Chapter 59 THE TRUTH.
SLOANE’S POINT OF VIEW.
My legs are still trembling, and his arms are around me, holding me so I don’t fall. Shame coats my cheeks as the aftershocks of my orgasm leave, plunging me into ice-cold waters. Ace doesn’t say anything; instead, he stands there for what feels like hours before the sound of his footsteps leaving fills the silence.
My breathing is still heavy, and I’m avoiding Lucien’s gaze, as my cheeks redden.
“I can’t believe you did that,” I mutter, trying to push against him, but my legs are still trembling, so he doesn’t let me go.
I tug my dress back down with trembling hands to cover my nakedness. Lucien simply smirks and says;
“You and I both know you loved it.”
I purse my lips, choosing silence instead, because I knew he would see my lies if I said anything else.
Another bout of shame coats me, but this time, it’s hotter, stronger, as the realization of what I’ve done settles in me.
I just let Lucien have me again…even though we aren’t even together anymore.
This is what happens to me whenever I’m near him. My reasoning, my thoughts, my ability to make fucking critical decisions; everything disappears in the damn air, and I’m putty in his hands. He’s toxic for me…but for some reason, I couldn’t stay away.
Needing to be far away from him before guilt and self-loathing swallow me whole, I bend to grab my purse. If I finally breathe somewhere he isn’t, I can convince myself that this never happened.
But before I could walk away, his hands caged me between him and the counter.
“You’re not going anywhere. I won’t allow you to leave me again.” Lucien’s voice is low, but at the same time, it’s hard. I could still hear the same tightness in them as his hands curl around my waist before he pulls me to lean against him. “Not this time.”
“Let me go, Lucien,” I mutter, pushing against him, but he doesn’t budge. He’s like a damn brick wall.
I hate how weak my voice sounds around him, how weak I get when he’s around, how my knees buckle with some force whenever I feel or see him near, how my body melts into his heat.
“No. You want the truth about the damn bet? I’ll give it to you, right here.” He says, and I stare at him blankly, waiting for him to laugh, because this has to be some sick joke.
My heart pounds with the desire to get the truth, but at the same time, I can’t help but feel this is some trick.
My voice is brittle, raw with an emotion even I cannot identify yet, as I stare at him; “If this is some game, some attempt to get me by your side again, if this is a lie-“
“Then I’ll allow you to hate me forever.” He replies, and I purse my lips for a moment. “Because if I don’t show you, you’ll keep running, and I’ll never stop chasing you. And trust me, Sloane, I’ll always catch.”
Before I can argue with him, his hands curl around mine, as he rests his head against mine with a shuddering breath. “Please.” He whispers, and I melt into him, giving him a nod of approval.
With that, he doesn’t waste a second, as he pulls me out of the bathroom. The moment we step out, the noise from the party hits me in the face, and my eyes caught sight of Ace leaning against the wall, typing furiously on his phone, his concentration not once broken, as nothing else around him mattered.
He pulls me to a quieter part of the mansion, and the urge to ask him a question itches at me, but I stifle it, allowing him to lead me. My stomach knots and twists, as my heart hammers in my ears.
At the end of the hallway, I caught the silhouette of someone standing with hands crossed.
My mouth falls into a gasp as the sight of Roxanne comes into focus.
What the hell is she doing here?
Could Lucien be taking me to her so he would rub it in my face that they’re not together again?
Could this be an attempt to hurt and humiliate me?
My eyes well with unshed tears as I bite my inner cheek. I clutch my purse tighter, choosing to remain silent so I don’t burst into tears.
She stands dressed in a dark purple silk dress, her hair pulled in a high ponytail, as she taps her foot against the floor impatiently.
“What the hell are you two doing here?” She asks the moment she spots us.
Wait..she didn’t know we were coming.
What the hell is happening???
“Lucien, why the hell am I here?” I asked, my voice cracking from the force of holding back my tears.
“She owes you answers,” Lucien replies, not one sparing her a look, his entire focus on me instead, as he squeezes my palm for reassurance.
Roxanne laughs, the sound mocking, as she tuts. “Oh damn it, Lucien. Always playing the knight in shining armor for her. When will you finally let her fucking have a bite of her own? Or will you always play Superman for her?”
Instead of paying her any mind, he growls. “Talk.”
Her smirk falters for a moment before she picks it up again and squares her shoulders. “What about?” Her eyes narrow on Lucien as she keeps tapping her foot against the floor.
“I swear to fuck Roxanne, if you don’t fucking start talking, your father’s company will really go down this time. His meeting the Queen of fucking England won’t even change that.”
Her smirk falters, “Oh, please. Eldric would never let that happen. Or did he suddenly die and leave you in charge?”
“Try me, Roxanne. I’d love to play.”
At that, her face drains of color, before she sighs and says,” Fine! All I did was as I was instructed, okay?”
What???
“I got a text, and the person said to act like I was talking to Eldric using a voice simulator, so you would think Lucien only got with you because of a bet, and it would push you to break up with him, leaving him alone so I can finally have him back.” Her laugh is humorless as she says. “And like a fool, you took the bait; hook, line, sinker.”