ep

You. Is

ling down the hallway, growing louder, closer. I

m where she'd worried them with her teeth. She wetted her lips, those rosy lips, turning away from me. Her face was flushed, her skin cheeks colored with an embarrassing shade of blush. She st

gain, that

o..." Isab

at my sides. She clearly meant it as an endearment term, but it felt more like a leas

itself, was entertaining, enjoyable. She was still breathing heavily, her gaze flicking between me and t

r myself to hear, but not so loud that Isabella would catch on. I could

re

w

n

d of peachy sweetness that made my nose twitch. I could already imagine the simpering look on her face, the wide smile, the way her eye

" she said, cr

n my body screamed for her to disappear. I couldn't spare her a glance. Camilla w

elish every m

she owned it. Her dress, a flowy red mini dress that hugged her c

voice rising an octave, like she was scolding me. I wanted

her fingers white-knuckled. She kept biting her lower lip, a nervous habit I had not

er. I had affec

ve lunch, remember?" I finally turned to face her, forcing a tight smile to my lips. My

y eyes flicked back to Camilla, catching the way she was inching away, still tryin

against my arm. "Busy with what?" she asked, her eye

ow, B

e. But I wasn't going to do that with her. I wasn't going to

k, as if I were being punished

t a lie. I was busy. With w

ion. "Work, Isabella. I'

ffended by the mere suggestion that I might have something

illa. Or maybe she had and chose to ignore her, like s

pi

dy language screaming discomfort. I almost smiled. Almost. The power I held

y voice firmer this time. "I h

me space. "Well, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to remain here, till you're ready to have lunch

bel

h you later, C

g a smile that felt like a mask. "Let's go," I said, my voice smooth,

oy the th

ion I was feeling. She clung to me tightly, her body pressed so close that it was almost suffocating. I had to force myself not to shrug her o

ing she'd take the hint and back off, if only for a momen

ou promised we'd hav

promise. We pick it up and we leave," I said, making sure my tone was firm enou

rea

Isabella's eyes shifted toward the

that?" sh

s it with her. Our arrangement was simple: we made each other happy, and we didn't pry too much into each other's secrets. Alright, I had indulged in a string of affairs behind

would just let it go. For a mo

m tightening. "Steffy, she didn't look lik

e

what had just happened with Camilla. I didn't want to think about the way her body had felt pressed against

with Isabella clinging to me and ask

inside, my hand resting on the small of her b

nd, and I couldn't ignore the way she had looked at me. Her face morphed into Isabella's, who was still looking at

only one thi

button on the elevator panel, t

re alone, u

f her mouth, begging for entry. She froze. But only for a second. I went on, circling my arms around her waist. The smell of her perfume, of the soft, peachy scent of her conditioner, left me light headed, blood rushing to my groin.

o

ust wanted her to stop talking, to stop pushing. I ne