Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 42

42 Not Going Anywhere

Mara

+25 Points

Tina’s drama faded into the background the moment Lucian went down on me in the shower.

He was rough and gentle in turns-deliberate in the way he touched me, like he knew every inch of my body already belonged to him. And I didn’t care how fast we were falling.

I wanted to fall.

Later, we had lunch at a quiet, upscale restaurant. Walked hand in hand through the public park like we weren’t two people constantly under scrutiny.

We laughed, teased, kissed like teenagers. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so free. When we got back home that night, we didn’t even make it past the hallway without touching each other.

Now we lay tangled on the bed, our bodies warm and worn out. My thighs ached, and I was sore in the best way-but I wouldn’t trade the feeling for anything.

People once pitied me for being matched to Lucian Said I was the unlucky one. But they couldn’t be more wrong. I was married to the most powerful, devastatingly handsome man in the country- and he was in love with me. Fiercely. Openly.

And I was falling too. Hard.

I reached up and traced the bridge of his nose as he lay beside me, his eyes closed. He wrinkled it in response, and I smiled. How someone who looked so imposing in public could be this soft in private-it amazed me.

“Hey,” I whispered.

He opened his eyes and turned toward me, smiling “What is it, Mara?”

His blue eyes gleamed under the warm tungsten light, and I found myself staring again. He was… perfect.

But I had to ask.

“How are we dealing with Tina and the baby?” I said, the words barely leaving my mouth. Just saying them out loud felt like popping the fragile bubble we’d created.

Lucian immediately sat up and pulled me into his chest, holding me close.

“I’m sorry, Mara. Truly. I wish I could go back and undo it, but I can’t.” His voice was low, sincere. All I can promise is this-yes, I will take responsibility for that child. But you… our children… will always come first.”

I clutched the sheet tighter, listening, afraid of what I might feel.

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