Queen of my Heart

18

EVERYTHING HURT.

It's been about two months after my talk with Bryan, and still I can't look at him in the eye without wanting to break down. Shane and I barely talked to each other in private because whenever we were left alone together, we'd jump on each other like horny teenagers.

Of course it was all my fault. I can't believe I had the guts to feel so bloody miserable when I was the one who wanted this—when I wanted to end everything with Bryan to cheat with Shane behind Gillian's back. Of course.

“Still preoccupied, I see,” Mark said as he took the seat beside me, glancing at the interior of the plane with a look of wonder in his eyes.

I sighed, taking a sip at my wine. “Just thinking. Anyway, this plane is nice.”

“Yeah, I can't believe we're going back already! I love the people here,” he said, practically bouncing in his seat. “I learned so many words! Konnichiwa, Juliet-chan!”

“Stop it. You sound ridiculous.”

“I was trying to cheer you up, you wench.”

I frowned at my glass. “I know, Mark.” I met his pitying eyes. “And thank you for that, but I don't think I can be happy soon.”

I felt his hand on mine. “You know I still want you to leave Shane alone, but I can't really stop you. It's your life. Just . . . don't keep making stupid decisions, okay?”

Ha, not on this lifetime, Marky.

“Yeah.”

• • •

My back collided against the wall. “Shane,” I gasped against his mouth, gripping his hair with my hand as our tongues clashed against each other.

His hands were everywhere. “You're so hot, Juliet.” His mouth attacked my neck, jaw, and collarbone. A low moan escaped me, and it took all my willpower not to combust right then and there.

“They're about to come back,” I breathed out, wrapping my legs around his waist. “Let's stop.”

His lips met mine for a long kiss. “Hmm.” Suddenly my bra was on the floor and he was touching my chest. His dark eyes locked on mine. “Make me stop, Juliet.”

Stop. This is wrong. This is a big, big mistake.

“I can't.” My voice broke, and all I felt was the increasing need of being with him for a little while longer. I arched my back as he lied me on his bed. “Shane, please.”

And then he was kissing every inch of my skin, not stopping until I was calling out his name.

• • •

Gillian kissed Shane's cheek. “Welcome home, babe. I've missed you.”

His eyes surreptitiously drifted to mine. “Yeah, me too.”

“How's Japan?”

“Good. I think we took some pictures.”

The beef steak in front of me didn't look as appetizing anymore. I could feel Bryan's piercing stare at my back as I excused myself and went to the rooftop of the hotel.

The night air was crisp, and the stars seemed to mock me with their gleeful twinkling.

A sigh escaped my lips as I leaned my elbows on the ice-cold metal railing, shivering a little.