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Chapter 67: Chapter 67: How Could I Play with You?

Lynn Winslow was silent for a long time. Standing at the edge of the viewing platform, which seemed to teeter precariously in mid-air, she suddenly said, "So you blame me."

Ian Sterling admitted it, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

Lynn nestled in his embrace, her gaze falling to the arms wrapped around her waist. She placed her slender fingers on his forearm and said softly, "Blame me then."

"Is that so?" Ian Sterling’s lips twitched into a smirk. He lowered his head and bit the same spot he had just bitten, making Lynn hiss in pain. She heard his low, raspy voice say, "Then why are you torturing me?"

"Have I?" Lynn turned around in his arms and retorted, "When have I ever tortured you?"

Ian’s hands tightened abruptly, forcing her closer to him until their lips were mere millimeters apart, so close that the slightest movement would make them touch.

Lynn deliberately defied him, curving her lips into a smile as she dodged away slightly. In a coy voice, she said, "You still haven’t told me when I’ve ever tortured you."

She began to list them off, "I give you whatever you want. You came into my room in the middle of the night, took my phone, and blocked Zane Lancaster. I even gave in to you in the car just now." She raised her arms, draped them around his neck, and pinched the skin on his nape. "Well?" she pressed.

"Why won’t you be with me?" Ian pressed his lips together, repeating, "If you’re willing to go along with me on everything, why won’t you get back together with me?"

Lynn let out a laugh, as if amused. Once her laughter subsided, she said slowly, "Weren’t you the one who suggested it? Do you need me to help you remember?"

"I regret it." His Adam’s apple bobbed slowly, and turmoil churned in his eyes. His voice was hoarse as he said, "I want you to give me a title, a legitimate status that allows me to be with you openly."

Lynn met his gaze. The air seemed to freeze in that instant, the atmosphere growing subtly charged.

A faint sound broke the silence. Lynn snapped back to reality, her gaze shifting to the window. It was the sound of raindrops pattering against the glass. Streaks of water trickled down the pane. "It’s raining," Lynn said, pleasantly surprised.

With that, she started toward the window, but Ian grabbed her, stopping her. "You haven’t given me an answer yet," he said, his voice low.

Lynn looked back at him, exasperated. She tried to placate him with a gentle voice, "Isn’t this fine? We can do things couples do, and I won’t tie you down. I can promise you I won’t see anyone else, so you don’t need to worry."

"I’m not afraid of being tied down, Lynn." Ian took a step forward and pulled her into a forceful embrace. His eyes were red-rimmed, a nearly crazed darkness staining their depths. His voice choked as he pleaded, "Even if you just want to play with me or torture me, that’s fine. Just be with me, okay?"

"Why would I ever play with you?" Lynn raised a hand and stroked his back soothingly. "If it’s what you want," she placated, "then let’s be together."

Ian’s eyes widened. Before he could even feel happy, he heard Lynn say, "We need to agree on three rules."

’Her agreeing was enough to make him ecstatic. Never mind three rules; he would have agreed to a hundred, as long as Lynn was willing to be with him.’

But he wasn’t foolish enough to tell her that. He just gave a muffled grunt of assent. Lynn tilted her head back, looking him directly in the eye.

"First, no living together."

Ian frowned and opened his mouth to argue, but Lynn cut him off. "Just not living together. I’m not asking you to be celibate."

’After all, she craved Ian Sterling too.’ Lynn continued, "Second, don’t interfere in my business."

"I haven’t thought of the third one yet. I’ll tell you when I do." Lynn’s lips curved as she leaned closer to him and asked, "Do you agree?"

"I agree." Ian captured her lips in a kiss, his movements gentle, finally not biting them until they were swollen and sore like he usually did.

He only released her when her breathing grew ragged, whispering, "Can you agree to one request from me?"

Their lips were still close enough to brush against each other when they spoke. Lynn’s eyes were narrowed as she tried to catch her breath. Hearing his words, she let out a soft laugh.

"Let’s hear it."

Ian pecked her on the lips and said in a negotiating tone, "I won’t interfere in your business, but can you at least tell me what you’re doing?"

Lynn lowered her gaze to his bright red, thin lips and slowly added, "Third, you’re not allowed to ask about anything I do."

"..."

Lynn poked his shoulder with her finger, then turned and walked to the window. "Building a cantilevered viewing platform on a mountaintop is a really bold move," she praised, "but I have to admit, it’s beautiful."

From here, you could overlook most of Quartos. Lights twinkled through the curtain of rain, and you could faintly hear the sound of car horns.

Ian Sterling stood behind her, his obsessed gaze glued to her body. The fingers of his hands, hanging at his sides, trembled as he struggled to suppress the pathological possessiveness churning inside him.

’He wanted to kneel by her side, to beg for her pity, to let her defile him.’

Lynn looked back at him. Ian ducked his head in discomposure, hiding his unseemly emotions. He rubbed the tip of his nose and said, "It’s raining. Are we staying here tonight?"

Lynn was a bit resistant. "Just looking at the view is fine, but I’d be a little scared to stay the night."

"The suite inside isn’t cantilevered. My housekeeper has people come clean it regularly, so don’t worry." He bent down, took Lynn’s hand, and after placing a light bite on it, led her into the bedroom for a look.

"When this place was being designed, I had them specifically add a bedroom. I was thinking of bringing you here."

The bedroom’s decor was designed entirely according to Lynn’s aesthetic and preferences. As she sat in the entryway to change her shoes and was about to bend down, she saw Ian Sterling kneel on one knee at her feet. He took off her high heels and put slippers on her.

"You used to always make me change your shoes. I did it, but deep down, I always felt a little resentful. It was only after you left that I realized..." Ian rubbed her ankle, his lips moving, but he swallowed the rest of the sentence.

Lynn reached out and cupped his face. She didn’t press him for the rest, just gave him a soft, rewarding kiss on the forehead. "Thank you, baby."

Ian Sterling blinked. In the instant his heart filled with joy at her words, his brain told him he was insane.

Lynn paid him no more mind. Feeling sticky from sweating earlier, she went into the bathroom by herself.

After she entered the bathroom, an unease settled in Ian’s heart. He leaned against the bathroom wall, and only the sound of trickling water from inside eased his discomfort.

He kept his eyes downcast, staring expressionlessly at the off-white floor. His fingers curled and uncurled repeatedly, only stopping when Lynn came out of the bathroom.

"Why are you standing here?" Lynn was startled for a second when she saw him, but she quickly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I’m so tired," she sighed. "My back is so sore. Go take a shower, then come out and give me a massage."

Ian hummed a soft "mhm," then dragged a chair over. He said to Lynn, "Sit here and wait for me, okay? Somewhere you can hear me and answer if I call."

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