Page 115 of Vicious Temptation

“‘The officer who posted this definitely has a crush on her.’”

“Fuck no,” I say, pulling on my shirt.

“That one has nine thousand likes.”

“People need hobbies.”

Valentina cackles.

“‘She looks like she’d win the fight and steal your girlfriend.’”

I walk out of the closet and plop down beside her. “I mean...”

“True.” She points at me before scrolling again. “Oh, and BigDaddyDavid wants to know what that tongue do?”

Valentina laughs so hard she nearly falls off the bed. I whack her with a decorative pillow, sending the phone tumbling from her hand.

“That’s disgusting.”

“Okay, okay,” she says, taking a deep breath as she tries to get herself under control. “We have more important things to discuss. For example, on a scale of⁠—”

“Twenty,” I blurt out, already knowing what she’s about to ask. “Hands down. Probably the best I’ve ever had.”

Val sits upright, her eyebrows damn near disappearing into her hairline. “Oh, fuck. I know what that means.”

“That he dicked me down real good.”

“No. I mean, yeah, obviously. But that’s not what I’m talking about.” She points at my face. “That right there. You’ve got it bad. Like, bad bad.”

I scoff. “Don’t.”

“Remi, the best of your life? Please. I know that look.”

“I don’t have a look.”

“Oh, yeah, you do.”

“It’s just sex, Val. Straight fucking. That’s all. I don’t even know him like that.”

And after what I learned about my charges this morning, I know even less than I thought.

Valentina grins. “Well, hell, Rem, you do now.”

Another pillow goes flying in her direction, and she catches it effortlessly before lunging at me. We fall back onto the mattress, laughing until it fades, leaving us sprawled beside each other with her head resting on my shoulder.

“I’m excited for you, baby.” Her voice softens. “I don’t know what it is, but I have a good feeling. And whether it’s just sex or eventually becomes something more, you deserve to feel like this. So damn happy. I haven’t seen you this way since…” she trails off, maybe regretting bringing up the subject. But I squeeze her, letting her know it’s okay.

That I’m okay.

Valentina rolls over and props herself up on her elbows.

“You had this light about you when you were with Kuroda,” she says quietly. “I see that again.”

My smile trembles when her eyes turn glassy.

This isn’t only about me and Thiago, or even Ryuji. This is her way of saying goodbye. Of telling me she feels better about leaving because there’s one less part of me that she has to worry about. Because after everything, I finally look happy again.

But I’m not ready to let her go. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.