Page 3 of Lush

Just one more time.

Words fell apart as his hand slipped between my thighs, pulling my thong aside. I felt him dip a finger into my wetness and breach my tight walls. My nails dug into his shoulders, andhe gently pumped before, in one fluid motion, he hoisted me onto the counter. I tightened a hand on the edge of the counter, my other clutching his shoulder as he rocked me against him.

“Marry me.”

I had to remember why we were all here tonight.

“I’m engaged now. ToConrad,” I said. “Yourbrother.”

“You don’t belong to him!” His voice thundered. I flinched, but it wasn’t fear—it was frustration. “You belong with me.”

This marriage was a merger carefully crafted by our parents. My feelings didn’t matter, and neither did his.

“You’re the only thing that makes sense,” he whispered.

My pulse hammered in my ears, drowning out the sound of reason.

“You don’t love him.”

Conrad and I… We barely existed in the same space outside of the public eye. There were no romantic illusions between us. No promises of love. Just a duty to uphold, a role to play. Over time, I’d get used to a loveless marriage.

Women in this town did it all the time.

I’ll find a way to survive and thrive because I was aKing.

I felt his hands tremble slightly as he held my face.

Be strong, Laurene.“I have a responsibility?—”

“Trust me.” His voice was so sure, like he knew my heart better than I did. And maybe he did. “How many more years are you going to smile and pretend and keep up that goody-two-shoes shit? You were made to create, get dirty and sexy…with me.”

I shook my head. Reese didn’tget it.

“I’ve loved you through every storm, every moment of doubt. I see you—the real you. And I love every part of you, even the parts you think are unlovable and broken. Just be with me. I don’t care if Dad disowns me. Let Conrad and Jennie take the company—I’ll give up everything just to keep you by my side. Please, just give us a chance.”

I wanted to believe him, but I knew better. I knew how myfamily would handle him. Mama’s threat was clear. If I defied her—if I didn’t marry Conrad—she’d disown me. No trust, no family, nothing.

“You want that art gallery? It’s done, sweetheart. We could disappear. Bali, Santorini, Paris? Just name the place, and I’ll get us there.”

“Millions of dollars are on the line, Reese. Our families won’t just let us disappear.” I slapped his shoulder.

“Should I just stand by? Watch them own you,own us?”His voice cracked, raw and furious. “Hell no. They don’t get to take you from me.”

I wanted to run with him and never look back. “Running won’t solve anything.”

“Giving in is not the answer either!”

I can’t desert my family.Reese’s gaze softened, and he gently wiped away my tear.

“We’ll figure it out. But we fight, Laurie. We fight for us.”

“Kiss me.”Just one more time. Before I break his heart completely.

His lips were on mine in an instant, and the world disappeared. All the guilt, the shame, the fear of what would come next melted away. There was nothing but Reese—the heat of his breath, the way his hands clutched me like I might vanish, the desperate press of his body against mine.

A moan escaped my lips, and I felt his tongue teasing mine and I opened my mouth. He grunted when I wrapped my legs around him and felt his hardening length against my core.

“I love you,” he gasped out when he broke the kiss. “Seeing him with you, it tears me apart. Conrad can have the money and the company, but he can’t have you. Not you,please.”

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