HIRAM’S POV:
Hearing about my father’s passing has left me devastated. I cannot even open my mouth to speak because a part of me wants to believe it is a joke. My mother’s trembling voice on the phone and the way she cried broke me. I cannot even imagine what Hera and Hana will do when they return from that stupid camp.
Mother wants me home, but I cannot leave here-not now, when it is still fresh. My father was the only person close to understanding me. He promised he wouldn’t die, and he did. I wish I could cry to take away the pain I feel, but I cannot. The tears refuse to leave, but the gnawing pain in my chest won’t stop. The only thing keeping me together is Juniper’s sleeping figure on my body.
I reach out to her, wrapping my arms tightly around her. Telling her about my pain might comfort me a little, but I cannot wake her up, so I remain like that, waiting to fall asleep. But my eyes remain wide open.
After a while, I sit up while still clutching her to my chest, then I skillfully get to my feet without interrupting her sleep, carrying her out of the room. I make my way up the stairs with her purse in my hand until I get to the bedroom, then I place her gently on the bed, planting a kiss on her forehead. She is the only thing keeping me sane in my life at the moment.
I walk toward the table to set down her purse, but then it vibrates. I pull out her phone, expecting to see Rhea’s name, but the name Cillian boldly displayed sends anger coursing through my veins. She still has his number. I try to calm myself, but then a message comes in.
“June, I am really sorry about today.”
I am curious about what happened at the party, but he replies with another text, answering my question.
“The kiss was sudden and unplanned, but you won’t deny you felt it too. I know I am an asshole, but I am willing to do what it takes to get you back.”
Every single muscle in my body tightens, and all I feel is betrayal. I have given her everything and done everything to protect her, but this is how she pays me back.
“I am sorry I cannot talk over text, Cillian. I have been thinking about the kiss, too. Where are you at the moment? Text me the address.” I type the message without thinking.
In the blink of an eye, he texts me back, and I feel the fury of vengeance course through me. I pick up my phone, leaving the room to place a call to the men Alex sent to me, then I send them the address.
“Bring him here and hand him over to my butler.”
As I end the call, Winston walks into the living room.
“Just the man I am looking for,” I say to him.
“Do you need anything, sir?” he asks politely, and I nod.
“Alex’s men will be here with Cillian, and I want you to put him in the storeroom in my art room. Make sure he feasts his eyes on the painting of June, so he will see all he cannot have.”
“Yes, sir.” Winston bows, and I head to my room.
**
When I wake the next day, I think it will be easier to forget, but the heaviness in my chest still lingers, making it difficult for me to breathe. Even June’s touch feels cold for the first time. I remain there until I can no longer stand my anger. Then I get to my feet, making my way out of the room.
On getting to the art room, I walk straight to the storeroom, opening it to see Cillian tied to a seat, surrounded by paintings of June.
“I see the torture wasn’t enough.” He stirs out of his sleep as I speak, then he looks at me with his eyes widening.
“You!” he grits his teeth, and I cross my arms, leaning against the door.
“Yes, it is me,” I reply flatly, glaring at him. “What are you going to do about that?” I question, and he tugs against the ropes, scraping the seat.
“Struggling is useless, so do not bother,” I say to him, then I walk to the control panel in the room, turning it on to reveal the art room on display.
“I’m not done with you because, when I am, you’ll learn to stop touching other people’s girlfriends,” I say to him, then I grab his seat, spinning it around to face the screen.
“What are you doing?” he struggles, shaking in the seat. “You are not going to get away with this! Do you know who my father is?” he questions, and I pull back, crossing my arms.
“Your mother didn’t tell you?” I question, and he grits his teeth. “Well, enlighten me, Cillian. Who is your father?” I act like I want to know, but then I walk away, slamming the door.
My mind is still raging mad as I make my way toward the main door, but before I can open it, Juniper does.
Just in time, I say to myself.
“Hiram,” she calls out in a small tone, rubbing her face. I stare at her, dressed in nothing but a night robe. I helped her change last night, and the entire time, I couldn’t put away the fact that she kissed Cillian.
I force a smile onto my face, then she walks up to me, getting on her tiptoes. As soon as her lips meet with mine, my stomach knots in disgust. I cannot forget, and all I can think of is punishing her. My hand reaches out for her, grabbing her hand.
“Ouch!” she exclaims, and I loosen my grip. Then I wrap my arms around her waist, lifting her with ease.
She wraps her legs around me, and I shut my eyes, planting kisses all over her body, trying so hard to avoid her lips.
Her moan rings in my ears, and I carry her to the couch, placing her head down while I take my time savoring her body.
My hands trail up her thighs, and her hands wrap around my neck gently. I want to be gentle with her, but the fury burning in my chest says otherwise. She is entirely mine, and I want to make her feel it. I am on the edge, and I cannot stop the possessive fire driving within me.
Hurriedly, I undo the ropes of the robe, leaving her bare underneath me. Then I run my hands up her thigh, sticking in three fingers at once, causing her to whimper, but I do not withdraw. My other hand reaches for her throat, grabbing it-but not too rough-and I attack her body with kisses. She tries to shut her legs as I pump into her with my fingers.
“Keep them open,” I growl, pumping faster as her eyes widen to meet mine. She obeys me, fueling me as I thrust harder, applying more pressure on her neck.
“You know you’re my ruin, don’t you?” She whimpers softly, her breath hitching as I lean in. The heat of my breath against her bare skin draws a shudder from her. Then I pull out at once, pulling down my pants.
She tries to shut her legs, but I grab her thighs, opening them. Then I slide into her before she can say a word.
“Let me see you,” I demand, my grip tightening on her hips as I thrust into her. “I want you to spread wide for me. Now.” She doesn’t hesitate when I say this, and I lower myself enough for her to grip my shoulders to ground herself.
As I thrust into her soapy, wet core, I try to fuck away the frustration buried in my chest, but it doesn’t seem enough. Fuck! I love her, but now I cannot even tell what I feel.
“God, Hiram!” Her moans come out low, ringing in my ears, encouraging me to go deeper.
“Faster, please.” I obey her command, meeting her pleasure spot with each thrust, which keeps her hands busy, roaming around my body.
Her soft moans fill the space between us, urging me to move harder, deeper, until the anger burning inside me finds its release in her cries of pleasure. I grip her hips tighter, pulling her against me as I drive into her with all the frustration that’s been eating at me since I saw his name on her phone.
“You’re mine,” I growl into her ear. “No one else will ever have you, June. Only me.”
“Yes, I am yours.” Her words come between moans as her lips graze my ears gently, followed by her cries and her nails digging into my body.
Her body trembles slightly underneath me, and I feel tension coil in my lower abdomen. I am close. In a moment, she shudders underneath me, and I can tell she has gotten to her climax as her warmth coats my cock. This sends ripples of emotion coursing through me, and I pull out at once, decorating her thighs with my cum as her name spills from my mouth.
She lies there with her body still trembling from the aftershocks. My body pulls away from the ecstasy of the orgasm, and the anger simmering beneath returns. I lift my head, my gaze snapping to the wall where I know the camera is positioned.
“Did you enjoy that, Cillian?” I call out without looking at June. “Did you enjoy watching me have sex with my girlfriend, who you will never have?”
June scrambles for her robe at once, shooting me a wide glance.
“Cillian is here?”