CHAPTER FORTY–TWO

Liana’s POV

I couldn’t move at first. bMy /blegs were numb, my heart was pounding, and

that just happened. I stood there, barely holding onto the edge of the

copse.

It was like I couldn’t even think straight.

whole body was still humming from everything

not sure if I was going to cryb, /bscream, or just

My body still felt too hot. Every nerve felt awake, lit up, like his touch had branded something under my skin. It was still

there. all of it. The heat. The ache. The overwhelming rush that hit me when he touched me, kissed me, dragged me into this

room like he owned me.

And the worst part?

I liked it.

No. I more than liked it. I wanted it. God, I wanted all of it.

My legs were shaking, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how good he was. How skilled. How rough and intense and-

Damn it.

What was wrong with meb? /b

bI /bwas supposed to be mad. I was supposed to p him and walk out like he meant nothing. Like I hadn’t just let him rip my

underwear off in a public restroom. Like I hadn’t begged him without saying a word.

I hated that part of myself. The part that wanted him. That kept craving him no matter how much damage he did.

Andtely… it was getting worse. I didn’t understand it. Why I’d been thinking about him so much. Why his scent, his voice,

the sound of his damn name in my head made my stomach twist in knots.

And when he kissed me earlier and told me to tell him no, I just… couldn’t.

My mouth didn’t work. My heart didn’t listen. bMy /bbody sure as hell didn’t care.

Godb. /b

I stared at myself in the mirror and feltpletely disconnected from the girl looking back. Her cheeks were flushed. Her

lips looked too redb. /bHer blouse was wrinkled. Her hair was a mess.

I looked like I just had bsex /b

No. Not just sex Like bI’d /bsurrendered everything.

And I had That’s what made it worse. That bI /bblet /bhim have me like that again. So easily.

I reached down with trembling hands, pulling my jeans back bup /band fixing my shirt. I adjusted the buttonsb, /bbeven /bthough they weren’t really out of ce, and tried to fix my hair. My fingers shook the whole time.

Ifelt dirtyb. /b

Not because of him.

Because of me

Because I didn’t stop it. Because bI /bwanted it. Because I still wanted more.

bMy /blegs clenched together at the thought, and I bcursed /bunder my breath

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I grabbed some tissue and wiped between my thighs, flushing it quickly before I could even process how that made me feel,

and walked towards the door.

“Liana,” Killian’s voice came from behind me.

I froze.

“Don’t leave like this.”

I didn’t turn around.

“Please,” he said, a little softer this time.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn’t deal with him. Not right now. Not when I still felt his hands on my body. Not when my

knees were weak and my head was a mess.

I didn’t answer. I attempted to open the door but he reached out, trying to stop me.

“Liana-”

But I was too fast. I yanked the door open and stepped out. and of course, just my luck, I ran right into someone.

“Whoa-” the guy blinked down at me, confused. He was obviously heading into the restroom and now standing face–to–face

with me, clearly realizing I came out of the men’s room.

I kept my head down. “Sorryb,/bb” /bI muttered and brushed past him, not waiting for a response.

I walked fast. Too fast. Like if I stopped for even a second, the shame would catch up and drag me back.

When I reached our table, Simon stood up immediately.

“Hey,” he said, concern in his voice. “are you okayb? /bWhat just happened?”

I didn’t look at himb. /bI couldn’t.

Not after what I’d just done.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I have to go.”

“What? Liana, wait–what do you mean you have to go? You were gone bfor /bten minutes and now-”

“I know. I just-” My voice cracked. “I can’t do this right now.i” /i

I grabbed my purse, my hands fumbling with the strap.

“Did something happenb?/bb” /bSimon was stepping closerb, /btrying to understand. “Liana, pleaseb, /bjust talk to me.b” /b

“I have to go,” I said again. It was all I could say. I couldn’t think of anything else.

He reached out, but I pulled away. Not harshly. Just enough to make him bstop/b.

“At least let me walk you out. Or call you a cab. Don’t just run off like this.”

I shook my head and finally looked at himb, /bbjust /bfor a second

And it broke me.

His eyes were so confused. So soft. So concerned. bHe /bdidn’t deserve this. bHe /bdidn’t deserve me walking out on him after I’d agreed to meet him after he waited after he thought maybe there was something here.

But I couldn’t exin it. How could I possibly tell him I bjust /blet another man fuck me in the restroom while he bwas /bsitting here thinking we were on a dateb? /b

Howb? /b

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So I just whispered, “I’m bsorry/bb,/b” one more time.

And walked away.

I didn’t look back.

Not once.

The air outside hit me like a p. It was cooler than I expected, and I stood there for a second trying to breathe. Trying to understand what the hell just happened.

But all I could feel was my heartbeat.

And the sound of Killian’s voice in my

head.

b“/bbYou’ll /bnever belong to anyone else but me.”

God help me.

was starting to believe it.