Page 61 of Wanted

“Information never hurts.” This woman is used to getting what she wants. It’s her way or the highway, just like her son.

Lionel grabs the envelope but doesn’t open it, doesn’t even give it a second look.

“I’ll talk to Jackson on Monday,” he says, patting her hand. “No need to be worried, Mom. Everything is under control here.”

Mrs. Kral looks at him, again her eyes softening. For the first time, I see a few fine wrinkles appear around her green eyes.

“It’s a mother’s job, don’t ask me to do otherwise,” she replies. “Someday, you will understand.” She clears her throat again and puts her hair behind her ear before changing the subject. “My mission here is accomplished, now I must go, it’s late, and tomorrow will be a long day. Maxine Deepler invited me to have brunch with her in Calabasas.”

“I’ll walk you to the car,” Lionel says, his hand reaching for mine to entwine our fingers. “Are you coming with us, baby?”

“I’ll give you both a moment alone,” I reply. “Good evening, Mrs. Kral. It was a pleasure to see you again.”

I nod to Lionel, and before he lets go of my hand, he kisses the inside of my wrist.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” he says, and I nod again.

After they walk down the hall heading to the front door, I take a moment to pick up the leftovers from the patio, put them in the fridge, throw the bottles in the recycling bin, and wash the wine glass.

Lionel is still with his mother, so I go upstairs to our room. What am I supposed to do now? Do I wait for him naked in bed? Do I look for something sexy to wear?

The latter isn’t possible because the few flirty clothes I own are in my house in Carrollton. That was the last thing on my mind when I was packing.

I get an idea, so I scramble around the room, before time runs out. Afterward, I wait for Lionel sitting in the armchair next to the window, looking into the dark night sky, broken by the moon’s reflection on the ocean and the city’s lights.

The room is lit only by the lamp on the side of the bed, filling it with a soft golden glow. I’m still sitting when Lionel enters the room, looking worried.

“I thought you were asleep,” he says as he looks at me dressed in one of his shirts, his eyes traveling over my body. “My mother… she wanted to catch up, you know.”

“Don’t worry,” I say, but I’m the one worrying.

What could she have said to him?

Lionel sits next to me, and although the chair is quite large, he takes up most of the space, so his body is glued to mine.

“I know this isn’t easy for you, Hvezda,” he murmurs. “Just because I want you doesn’t mean you should feel compelled to do so.”

He’s asking me to mark the steps for a melody that he’s playing.

“I’m free, Lionel, and I choose you.”

With those words, it seems that I’ve lifted the weight of the world from his shoulders.

“Thank God.”

Words can’t express the intensity of this moment, how much his eyes convey when looking at me. He leans down, and in an instant, his lips are on mine, throwing gunpowder on the fire that has burned between us since our reunion. I’m consuming myself, but instead of going out, I feel more alive than ever.

His tongue explores my mouth, making it so that he’s all I can feel. His hands slip under my shirt, searching for my bare skin.

“Tell me this is all you’re wearing.”

Almost, but I’m not telling you.

“You need to discover that on your own.”

He needs no more invitation, and a roar comes out from his chest when he realizes that there are only the skimpiest panties I brought under the cotton fabric. They are white lace and do nothing to hide my desires.

“I want to see you,” he murmurs without taking his mouth far from mine. “I want to kiss you all over.”

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