Page 33 of Temptation and Treachery
Having Rio this close didn’t let her think straight. And the way he looked at her didn’t help. She swallowed hard. But one thing kept tugging at the back of her mind.
“What happened at Mary Lou’s?” She should have kept silent, but the realization was overwhelming, once she fit the pieces together. His brows edged closer. “I didn’t realize it until now, but that’s when you changed.”
He shook his head, lips opening as he readied his defense.
“I became angel and not baby.”
His head jerked back as if she’d slapped him. Guilt flashed across features that had been stoic seconds before. Humiliation erupted, sending a wave of pain bubbling up like a physical thing inside her.
“Bastard.” She pulled back, shaking her head as she sidestepped. She couldn’t shatter in front of him. Not when she’d almost believed him—again.
“Celeste.” He reached out to touch her, but she twisted away, stomping off with as much dignity as she could muster barefoot and wearing a wet shirt. Blinded by tears she refused to shed, she followed the dim light out to the hallway. Where could she go? Back to Kari? The woman who set this whole thing up?
“Celeste, stop.” Heavy footsteps echoed in the hall. Ignoring him, she pushed at the door, coming up hard when it didn’t budge. Of course, she would pick the locked one. Gritting her teeth, she slammed her hands on the other one with the same result. Trapped. She set her forehead against the cold, unyielding metal as energy drained from her along with the anger.
Kari, again. Why?
Rio’s presence loomed behind her, surrounding her like a thick cloak. God, she must be a pathetic sight. She turned, aiming to dart past him. His arm shot out. “Stop.” She took a step back, and he caged her in place, so she couldn’t wiggle out of his near hold. She leaned away until her back was flat against the wall.
“Listen to me.” His hand cupped her face and she jerked away. “Please,” he added in a whisper. The plea cut through the fog of anger and hurt feelings. She swallowed the enormous lump threatening to suffocate her. Maybe she couldn’t get away, but she didn’t need to face him. He brushed away the tears, prompting more to take their place. “Don’t cry, angel.” Her heart pitched. For the first time, she tasted true regret. How could she feel anything else when the best thing that had ever happened to her had been a lie? Her head screamed to get as far away from him as possible, but her body wanted to curl into his, needing the comfort and pleasure she’d thought they shared.
“Celeste…” He sucked in a deep breath. “It’s just a word.” She tightened her lips. “Something I used for everyone before you. Because they didn’t matter.”
She cut him a sideways glare, crossing her arms protectively over her chest. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? Did I need my own code word, being Oz’s daughter?”
He shook his head and met her glare squarely. “I deserve that and probably a whole lot more for being a selfish dick.” Nodding, he swallowed, trying to clear the rough edge on his voice. “I’m not proud of some of the things I’ve done. I thought the way I lived was for the best. I never counted on meeting you.” His thumb ran over her cheek in a gentle stroke. “You were different. I knew that the first time I held you.”
Her mind flashed back to the doorway where they’d taken refuge during the rain. Hot kisses. Roaming hands. Bodies pressed together.
“I hadn’t laughed so hard in…” He looked away, searching his memory, “forever.”
Her inhale cut short. He’d gone further back to when she stumbled and he caught her. I might never be okay again. Realizing what she meant, he’d burst out laughing. The memory brought a smile to her lips.
“Why do you think I didn’t kiss off when you told me to?”
He touched his mouth to her cheek, rubbing lightly to blur the trail of tears, studying her with an intensity she didn’t expect.
“I’m sorry. So damn sorry I hurt you.”
Her emotions settled, one by one, leaving her with a sad contentment and an inkling of hope.
Rio pressed his forehead to hers. “Yes, something changed in that dressing room.”
Did it ever. She’d ignored caution, and things had gone too far in a semi-public place. Her body heated at the remembered intimacy.
“I was on my knees in front of you, something I normally wouldn’t do, when Mary Lou came to the door. I knew you wouldn’t like if we got caught. And I cared—something else that never happened.”
For a few crazy seconds she’d been so close to the edge she hadn’t heard the shop owner. Her pussy tingled, begging for a replay of any one of those moments.
Their breathing mingled and she knew they were sharing the same memory. Despite what he said, Rio had spent a lot of time with his mouth on her. Giving her pleasure. Making her beg to finish. Pushing her to a second screaming release. Her nipples pebbled against the borrowed T-shirt, and she yearned for more in a way she’d never experienced.
“That’s why I couldn’t use that word with you. And why I can’t touch you now.”
Confused, she tried focusing on his features. “I-I don’t understand.”
His lids lowered, pressing tight in a tortured expression. “If I do,” he said in a gravelly tone, “I won’t want to stop.”
She bit back a whimper. “Then don’t…stop, I mean.”
