Chapter 243

Lucie felt someone holding her so tightly it was like she might break. She forced her eyes open, and it hit her-someone really was carrying her.

"Put me down... Who are you? June? June..." Her words slurred together as she reached for her friend, but June was already gone. Ruby was passed out cold on the other couch, too drunk to notice anything. Lucie's head spun and she tried to push herself free, but her limbs felt heavy and useless.

Her hair clip clattered to the floor, hair tumbling loose and swaying as the man carried her away. One of her shoes had disappeared somewhere along the way, leaving her bare leg dangling over his arm.

"Where... where are you taking me?" She tried to sound strong, but her voice came out weak. Everything blurred, and all she could see was the sharp line of his jaw-familiar, almost like Steven's-but she couldn't focus enough to be sure.

Ten minutes later, she heard the click of a hotel room door. That was the last thing she remembered before the alcohol dragged her under.

When Lucie drifted back up, her skin tingled like ants were crawling all over her. Someone's mouth was on hers, kissing her with a wild, desperate need that left her breathless.

"No... don't..." she managed, pushing weakly. As soon as he let her go, his lips moved to her neck, hungrily pressing kisses against her skin. It was all so hazy, like she'd slipped back into an old dream, one where she'd forgotten she and Steven had already split.

It was always like this with him. He loved to tease her throat with his teeth, nipping at her in that way that was both scary and addictive.

"...Babe? Is that you?"

"Yeah," he murmured, his voice low and rough, his lips trailing heat down her body.

Lucie's resistance crumbled. She was helpless against him, just like that first night when she'd been so innocent and he'd been so confident, knowing exactly how to make her fall apart for him.

"Honey... don't..."

"You really want me to stop?" His whisper was dark and tempting, his kisses slowly stealing whatever was left of her self-control.

It only took a few minutes for her instincts to take over.

"Do you love me? Hold on to me." His voice was hoarse, deep, almost pleading.

She tried to wrap her arms around him, but he was too big, too solid. All she could do was cling to his neck. "Please... be gentle."

"Then say you love me."

"...No..."

"Say it."

"Ah-!"

The night blurred into a feverish, endless rush, wave after wave leaving her spent and dazed. By the time she finally came to, was one it in the morning. She was pinned beneath him, struggling for breath.

With a sudden, sharp movement, her eyes flew open.

"Stop..." she choked out.

Their eyes met in the dark. Steven's breathing was heavy, almost predatory. Suddenly, everything came rushing back.

"Steven, what are you doing? Let go of me!" Panic shot through her as she tried to push him off.

He just looked down at her, a cold, mocking smile on his lips. "Finally awake?"

"You jerk! How could you do this? Get off me! Don't touch me!" She was shaking, anger and fear tangled together.

Steven just smirked, gripping her chin a little too tightly. "What's wrong? Now you want to pretend

you're all innocent? Wasn't it you just now saying how much you love mez

How much you

wanted this?"

Shame and fury burned in her chest.

"Let me go... you bastard..."

"You brought this on yourself, Lucie. You owe me. You shouldn't play games with

me. And you definitely shouldn't send some girl to mess with me."

His next movement was rough, making her gasp. He was out of control, wild, and she regretted

everything she never should've net

provoked him. If she'd just kept. quiet, maybe she could've escaped. But now it was too late.

"Why'd you do it?" he demanded, holding her jaw tight. Tears ran down her face. "I didn't... I swear I didn't."

"Steven, please. It wasn't me. Please let me go..."

She was desperate, helpless, all out of options.

But Steven was cold as ice, deliberately pushing her buttons. "Still denying it? You played me for a fool and you're still lying?"

"It wasn't me, it really wasn't..." she sobbed.

But no matter what she said, no matter how much she begged, nothing could cool

the fire in his eyes.