Craving The Wrong Brother (Sloane and Knox) novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200

When they disappear down the hall, the echo of Javier’s laughter fades, leaving a silence that feels deeper, more profound. It’s as if all the energy he brought into the room has vanished, replaced by an air thick with everything left unsaid between Luke and me.

Luke reaches across the table, his hand hovering just a second before it lands on mine. “Julie,” he says. “I just want you to be okay.”

For a moment, I let his touch calm me, but the anger still simmers beneath my skin. I pull my hand away, looking him straight in the eyes.

“If you really wanted me to be okay, you wouldn’t make decisions for me,” I say. “I don’t need protection, Luke. I need honesty. I need you on my

side.”

“I am on your side, Julie. More than you realize. And as much as you keep saying I made this decision for you, it doesn’t make it the truth. I told Adeline to talk to you about it. And if you agree, then I’m in. That’s why I didn’t say anything before now. I wanted her to reach out first, see if she’s serious. Don’t you want peace? Don’t you want to be happy with me?”

I stare at him, feeling the tension ease under his gaze, but only slightly. My mind is a jumble of thoughts, the conflicting urges to trust him, to believe him, and to demand more. And then, like the release of a clenched fist, I feel myself relax, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“Do I want peace?” I say. “I’d love it more than anything. But as long as these people are involved, peace is just this… distant, mythical thing. It’s like trying to sleep with sirens wailing right next to your bed. And yes, Adeline called me a couple of minutes ago.”

“She did?”

“Mmhmm.”

He leans back, still watching me like I’m some mystery he can’t wait to solve. “Did you… talk to her?”

“Technically, yes. Technically, I also just… bounced it.” I shrug. “One of the most satisfying moments of my day, to be honest.”

Luke laughs, a warm, rich sound that seems to vibrate straight into my chest. Now that sounds like the Julie I know,” he says. “Did you at least give her some colorful words before cutting her off?”

“Nah, I saved those for you,” I say, smirking. But my voice softens, and I add, Look, I want peace, Luke. I want that with every fiber of my being. But if they’re still pulling the strings, it’s never going to happen. Javier was right all along.”

www

ww

www.

“He told me I’d just end up dragging you into my mess.” I look down, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration. I don’t want him caught up in my world of deception and manipulation.

“Right about what?”

14

www.

wwwwwwwwwww

wwwwwww

Luke reaches out, tilting my chin up so I’m looking into those intense brown eyes. “Hey. I’m willingly stepping into this mess. It’s not like you tricked me into it. I’m here because I want to b

You’re worth it.”

“Oh, so you’re agreeing there’s a mess?”

He leans in, his face so close I can feel his breath. “Sure. But you’re

my

kind of mess, Julie”

My face flushes, and I roll my eyes. “Stop saying these things.”

“What things?”

“These… things that mess with my head.” I look away,

www.

“So the voodoo’s working, then?” he murmurs, leaning

“Shut up.”

ng

to

Ppress the smile forming, but it’s useless. He knows what he’s doing.

even closer, his

a low whisper that sends a shiver down my spine.

“There’s only one way to shut me up, Julie.”

I don’t have a chance to respond before his lips find mine, warm and soft, and the frustration and anger fade into something sweeter, something that makes my heart race and my mind blank. His hands are in my hair, his touch firm and sure, and it feels like every worry I’ve had tonight is melting away, one kiss at a time.

He pulls away, resting his forehead against mine, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Still want me to shut up? I could do that right here.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify