Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 117

They stayed like that for a while. Her fingers moving through his hair. His forehead still resting against her thigh. His breath was hot on her skin. It sent a shiver down her spine. There was no way she shouldn’t be turned on. She had never come so much in her life in one encounter.

Neither of them moved.

She should’ve said something. Anything. But she was exhausted. It fogged her brain a little.

But she didn’t know where to start. She didn’t know if she even wanted to break the silence yet. It wasn’t awkward. It was… necessary.

But then he exhaled. A low, ragged breath, like he’d been holding it for a few moments.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered again, barely above a whisper.

Her hand stilled.

She looked down at him. Taking in his disheveled state.

His eyes were closed. His body still braced against her like the apology was heavy enough to knock him over. Seeing him at her feet like this was humbling.

“Why?” she asked. “Why are you sorry?” Her voice was just as quiet as his. She needed to know, to understand. This was how forgiveness starts.

Luca didn’t answer right away.

3

And then he did, not with one thing, but everything. “I didn’t believe you,” he said. “I should have believed you. Trusted you.”

Her chest tightened, but she didn’t speak.

“I didn’t believe you when you said the baby was mine,” he continued, still not looking up. “I didn’t even let you finish. I just… reacted. Like a coward. L caused this pain for the both of us.”

She felt the heat creeping into her face, not from shame but from remembering how he had been that day.

Every word he’d thrown at her. The way her world had split open.

trying to trap me. I told myself that’s what women

Sutton flinched.

finally and met her eyes. “That wasn’t fair. And I knew it. Even then. But I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t want to deal with the idea that I couldn’t follow my

echoed,

swear to God, I don’t. But then? Then I was scared and angry

“So you hurt me.”

I said some hurtful things because I needed a clean break,” he said. “Because I felt I needed to do as my

Sutton didn’t say anything.

still between her legs, but giving her space. “I told myself you were just another model. Pretty but temporary | didn’t need you. I didn’t really know the real you. And

let that sit between them. She needed it, too. “Is it always going to

let him come between us. I promise you.” Luca added, softer now. “I was consumed with jealousy when in that moment I thought you had been with someone

But

said. “How far along you were. What the doctor said. Whether the baby’s healthy.

anyone else,

at her in shock.

There was a pause.

time you never

Said nothing more. What could he say? He really had fucked things up with

listened. But I didn’t. I said awful things. I pushed you away trying to cut all ties like my father wanted. I was gutted more than I thought I would be.”

flinched again,

the baby wasn’t mine. That you were lying. I said you were like the rest of them. But you have never been like other women.

a whisper. “And then

left,” he said. “Knowing I’d

Sutton’s throat burned.

him because she did. She wasn’t sure she was

talking was

his emotion was real. She had

to touch you just now,” Luca said, voice rough again. “Not after that. Not after

Sutton blinked, stunned.

“What?”