Page 19 of Covetous

Is.

Happening?

“Oh, right. Because you missed your shot with the girl of your dreams, and now she’s with a man who isn’t afraid to grow the fuck up and make a commitment.”

My hand flies to my mouth in disbelief. The girl of his dreams?The girl of his dreams? No. No way. What is she talking about? Victor never wanted me.

But why isn’t he saying anything?

My mind races as shock and confusion wage war on my thoughts. Did Victor have feelings for me? Was he really the one who got away? Why didn’t he ever tell me? Why didn’t she? It shouldn’t matter. But it does. It matters more than anything in this moment. Even if I was already with Ian when she found out Victor’s feelings toward me, she should’ve said something. But instead, she took him for herself.

Gah. I hate this.

Even if she had told me of Victor’s feelings, nothing would’ve changed. Ian is the one I’m supposed to be with. Not Victor.

As I stand frozen in my room, a part of me wants Victor to speak up—to clarify everything and make sense of this mess. But silence stretches on, and I realize that sometimes it’s better to let some things go.

I have to get the hell out of here. Right now. I frantically gather my belongings, my heart pounding in my chest as I tiptoe toward the door. But before I can escape, Esme swings her door open and catches me in the act, pinning me with a hard stare, one that breaks a little with what looks like guilt in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” I whisper, because even after everything, I’m worried about her.

“Esme. Where are you—” Victor appears behind her, his face falling when he sees me.

“Liv is waiting for me downstairs,” Esme says briskly, attempting to regain control of the situation.

Right. Liv and Esme are going on a booze run, leaving Victor here to move all the breakables and obstructive furniture to the garage.

Victor scrubs his face. “Liv can stay. I’ll go with you.”

“I’m good,” Esme insists, though her shaky voice betrays her true feelings. “Sky, do you want to come with us?”

I look at my smartwatch, wanting to say yes but knowing Ian is on his way. “I can’t. Ian will be here soon. I’ll wait for him in my bedroom so I’m not in the way.”

“Whatever,” Esme huffs before storming off toward the stairs.

“Esme, wait,” Victor calls after her, but she doesn’t stop. He turns to me with a regretful look before following after her.

I’m left alone in the hallway, my mind spinning and my heart thrashing about in my chest.

Chapter Seven

Ian’s thrusts are slow and gentle as me moves inside me, gazing down at me like I’m the most precious person in his world. I love us like this. When we take our time, it feels like the world stands still, and it’s just him and me savoring each other.

Our weekend getaway has been a much-needed respite for both of us. We’ve gone to the theater. Ate breakfast in bed. Soaked together in rose-petaled baths. Dressed in our finest out to dinner. It feels like it did in the beginning. Back when we were still learning one another. Back when loving each other was the easiest thing in the world.

You want Ian to fill a void your parents never filled because they were too busy getting high.

No, no, no.

Shutting down Esme’s voice in my head, I intertwine my fingers behind Ian’s head, claiming his mouth with a passionate kiss—one that becomes a battle for dominance as our tongues dance together. We stay locked in this passionate embrace until he breaks away.

A lazy smile curves his lips, revealing a dimple on one cheek. His gaze is heavy with desire as he looks down at me, his hand caressing my cheek. “Damn, girl. What has gotten into you?”

“I believe that would be you,” I say cheekily. “We need to do this more often.”

A brighter smile spreads across his face, his fingers trailing down my neck and leaving goose bumps in their wake. “Go away for long weekends?” He drops open-mouthed kisses down my throat, eliciting a moan from deep within me.

“That too.” I close my eyes, loving the feeling of his lips on my skin as I grind my pelvis against his. “But I meant kissing. Why don’t we do more of it?”

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