We’re not friends.
Wow, my bad for thinking we could be.
We can’t be friends, Raina. It’s impossible.
Why?
Because the things I want to do to you are not in the least bit friendly.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I plated you a little bit of everything.” Javier’s voice cuts through the pounding of my heart, and I drop my phone into my lap like it’s a hot potato. My cheeks burn—I feel like I’ve done something wrong and have been caught red-handed. “You look a bit flushed, darling. Are you feeling well?”
“I’m fine.” I tuck my phone into my clutch while smiling down at the plate of food. “This all looks so delicious, thank you.”
Javier kisses my cheek. “Of course,” he says as he sits down in the seat next to me.
Across the table, an older woman begins speaking to him in Spanish, and I drown out the conversation I can’t understand and think about what Luciano said.
How am I supposed to get through the next couple hours without replaying his words?
How long until he’s due to pick me up?
My heart races as I glance at my phone screen to peek at the time.
Let the countdown begin.
I’ve already said goodnight to the Moreno family and made my way to the front so I can wait for Luciano to arrive when I feel Javier’s presence behind me.
Everyone is enjoying the festivities with no end in sight as the sky grows darker. The front of the mansion is lit by dramatic sconces that hold fire torches and an array of small lanterns that line the entire circular driveway. The sound of music and laughter carries across the property—it is a lovely celebration, but I’m ready to go.
“You don’t have to leave, you know. We could spend some time together,” Javier muses as he approaches.
“Javier—” I turn to face him, already feeling too exhausted for this conversation.
He was dropping hints all evening about wanting me to stay, and I’ve been starting to wonder if he has an ulterior motive for bringing me here, despite him saying otherwise.
“I know you’re notactuallyengaged to him,” he declares. Taking a step closer, he brushes his knuckles down the side of my cheek.
“I assure you, Iactuallyam. I’m here to help get you through this transition because the reasons you gave me for wanting my help are valid, but the moment this is over, the divorce papers need to be signed. Luciano and I are about to start our life together, and I can’t have this looming over me.” My heart tugs with sadness as I give a false speech that rolls off my tongue as easily as a politician’s lies do. “You showing up in New York already threw a wrench into our plans, and it took a lot for me to get him to agree to help you.”
Javier tsks, shaking his head as though he doesn’t quite believe me. It makes my heart race—the thought of him catching me in this lie. “If you loved him, you wouldn’t be portraying as such a perfect wife forme.” Reaching both hands to my hips, he squeezes them and tugs me forward.
“I’m just a good actress,” I retort, leaning back to put some distance between us so he can’t kiss me. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Mmm, I’m not so sure about that.” He hums, his accent curling around his lustful tone.
There’s something about his behavior tonight that’s churning my gut—my intuition telling me to be aware. He’s put on quite a show for his family, but there’s been a few times he’s glanced at me when he’s not being performative, and there’s been something darker settled behind his gaze. Anger, maybe? Resentment? I can’t pinpoint it, but as the night has progressed, I’ve caught it more and more.
I step away from his embrace at the same moment I hear the Aston Martin approach. Quickly, I flee, practically jogging down the steps of the mansion to where Luciano has stopped.
He’s already out of the car and walking toward me with a scowl on his face as he looks between me and Javier. A dark look passes over him as he assesses the situation and my demeanor, but I don’t stop.
The second I’m close enough, I hop into his arms without warning, wrapping my legs around his waist. He catches me effortlessly, as if he already knew my intentions, his hands landing on my butt, and I curl my hands around the back of his neck and devour him.
The second my lips touch his, I lose all sense of time, reality, and control. It’s all-consuming, manipulating all the air around me.
I lose my breath.
My heart races as I press myself further into his arms, finally feeling like I’ve comehome.
