Page 88 of Yours

His lips brushed mine, soft and tentative at first, as if he was giving me the chance to pull away. But I didn’t. I leaned into him, my free hand sliding up to rest on his chest as the kiss deepened.

It wasn’t rushed or frantic. It was slow, intentional, filled with an intensity that made my breath falter. His hand cupped the back of my head, pulling me closer as if he couldn’t bear to let go.

When we finally pulled back, our foreheads touched, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

“I love you,” he said softly, his voice steady and sure.

My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

“I love you too,” I whispered, the words slipping out without hesitation.

He smiled—a genuine smile that lit up his face in a way I’d never seen before. His thumb brushed against my cheek, his gaze steady and warm.

“When this is over, I’m going to remind you all the different ways that you’re mine,” he purred.

“I’m looking forward to it,” I murmured, my voice soft as a smile played on the edges of my lips.

CHAPTER 32

Ronan

The walls of my penthouse felt like they were closing in. I paced the living room, my jaw tight, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. Every second without news about Leena felt like a lifetime, and the silence was unbearable.

Kiera sat quietly on the couch, watching me with concern, but I couldn’t stop moving long enough to say anything. My mind was a mess, running through every scenario, every possibility, every name that could be responsible for this.

When my phone buzzed on the counter, I grabbed it like a lifeline. The mayor’s name flashed on the screen, and I pressed the answer button without hesitation.

“Talk,” I snapped.

“Ronan,” the mayor said, his voice calm but firm. “I’ve got something. Come to my office.”

A rush of relief mixed with suspicion flooded my chest. “You have news?”

“I do,” he said evenly. “But it’s something we need to discuss in person. I’ll see you in thirty. Come alone.”

The line went dead before I could respond. I exhaled with a long breath, slipping the phone into my pocket and grabbing my jacket.

Kiera stood, her brows furrowed as she watched me. “Was that?—”

“The mayor,” I said, cutting her off. “He’s got something on Leena. Stay here. I’ll handle it.”

She hesitated, but nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Be careful.”

I didn’t answer. I was already out the door.

The mayor’s office was tucked into a high-rise in the heart of Manhattan. The lobby was bustling, the hum of political chatter and bureaucracy filling the air as I strode toward the elevators. Security didn’t bother stopping me—they knew better.

I stepped into the elevator, hitting the button for the top floor. The ride up was quiet, the tension in my chest tightening with every passing second.

When the doors slid open, Victor’s assistant greeted me, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floor as she led me down a long hallway lined with polished wood and framed photosof past mayors. She stopped at a large door, pushing it open without knocking.

“He’s waiting for you,” she said curtly before stepping aside.

I entered the room. Victor was seated behind his massive oak desk, the city skyline a glittering backdrop behind him. He looked up as I stepped in, his expression unreadable.

“Close the door,” he said, nodding toward it.

I shut the door, the sound of it echoing in the quiet room, and walked to the chair opposite his desk.

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