23.

LYRA.

Laughter roars, feeling the air at the joke Axel had made. I only forced a smile while playing around with the food.

The conversation I had with Sage's mother is still lingering in my thoughts. I felt a weight being placed on my shoulders; it was left to me to take responsibility.

My feelings were beginning to get conflicted, and I felt as though I couldn't do it, but there was no backing out, not after giving my word for it.

I felt Sage's hands on my lap rubbing on it while he leaned into my left ear.

"Are you okay?"

I blink myself back to reality, forcing a tight-lipped smile. "Yes."

"Are you sure?" He insists on his voice fanning on my neckline, making me rub on my thighs already turned on.

His motion on my lap never seizes. I say on my lower lips, "I won't be unless you keep rubbing on my thighs."

He smirked. "Really?"

My eyes widen as I feel his hands slip into my skirt, compelled to look at him and ask, "What are you doing?"

"Giving you what you want," I ans