Chapter 3

The alcohol had already loosened my grip on reality.

But being thrown over Orion's shoulder made the world tilt violently. Blood rushed to my head, and the floor seemed to sway with every step he took.

Desperate to be put down, I tried to soften him up.

"Ori—" I started.

"Don't call me that," he cut me off, his voice freezing cold. "We aren't that close."

The rest of my plea died in my throat. I clamped my mouth shut, swallowing my pride along with the nausea.

I was just dizzy. I could handle it.

Besides, considering what I owed him, this was getting off light.

Behind us, Logan was still screaming threats. "Orion! If you touch her, I swear to God I'll kill you."

His voice vanished under the noise as his friends swarmed him, a chorus of desperate excuses trying to pull him back from the edge.

"Logan, chill the hell out. You know Orion's been a ticking time bomb since he got back. Don't poke the bear."

"Think about that South Bay deal. You lowballed him, and he didn't say a word because you guys are tight. He took a massive hit for you."

"He's probably just settling the score. Everyone knows Elara is your soft spot. He's just doing this to screw with your head. I bet he'll dump her on the curb the second they get outside."

"Come on, man. Orion hasn't been with a woman in years. You know the drill. What do we call him?"

"The Monk. The Iceberg. The guy treats women like they're radioactive. You gave him that nickname yourself."

"Relax, Logan. The only girl Orion ever gave a damn about was that wild first love who wrecked him. He wouldn't touch Elara."

Logan stopped fighting them, and Orion didn't look back.

But just before the elevator doors sealed us off, I heard the sweet sound of my bridesmaids tearing Logan apart.

"What's wrong, Logan? Can't handle the game you started?" one sneered.

"What happened to the 'Hall Pass'? I thought you were a 'man of your word'? You said you 'wouldn't mind,' right?" another mocked. "Elara is free tonight, baby. Single and ready to mingle!"

We reached the VIP garage, and Orion finally dumped me.

But he didn't leave me on the curb as they predicted. He tossed me into the passenger seat of his black Pagani.

The engine roared as he slammed the gas and tore off into the night.

*****

Orion drove us to a sprawling, ultra-modern mansion that screamed old money.

I didn't recognize the place. I'd certainly never been here.

The moment we stepped inside, he stripped off my coat and clamped a hand around the back of my neck.

His mouth crushed down on mine, a punishing kiss fueled by years of rage.

I winced at the pain and tried to push him away. "Orion—"

But his arm was like an iron band around my waist. He pinned me against the wall, trapping me so completely I couldn't move a muscle.

"Elara, you asked for this," he snarled, his voice nasty. "Why are you pulling away now?"

He was right. I had no defense. I stopped fighting and whispered a broken plea instead. "Just... be gentle."

"I can't promise that," he muttered, tossing me onto the bed.

Our clothes ended up in a pile on the floor, and when he moved, he didn't hold back. There was nothing gentle in his touch.

Then, suddenly, everything stopped. He froze, his body going rigid above mine as the truth hit him like a physical blow.

The glacial mask he'd worn all night shattered. The anger drained out of his eyes, replaced by a look of shock.

"You..." he stammered, staring down at me. "You and Logan never did it?"

We had been apart for years. How could I possibly explain the strange reality of my life in a moment like this?

I bit my lip, forcing out a pathetic excuse. "We just... never got there."

I knew how it sounded. A couple getting married the next morning who hadn't hit the sheets yet?

In this day and age, it was practically unheard of.

But I had my reasons.

Strictly speaking, Logan and I never really dated.

We skipped the romance, awkward first times, and jumped straight to the finish line: marriage.

He wanted to marry me, and I was willing to build a life with him, so we made it work. But that physical connection just never happened.

But after tonight, that entire future was up in smoke.

Orion frowned, his eyes searching my face for a long time.

He probably found it impossible to believe that Logan hadn't touched me.

But the proof was right there. He had no choice but to believe that, despite everything, no other man had ever touched me.

Little by little, the frozen look in his eyes cracked, replaced by a raw red rim that made him look almost broken.

It was as if some inner dam gave way, and every grudge, every bit of love he'd shoved down for years came pouring out.

With a heavy sigh, his defenses crumbled. He pulled me into his arms, holding me like I was something precious.

He dropped a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth, soothing the spot he had bitten moments before.

Then he rolled over, pulling me with him until my face was buried in the crook of his neck.

We lay there, tangled together, skin against skin.

I could feel the heat of his breath against my ear, steady and warm.

"Elara," he whispered into my hair. "I still love you."

He leaned in again, his mouth brushing mine in a slow, lingering kiss, all the earlier roughness gone.