Page 88 of Lyric Squared

“Mom, I’m in love. I can feel it in deep, deep in the crevices of me that I didn’t even know existed. And I’m scared. I’m scared that maybe I’ve made the mistake of falling for someone who is forbidden for me and me for him.”

“Oh, Lyric. Baby, you haven’t made a mistake. Not at all. There’s no one else in the world I’d rather see at your side than the person you’ve chosen. Ken is your equal.”

At the sound of his name, my eyes bloomed and my heart galloped.

“How did you know?” I gasped.

“A mother just knows, Lyric. It’s our job to know. I’ve paid close attention to you two for many, many years, even the years you ran from him when Luca was away. You were ashamed and couldn’t face him. He looked for you every time he came by.”

She was right. Mothers knew everything.

“Luca and Laike, they’ll hate me for this.” I groaned.

I wiped my eyes and leaned my head backward, looking upward at the sky. This was all so new to me. This feeling. But the relief that washed over me now that I’d told someone other than Ever was everything.

“They won’t.”

“Please don’t tell them. Please don’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t. Tell them when you’re ready and don’t let anyone rush you into doing so, either. Not even Ken, although I know it must be a struggle for him.”

“A major one. He hates it,” I admitted. Even I hated it for him.

“It’ll be worth it in the end, sweetie. Just don’t wait too long. He deserves to love you loudly and boldly,” my mom suggested. I took her words in stride, knowing she only wanted the best for me – for us both.

“I know. I just need a few weeks.”

“Take you time, then. In the meantime, I need to get off this phone. Call me if you need me and know that my heart is full. I’m happy for you, Lyric.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too.”

TWELVE

I didn’t haveto pat the other side of the bed or open my eyes to know that she’d disappeared. Because the contentment that accompanied her presence had vanished, too. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and wobbled out of bed. Finally, the effects of the bitter ass juice she’d given me had worn off.

The villa I’d reserved for us had three rooms, a living room, kitchen, and everything else that came with a home. However, I knew that she hadn’t drifted too far from the main suite. She hadn’t the entire trip. Not even to explore the place. We were either out of the door, on the deck, or in bed. There wasn’t much time for anything else, so checking the rest of the villa I knew would be pointless. Instead, I headed for the deck.

When I pushed back the window covers that I’d used to keep the chef and his crew from seeing inside, there she was. Her head rested on the back of the jacuzzi as her body and arms were submerged under water. Tranquility was written all over her beautiful face. The stillness that she was basking in, I wanted the pleasure of enjoying too. So, without interruption, I removed my briefs and stepped closer to the jacuzzi. Unfortunately, she heard me coming.

“Well… hi,” Lyric spoke, softly.

My hard dick pierced the air in front of me, dangling over her head as I looked down at her.

“Hi.”

I lowered my feet into the water one after another. The warmth was inviting and so was Lyric. Even though she was next to me, she felt so far away. I reached over and pulled her in my direction, not stopping until she was sitting on my lap.

Face to face. Nose to nose. Skin to skin. We sat in silence, listening as the jets on the large tub made the water bubble and pop. Lyric’s hands wrapped around my upper shoulders as she watched me intently. If there was nothing else crystal clear in my world, the fact that she belonged to me for the rest of my years was. That alone made me excited just to see another day – especially knowing she’d be a part of it.

“Did you miss me?”

“Terribly,” I confessed.

“You didn’t sleep long.”