CHAPTER FORTY–TWO
Liana’s POV
+25 BONUS
I couldn’t move at first. My legs were numb, my heart was pounding, and
that just happened. I stood there, barely holding onto the edge of the
collapse.
It was like I couldn’t even think straight.
whole body was still humming from everything
not sure if I was going to cry, scream, or just
My body still felt too hot. Every nerve felt awake, lit up, like his touch had branded something under my skin. It was still
there. all of it. The heat. The ache. The overwhelming rush that hit me when he touched me, kissed me, dragged me into this
room like he owned me.
And the worst part?
I liked it.
No. I more than liked it. I wanted it. God, I wanted all of it.
My legs were shaking, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how good he was. How skilled. How rough and intense and-
Damn it.
What was wrong with me?
I was supposed to be mad. I was supposed to slap him and walk out like he meant nothing. Like I hadn’t just let him rip my
underwear off in a public restroom. Like I hadn’t begged him without saying a word.
I hated that part of myself. The part that wanted him. That kept craving him no matter how much damage he did.
And lately… it was getting worse. I didn’t understand it. Why I’d been thinking about him so much. Why his scent, his voice,
the sound of his damn name in my head made my stomach twist in knots.
And when he kissed me earlier and told me to tell him no, I just… couldn’t.
My mouth didn’t work. My heart didn’t listen. My body sure as hell didn’t care.
God.
I stared at myself in the mirror and felt completely disconnected from the girl looking back. Her cheeks were flushed. Her
lips looked too red. Her blouse was wrinkled. Her hair was a mess.
I looked like I just had sex
No. Not just sex Like I’d surrendered everything.
And I had That’s what made it worse. That I let him have me like that again. So easily.
I reached down with trembling hands, pulling my jeans back up and fixing my shirt. I adjusted the buttons, even though they weren’t really out of place, and tried to fix my hair. My fingers shook the whole time.
Ifelt dirty.
Not because of him.
Because of me
Because I didn’t stop it. Because I wanted it. Because I still wanted more.
My legs clenched together at the thought, and I cursed under my breath
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I grabbed some tissue and wiped between my thighs, flushing it quickly before I could even process how that made me feel,
and walked towards the door.
“Liana,” Killian’s voice came from behind me.
I froze.
“Don’t leave like this.”
I didn’t turn around.
“Please,” he said, a little softer this time.
I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn’t deal with him. Not right now. Not when I still felt his hands on my body. Not when my
knees were weak and my head was a mess.
I didn’t answer. I attempted to open the door but he reached out, trying to stop me.
“Liana-”
But I was too fast. I yanked the door open and stepped out. and of course, just my luck, I ran right into someone.
“Whoa-” the guy blinked down at me, confused. He was obviously heading into the restroom and now standing face–to–face
with me, clearly realizing I came out of the men’s room.
I kept my head down. “Sorry,” I muttered and brushed past him, not waiting for a response.
I walked fast. Too fast. Like if I stopped for even a second, the shame would catch up and drag me back.
When I reached our table, Simon stood up immediately.
“Hey,” he said, concern in his voice. “are you okay? What just happened?”
I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.
Not after what I’d just done.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I have to go.”
“What? Liana, wait–what do you mean you have to go? You were gone for ten minutes and now-”
“I know. I just-” My voice cracked. “I can’t do this right now.”
I grabbed my purse, my hands fumbling with the strap.
“Did something happen?” Simon was stepping closer, trying to understand. “Liana, please, just talk to me.”
“I have to go,” I said again. It was all I could say. I couldn’t think of anything else.
He reached out, but I pulled away. Not harshly. Just enough to make him stop.
“At least let me walk you out. Or call you a cab. Don’t just run off like this.”
I shook my head and finally looked at him, just for a second
And it broke me.
His eyes were so confused. So soft. So concerned. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve me walking out on him after I’d agreed to meet him after he waited after he thought maybe there was something here.
But I couldn’t explain it. How could I possibly tell him I just let another man fuck me in the restroom while he was sitting here thinking we were on a date?
How?
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So I just whispered, “I’m sorry,” one more time.
And walked away.
I didn’t look back.
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Not once.
The air outside hit me like a slap. It was cooler than I expected, and I stood there for a second trying to breathe. Trying to understand what the hell just happened.
But all I could feel was my heartbeat.
And the sound of Killian’s voice in my
head.
“You’ll never belong to anyone else but me.”
God help me.
was starting to believe it.
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