FAZER LOGINLia's POVHis jealousy was so blatant, so obvious, that it would have been almost funny if it wasn't so infuriating.This man. This man who had ignored me for months. Who had made me feel worthless and needy for wanting basic affection. Who had cheated on me with a flight attendant right in front of my face. Who had brought his ex-girlfriend on our trip and spent every moment since fawning over her.This man had the audacity to be jealous.The hypocrisy was staggering.For a split second, I was tempted to tell him the truth. To look him straight in the eye and say: *Your brother fucked me last night. Thoroughly. Made me come more times in one night than you've made me come in our entire year-long relationship. He touched me like I was precious and made me feel wanted for the first time in months. And tonight he's going to do it again.*The words were right there on the tip of my tongue. I could taste them. Could imagine the look on Rob's face if I actually said them.But I didn't.Bec
Lia's POVDuring our outing around the island, the tension in our little group was thick enough to cut with a knife.We'd stopped at several scenic viewpoints—dramatic cliff overlooks where the Mediterranean stretched out endlessly in shades of blue and turquoise, hidden beaches with pristine white sand accessible only by steep hiking trails, ancient ruins tucked into hillsides that Celeste insisted on explaining in excruciating detail despite no one asking.At every stop, the same pattern repeated itself.Celeste would position herself next to Rob, standing close enough that their shoulders touched, pointing out features of the landscape with animated gestures and that tinkling laugh that was starting to grate on my nerves. She'd touch his arm frequently—casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world—and make inside jokes that referenced their shared history.Rob would respond with more enthusiasm than he'd shown me in months. Smiling. Laughing. Actually engaging instead o
Lia's POVI looked up at him, finding him standing right behind me—close enough that I could smell his cologne, that clean masculine scent with hints of cedar and something spicy. Close enough that I could see the slight stubble on his jaw that he hadn't bothered to shave this morning. Close enough that if I leaned back just slightly, I'd be pressed against his chest.He smiled down at me, his dark eyes warm but with that hint of mischief dancing in their depths that I was quickly learning to recognize.Then he offered me his hand to help me into the vehicle.Like a gentleman. Like I was someone worth treating with care and respect. Like helping me into a car was a privilege rather than a chore.The contrast to Rob—who had never once opened a car door for me in the entire year we'd been dating—was stark and deliberate.I placed my hand in his, feeling the warmth and strength of his palm against mine, the calluses on his fingers from whatever work he did. His hand completely engulfed m
Lia's POVRelief flooded through me. "Thank you.""Besides," Dante added, a slight smirk curving his lips, "watching my idiot brother try to win you back while you're standing right next to the man who fucked you senseless last night? That's going to be entertaining."I felt my face heat. "Dante—""What?" he asked innocently, though his eyes were dancing with amusement. "It's true. Every time he tries to touch you, you're going to be thinking about my hands on you instead. Every time he tries to flirt, you're going to remember how I made you scream my name. He's going to try so hard and have no idea he's already lost."He was right. The thought of spending the day with Rob while knowing what I'd done—what Dante had done to me—was going to be surreal."You're terrible," I whispered, but I was smiling."You like it," Dante said confidently. Then his expression became more serious. "But actually, I'm glad you asked me to come. I don't like the idea of you being alone with them."He leane
Lia's POVRob finally turned and walked to the door. He paused with his hand on the handle, looking back at me one more time like he was going to say something else.But I just stared at him blankly, waiting for him to leave.He sighed and left, closing the door behind him.The moment he was gone, I let out a long breath and leaned back against the bathroom doorframe.That had been close. Too close. If Rob had been even slightly more observant, if he'd actually cared enough to look, he might have noticed something. Might have questioned more.But he hadn't. Because he never really looked at me. Never really saw me.I pushed off the doorframe and went to my suitcase, digging through my limited wardrobe options.I needed to get dressed. Needed to prepare for whatever awkward day trip this was going to be.And I needed to see Dante again. Needed to figure out what last night meant and what happened next.I selected a simple sundress—light and casual, a soft yellow color that made my skin
Lia's POVMy heart jumped into my throat. Panic flooded through me immediately. Could he tell? Could he see evidence of what had happened here? Could he smell sex in the air?"Jesus, Rob," I said, my hand flying to my chest, clutching the towel tighter. "You scared me. What are you doing here so early?"Rob looked up at me, and I saw his eyes travel down my body slowly. Taking in my wet hair, my bare shoulders, the towel that barely covered me, my exposed legs still slightly pink from the hot shower.There was heat in his gaze. Actual desire. The same look he'd been giving me since yesterday by the pool.Too little, too late."Is coming to see my girlfriend a crime now?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of that charming tone he used to use when we first started dating. "I wanted to catch you before breakfast. Talk to you alone."I didn't reply. Just stood there clutching my towel, very aware of how vulnerable I was. How naked I was under this thin piece of fabric. How the marks Dan
Lia's POVHis eyes went from dark to absolutely black, his pupils dilating until they swallowed almost all the brown. His hand on my waist tightened, fingers digging into my skin hard enough that I'd probably have marks."What did you just say?" he asked, his voice rough and dangerous in a way that
Lia's POVThat afternoon, after a late lunch where Rob and Celeste had been insufferably touchy with each other, Celeste announced brightly that we should all spend the rest of the day by the pool."It's too beautiful to stay inside," she said, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. "We should
Lia's POVThe words hung in the air between us, loaded with meaning I wasn't entirely sure how to interpret."I'm sorry if Rob has made you feel unwelcome," Victor continued. "That was never my intention in inviting you both here. I wanted to get to know you. My son has been... secretive about his
Lia's POVI pushed the door open and stepped inside the gym.The space was larger than I expected—a proper home gym with everything you could possibly need. Weights lined one wall, organized by size. Machines for every muscle group. A treadmill and stationary bike near the windows. Mats for stretch







