Page 94 of Lush

“Blair,” I said flatly, not even bothering to hide my surprise. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Surprised to see me?” Blair asked, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Actually, no. You always show up like a damn cockroach.”

“I’m here for the sauna, queenie. It’s the best in town.” She shrugged, settling on the bench across from me. “You look like hell. Rough day?”

“I saw you with Harold.”

Her expression faltered for just a second, shock flashing before she buried it under that fake-ass indifference. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, I don’t have the patience.” I leaned back, staring her down, my voice low and cold. “You don’t have any shame, do you?”

Her laughter bounced around the sauna. “Shame? Me? I think you’ve confused me with yourself. Fucking two brothers? Shame on you.”

I opened then closed my mouth before a smile curled on my lips. “No, but I do have the guy you always wanted but could never get.”

Blair’s eyes widened.

“I know Reese doesn’t know about you and Harold yet, or you wouldn’t be breathing.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Laurene.” Her voice was steady, but there was something sharp in her tone. “Maybe you should stick to your own mess before you start worrying about mine.”

She stood up, adjusting her towel.

“I also saw you with Dante down by the boutiques.”

Blair snarled at me. “What are you trying to imply?”

I leaned forward. “You know damn well what I’m implying. You’re getting cozy with the mayor, just like you got cozy with Harold. How’s that working for you? It must be nice to have all those powerful men wrapped around your finger.”

Blair opened her mouth, but I didn’t give her a chance to speak.

“Tell me, Blair, do you ever stop and think about the damage you’re doing?” I couldn’t hold back the smirk. “I should slap the shit out of you for telling Reese about Conrad. But I think I’d rather see you squirm.”

Blair’s face turned a shade paler, but she quickly recovered, throwing me a cold look. “You’re making a lot of accusations. None of them are true.”

“Are you Harold’s sugar baby? Dante your pimp? Your daddy low on money? Tell me when to stop listing reasons.”

“You’re out of your mind, Laurene. Harold and I are business associates. And as for Dante, we’re friends. Nothing more.”

“Is that so?” I said. “Funny how that ‘friendship’ seemed to look a little…personal.”

She stepped closer to me. “You don’t evendeserveReese. How do you just get him because you’re aKing?You have no idea how to love him.” Blair narrowed her gaze at me. “Everybody talked about you when you were gone. They all said they’d never met someone so hollow, so cheap and desperate. This town hates you and your family. You fucking bi?—”

I felt something snap inside me.

My hand moved before I could stop it. The crack of my palm against her cheek rang through the sauna. Her head whipped to the side, her red hair fanning out, and for a split second, the venom drained from her face, replaced by pure, stunned shock.

“You think you can talk to me like that?” I said. “Let me remind you who the fuck you’re dealing with, Blair. My family built this town while yours was still struggling to wipe their asses. I don’t need to prove a damn thing to anyone, especially not you.”

Her eyes narrowed, and I leaned in, letting each word sink in deep, making sure she understood how much she fucked up.

“And Reese? He’smine. No matter how much you want it, cry about it, or pray for him. He’s coming home to me.Everysingle night.Now and forever. And yes, because I’m aKing,I get whatever the hell I want. And I get him.”

I paused, savoring the power shift between us.

“You know, he doesn’t just kiss me—he devours me. He always did. The way he holds me, like he can’t get close enough. That rough, almost desperate way he takes his time, like he’s trying to memorize the taste of my lips, the scent of my skin. And when he starts kissing right on my neck—he’ll nibble there. That’s where he loves to leave a mark.”

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