Page 62 of BounBound By Scars

“I didn’t know you could look this gorgeous,” she said, gaze flicking briefly to Sebastian, who looked like he was about to combust.

“Seriously, Amelia, you’re a knockout. It’s… honestly distracting.”

Her tone was silky, amused.

I blinked. “Oh, wow. Uh… thank you?”

Inez stepped a little closer, eyes still locked on mine. “You always look this good, or is it just the dress?” she murmured, clearly unbothered by the fact that Seb was two feet away seething.

My brain short-circuited for a second. She was flirting, right?

Then, I smirked. “I clean up when required. But don’t let the dress fool you, Detective. I can kill a man just as easily in heels as in combat boots.”

Inez whistled low. “God, that’s hot.”

Sebastian muttered something under his breath that sounded vaguely like a death threat.

“She’s flirting with me,” I said flatly, turning to Seb.

“She always flirts,” he snapped, eyes still on Inez.

“But it’s working,” Inez added with a wink. “Admit it.”

I tilted my head, teasing. “Maybe a little.”

Sebastian stepped back like he’d had enough, his jaw locked so tight I could practically hear his molars grinding. Without a word, he turned and stalked off.

“Oops,” Inez said, smiling innocently as she watched him go. “Still gets all possessive when someone shows interest in his girl.”

“I’m not his girl,” I replied automatically, but the words didn’t land as convincingly as I wanted them to.

Her grin grew. “Good. I don’t like competition.”

I coughed. “You’re… bold.”

“Always.” She leaned in slightly. “Let me know if you ever want to find outhowbold.”

Mateo gave her a long-suffering look. “You promised you’d behave tonight.”

“Iambehaving,” Inez said, eyes never leaving mine. “This is me on my best behavior.”

She bit her lower lip, slow and deliberate. God help us all.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it—light, awkward. And then, just as quickly, my gaze was yanked away… straight into Kabir’s.

He was across the room, jaw clenched, his stare locked on me with the same quiet fury I’d seen on Sebastian just moments earlier.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

They were both actually seething?

Inez was clearly joking. Mostly. Probably. But still, riding the high of her boldness—and maybe trying to feel something other than shame—I asked, “The flirting… that was just to get rid of Seb, right? Or… something else?”

Inez tilted her head, a little smirk playing on her lips. “Something else,” she repeated. Then, with a tiny shrug, “I know y’all are on lockdown, but when things die down—go out with me?”

I choked on air, coughing hard enough to set my champagne glass rattling on the table. “I’m… flattered,” I managed. “But uh…”

The words trailed off, unsure of where to land. Because the truth was? I had questioned my sexuality before. I had wondered because I never dated anyone. But I knew one thing for certain—there was no room in my heart for anyone else. Not any other man. Not any woman. Not anyone.

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