We stayed on the couch for a long time. Lucian’s arm stayed around me, his fingers still tracing slow patterns on my arm. The suite was quiet except for the distant sound of the lake outside.
“Lucian,” I said softly, breaking the silence.
“Hmm?”
“We need to talk about it. Really talk. Not just the almost moments. The actual thing between us.”
He shifted so he could look at me better. His eyes were tired but honest. “The taboo.”
“Yeah.” I swallowed hard.
“And yet I still want you.” The words came out simple and raw. “I’ve tried to stop. God knows I have. When I first learned the truth, I told myself I would push you away forever. Treat you like nothing. Make you hate me so I wouldn’t have to face what I felt.”
I remembered the early days. The cold words. The wedding night when he thr
