Page 62 of All The Pretty Little Lies

When he's done, Oscar tosses the cloth aside and slides back into bed, gathering me into his arms. I curl against him, resting my head on his chest. The steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my ear is soothing, grounding me in this moment.

"How do you feel?" Oscar asks, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my bare shoulder.

I consider the question, taking stock of my body and emotions. "I feel different," I finally say. "But in a good way. Like I've crossed some invisible threshold."

Oscar's chest rumbles with a soft chuckle. "That's one way to put it."

I tilt my head to look up at him, suddenly struck by a wave of vulnerability. "Was it okay? For you, I mean."

His expression softens, and he cups my cheek in his hand. "Vesper, it was perfect. You're perfect."

Relief washes over me, and I lean into his touch. "I'm glad," I murmur. "I was worried I might disappoint you."

Oscar's arms tighten around me. "Never," he says fiercely. "You could never disappoint me."

His hand cups my cheek, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. In the dim light, his blue eyes are soft with an emotion I'm not quite ready to name. "What are you thinking?" he asks.

I consider deflecting, but the vulnerability of the moment compels me to honesty. "I'm thinking about how glad I am that it was you," I admit. "That my first time was with someone who cared enough to make it good for me."

Oscar's expression softens further, and he leans in to brush his lips against mine. "You deserve nothing less," he murmurs. "You deserve the world, Vesper.”

His words stir something deep within me, a longing for more than just physical pleasure. But before I can examine the feelingtoo closely, Oscar is moving again, his lips trailing a path down my neck.

"You know," he says between kisses, "there's still so much more I want to show you."

A shiver of anticipation runs through me. "Oh?" I breathe, arching into his touch.

Oscar's response is a wicked grin that sets my pulse racing. "Oh yes," he purrs, his hand sliding down my body. "The night is young, and I intend to worship every inch of you."

As his fingers dip between my thighs once more, igniting sparks of renewed desire, I surrender myself to the promise of his touch. The world outside my bedroom ceases to exist. There is only Oscar, his hands, his lips, and the exquisite pleasure he coaxes from my body again until exhaustion takes us both under.

OSCAR

I waketo the soft warmth of Vesper's body curled against mine, her golden hair splayed across my chest like strands of sunlight. For a moment, I simply breathe her in, savoring the delicate scent of jasmine that clings to her skin. It's still surreal, waking up next to her like this in my bed. Vesper could have chosen anyone, but she chose me.

My fingers trace lazy patterns along her bare shoulder, marveling at the softness of her skin. In sleep, her face is peaceful, free from the weight of family expectations and mafia politics. I want to freeze this moment, to live in it forever. JustVesper and me, tangled in these sheets, the rest of the world fading away.

But life has other plans. A sharp knock on the door shatters our bubble of tranquility. Vesper stirs slightly but doesn't wake. I press a gentle kiss to her forehead before carefully extricating myself from her embrace. She deserves her rest after everything she's been through.

I tug on my discarded sweatpants, not bothering with a shirt as I pad towards the door. Opening it reveals Talon, his hair pulled back in its signature man bun, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

“What do you want?”

“Trust me, I didn’t want to knock on this door at all, but I drew the short straw. The last thing I want to see is your dick in a compromising position.”

I roll my eyes, leaning against the doorframe. "Sorry to disappoint. Next time I'll be sure to answer the door naked just for you."

Talon clutches his chest dramatically. "Be still my beating heart. But seriously, man, we've got news."

The playful atmosphere dissipates instantly, replaced by a tense alertness. "What kind of news?"

Talon's expression turns grim. "We think we've got a lead on who might have sold Vesper's eggs. We're meeting in the kitchen." As Talon turns to leave, he pauses, glancing back at me. "Should we wake Vesper up for this?"

The question hangs in the air, heavy with implications. I consider it carefully, weighing the pros and cons. Leaving her in the dark would be easier, sparing her from immediate worry. But it would also take away her choices, her agency in a situation that directly affects her. The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Yes," I decide firmly. "She deserves to know."

Talon nods in agreement, a flicker of respect crossing his features. "Alright. We'll be in the kitchen when you're ready."

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