tense line of his jaw.
16:49
Andrew expertly pinned my flailing arms down with one hand. With the other, he answered the call, put it or speaker, and tossed the phone onto the pillow next to my ear.
I was forced to talk to Luke in this bizarre, compromising position.
“Lily? I’m so sorry. I had no idea my visit would cause you so much trouble. You’re not mad at me, are you?”
Andrew’s lips began to trail along the sensitive skin of my neck, a feather–light touch that brushed against my pulse point. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the ticklish sensation.
“It’s okay,” I managed to say. “It was just netizens jumping to conclusions. It’s all cleared up now, right?”
Luke let out a bitter laugh. “Well, in that case… could you maybe reconsider what I asked you before?”
Andrew moved closer, his teeth sinking into my earlobe, not hard, but with a firm pressure that sent a jolt of electricity down my spine. The blood rushed, hot and chaotic, through my veins. “Hiss!”
“Lily? What’s wrong?”
I fought to control my breathing. “Nothing. Just got spooked by a stray dog on the street.”
‘I should go. I need to discuss tomorrow’s scenes with the screenwriter. Let’s talk later.”
Luke, unsuspecting, told me to get some rest and hung up. The dial tone was a sharp, clean break in the
tension.
Wasting no time, I started kicking and squirming, trying to break free.
‘Andrew, are you insane?!“14
The man propped himself up, his eyes bloodshot. I stared into their turbulent depths, stunned into silence as
watched him, his whole body trembling with every breath.
I’m so tired of this, Lily!” he finally burst out, his voice raw.
I’m tired of pretending to be generous, of saying we won’t interfere in each other’s lives while all I want to do
s put myself on a leash and hand it to you.”
I’m tired of suffering in silence, of watching other men throw themselves at you while I don’t even have the
ight to ask you about it.”
I’m tired of being so careful, of having to come up with all these stupid, clumsy excuses just to be nice to you, terrified that if I’m not, I’ll lose you even as a friend.”
Andrew’s voice cracked, dropping to a near–whisper, a desperate murmur.
Please. I’m begging you. Just look at me.”
If you have enough love to share with so many people, why can’t I have some? Why am I the only one who
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16:49
16.49
Chapter 2
can’t?”
A tear, full and heavy, escaped his eye and splashed onto my cheek, tracing a path down my jaw to my colla
rbone, its heat turning cold against my skin.
Andrew held my gaze, stubborn and defiant, demanding an answer.
I couldn’t quite place the scent of him anymore. It was clean, warm, and sharp, all mixed with the uniquely
unpredictable haze of male pheromones. A strange, unfamiliar feeling began to spread through me, sending my heart into a chaotic, tumbling rhythm.
The world seemed to slow down. I racked my brain, trying to understand why his pain felt so sharp, like a thousand tiny fibers piercing my own skin..
Maybe it was because of the reckless way he’d cleared my name.
0
Maybe it was because of the stomach pills he carried around for me.
Maybe it was because of the absurdly generous prenuptial agreement.
Maybe it was because, deep down, I always knew that if I turned around, he would be there, his eyes fixed on
- me.
It’s easy to lose perspective on the things that are readily available. You’re always looking toward the bright- er, more dazzling lights, forgetting to appreciate the steady warmth right beside you.
After a long silence, Andrew’s breathing evened out, and the light in his crystalline eyes dimmed. He lowered
his gaze, his body going slack as he prepared to pull away.
“It was a foolish hope.” His voice was hoarse, exhausted from the emotional onslaught.
I don’t know where the strength came from, but my right hand shot out and hooked the collar of his shirt. My
left hand traced a line across his chest.
As Andrew stared at me, completely bewildered, a slow smile spread across my face.
“I’ll give you a chance,” I purred. “But first, I need to inspect the goods.”
