Everything about you is my business. Or are you scared, Fiera?" His breath skimmed across my lips.
Every nerve screamed to close the distance, to just lean forward and-
No.
Ronan's voice echoed in my head.
'Men like Lucien use pretty things like you to get their dick wet, make you think you matter in his world for a minute, then toss you aside for the next available cunt.'
I know what this is all about, and I won't let that happen.
"No."
"Then why are you trembling? Tell me why your thighs are pressed together like that."
My face burned.
"This is part of your plan, isn't it?" The words came out shaky.
His eyebrow lifted. "What plan?"
"Whatever game you're playing." My palms pushed weakly against his chest, but he didn't budge. "You hated me last Tuesday. You disappeared for five days. And now you're suddenly... this."
"Does it bother you?"
"That you're using me?"
"Am I?" His lips curved into that smug smile I hated, except it made my heart flutter even more now. "How exactly am I using you, Camila?"
"You surely haven't been with anyone in months. Maybe longer." My voice wavered but I kept going. "And I'm here, already under contract. Already in your room."
Something flickered in his eyes. Amusement, maybe. Or satisfaction at being figured out.
"Smart girl," he said quietly.
The words felt like a slap. "You're bored, or frustrated, and I'm just-"
"Available?" He finished for me, tilting his head. "Is that what you think?"
"What else could it be?"
He studied me for a long moment. Then his thumb moved to trace the edge of the dress's neckline. Not quite touching my skin, just the fabric.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I am just looking for a distraction. Someone warm in my bed who's already on the payroll. Maybe I want to add a few more duties to your contract tonight."
Pain shot through my chest. Being right shouldn't have hurt this much.
"You're disgusting."
"Am I?" His lips brushed my cheek, and I sucked in a breath. "Then why are you still standing here? Why did you put on this dress?"
Because I wanted you to notice me. Because I hate that I do.
"I should've drowned you in that pool," I said instead.
"Pity." He let go, stepping back. His warmth left too quickly, and I felt the chill crawl in. "Get some sleep, Fiera. You look exhausted. And don't wait for me. I'll be out all night, thinking about that dress."
I wrapped my arms around myself and turned away. My body still pulsed from the memory of his touch. I wanted to ask where he was heading, but one more word from him and I would've given in.
"Turn the lights off on your way out," I folded on my side of the bed and dragged the blanket over my body.
"And Camila?" I didn't turn to look at him. "If I wanted to use you, I'd be between your legs right now."
The air caught in my throat. God, those words.
I squeezed my thighs tighter, hating myself for the shiver that followed. Why was he still here?
"Next time you want to challenge me," his tone dropped lower, "make sure you're prepared to win."
Then the door clicked shut.
Sleep wouldn't come. My body was still tingling from everywhere he'd touched... and everywhere I wanted him to touch.
The echo of his voice wouldn't leave my head.
Maybe I am looking for a distraction.
A distraction. That's all I was.
I stared into the dark ceiling, tracing the patterns of light that slipped through the blinds. Hours passed. The room stayed silent.
The door creaked faintly.
Dawn had just begun to blur the edges of the night sky. I kept my eyes closed as the bed dipped under his weight. The quiet rustle of sheets, a low groan, then a rough exhale like he'd been holding it in for hours.
My muscles tensed. He smelled faintly of rain and smoke.
Was he hurt?
The mattress shifted as he settled. I wanted to turn, to ask if he was okay, to check if something had happened.
But I didn't move.
Because if I did, I'd prove him right. That I cared, and wanted his attention. And I will not admit that.
Never.
When I opened my eyes, Lucien hovered above me, arms braced on either side of my head.
I screamed.
"Your ears!" he said quickly.
Right. The megaphone.
I clapped my hands over my ears just as the door flew open.
"It's 10 AM and you're still in bed?!" Mama Cortez's voice boomed through the megaphone. "Get outside! Now!"
The door slammed shut. Lucien chuckled, looking down at me.
"Your face-" I began, but he groaned mid-laugh and dropped right on top of me. His weight pressed me into the mattress.
"Lucien!"
He rolled off, clutching his left shoulder. His face twisted.
"What happened?"
There was a bruise along his jaw, another near his temple.
"I had an accident." His voice was tight.
"That's a lie." I grabbed his collar and pulled it aside.
More bruises. Red patches across his neck, down to his chest.
"What happened?" I demanded. "Tell me."
He looked at me for a long moment. Then exhaled slowly.
"Fine. I went to see someone."