Page 99 of The Obedient Lie
He blinked.
I paused, then added, very seriously, “Can you take my dress off?”
Hechokedon his scotch.
Actually choked. Coughed once, then turned slightly like he was trying to pull it together but couldn’t quite manage it.
“Please,Luca,” I added, tone innocent, blinking up at him. “I’m not comfortable.”
Bastion groaned behind me. “Okay, that’s it. You’re getting your own suite.”
I twisted to look at him, pouting dramatically. “Why? You’ve both seen me in less. Way less.”
Luca was still trying to recover, setting his glass down like it physically offended him.
“Ijustwant to breathe,” I whined, tugging slightly at the strap of my dress. “It’s tight.”
Bastion looked like he was genuinely weighing his options.
I let my head fall back against his shoulder with a sigh, still pouting.
“Bastion, please…” I whispered, lips brushing the edge of his throat.
His breath caught.
And I smiled. Because nowhewas the one losing his grip.
I sighed and pushed up off the couch with all the dramatic grace I could muster.
“See?” I announced. “I haven’t tripped once. Completely stable.”
Bastion didn’t say anything.
Luca just watched me with that sharp, assessing gaze like he was ready to catch me the moment Iwasn’t.
Without giving either of them a chance to stop me, I undidthe zipper at the side of my dress. It slid down my thighs, and I tugged it off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor in a pool of black silk.
I took a deep breath, finally feeling like I couldbreatheagain. “God.Finally.”
Neither of them moved.
I gave them a look. “What?”
“Baby.” Bastion’s voice was tight, rough. “Shirt. Now.”
Luca had already peeled off his black shirt.
I shrugged settling in beside Bastion like I hadn’t just casually undressed in front of the two most dangerous men in the building.
Luca’s eyes dropped lower, jaw clenching. “Baby,you don’t have underwear on.”
I rolled my eyes. “I do. It’s just minimal. Can’t have lines in a dress like that.”
Bastion didn’t say anything.
But he didn’t put his arm around me this time either.
His whole body had gone rigid beside me, like he was trying not to move. Not to touch. Like if he did, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
