Page 121 of The Heart of a Villain

So I won’t spill the words that I wish to speak so much it hurts me.

“I love you.”

I close my eyes while his thrusts become rougher, each drive of his hips pushing me toward the edge of the cliff where endless bliss screams my name, my core spasming around his length before finally pleasure strikes me, making me bite on his shoulder while warmth washes over me, as he continues to enter me in and out.

I palm his head and fuse our mouths together, giving him my tongue as he chases his high for several more seconds, his grip bruising me.

But it’s a welcoming pain and I thrive in his wild desire, the deep strokes tapping on my still sensitive nerve endings, and he finally groans into my mouth, spilling inside the condom.

He wraps his arms around me, locking me in his embrace and tangling his fingers in my hair. He tugs on it to place some kisses on my throat, letting me bask in his attention.

As tremors still shake us both, I breathe in his scent while pleasure still glides through my veins. A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth and I want nothing more than to be in his arms while the outside world can wait.

However, just as this thought enters my mind, another snaps me awake from this haze, serving as cold water dumped on me when I realize what I’ve actually done.

I push at him and he leans back, frowning.

“What’s going on?”

Ignoring him, I hit his chest hard, making him stumble a little bit, and quickly zip up my dress, standing up and rushing to the bookshelf to pick up my coat before heading to the door.

“Aileen,” he calls my name, hot on my heels, and grabs my elbow, spinning me around to face him. “What is it?” Worry coats his voice while his hand reaches to touch my hair, but I slap it away.

“Let me go,” I grit through my teeth and to my surprise he does. “This was a goodbye, Rush. Don’t follow me and stop spying on me. This”—I point between us—“is over.” Not bothering to wait to hear whatever he has to say or rather being afraid to stay and actually listen, which would sway me in his direction. I can’t.

Three more hurried steps and I’m outside, breathing in the fresh air in my lungs and seeing my best friends leaning on the car, waiting for me.

“It took you forever!” Elena shakes the ice cone in her hand. “Good thing this one treated me to ice cream.” She blows a kiss Pierre’s way, who rolls his eyes.

“I have to go home.” I barely hold myself together to not show my turmoil to them because I don’t want to explain anything.

“Oh.”

“I’ll call you guys. I just—”

“It’s fine,” Elena says and then hugs me when I come to her. “Do whatever you have to do,” she adds and Pierre nods. “Don’t worry about us and take your car. We’ll catch a cab.” She winks at me, but for all the smiles, I know she’s faking it for me.

That’s a best friend.

She knows something is wrong but doesn’t probe you for more information until you’re ready to spill it yourself.

“Okay.” That’s all I manage to push out from my clogged throat and jump into the car.

Once we drive on the narrow road, I cover my face with my hands and burst into tears.

Because some confessions just come too late.

Rush

I get outside just in time to see Aileen jumping into her car and riding off on the busy New York street, while her friends seem stunned.

That’s when Elena turns, and her eyes widen when she sees me. She scans me from head to toe and nudges Pierre in his side. “I think she was with him.”

He looks at me, and annoyance crosses his face while he hugs his woman close, and the possessive asshole in me despises just the sight of him, as it reminds me he used to call Aileen his.

And even though they never had anything physical between them, it does little to calm me down. However, considering he is her friend and probably her best friend’s future husband, I have to learn how to accept this guy in my life and future.

Someone fucking give me a medal.

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