Page 69 of Deadly Secrets

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I felt utterly drained. Everything came crashing upon me. My parents’ death, moving to a different state, the fraud, my mixed feelings for Zayn and Noah, the regret of losing Ander…it was all too much.

I nestled into his embrace but continued to cry until my sobs gradually subsided, and the world around me faded into darkness.

* * *

When I opened my eyes, I was welcomed with more darkness. The moonlight through the window was the only thing shedding any light. I glanced around briefly without moving. Somehow, in my sleep, Ander and I had shifted, and we were both now lying on the couch, my body pressed to his side and my head nestled between his neck and chest. His smell was captivating and masculine, with earthy and citrus notes. I could feel his breathing on my temple and the rise and fall of his chest with my hand. His right arm was around my back, and his hand gently rested on my hip. I can’t remember the last time someone held me like this. It felt…safe.

After a few minutes of savoring this peaceful moment, Ander broke the silence.

“Hey, how are you feeling?”

“Honestly? I don’t know.” My head was still resting on his shoulder, and I tried my best to avoid looking at him. I was hurt and embarrassed. It was hard to digest that my dad’s actions had pushed Ander’s father to leave the company he helped build. I was furious and disappointed. “I’m so sorry, Ander. If it wasn’t for my father…” Before I was able to finish my sentence, Ander grabbed my chin and lifted my face toward his.

“You don’t have to apologize for your father’s mistakes.”

“It’s just… I wish I could go back in time. I wish I’d made different choices and tried harder to stay in touch with you. It’s not just my father’s fault that I lost you,” I said with a hint of regret in my voice. Ander remained silent, his eyes scanning my face as his hand cradled my cheek and his thumb gently brushed against it.

“I’m here. You never truly lost me.” Ander leaned closer, his lips brushing mine tentatively. It was a gentle kiss, like the one we once shared surrounded by trees. But my emotions were heightened, and all I wanted was to be consumed by his kiss.

As if hearing my thoughts, he parted his lips and softly trailed his tongue along my lower lip, eliciting a moan from me. I opened my mouth, delicately meeting his tongue with mine. Ander groaned, igniting a surge of lust in my chest that traveled to the apex of my thighs. He deepened the kiss. It was unhurried but passionate. Our tongues danced together as my lips sensually moved against his. Grabbing a handful of his dark blond hair, I got lost in the moment, only to be interrupted a few seconds later by the jingling of keys at the front door.

I abruptly ended the kiss, my heart still pounding in my chest as a surge of anxiety washed over me at the thought of Zayn catching us. I quickly stood and ran to the bathroom, closing the door behind me and pressing my back against it. I could hear them talking, but I stayed hidden until a soft knock on the door startled me.

“Are you okay, Sienna?” Ander’s worried voice reached my ears.

“Yes. I’m okay. I just need a minute.” I walked toward the bathroom sink, placed both hands on the marble counter, and tried to calm my breathing. As if things weren’t complicated enough after hooking up with both Noah and Zayn, that kiss only added to the confusion.

What the hell were you thinking?

I cautiously cracked open the bathroom door to see if anyone was outside, then ran to my room. Quickly grabbing my phone from the bedside table, I unplugged it from the charger and opened a new message.

SOS. SOS. SOS.

Maggie

What’s wrong?