Page 38 of Less

For a second, neither of us speaks.

The room is quiet.

Soft lamplight.

The faint sound of music is still drifting from the party downstairs.

My breath hitches in my chest, and I realize something unsettling.

Even after everything, being this close to Alessio Figueroa still feels like coming home.

“Less?” I murmur his name.

Chapter 10

Less

This is it.

I know the second I do this—the second I cross this line—there’s no going back.

Not for me.

Not for her.

Not for whatever fragile peace we’ve managed to hold together tonight.

But the way she’s looking at me right now?

The soft lamplight catching in her red hair.

She’s sitting on the couch with me crouched on the floor before her—like a servant worshipping at the feet of his queen.

And she is that.

My queen. My ruler. My everything.

Her pale green eyes watch me like she’s trying to read every thought in my head.

It feels like something more than coincidence.

Like fate.

Or forgiveness.

Maybe even a gift.

Either way—I’m taking it.

And this time?

I won’t fuck it up.

Not again.

I straighten slowly from where I’d crouched in front of her and take one step closer.

Amanda doesn’t move.