He Loves Me.

He Loves Me.
LIORA'S POV

“Stop it.” I covered my face in embarrassment. Peeking through the gaps between my fingers, I watched Mara return to the sofa and slump against it lazily.

“There's nothing embarrassing about it. It's something every adult does.” She shrugged carelessly. “So you two are dating now, right?”

I slowly lowered my hands to my lap and shook my head. “He never asked me to be his girlfriend.”

“What?” Mara nearly screamed, startling me. “You slept with him and he still hasn't asked you out? Please tell me you used protection.”

“I told him not to,” I admitted quietly.

The expression on her face immediately made my stomach tighten.

“Is it really that bad?” I asked nervously.

Mara groaned and covered her face before dropping her head against the sofa. “Liora, you're smarter than this.”

She looked back at me seriously. “Didn't you think about this before sleeping with him? What if you get pregnant? Do you even know if he actually loves you or if he's only sleeping with you because you're attractive?”

I blinked at her in shock. “What do you mean? He's shown me how much he cares about me. Even if he doesn't say it directly, his actions do.”

“Actions like what?” Mara crossed her arms. “Go on. I'm listening.”

I opened my mouth to defend Azrael, but the words suddenly got stuck in my throat.

I thought deeply about everything he had done for me, yet one painful realization slowly crept into my chest.

He had never actually said he loved me.

No. I immediately shook my head. Mara didn't know Azrael the way I did.

He wouldn't risk going to jail for me if all he wanted was my body. Women constantly surrounded him, and ever since I arrived at his house, I had seen how easily he could have anyone he wanted.

Azrael didn't treat me like I was just another woman.

I lifted my head and stared at Mara firmly. “He loves me.”

Mara studied me silently for a few seconds before shrugging. “If you say so. But still, you should probably run some tests.”

My hand instinctively brushed against my stomach. “I don't care if I get pregnant with his child. I'll accept it gladly.”

“Li, you are seriously in love with this man.” Mara stared at me in disbelief before suddenly standing up and slapping her thigh. “Actually, why don't we go upstairs so you can rest? Your eyes look heavy, and I already know he didn't let you out of his sight after I left.”

A small laugh escaped me. “Yeah.”

I forced myself to stand while ignoring the soreness between my thighs. Then I followed Mara toward her room, my thoughts immediately drifting back to Azrael.

I just hoped he was safe.

The uneasy feeling in my chest hadn't disappeared ever since I left him behind.

Mara walked toward her wardrobe and started searching through her clothes. After pulling out a leather skirt, she tossed the hanger carelessly onto the floor before slipping the skirt on. Then she removed her oversized shirt and replaced it with a fitted black turtleneck.

I frowned in confusion while watching her slip on a pair of high heels. “Are you going somewhere? I thought we were supposed to rest.”

“I changed my mind.” She rubbed lipstick across her lips before smacking them together. Then she blew a playful kiss into the air. “Listening to you talk about him made me jealous.”

“What?” I laughed.

“I've been hiding in fear this whole time because someone's after us, meanwhile you and Azrael have been busy having fun.” She grabbed her purse. “I need a distraction before I lose my mind.”

“Woooow,” I dragged out sarcastically.

She brushed through her hair while adjusting the belt around her tiny waist before finally turning toward me. “How do I look?”

“Normal,” I answered flatly.

Mara burst into laughter. “Please. We both know I look gorgeous.”

She sprayed perfume over herself before walking toward me, her heels clicking softly against the floor.

“Come on. Let's go.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

“No.” I frowned immediately. “I told Azrael I was staying with you.”

“You still are,” she whined dramatically. “We're just going to a club for a little while. I promise it isn't far.”

She pouted before adding, “Don't you want me to find a man too?”

But you already have your eyes on Joel.

I kept that thought to myself.

“Fine,” I sighed. “But we'll be back before the driver returns.”

“You're the best!” She hugged me tightly before rushing out of the room.

I followed her downstairs, and minutes later we were outside.

The sky had grown much darker, and the streets were filled with people moving around. A few minutes later, Mara dragged me toward a crowded club, and I stared in shock at the number of people rushing inside.

“We're here!” Mara sang excitedly while shaking her shoulders.

I already knew complaining would be useless, so I quietly followed her inside.

The place looked ridiculously expensive. Dim lights flashed across the crowded room while loud music shook the walls. In one corner, I spotted a couple kissing shamelessly against each other.

Mara paid the entrance fee without hesitation, leaving me speechless.

“How many times have you been here?” I whispered while walking past the bouncers beside her.

The moment we entered the club properly, loud music blasted through my ears while screams and laughter echoed around us.

Mara immediately lifted her hands and swayed her hips to the music as she disappeared into the crowd.

I was abandoned almost instantly.

Sighing softly, I wrapped my arms around myself while searching for somewhere quieter to sit. Thankfully, I found an empty corner and quickly settled there, keeping my eyes fixed on Mara in case she did something reckless.

The music suddenly changed, and “Dark Romance” by Bryce Savage began blasting through the speakers.

Mara threw her head back while dancing wildly with the crowd. A second later, she bent forward with her hands on her knees and started twerking, her skirt rolling up slightly.

“Mara,” I muttered through clenched teeth. The urge to drag her out of the club nearly overwhelmed me, but I knew this chaotic energy was simply part of who she was.

Then suddenly, a man pushed his way through the crowd toward her.

At first, I didn't think much of it, but his broad frame immediately caught my attention. He was impossible to miss.

Mara continued dancing until she suddenly turned and accidentally crashed into him.

The man grabbed her instantly.

Both of them froze.

I frowned in confusion. “What's happening?”

Then, without warning, Mara wrapped her arms around his neck and hooked one leg around his waist.

Goodness.

She had already found her prey.