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A playful smack lands on my abdomen, making my abs tense beneath her palm.
“It’s my turn to tell you what I need from you,” she says, her tone turning serious.
Neither of us moves. We remain tangled together in the same position, as if simply existing in each other’s arms is enough to quiet everything that has been weighing on us.
“I know that everywhere you go, there are women willing to do anything to be with you,” she begins, and a loud groan leaves me, breaking the silence of the room.
“And I want you to know that I trust you wholeheartedly, but I need you to tell me if something like that blackmail situation ever happens again.”
She taps a finger on her upper lip a few times, thinking, then adds, “Oh, and I don’t want you working with that woman anymore. I’d love to say I’m mature enough not to care about her losing a collaboration over something stupid, but it’s obvious she’s obsessed with you, and for me, that means she doesn’t get to keep working with you.”
I don’t interrupt. I let her continue, curious to see just how far she intends to take this. I want to hear everything on her mind, one piece at a time, without giving her a reason to hold anything back.
“I’m also possessive, so I’ll probably have plenty of unhinged moments whenever someone flirts with you. You should keep that in mind, especially when we’re in public, because I won’t care if the press is there either.”
That earns a chuckle from me. I can already picture her causing a scene, and I can’t even lie and pretend I wouldn’t enjoy every second of it.
It’s absolutely toxic. I’m aware of that.
But I don’t care.
“I already ended the collaboration with her,” I answer honestly. “I explained most of the situation to her father, and he had the choice between personally handling everything related to the communication between his company and Hartho or ending our partnership entirely. So he’ll be the one we communicate with directly, and Colt will represent Hartho in dealing with them, not me.”
That was the first thing I handled the moment Selene disappeared. I wanted it to be obvious that there is absolutely nothing between Lorelay and me, and that when it comes to putting my woman first, I will never hesitate.
“Thank you, Zayn,” she says softly, a warm smile spreading across her face. “No matter the situation, the maturity with which you handle things always leaves me speechless.”
“I’m incredibly mature for a man younger than you, huh?” I tease.
“Oh God,” she says, covering her face with both hands. “Don’t remind me.”
“Come on, Selene. Don’t tell me that still bothers you.”
“I just hope you never get bothered by it someday,” she says quietly, her face still hidden behind her palms.
I seriously hope she’s joking.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
Instead of answering, she slips off my lap and climbs out of bed.
The terrace door opens enough for her to squeeze through. Less than ten seconds later, a loud splash cuts through the silence.
Alarm shoots through me.
I’m out of bed and hurrying outside, only to find her in the pool, elbows propped on the edge as she stares into the distance.
My steps quicken until I reach the edge, never taking my eyes off her.
“It doesn’t bother me, and it doesn’t make me feel insecure,” she answers, still facing away from me. “But sometimes I still wonder if, over time, you’ll start thinking you could be with someone else. Someone much younger.”
I dive in before another word can leave her mouth, swimming until I reach the other side. Breaking through the water behind her, I wrap both arms firmly around her waist and pull her close.
“Selene, we’re the same age,” I begin, my voice rough.
Hearing her speak about herself as though she isn’t extraordinary, incredible, and absolutely enough twists something inside me. I can’t stand the thought of her looking at herself through anything less than my eyes.
“Yes, but you could be with a twenty-five-year-old woman, Zayn,” she interrupts quietly. “Even a twenty-year-old, if you wanted.”
