Born in Blood Collection Volume 1 - Cora Reilly Page 0,374

the bed and bent over Lily. I brushed her hair away from her face. “Lily, you need to wake up,” I whispered.

Her eyelids fluttered and she turned on her back. The blankets slipped away, revealing her perfect breasts. Her nipples puckered at the cool air in the room and my cock stirred in response. I leaned over her. She even still smelled like me. Fuck. I was already getting hard again. She opened her eyes and gave me a sleepy smile. Happiness and trust shone on her face. Didn’t she realize that I’d destroyed her life last night?

A light blush appeared on her cheeks under my scrutiny. I kissed her forehead. “You need to leave,” I said.

She froze, eyes filling with insecurity. “Did I do something wrong last night?”

Good Lord. I wanted to stab myself with my fucking knife. I was such an asshole. I should have never let it come to this. Lily was a good girl and I’d ruined her. I kissed the spot below her ear, then her cheek. “No, you did nothing wrong, honey.”

She relaxed and lifted her hand to the back of my head, looking hopeful. “Can we snuggle a bit?”

She sounded fucking vulnerable. Of course she wanted closeness after last night, and I wanted it too, but it was getting light outside, but the way she was looking at me I couldn’t tell her “no.” I slipped under the blankets and she pressed up against me. Her naked skin brushed mine, and all of my senses sprang to life. I pushed my lust down. This wasn’t the time. I stroked her hair. “Are you okay?”

She nodded against my shoulder. “I’m a bit sore.” She sounded embarrassed.

I pressed a kiss against her temple and I wasn’t sure why I said it because it definitely didn’t make things easier but it slipped out, “I love you.”

And by God, it was the truth. I loved Lily, even though I knew our love was doomed.

She sucked in a breath before whispering, “I love you too.”

I was digging my grave and hers too, only because I couldn’t control my dick, my heart, and my mouth.

She let out a small happy breath. She didn’t seem to realize in how much trouble we were. I couldn’t stop feeling guilty. I wished I could say I would have acted differently if I got the chance, but I knew I’d sleep with her again. I’d wanted her, still wanted her. I would never stop wanting her.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Liliana

I couldn’t believe Romero and I had actually slept together. I didn’t feel regret. Maybe it would come at some point but I couldn’t imagine it.

It had been painful and yet it was the happiest moment in my life. And afterwards when Romero had admitted he loved me, I’d wanted to tell everyone about it. Let them get angry, let them call me names, what did I care? I was happy, and that was all that mattered. But I knew better. Romero and I needed to keep it a secret. Maybe one day we’d figure out a way to make it official without causing a war, but right now I only wanted to enjoy our time together. The summer was drawing to a close but Father didn’t seem to want me back and I definitely didn’t want to return to Chicago. Maybe he’d forget I existed and I could move to New York for good.

The first time I faced Aria and Gianna after losing my virginity, I’d worried they’d see something was different, but of course they hadn’t. Nobody suspected anything.

Maybe that realization was why I got more daring.

It was almost noon and I could hardly keep my eyes open. Romero and I had made love until the early morning hours, and once I’d been back in my room I’d only managed two hours of sleep before I had to get up for breakfast again.

“Why don’t you rest on the sofa for a while? You look tired,” Aria said when I yawned again. We’d been rifling through a brochure that detailed events in the Hamptons for something to do in the next few days. Sunbathing and swimming were getting old.

Gianna wiggled her eyebrows behind Aria’s back. “She does. She doesn’t seem to get enough sleep at night.”

Romero glanced over from where he stood with Luca and Matteo in the kitchen area, but he didn’t seem worried. I decided to ignore Gianna’s comment. I stood from the table. “You’re probably right, Aria. I’ll lie down for a bit.”

Aria