Page 87 of Was I Ever Real

There’s an awkwardness in her tone that unsteadies me but I hide behind my preferred mask and flash her a grin.

“Never for you, my darling,” I respond, uncrossing my legs and straightening my posture, feeling somewhat uneasy.

She seems pleased by my answer and walks in, wearing a black hoodie that swallows her whole, falling mid-thigh, legs and bare feet on display. I fight not to stare too long.

She approaches me and I scoot back, giving her space to lean on the desk directly in front of me. Something about this moment feels off. But still, my hands can’t help but find her thighs, caressing her warm skin while I look up at her.

The smile she offers is genuine, but there’s worry in her eyes, leaving a bitter taste on my tongue.

“How are you doing?” she says.

“I should be asking you that,” I volley back, my hand hovering over her hip. “How’s your—”

“It’s fine, I’m fine,” she says too quickly, taking my hand and placing it back on her thigh.

“If you aren’t, you know you can tell me.” I continue to study her, and whisper, “Talk to me, Len.” I almost cringe at the emotion in my voice but I steel my expression.

“I know,” she says, looking away, biting her lips anxiously. She keeps her gaze averted. “Connor… I—” She takes a breath, seeming to fight for her words to come out. “I’m going back to my condo,” she finally says.

A surge of possessiveness barrels through me and my fingers squeeze her thighs in response.

“Funny,” I choke out on a huff. Because likefuckshe is.

When her eyes finally land back on my face, there’s sadness etched in the small wrinkle between her furrowed brows.

“My sister needs me.”

I need you.

“And before you say, she can stay in the guest room. No, she can’t. She needs a place to call her own. She needs a safe space.”

“Stayinghereis safer,” I growl.

“You know what I mean, Connor. Just for a few days. And besides…”

Before she says what Ithinkshe’s about to say, I pull her into my lap and thankfully, she doesn’t resist.

I take her face into my hand, my thumb stroking her bottom lip.

“Lenix, you’re my wife—mine. You belong here with me. Nowhere else,” I say vehemently.

That same lip quivers, and I’m being torn open all over again.

“Wasn’t this all pretend?” she whispers. She seems so small at that moment, shrinking to fit the feelings she’s trying to hide from me.

My other hand wraps around her waist pulling her even closer to my chest.

“Does this feel pretend to you?” I take her hand in mine, holding it to my beating heart.

Pulling her bottom lip into her mouth, she rakes her teeth over it and slowly shakes her head.

She leans over and kisses me. Suddenly, I can’t breathe.

The tenderness of her soft mouth on mine is nearly overwhelming, choking me into feeling… justfeeling.

My thumb smooths over her knuckles and I’m struck with the absence of what should be there. I pull away and look down at her hand. “Where’s your ring?”

She releases a small pained breath. “They took it,” she says meekly.

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