Page 113 of Empire of Lust (Empire 4)

Something has changed between us, and I have no idea what it is.

All I know is that I don’t think about leaving when he gathers me in his arms and sleeps wrapped all around me.

22

ASPEN

“I’m going to miss you so damn much.”

I can hardly breathe as Caroline squeezes me in a hug that could be mistaken for a bear’s.

Reluctantly and with enough awkwardness to spring second-hand embarrassment, I pat her back. “You’re not leaving the planet.”

She pulls back, sulking. “Well, I’m leaving you after I got used to you.”

“We’ll meet again, Callie.”

“You bet your sweet ass we will.” She kisses my cheek. “I’m so, so glad I reunited with you again, you beautiful bitch. Take care of yourself, okay? If anything happens, don’t hide and deal with it on your own. I’m only a call away.”

I slowly nod and she hugs me again before she ushers her dogs out the door. The two animals release disheartened huffs as they stare at me one final time before they join her and Mateo, who’s been waiting for her outside.

After weeks of dating and courting nineteen-century style, they finally reconciled. Caroline knows he didn’t cheat on her, after all, and that the whole scene was a setup, probably by Nicolo.

A gloomy emptiness fills my apartment as soon as the door closes.

I’m finally getting my peace and space back without anyone interrupting me whenever I’m trying to work.

And yet, it feels as if I’ve been thrust back into that black hole I called my life not too long ago. A life that was filled with checking with the prison guard and holding my breath whenever he talks to me about my father.

I called him after the two attacks, and he said nothing has changed about my father’s state. He appeared to be in his element while he sent people to get rid of me—or teach me a lesson.

And the fact that he can hurt me even from behind bars sends trepidation through my soul. What will happen if he actually gets out?

Even with the guards and Nicolo’s promises of protection, I can hardly sleep at night anymore, and I always, without doubt, look over my shoulder whenever I’m outside.

It’s like I’m back to being the younger, paranoid Aspen.

Wrapping my robe around my chest, I sit on the couch and pull open my laptop, opting to work.

Despite my best efforts, concentration doesn’t come.

So I go to the kitchen and open the bottle of tequila I hid out of Caroline’s sight. She and Kingsley need to stop trying to deprive me of alcohol when it’s the only thing that keeps me functioning properly. Besides, I’m never hammered, just tipsy enough to escape the chaos in my head and the feelings in my newly revived heart.

I pour a glass and then retrieve my phone, glaring at it.

The asshole didn’t call me or text me today.

I refuse to think that’s one of the reasons why the hollowness is having a party in my heart today.

It’s been two weeks since he made me agree to exclusivity and we started our unorthodox arrangement. Unorthodox, because it feels forbidden as hell whenever I face Gwen. It’s like I’m doing something wrong and thrilling at the same time.

During those weeks, I’ve gone to his house or he’s come here—but only when Caroline is romancing Mateo. He fucks me until I can’t move and then force-feeds me. It’s a thing since, apparently, it’s a problem that I barely eat any real food during the day.

Sometimes, we spend the night together just so he can wake me up with his dick inside me or his lips on my pussy.

It’s scary how sexually compatible we are. I’ve never had a lover who knows my body better than I do like freaking Kingsley Shaw. The worst part is that he takes pleasure in tormenting me with the knowledge.

And don’t get me started on his stamina, because it’s as crazy as he is. I just don’t understand how he fucks as if he’s still in his damn prime.

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