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.

to trap me. I told myself

Sutton flinched.

it. Even then. But I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t want to deal with the idea that I couldn’t follow

echoed,

But then? Then I was scared and angry and… looking for someone to

“So you hurt me.”

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

Sutton didn’t say anything.

space. “I told myself you were just another model. Pretty but temporary | didn’t need

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

has no connection to him, I will never let him come between us. I promise you.” Luca added, softer now. “I

breath caught. But she

were. What the doctor said. Whether the baby’s healthy. But I want you and I want

anyone

her in

There was a pause.

time you never

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

should’ve asked questions. I should’ve 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

again, harder

the rest of them. But you

voice was a whisper.

left,” he said. “Knowing I’d

Sutton’s throat burned.

to scream at him. But she couldn’t tell him she didn’t love him because she did. She wasn’t sure she was ready to agree to marry him.

talking was

pretending his emotion was real. She had

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

Sutton blinked, stunned.

“What?”