Page 28 of Lies like Rubies, Part One

Lizzie had constructed a tower in the center of her room. It was almost as tall as she was and made entirely of blocks. “Mamma! Look!”

“What a wonderful tower you’ve built,” Sofia exclaimed, crouching beside her daughter, bringing them eye to eye. “You worked hard, huh?”

“Good work, scamp,” I said, knowing my grin was dopey. Lizzie was a cute kid. The sight of her chest puffing out with pride loosened the tight worry in my chest. She really was doing fine.

I offered Sofia my hand again. She took it, lightly pulling as she stood. “Good work, mamma,” I repeated. Sofia blessed me with a soft, secret smile that shot straight into my chest and curled around my heart.

Stupid, Nick. You haven’t even had a single date yet. What if she’s like the rest of her murderous, violent family?The devil on my shoulder asked,but what if she’s not?I had to find out, had to pursue this aching compulsion.

“Thank you,” she murmured, interrupting my self-flagellation. “That means a lot.” She led me out of the room, her fingers still twined in mine.

I stopped her in the hallway with a gentle tug on her hand and dragged her against me until our bodies pressed together. Hoping, praying, that I wasn’t pushing her too far, I cupped her jaw.

Her lids fell shut, and she surged on her toes to meet me. When our mouths touched, electricity crackled between us. Her lips tasted sweet as I ran my tongue along them, begging her to open them so I could plunge into her mouth—claiming her, possessing her.

Or perhaps it was her doing the possessing.

Her long fingers clutched the fabric of my shirt, pulling me tight against her body as the other wrapped around my neck. Our tongues slipped and slid against one another as we pressed closer together.

I pulled back, nipping at her bottom lip. She whimpered when I traced the spot I’d bit with my tongue, then tilted her head back, exposing her neck to me. Dragging a hand through her hair, I tightened my fingers around the gossamer strands and pulled hard before I could stop the impulse.

Sofia moaned, her eyes fluttering shut. Relief coursed through me—she fucking liked it, thank God. I kissed down her jaw and sucked on the sensitive spot behind her ear until she yanked my lips back to hers, aligning our bodies so my hard length pressed between her thighs.

When we finally pulled away from one another, our chests heaved, and our hearts pounded. Sofia's lips were swollen and bruised, her cheeks beautifully flushed. I pushed a strand of hair out of her face, staring into her stormy eyes.

I hugged her tight, and she leaned her cheek on my chest, still breathing hard.

“Thursday is so far away,” I teased against her temple.

The sound of her soft laughter took flight in my heart, soothing an ache I didn’t even know had taken up residence.

With a sweet smile, she lifted herself on her toes again, brushing her lips against mine. “I’ll see you in two days.”

12

SOFIA

Sofia

I’m going to be late for our morning coffee.

Ana

*exploding head emoji* Obviously, we are no longer friends.

Lunch instead?

Sofia

I have a break at 1. Does that work?

Ana

*heart eyes emoji*

My back prickledas I made my way to the campus food court to meet my best friend for lunch. When I whirled around, I saw only students bustling from class to class in the warm spring air. Ana Costa waited for me at an otherwise empty table, her heavy make-up contrasting with her otherwise elegant style.

“Are you okay?” I asked her, my brow wrinkling with concern when she only smiled wanly. I peered closer. “You pierced your nose.”

---