I couldnât get the sound of her voice out of my head.
Even after the call ended, even after I slammed the phone down, it lingered, her moans, the way she said âDaddyâ like a sinful promise. It stuck to me, clung to my skin no matter how hard I tried to shake it off. I shouldn't want this. Not her. Not Lilith. But I did. I got dressed quickly, throwing on my usual suit, trying to focus on anything that wasnât her. The office. The meeting with Marcus. Anything. Ha, yes, Marcus. My stomach twisted as his name floated to the surface of my mind. He was supposed to be my best friend. The man who trusted me above all others. And I... I was slowly betraying that trust in the most dangerous way possible. I walked to the window, staring out at the city below, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. The sun was already high, casting long shadows across the sky, but it did nothing to warm the cold pit of guilt that had settled deep in my chest. I thought about my daughter, Sofia, the way I had failed her. The way I let her slip through my fingers and right into the arms of a man who had destroyed her. My hands clenched at my sides, anger and guilt mixing like poison in my veins. I could still remember the day I found out. The phone call. The hospital. The way her pale body lay still in that bed, her once bright eyes dull, open and lifeless. She had died. Gone out of this world. Because I hadn't protected her. I felt hollow and empty inside. Eighteen years old. Almost the same age as Lilith. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push the memories away. I couldn't go down that path again. I couldn't. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop comparing the two, Lilith and Sofia. I couldn't stop seeing Lilith as someone I needed to protect, and yet... God help me, I wanted her in ways I had no right to. I knew I was going to hell for these desires running through me. I ran a hand over my face, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me. I reached a resolution. I was going to distance myself from her. I had to stay away. Not just for me, but for her and for Marcus. I checked my watch. Lunch with Marcus was in an hour. Maybe that would help. Maybe seeing him would remind me of the man I was supposed to be, the man who valued loyalty, trust, and friendship. Not the man who was slowly unraveling because of his best friend's daughter. I left the office and met with Marcus at the downtown cafe, the usual spot where we grabbed lunch once a week. He was already seated when I arrived, he waves me over with that easy smile he always wore. I tried to smile back, but it felt forced. Everything felt forced lately. âBastian! Youâre late,â he joked as I sat down across from him. I shrugged, trying to hide the tension in my shoulders. âBusy morning.â âBusy, huh? With what?â he asked, raising an eyebrow. If only he knew. âJust work,â I lied smoothly, picking up the menu and using it as a shield. I couldnât look him in the eye, not today. Not when her voice still lives rent free in my mind. Marcus waved a hand, dismissing my excuse. âYou work too much. You always have. You need to relax a little, man.â He had no idea how badly I needed to relax. How badly I needed to get rid of this fire that was burning inside me, making me lose control and my sanity that's almost in shambles. âLilithâs coming back into town tonight,â Marcus said casually, his tone light. âSheâs been gone for a while, huh? Off studying, doing her own thing. But now that sheâs back, Iâm hoping you can keep an eye out for her for me. Youâve always been like an uncle to her.â Uncle. That word twisted in my gut like a knife. I wasnât feeling anything uncle-like toward Lilith. What I was feeling was dark, twisted, wrong. And yet, the more he talked, the more I felt the weight of my guilt pressing down on me. I nodded, barely able to get the words out. âOf course, Marcus.â He smiled, oblivious to the storm swirling inside me. âGood. Sheâs a smart girl, but sheâs young, you know? She needs some guidance.â He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. âPlus, with guys swarming around her... you know how it is. Iâd rather she be around someone I trust. Like you.â I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. âYeah. You donât have to worry.â But he did. He just didnât know it yet. If there was anyone that Lilith shouldn't be around with is me. I took in a deep breath trying to calm myself. The conversation drifted after that, Marcus talking about his plans for the week, some business deals he was working on. I nodded along, but I wasnât really listening. I couldnât stop thinking about Sofia. About the way I had failed her. About the way I was teetering on the edge of failing Lilith too. After lunch, I left the cafe, walking through the city, trying to clear my mind. But it was useless. Every time I blinked, I saw her. And I heard Sofiaâs voice as well, reminding me of how fragile life was, of how easily everything could be taken away. I couldnât let that happen again. