Page 54 of Sugar Coated

“So you faked it,” Fang said. “Until you let her go.”

“Yeah. A part of me hoped that by letting you go after your father was mayor, she’d forgive the transgression. Clearly, she has not.” I pulled a single hand out of my pocket and rested it above my abdomen, where I’d been shot. “She’s always had ambitions, but I never thought she’d try to have me killed.”

Laina stared at me for a few seconds, and then she glanced to the others and asked, “Can you wait for me in the hall? I want a moment alone with him.”

Just based on his stance, I’d say Mike didn’t want to oblige, but she sent a follow-up pout in his direction, and he melted instantly. He stuffed his pistol away and grumbled something under his breath before stepping out.

Fang was directly behind him, although he stopped near Laina and whispered, “Whatever you decide, I’m behind you, one hundred percent, Princess.”

Soon enough it was just Laina and me in the restroom, both of us staring at the other, waiting. I imagined it was hard on her, rationalizing it, putting me together with her Devil. We had that one moment, after she threatened to tell her father something inappropriate happened between us, where I’d snapped and given her something to tattle about—and then there was the party, when I’d donned my mask, taken her body, and made her mine.

The two were separate incidents, and until now she’d thought they were separate people.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you show your face to me before? I—”

I took a tiny step toward her, leaving less than six inches between us. “If I never would’ve worn a mask, you would’ve thought differently of me. With the mask, I was able to free you and watch over you without you knowing. To get to where I wanted to be, there was no other way.”

“Maybe you’re right,” she relented, “but still, after you let me out, you could’ve said something. Instead, you made me feel like a fool, pining after my Devil when all along, he was right there.Youwere right there.”

A grin spread across my face. “Pining, really? Youpinedafter me? How many nights did you spend thinking of your mysterious masked devil, hmm? Ballpark figure’s fine, and just to sate my curiosity, how many times did you touch yourself while—”

“Stop it,” she huffed. “Now’s not the time for jokes.”

“I’m not joking. I am curious.”

“Why stay away from me, then? Why not tell me after the party? Or, hell, even during? Why keep up the charade?”

“I wasn’t ready. I was just pissed that you thought you could go off to a party and sleep with a random guy when you already belong to me. And then I fucked you so hard I opened up my stitches, so I had to get out of there before you had the chance to realize it was me. I didn’t know you’d get kidnapped right off the goddamned sidewalk.”

Her face blushed furiously at my bluntness.

“I am grateful for Mike and Fang, as much as I hate to admit it. If it wasn’t for them, you might not be here right now.”

The way she gazed up at me made me feel some kind of way. “I just can’t believe it’s you. I feel so stupid. God.” And then something switched inside her, and she eyed me up like I was a stranger to her. “You’re a good liar, and no, before you ask, that’s not a compliment.”

“Isn’t it, though? I saved your life. If I would’ve told her no two years ago, she would’ve hired someone else to do it, and they wouldn’t have known you. They weren’t in love with you. They would’ve killed you with no second thoughts. Me being a good liar helped keep you alive.”

“Love?” she echoed faintly, her breath catching. “You… you love me?”

“Of course I do. I loved you even when I couldn’t have you, and I love you more now.” I brought both hands to her face, cupping her cheeks and angling her head back as my body swallowed up the six inches remaining between us. We stood so close, I could feel her chest press against mine when she inhaled, could feel her hot breath on my face when she exhaled.

So close, and yet not close enough. Unless I was inside her, it would never be close enough.

“Everything I’ve done,” I murmured, “it was all for you. To keep you safe. To make you mine. I don’t belong to anybody but you now.” I lowered my face to hers, my lips brushing against hers with every word I whispered, “You alone hold my leash, my rage, my heart. Just as you’re mine, I’m yours.”

Laina’s lips parted. “Kieran, I—” Her body melted into mine, her face still gripped on both sides with my hands. “—how can I be so mad at you and, at the same time, want you so bad? What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing,” I told her earnestly. “Nothing at all is wrong with you. I deserve every ounce of your rage for lying to you, but know I will never apologize for doing what I had to in order to keep you safe. I’d do it a thousand times over.”

She had nothing else to say, but that could also be due to the fact that I didn’t let her speak; my mouth pressed down upon hers, kissing her in a way I wished I could’ve kissed her before. Slow and steady but strong and urgent at the same time, the kind of kiss where your entire soul was laid bare for the other.

No more secrets.

Laina could have refused the kiss, could have not kissed me back, but she didn’t. Her mouth was supple and pliant beneath mine, eager and accepting of the kiss and, by extension, the truth. Kissing her and having her return the passion was like coming home. Her lips and the way they melded against mine were a reminder that I chose right.

I wanted nothing more than to push her backward, force her down onto the nearby lounge chair, and reacquaint myself with every inch of that body—but now wasn’t the best time. As it was, with all four of us missing from the pre-dinner party, we were almost certain to arouse suspicion if my sister thought too long about it.

So, best not.

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