Chapter 100
LRICA
If I inched a single step closer. I would be unable to control myself. Realizing this created a horrified sensation within me. I moved back from Cillian as it he had ignited.
Giving him one final glare. I walked away from the dance floor.
1 fling myself into the washroom, my heels clattering loudly on the marble floor.
The second the door closed behind me, I clutched the sink’s edges, releasing a shuddery breath.
What the hell just happened?
My heart was still racing, my skin still on fire with the afterglow of Cillian’s touch. The image of his icy blue eyes, black and impenetrable, seared itself at the forefront of my brain.
I could still sense him–his heat, his hold, the pressure of his body so fucking
And worse. I hadn’t budged.
close to me
I’d simply stood there, frozen in that hot, breathless second, waiting for something–waiting for something.
Like I’d really wanted it to occur.
No.
I shook my head hard, trying to push the thought aside.
I didn’t want him.
as Cillian Knight—arrogant, cocky, infuriating.
He’d spent years getting under my skin, pushing me just for the sake of it, pushing every button I had just to watch me lose it.
I should hate him
So why the hell was my heart still pounding like I’d just run a marathon?
1 exualed another breath, scowling at my reflection in the mirror.
My cheeks were flushed, my liprick sull immaculately intact–but my eyes?
My eyes betrayed me
They were bright, wide, a little bit too wild.
I glared at my own reflection, trying to trap my feelings back into their tidy loo
No one needed to know what had just trupired.
No one needed to know that for a nanosecond. I had almost–almost—desired to bridge that hnal space between us
I only had to take a moment to compose myself.
That whole plan was wasted the instant washroom door caine open.
“Here you are,” said that familiar voice
Mia walked in, her acute brown eyes homing right into mine.
Her black hair was pinned up in a sleek cligion, but stray strands had already escaped, wrapping around her checks. The dark rest of her dress accented the gold in her brown skin, and her simile–smug, self–umärd–informed me precisely why she’d come
1 let out a deep sigli. “Mia”
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Chapter 100
She grinned, leaning against the counter and erossing her arms. “You high–tailed it pretty quick.”
1 shifted back to face the mirror, feigning the need to fix my hai. Tneeded a break”
y not believing me.
Atta hummed, clearly i
Tm guessing that it has nothing to do with the fact that Cillian Knight charged onto the dance floor like a man on a mission, swept you off your date, and speist the whole song glaring at you like he was about to eat you alive!!
I glared at her through the mirror. “He did not—”
“Oh, he did.” Mia grinned, looking far too entertained. “It was intense,”
I rolled my eyes. “Cillian just likes to cause trouble.
Mia arched a brow, “Trouble” Or sexual tension?”
I turned sharply. “Mia!”
She held up her hands in mock innocence. “I’m just saying, the entire room could feel it.”
“There was nothing to feel-
Her lips twitched like she was fighting a laugh. “Sure.”
I let out a breath, pinching my fingers to my forehead.
Mia had been my best workmate for years, and that unfortunately meant she could read me like a book.
“Look, there’s nothing between us,” I said with conviction. “Cillian just thinks too much of himself and believes the world revolves around him.”
Mia cocked her head, observing me too intensely. “But does it?”
She smiled. “Does your world revolve around him?”
I scowled. “Oh my God.”
Mia laughed, clearly enjoying my irritation.
I turned around to the mirror, holding the sink once more,
“Cillian just likes to push my buttons,” I grumbled. “He’s been doing it for years. He enjoys getting some twisted pleasure out of annoying me.
Mia hummed again. “And you don’t think there’s any other reason he does it
Isooned. “He does it because he’s an ass”
Mus pursed her lips not believing me
He scowled at Owen as though he wanted to burn lama to
I rolled my eyes. “He does this to everyone.
to a cup, she noted.
She shrugged in return as if she didn’t quite believe me but didn’t want to dispute the poun
Mu and I emerged from the washroom, the outside air abuzz with conversation and the gentle throb of music. The party was still at full force. But
I wanted to do was go
A voice I knew called out my name
I spin around to see Freya walking towards us looking simply stumming in a navy floor–length gown but it was the radiance on her face that made her sline even more beautifully
Pregnancy suited her
Her dark hair framed her face in soft waves, and even in the dim lighting, there was something gliter about her, as it happiness hart settled in her
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Chapter 100
bones and refused to leave
Her gaze flickered between Mia and me, curiosity shining in her brown eyes.
I was looking for you.” she said, stopping in front of us. “Got caught up talking to Aiden’s colleagues
I grinned. “Freya, this is Mia–my office sidekick and the sole person keeping me sane on most days. I motioned between them. “Mia, this is Freya”
Mia smiled warmly at Freya “Great to finally meet you, Erica’s talked about you before
Freya leaned in, curious. “Oh Good things, I hope
Mix smiled wickedly. “Depends on how you think good.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ignore her.”
Freya laughed. Then I caught sight of the drink in her hand and raised a brow, “What are you having?”
She held the glass up a little, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. “Just sparkling water, Mommy.” She teased.
1 sponted. I wasn’t judging. Just ensuring Aiden hasn’t closed off all your options yet.”
She rolled her eyes with a fond smile. Trust me, if he could, he would”
I didn’t question that for a second.
Mia examined her with interest “How far along are you?”
Freya replied, her hand trailing over her stomach in a small, almost automatic movement. “Four months”
Something in my chest relaxed.
She was happy
Really, genuinely happy.
And even with the chaos in
chaos in my own life, I was happy for her.
Trook a breath and glanced at my phone for the time. “I think I’m going to go.”
Firya grumaced “Already?” she asked.
Mia glared at me “Yeah, fleeing from a certain someone?”
I glared back at her. Tu exhausted
Mia hummed “Sure”
Freye caused an eyebrow, but mercifully, she didn’t ask. “Do you want
want me to call a car for you!“
I shook my head “I’ll be tine”
Mia gave me a quick hug. “Text me when you arrive home”
Freya squeezed my hand “Sleep tight, Erica
With that. I turned and walked away, my head still muddied with all that has occurred tought
Owen
The ridiculous, infuriating way my body lud responded to Cillian
Therded ruot
I needed Nero.
As soon as I entered my apartment, I kicked off my heels, groaning as my feet touched the cold wooden floor.
Chapter 100
Thudding my purse on the counter, I shuttled toward my bedroom in my dress. The fatigue Ed asserted hours before finally came to rest upon me
Tallowed myself to collapse conto the bed, the material of my gown swirling around me as I breathed out into the quiet of my room
Too much all of it was tonight. Too many feelings. Too many things I didn’t want to dissect
1 squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the thoughts away.
And then
A small, comfoning weight fell onto the bed next to me. I opened one eye in time to see my big ball of fluff:
He blinked at me, his golden eyes weighing me up. Then, without warning, he leaned forward and
Licked my farr
I scowled. “Seriously?”
He purred
Shaking my head, I reached up to scratch behind his ears. He instantly relaxed into my touch, his body pushing against my arm, his purring getting louder.
“At least you’re happy to ser me. I muttered.
He replied by flopping onto his side, stretching out as if he owned the bed
Which, to be honest, he probably did,
I sighed, running my palm across his smooth fur.
You wouldn’t believe the night 1 had, Nero” I groaned. “Men are maddening”
He blinked at me as if he didn’t care at all.
I mailed
At least one man in my life wasn’t attempting to
to make me crazy.
With that reassurance, I let my eyelids fall closed, the purring of Nero filling the silence.
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