Page 22 of House of Lies

If I were to stand up and leave, I’d unlikely find the courage to be this close to him again soon. Hesitating, I lean in and brush my lips against his. Mattia’s hand finds its place on the back of my neck, tangling in my hair and pulling me closer, while his other hand firmly grips my thigh, his touch sending shivers down my spine. It’s overwhelming, unlike anything before. It doesn’t make me as sick as it’s supposed to. Tonight, it’s merely about being there for him and providing what he needs, even though it’s based on a lie. I want to get his mind off whatever is bothering him. Beyond my unyielding hatred toward him, there’s desire, need, and lust. And it’s not for my husband. I crave the man he showed me recently—who he could be.

Shifting in his lap, I straddle his thighs; the nightdress is inching higher until it barely covers anything. In a heartbeat, he seizes both of my wrists, holding them behind my back and breaking our kiss.

“What were you thinking, Wildfire, coming in here with no underwear?”

I wish I knew. He did nothing to me against my will recently. Hope blooms inside me. I need to poison it before it grows into something bigger.

“I thought you might need me,” I admit, biting my lower lip as he pulls me closer, his gaze fixed between my legs. I didn’t think this through.

“Go have dinner. Read a book. Do whatever you want, but stay away from me tonight,” he commands, his tone tinged with desire.

I shake my head. A glint of surprise brings his eyes alive.

“No?” The corners of his mouth curve in a malicious smile. “Go away,” he repeats. “Because I need to own you so badly, I’ll break you apart tonight. And that’s not what I want. If you still want this tomorrow, I’ll give it to you. But not tonight.”

“You broke me before,” I remind him, a smile playing on my lips as I press them against his neck.

I bite his skin, feeling his dick twitch between my legs. I never welcomed him into my body willingly. I loathed every second. But something snapped in my brain tonight. I want him to overpower me, to lose control as he thrusts deep inside me. I need his hate. My tongue soothes the tender spot I’ve just bitten, and Mattia groans.

“That was different.”

“It’s different now, too,” I assure him. “What if I want you to?—”

“You want me to do what?” He arches an eyebrow, provoking me.

“What if I want you to ... fuck me?”

His gaze pierces through me, like he’s trying to reach my soul. That’s a part of me that will always be unreachable for him. But my body isn’t. It never was. I’m just choosing to give myself freely to him tonight.

“Say it.” His voice is rough. Demanding.

“I’ve just said it.”

“You’ve asked me a question, Wildfire. If you want to ride my cock, you’ll have to say it. If you want me to fuck you so hard and deep you won’t be able to breathe, walk, or think, you need to ask for it.”

He slips one hand between my legs, his knuckles grazing my clit, while his other hand releases my wrist from its bind.

“Don’t,” he commands when I close my eyes, forcing me to look at him. “What do you want, Caelia?”

He wants me to beg. Every instinct advises me against it. I don’t have to humiliate myself by giving him something he wants. I meet his unwavering gaze, watching as his eyes darken with danger. He unties my robe, pushing it down my shoulders. The straps of my dress follow suit, his fingertips tracing the contours of my skin as they descend. I’m a trembling mess. Mattia leans closer, placing kisses along my collarbone, sucking and licking my skin. He touches my clit with his thumb; the touch is light like a breeze. It’s not nearly enough.

“How will it be?” He finally breaks the silence, tilting his head to meet my gaze.

I will never be able to untangle myself from the mess I got into.

CHAPTER 16

Kaz

Marco is dead, and I should call his family. I should start planning his funeral. He got hit when the ship exploded. He went under, drowning. He was long gone before either Domenico or I came to our senses. I blame myself. I was the one who turned when I heard the gunshots, trying to go back and help Domenico. Marco followed me, getting closer to the ship. But I can’t. Not tonight. I can barely think straight. I’m breathing in the scent of Caelia’s skin, but my mind is too far gone to pinpoint what it smells like. All I know is that it’s heavenly. My cock is throbbing under her bare pussy, knowing that I won’t be able to stop if she doesn’t take my advice. I’m not my bastard of a brother. I don’t want to hurt her. But I won’t be gentle tonight, either.

“Fuck me,” she says, looking me in the eyes before standing up.

I watch her, confused for a second, until she undresses. I want to ruin her. Tonight is not a good night for me. I need to clear my head and give her what she deserves, not what I need. As she stands naked, her cheeks flush. Looking away, she bites her lip. Standing up, I grab her face and bring her mouth to mine. Her taste makes me forget about my guilt and everything else that has happened lately. There’s nothing else more important than her at this moment. My body is vibrating with need. I push her onto the desk, kissing her neck and sucking her nipples as she tugs at my hair. I bring my chair closer and lean back, watching her body displayed naked on my desk. Mattia’s desk. Her husband’s desk.

She holds my gaze as I place my hands on the inside of her thighs and spread her legs.

“So fucking beautiful.” My voice sounds foreign even to me.

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