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the list of missed calls and emails. Anything to distract myself. Anything to focus on work and not the fact that my body still ached for someone I had no right to want. And then I saw it. A message from Lilith. My breath hitched high, almost choking on my spit, my thumb freezed over the screen. Donât open it. Donât. But I did, once again. It was a picture. Her. In that damn bathing suit again. The one that showed too much. Far too much. My chest tightened, heat surging through me. I wanted to throw the phone. I wanted to delete the message, to block her, to never speak to her again. But I couldnât. I was already too far gone, as much as I would like to deny this, I can't. I clenched my jaw, my hand shaking as I shoved the phone back into my pocket. I had to get out of here. I had to clear my head. Back at the office, I tried to bury myself in work. Meetings, paperwork, phone calls, it didnât matter. I just needed something, anything, to drown out the thoughts that were creeping in. But Lilith was always there. In the back of my mind, the picture of her taunting me, teasing me, reminding me of what I could not have. I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair, staring at the ceiling. I couldnât do this. I couldnât. I feel like I would be giving in soon. I knew it. At that moment, I get a beep from my phone. Another message. I ignored it. I tried to, I told myself I needed to. I couldnât let her keep pulling me down. But it buzzed again, and again, until finally, I caved in. I opened the message. Another photo. This time, she was lying on her bed, her lips parted slightly, her eyes hooded with desire. The caption underneath was simple. âThinking of you, Daddy.â My breath caught, I felt like I was suffocating, my entire body bulged up. God help me.Bastian's POV Today was the Ammoret charity ball, I would likely be meeting Lilith there. I have been avoiding her. It has not been easy but I have to do it for her. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for what felt like the tenth time. The silk caught the light just right, but no matter how much I tried, I couldnât focus on my reflection, no matter how bad I tried. My mind was spinning from another damn message from her. I got it this morning. Her voice, her moans, they had haunted me all day, making it impossible to keep my thoughts straight even at the office. Tonight was meant to be different. I had forged a plan. I was going to protect and avoid her at all costs. Thatâs why I had asked Sabrina to come with me to the event. Sabrina was everything I should want, gorgeous, smart, and most importantly, age-appropriate. I could do this. I could. I will not screw this. I made my way to the event, Los Angeles, lights flashing by in a blur, I forced myself to think a
Bastianâs POVThe sunlight streamed through the blinds, cutting across my office desk in harsh lines. Iâd been sitting there for hours, staring at the stack of papers in front of me, trying to focus on the endless contracts and spreadsheets that demanded my attention. But all I could think about was last night. Lilith.Her messages, her pictures, it all replayed in my mind like a movie on loop. The way her body glistened, the curve of her breasts, the wetness between her legs. She was relentless. And no matter how much I tried to push her out of my thoughts, she refused to leave, I know right now, there is no salvation for me only damnation. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. This has to stop, I told myself for what felt like the hundredth time. I had to get her out of my head. I had to. Yet, no matter what, she doesn't leave. One thing about temptation is, the more you fight it, the more you get pulled in.My phone buzzed, and my pulse quickened, knowing who it
Bastian's POV The low hum of the city buzzed in the distance, a backdrop to the thrum of my heartbeat. I shouldnât be here. Not now. Not with her. But the pull was stronger than my will. I hear my footsteps echo down the hallway, bouncing off the walls like a warning. I could feel the sweat dampening my palms, the tightness in my chest that came with knowing I was walking into a willing sin. The door stood before me, simple, wooden, yet so much heavier than it should be. Behind it was everything I should avoid. Everything I had no right to want, yet, I am unable to ignore the pull. HER. Lilith Morrell. I knew she was there waiting for me. I gritted my teeth, my hand hovering and shaking over the brass doorknob. The metal was cool, but within, I burned with the heat of a thousand forbidden desires. One twist, one pull, and Iâd be on the other side. Iâd told myself I could handle it, her. That I could stay in control, and keep the boundary between us clear. But the more I s
Bastian's POV Once again, I felt her breath before I saw her, soft and warm against my skin, like a secret. I turned, my hands outstretched to touch her, but she was just out of reach. The moonlight caught the curves of her body, her skin glowing as if she were made of shadows and light. Lilith. She stood before me, yet out of reach, mischief glinting in her eyes. Her lips parted, curling into that wicked sexy smile she always wore when she knew she had me. She always had me hooked and panting for more. "Come closer," she whispered, her voice winding around me, soft, dangerous and alluring. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last. I moved toward her, every muscle in my body aching, burning with a need I couldn't explain nor understand. But no matter how close I got, she drifted farther away, taunting me with that damn laugh, reechoes like melodious music. She was my master and I, her slave. Suddenly, her hands were on me, tracing lines over my chest, with