BEY

BY SUN

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PTE

ng home t

u're home sick but that is London, England! Yo

father's luggage, shakin

here, Mia? Why w

st want to come home. I

unless something h

remains silent for a couple seconds. Great, now I'm acting like a tota

heavily.

the gown from the concert inside. For once, it's not working. I push and pull, turn it, but

I can't stop thinking about him, about last night. About the night we met. I'm angry I'll never have that agai

llen mouth. An arranged marriage... He does

ir. I stare at the door, unmoving until ther

re. The attendant hasn't s

get my bearings before seeing him. However, when I open the door slowly and find him there, with Ivan behind him, I f

her. "I'd have come sooner, if I hadn't

holds up his hand. "Ple

the door. "What is it you'd

nnouncement, and that is because this marriage is not for love. It's designed to root me into my duties, since my family believes I squander my time. I took you on that trip because I w

is feet. I stare at him, hating that

n my world. And I'm not saying that this is true love or that we are meant to be, but I'm not ready for this to end... and

" I lie, stubborn

m

I can't give him. I'd be going against everything I believe in. "Am I mistaken, Mia?" he asks again, deliberately slow. It's as if I go blind. My feet practically

backwards into my hotel roo

.

and rain is the only thing helping block the tempestuous storm occurring in my br

d sex-crazed. We've been in bed together for hours. I truly had no thou

od together. When I hear him come, I feel invigorated. I feel power. I feel wanted. He makes me

his chest, they were at an unveiling of some sort. He was

hand by a pair of long, slender fingers. I look up, finding Henry coming around the couc

e of thos

from me, onto the

You know what we

ou feel used. I know you're too g

. Something in his eyes tells me he's una

"M-Mia... Are you goin

ard. I gape, slightly.

together, but nods

ictim of our desperation. I shake my head, swallowing as I pull my hand from his. "I

sing his hands to the gl

or my hand and I immediately turn to him for comfort. I lay my head a

resting my hand over his, going

.

I texted Ida, too weak to call. She'd have too many questions. H

to see him leave. I come up beside him, crossing my arms over my chest.

utterly

leased. "S

, looking back into the mirror. I hear his own disda

ends down, kissing my lips gen

xford tomorrow for most of the day. I would

"I only know you here, so, y

tare up at him, until his gaze makes

see you

s go, turning for the

re. Henry glances back, smiling unsurely as he closes the door

finally let myself go, b

.

, usually to get into bed together. To my shame, it became easier and easier to push back just what I was

d be tender and gentle, days when he'd come at me full-f

I'll see him again. And it's not him. He's romantic, affectionate, devoted to me when we're together, he does nothing to make me feel t

lives. Actual lives. And that weighs upon our brains, both of ours. Face against the pillow, I shiv

" he whispers, breaking the si

ha

d you sa

d

g fo

eyes. "Yea

y n

t's been a

You were belting Pat Benata

lip. "I thought

spine gently.

"I have n

S

ithin seconds. "You...

gain... but I guess I'

cs to Till There Was You . I can't reach Etta Jones level, but it's a sweet song. My heart is jumping at t

My happy days are unreal. I barely know him. I barely know anything about hi

u don't

look at him and I take that time to grab the door, pulling it open. I hurry d

h, this

.

rough my wet h