Page 18 of House of Lies

“You’ve just kissed me.” I laugh.

“It wasn’t enough. It will never be enough.”

He doesn’t mean it, and neither do I. I do what I can to survive.

“Caelia?” He says my name when I remain silent.

“Yes?”

“Can I kiss you again?”

He’s waiting for my answer, which is strange coming from a man who doesn’t know what consent is.

“Yes, you can.”

And before I can say or think about anything else, his lips are on mine once more.

CHAPTER 12

Kaz

I’m screwed.

It’s not the first time I wake up with Caelia in my arms, but it’s the first time I’ve chosen not to run like I’m trying to escape hell. Some mornings, it felt like that, with her warm and soft body entwined with mine, her hair splayed across my chest, and her arm resting on my abs. I don’t think she’s even aware she does it, and I haven’t mentioned it either. The peaceful expression on her face as she sleeps catches me off guard, and I can’t help but smile as I observe her. I hold her a little tighter, kissing her forehead gently. Her nightmares seem to have lessened recently. She no longer spends half the night tossing and turning.

I haven’t figured out her plan yet, but I will. For how much pain Mattia inflicted upon her, she didn’t just reconsider. Every decision she makes must be part of a larger scheme. She has an endgame, and I must find out what that is. Perhaps it’s time to sleep with one eye open from now on.

She stirs and awakens, blinking confusedly until she figures out why she’s in my arms. I pull her closer, unwilling to let her go.

“Morning!” she yawns.

“Good morning,” I smile.

“So, is it a good morning?”

“It is.”

She leans in and kisses me softly. I don’t know what makes her do it, but I’m glad she does. It’s brief, but it’s not enough for me. Not since I discovered last night what it feels like to kiss her. Now, I’m addicted. She may want to see Mattia dead, but her body reacts to my touch. I want to show her how good it can be; I want to fuck her so deep she will fall over the edge. I want to own her, destroy her in the best way possible, and lose myself in her body until she won’t be able to talk, breathe, or walk. My cock is so hard in the mornings that it’s throbbing, and I’ve done my best to stay away from her so far. She sealed her fate with those four words: Can we try again? I’ll give her anything she wants and needs.

I know her heart will never truly belong to me. Not as long as I continue pretending to be the monster she longs to set on fire. But I don’t care. The fact that Mattia has never kissed her is unbelievable. It's disturbing, as are most of the things he did to her.

Her hands tug at my hair as I taste her. Caelia’s eyes are closed, and she melts into my touch. Her lips move hungrily as if she’s starving for a kiss she’s never experienced before. At this moment, it feels like I’m the only thing that matters to her. I can feel the deep longing, too, going beyond physical. It’s terrifying. She shifts her weight, her hands trailing down my shoulders and chest as she moves on top of me.

Our mouths move as if they’re two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly. She’s so much smaller than me, yet we fit as though we were meant to be together. She was made for me. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer, my hands tracing the lines and curves of her flawless body. I explore and memorize every inch, unsure of when reality will come crashing down, and she’ll remind herself of her intense hatred for Mattia, preventing her from allowing this to happen.

For a moment, she breaks away, opening her eyes to find my gaze already burning into hers, filled with desire. Her green eyes are ablaze. Placing a hand on her chest, I can feel her heart racing faster and faster.

“I should make breakfast.” She breaks the spell.

“Should you?” I smirk, making no move to force her to stay.

She nods, eager to leave the bed.

The importance of secrecy is deeply engraved in my soul—the need to keep our actions and plans hidden from everyone. I have been advised to kill Mattia’s wife if necessary.

“Stay in bed, Wildfire. I’ll make breakfast.”

“I can help.”

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