Page 50 of Captivating

My mom once told me the French don’t say “I miss you.” They say, “tu me manques” which translates to “you are missing from me.” I didn’t understand the difference before. I do now.

—Lilah’s Secret Thoughts

“You should probably answer that.” Killian buries his face in my neck and pulls my naked body back against his, making it hard to think.

“I don’t want to.” I’m definitely pouting, but after nearly thirty-six hours wrapped up in this man, I’m not ready for our bubble to burst and for things to go back to the way they were. It’s getting harder to remember why they have to with each new hour and each new orgasm.

His lips press against the top of my spine, and I feel it down to the tips of my toes. “They’ve been calling for five minutes, princess. It might be important.”

I grab the phone from the nightstand and roll over to face him, absolutely loving the way his eyes grow wide like he hasn’t spent the last day and a half worshipping my body. “Hello?”

Killian sucks my nipple into his mouth, and I gasp.

“Lilah?” Scottie asks with concern in her voice. “Are you okay? I’ve been trying to reach you. You sound out of breath.”

“Sorry... sorry,” I laugh to hide my moan and fail epically. “I was just... uh... stepping into the tub. The hot water feels heavenly.”

Killian switches to the other breast and drags his teeth over my nipple, making me hiss.

Shit.

I swat at his head but don’t move even an inch away.

“Sure. All right.” No way she actually believed that. “Well, I spoke to Iris this morning, and she had some good news. They secured insurance for the tour, and they’re ready to talk dates.”

Shit.

“Already?” I pull back and sit up, immediately missing our connection. “When?”

“Three weeks.”

“No. It can’t be that soon.” I pull the sheet up around my chest and lean back against the headboard, watching Killian as he props himself up on his elbow, glued to my every word. “Killian’s fight is in two months. I’ll get you an exact date, but I don’t want to pick it back up until after the fight.”

Killian’s green eyes narrow and harden setting me on edge.

“Iris isn’t going to like this,” Scottie warns, but I’m over caring. “Neither is Zoe.”

“Seems like these days, if I’m not pissing off Iris, I’m pissing off Zoe. Guess I better get comfortable with unhappy people if it makes me happy.”

“What’s Zoe pissed about?”

I look down at Killian, not really wanting him to hear this but not having much choice. “She sent me a message. She wasn’t thrilled with the way Killian and I went public at my birthday party.”

“Yeah... I guess she wasn’t ready for that.” I know Scottie says something else, but I’ve stopped listening as I watch Killian climb out of bed, clearly pissed. Damn it.

“Scottie...” She keeps talking, but now Killian’s throwing on jeans, and I feel like I’m about to lose something I might not get back. “Scottie—” I nearly shout. “I’ve got to go. Tell Iris not until after the fight. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

“Lilah—”

“Bye.” I disconnect the call and jump out of bed, completely naked, and throw on Killian’s Crucible t-shirt from the end of the bed. “Kill... stop. I’m sorry.”

He zips his jeans and leaves them hanging unbuttoned on his hips. “Did they even talk safety protocols with you?”

“What?” Acid churns in my stomach. He sounds so angry. “Protocols? You heard what I said. We were talking scheduling. But if you don’t want me at your fight, I don’t have to be there.”

“Lilah Belle.” His deep voice softens as he reaches for me, but I back away, already shutting down. I can’t handle his rejection if that’s what he’s giving me. Not now. Not again. “The only thing I care about is your safety. You didn’t even ask about it. Some psycho is stalking you. He tried to kill you and nearly took half a damn stadium out in the process, and you didn’t even ask about safety or what they’re doing to keep you safe. You just started talking dates, like it’s a done deal.”

“Killian...” Shit. He’s not rejecting me. He’s scared. “I didn’t ask because I’m not the one who handles that stuff. I let the experts deal with the safety, and I don’t interfere, just like I wouldn’t take their advice on how I should sing.”

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