As I move through the room, I dodge middle-aged men and their trophy wives—who aren’t even trying to hide their interest in me.
Finally, I reach the main hall, and my eyes immediately start scanning the room for my personal heaven.
The first thing I see is that beautiful hair that’s always bewitched me.
I let my eyes slowly roam over her—because I’m starving.
I want to savor every inch of my delicious woman.
The red dress she’s wearing is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen—and it’s such a contrast from what I’m used to that it takes me a moment to reconcile this sultry vixen with my sweet girlfriend.
The Lilly I left behind when I went away was charming in her innocence and beauty—but this version is waking up my most primal instincts.
That ass I’m dying to claim, hugged by that tight dress, is a perfect round shape right below the low back—and her bare skin makes me want to kiss and bite every inch of her.
I’m trying to stay focused on why I’m here, but my desire is clouding everything.
Her posture looks stiff, and I wonder whether she senses me. She’s standing near the curve of the room, talking to someone I can’t see yet. I pick up my pace, determined to take back what’s mine—but my thoughts are completely derailed when I see who she’s talking to.
Ramon.
What the hell is she doing so close to him when I told her not to come here alone? Does she have any idea how dangerous this is? How can she stand there and talk to this piece of shit like it’s nothing?
Where the hell is Theodoro? He’s supposed to be looking out for her.
“Lilly.” Just like when I approached her on campus with that Benjamin guy, I call her while her back is still turned.
This time, though, I’m not so subtle. I wrap my arm around her waist and press a kiss to the top of her head.
She shivers—and the heat of her skin, her unique scent, and the pull of her incredible body hit me like a drug. Her hand rests on the arm around her, but only for a moment. Then she turns, finally letting me feast on the sight I’ve missed so badly.
“Amos.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks—both trying to read the other’s mind. Then, my need for control takes over any good sense I might have, and I lean in, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
At first, it’s just to mark my territory, to show that bastard she’s not some helpless girl he can easily approach. But there’s nothing rational about me when it comes to Lilly, and I kiss her again, this time letting my hand tighten around her waist as my tongue teases her lips open, wanting a deeper taste.
“What are you doing here?” her mother snaps, barely hiding her anger.
Of course she’s talking to me.
Nora’s never forgiven me for rejecting her that Christmas.
“I invited him,” Lilly says, pulling back slightly from my mouth.
Nora glances around, probably worried someone might be watching. When she’s confident enough no one will overhear, she hisses, “You should’ve told me.”
“Nora, darling . . .” Ramon pretends to smooth things over. “One more guest doesn’t matter.”
I stare him down without blinking—and slowly, the fake calm on his face is replaced by fear. A monster knows another monster when he sees one. Even if our crimes are different, I have no doubt this man is capable of killing too.
“Don’t worry, ma’am. We’re leaving soon.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready to go,” Lilly contradicts me.
The defiance, which I’ve come to expect from her, surprises me and then pisses me off, because this is not the time for games.
She shouldn’t even be here if what I suspect about Ramon’s obsession is true. I know she’s trying to avoid being alone with me.
