Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 78

78 I am Yours 2

Mara

I found him on the couch, sitting quietly, a man holding too much inside. His face was blank, but I

could feel him-still, waiting, tightly wound.

I climbed onto his lap, straddling him, legs resting at his sides. I cupped his face and made him look up at me. His eyes were quiet, but beneath that calm was heat. Emotion. Need.

I leaned down and kissed him. Deep. Slow. Certain.

“I love you, Lucian,” I whispered against his lips. “Don’t ever forget that.”

He didn’t speak.

“I might’ve crushed on your brother for years, but I never loved him. I fell in love with you. We’re bound, Lucian. There’s nothing to worry about where my heart is concerned.”

Still silent.

I pressed my forehead against his. “Right now, what matters is finding out who’s trying to kill you.

Because that’s the threat. Not ghosts. Not the past

He didn’t answer.

“Lucian?” I asked softly.

Suddenly, he stood-lifting me with him, pinning me against the wall. His eyes burned into mine,

wild and hungry.

“I was saving the lake for later, Mara,” he growled and my whole body reacted. God, I hoped I

wasn’t too sore.

“You should’ve come anyway,” I said, teasing.

He smirked. “I was avoiding Tina.”

We both laughed, breathless.

“The house you rented is perfect,” I told him, looping my legs around his waist. “We can finally act like a proper couple. Cook. Stay naked. Make love wherever we want.”

He kissed me, all fire and control.

“You’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking,” he murmured, carrying me to the bed and laying me down gently.

I watched him strip-slowly, methodically-and it was like watching a lion shed his skin. Every flex of muscle made my breath catch. His abs, his arms the way his body moved-it wasn’t fair.

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peeled off my shorts, heart racing. I was soaked and from the way his eyes darkened, he knew it

I shoved off my T-shirt. Naked now.completely his

“My beautiful wife,” he murmured stepping out of his shorts.

He knelt at the fact of the bed, eyes locked on mine as he pulled me forward. My ass was right at

the edge, and then his mouth was on me.

Imcared, started as his tongue found my dit. He didn’t rush. He devoured me. Every flick, every

sow circle had me staking my fingers digging into the sheets.

Il ccened wider for him, losing control, screaming his name before my whole body trembled under the weight of the orgasm he gave me.

Then he stood.

I backed imo the bed breathless, waiting.

Lucian climbed on, pulling my legs over his shoulders, lifting my hips off the bed. Just how I liked it.

Just like during my neat.

And when he entered me-fuck it was perfect.

I wished Tina could see this. What her petty little lie had led to. What we had built in spite of her.

Because this wasn’t just lust

It was love. Pession Power.

And Lucian was mine.

We’d been at it for a while, lost in each other, and when Lucian finally came, he collapsed beside

me, breathless and flushed.

7 wanted to do this by the lake,” I said between gulps of air.

He laughed. “You’re mean, Mara. You wanted Tina to see us.”

I smirked “Maybe. But honestly, I just wanted to make love there-before I ran into her and she

pissed me off”

He got off the bed, still gloriously naked, and walked across the room. I watched him shamelessly -his toned body the strength in his back, the way his muscles moved. He was a living sculpture. He returned with his tablet in one hand and a shopping bag in the other.

He sat down next to me and handed me the tablet

It was open to an sss.

A picture of me hugging Darian at the lake.

Beneath it, Tina’s message.

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“You’re wasting your time with a whore. Couldn’t even stick around for the screwing part. I’d

never do this to you, Lucian.”

I laughed out loud. Lucian chuckled beside me.

“She’s getting sloppy,” I said.

“Desperate,” he agreed.

“Why didn’t you believe her?” I asked, even though I already knew.

He looked at me seriously. “Because I know you, Mara. And I know you love me.”

That… got me.

Deeply.

His voice, his certainty-it wrapped around my heart and squeezed until I could barely breathe.

“I was only sad for Darian,” he added. “He must have really cared about you. I just want him to move on. That’s why I want us to leave-give him space. If he doesn’t see you, maybe he’ll have a chance with Tiffany. Start over.”

I nodded slowly, heart heavy with what I hadn’t told him-Darian’s desperation, his pleas, his

promises to wait for me no matter what. But I didn’t want to ruin this moment. Not now.

“You need to stop hugging him, Mara, Lucian said gently. “Being kind to him… it gives him hope.

Please. I know it’s hard-he’s your friend-but it’s better for both of you.”

I sighed. He was right. Painfully right. And for Lucian, I would try.

Then, he reached into the bag and handed me a box of dark, luxurious chocolates-alcohol-infused

and wrapped in gold foil.

“Something sweet to eat,” he said with a smile as he opened it for me.

I smiled back, already softening.

Then he pulled out a small jewelry box and handed it to me.

“And something beautiful to keep.”

I opened it.

Inside was a golden locket, simple and elegant. Etched into it were the words:

Forever yours, Lucian

Tears hit my eyes before I could even speak.

“Do you love it?” he asked quietly.

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I nodded, speechless, and handed it to him. I turned, lifted my hair.

He fastened it around my neck, and when I faced him again, I crashed my lips against his.

“I love you, Lucian,” I whispered against his mouth, “so much.”

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“I love you too, Mara,” he said, his voice full. “You are my love. My life. My heart will beat for you

until I die.”

I held him tightly, not wanting to let go.

“We’ll take some photos tomorrow,” he said gently. You can keep them in your locket. And then…

we’ll go see our ‘holiday’ home.”

I giggled, the tears still fresh but fading.

I couldn’t wait to see the house.

To leave the Nighthorn mansion behind.

And finally… find some peace.

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